Bridge Pay vs Stripe
Stripe refuses your sector? Bridge Pay accepts it, with an API in the same format.
Stripe is excellent for standard e-commerce, but systematically refuses 28 business sectors. If you're in crypto, gaming, coaching, CBD or trading, here's why Bridge Pay is your solution.
The criterion-by-criterion comparison
Eleven criteria that actually matter when your business is off the beaten path: from risk policy to payout times.
| Criterion | Stripe | Bridge Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Accepted sectors | Weakness Standard e-commerce only Refuses crypto, gaming, CBD, coaching, trading, etc. | Strength 28 high-risk sectors accepted Expertise in crypto, gaming, CBD, coaching, trading... |
| Risk policy | Weakness High-risk sectors excluded by its terms Account can be closed without notice | Strength Application reviewed by an analyst Sector validated before the first transaction |
| Pricing | Strength 1.5% + €0.25 (if accepted) Competitive rate but limited sectors | Strength 4.8% + €0.55 (high-risk) Fair price for risk management |
| KYC timeline | Weakness 3-7 days (then often refused) Long process to eventually refuse | Strength First response within 24-48h KYC optimized for high-risk |
| High-risk support | Weakness Standard support inadequate No high-risk expertise | Strength Expert high-risk support Specialized team per sector |
| Rolling Reserve | Strength None (if accepted) No blocked funds | Weakness 5-10% for 90 days Released after 90 days, negotiable based on track record |
| API & Integration | Strength Excellent (best in market) Exceptional documentation | Strength Very good (Stripe compatible) Simple migration from Stripe |
| Payouts | Strength 2 business days Very fast | Strength 3 business days Industry standard |
| Currencies | Strength 135+ currencies Automatic conversion | Strength 30+ currencies EUR, USD, GBP, CHF, CAD... |
| Crypto support | Weakness Limited crypto offering Stablecoins only, crypto businesses refused | Strength 50+ cryptocurrencies BTC, ETH, USDT, USDC... |
| Chargeback protection | Strength Radar Machine-learning fraud scoring | Strength Advanced protection Prevention tools + dispute support |
Stripe sources: public price list and terms of service, checked in November 2026. Bridge Pay rates: public price list.
Verdict: Which solution to choose?
Let's be honest: Stripe remains the reference for classic businesses, with the best developer experience on the market, exemplary documentation and an unmatched ecosystem. If you sell software or standard goods, stay there.
The problem starts when your activity touches CBD, crypto, coaching or gaming: Stripe's terms of service exclude these sectors and your account can be closed without notice, with funds held for up to 90 days.
Bridge Pay is built for exactly these cases: a Stripe-format API so you migrate without rewrites, the same security standards (3D Secure 2.0, PCI DSS Level 1) and a risk policy that accepts your application. The choice isn't about technical quality, but about the certainty of still taking payments tomorrow.
Choose Stripe if:
- You're in classic e-commerce (clothing, electronics, services)
- You want the lowest rate possible
- You're not in any high-risk sector
Choose Bridge Pay if:
- Stripe refused you or suspended your account
- You're in a high-risk sector (crypto, gaming, CBD, coaching, trading)
- You want fast KYC adapted to your sector
- You're looking for support that understands your business
- You're ready to pay slightly more to be accepted
Refused by Stripe? Open an account that accepts your sector.
Your application is reviewed by an analyst, first response within 24-48h. No commitment.
- 10,000+ merchants
- Payouts in 3 business days
- Support Mon-Fri 9am-6pm