If you’re a freelancer working with global clients, getting paid quickly, cheaply, and reliably matters. You don’t want to lose money to fees, face delays, or fight compliance issues just to collect what you’ve earned.
Stripe, Payoneer, and Wise (formerly TransferWise) are the top tools freelancers use to receive international payments—but each works differently. This guide compares all three so you can pick the right one for your business in 2025.
The Core Question:
How do I get paid internationally with low fees, minimal friction, and full control?
Let’s break it down.
What They Are (Quick Definitions)
Stripe – A global online payment processor built for businesses. Mostly used for invoicing, subscriptions, and accepting credit card payments.
Payoneer – A payment platform focused on freelancers, marketplaces, and affiliate income. Works with Upwork, Fiverr, Amazon, and other networks.
Wise – A multi-currency business account that lets you receive, convert, and send money globally with real exchange rates.
They all solve slightly different problems—so understanding the difference matters.
1. Getting Paid by Clients
Stripe:
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Best for sending invoices and accepting credit card payments directly.
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You can embed payment links, buttons, or use Stripe Checkout.
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Clean, professional, but works best if you have a website or platform.
Payoneer:
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Ideal if clients already use the platform (e.g., Upwork, Fiverr, or affiliate networks).
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Can send payment requests, but not as flexible as Stripe.
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Often used passively—money comes in from networks.
Wise:
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Not a payment processor—it’s a business bank alternative.
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Great for receiving bank transfers in multiple currencies.
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Best when paired with invoicing software (like Wave, Zoho, etc.).
Verdict:
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Use Stripe if you want full control and professional invoicing.
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Use Payoneer if your income is platform-based.
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Use Wise if you get paid via bank transfers or by clients in other countries.
2. Supported Countries & Currencies
Stripe:
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Available in 45+ countries
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Supports 135+ currencies
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Requires business entity in a supported country (US, UK, etc.)
Payoneer:
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Global, with support for 200+ countries
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Offers local receiving accounts in USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, AUD, CAD
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Accepts payouts from major platforms and direct clients
Wise:
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Available in 160+ countries
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Local bank details in major currencies
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Multi-currency balances with 50+ supported currencies
Verdict:
Wise and Payoneer win on pure global access. Stripe is great but needs proper setup and is not available everywhere.
3. Fees (Where the Real Difference Is)
Stripe:
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2.9% + 30¢ per transaction (typical for credit cards)
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+1% for currency conversion
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Instant payouts in some countries (extra fee)
Payoneer:
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Receiving via platform: often free
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Client payments: ~3% fee via card
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Currency conversion: ~2% above market rate
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Withdrawal to local bank: up to $1.50 + exchange rate markup
Wise:
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No monthly fee
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Receiving: free in most currencies
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Currency conversion: 0.35%–1% depending on pair (very low)
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Withdrawal to local bank: small flat fee
Verdict:
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Wise is cheapest for most direct payments and conversions.
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Payoneer is fine for platform income but has higher FX fees.
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Stripe is expensive for international transactions unless you need card payments.
4. Usability & Speed
Stripe:
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Excellent UX for developers, startups, SaaS
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Payouts: 2–7 days depending on country
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Good support and integrations
Payoneer:
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Easy to use
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Payouts from platforms are fast (within 24–48 hours)
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UI is basic but functional
Wise:
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Clean interface
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Fast transfers (often same day or 1–2 business days)
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Transparent at every step
Verdict:
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Wise is fastest and most transparent
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Stripe is best if you integrate with software or need advanced tools
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Payoneer is middle of the road—good, but not standout
5. Ideal Use Cases (Summary)
Use Stripe if you…
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Want to accept credit card payments globally
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Sell services or subscriptions
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Need professional, branded invoicing
Use Payoneer if you…
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Work on freelance platforms or affiliate programs
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Receive payments from marketplaces
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Need fast local withdrawals and debit card access
Use Wise if you…
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Get paid by clients via bank transfer
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Want to minimize currency conversion fees
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Manage money across multiple currencies
Best Combo for Most Freelancers?
Wise + Stripe.
Use Stripe to accept payments and Wise to hold and convert them at low cost. If you’re also on Upwork or Fiverr, add Payoneer.
Final Word
There’s no “best” tool for everyone—only the best setup for your work style.
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If you want control and scale: Stripe
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If you want simplicity with low fees: Wise
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If you work through platforms: Payoneer
Most freelancers use a mix. Just make sure you understand what each tool does best, where the fees are hiding, and what fits your workflow.
