BTCPay Server self-hosted bitcoin payments for shops
- Legal entity
- BTCPay Server Foundation (non-profit)
- Regulatory status
- Not a financial service
- Custody
- Self-custody: you hold the keys
- Open source
- Yes
- Fees
- No fees and no subscription; self-hosted, or a third-party host from USD 10 a month per the docs (as of 2026-10-04)
- Website
- https://btcpayserver.org
- Status
- Active
Swiss angle
BTCPay Server is a global project with no Swiss base. The BTCPay Server Foundation about page, read on 5 October 2026, calls the foundation a non-profit organization that will not commercialise any product, names Nicolas Dorier as founder of the project, and prints no seat. The GitHub repository publishes the software under the MIT licence.
It holds no money for you. The deployment docs call BTCPay a non-custodial invoicing system: payments go directly to your wallet, your private keys are never uploaded to the server, and third-party hosts do not control user funds. That makes it software, not a financial service.
We found no Swiss office and no page that says how a store prices in francs, so we make no claim about CHF invoices. Try it in the public demo linked from the README before you rely on it.
Taking bitcoin in a business raises tax questions that the software does not answer. Bitcoin and Swiss VAT covers the sale itself, and the Swiss Bitcoin tax guide covers how you value holdings at year end.
Who it is for
Merchants who want no middleman. The GitHub README says BTCPay Server lets merchants accept Bitcoin directly, without fees or intermediaries. The chapter on using bitcoin in the real world shows where a shop checkout fits.
Shops that want Lightning. The deployment docs say a self-hosted install can attach an unlimited number of stores and use the Lightning Network. LND is one Lightning node implementation listed in this directory.
Owners who are fine with a monthly server bill. The same docs list a LunaNode one-click install at about $10 a month and a virtual private server at $10 to $70 a month, depending on provider. They also list Start9 among the hardware options.
Once your shop takes bitcoin, add it to BTC Map so customers can find you.
Who it is not for
Shop owners who want an app on a phone at the counter and a company to call. Swiss Bitcoin Pay is a checkout app for that, and its listing names the company behind it. BTCPay Server is software you host or rent; Swiss Bitcoin Pay is a service you sign up for. Compare both before you choose.
Merchants without someone technical on hand. The deployment docs rate a virtual private server as moderate to hard, and say manual deployments and hardware builds are not recommended for production and require technical knowledge.
Anyone who wants a personal wallet. BTCPay Server is a payment processor for a business; for your own coins see the self-custody guide.
Verified facts
| Source | Checked on |
|---|---|
| BTCPay Server docs: deployment methods and private keys | |
| BTCPay Server FAQ: no subscriptions, no transaction fees | |
| BTCPay Server Foundation | |
| BTCPay Server on GitHub (MIT, v2.4.4) |
This directory carries no paid placements and no referral codes. No provider paid to be listed or to be described in a certain way. Each fact was checked against the primary source on the date shown next to it, and facts change after that date. This page is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice.