Revolut India is a global financial technology company that offers a range of digital banking services to over 65 million personal users and 500,000 business users worldwide. Through its mobile app, Revolut provides multi-currency accounts, debit cards, foreign exchange, and other financial services.&nbsp;

The company prioritizes security, utilizing end-to-end encryption and partnering with regulated banks to store user funds. 

Revolut in India: what’s confirmed—and what to realistically expect

Revolut has opened a waitlist for interested users, but the initial rollout is expected to be limited to a select group, with mass availability pending further developments.&nbsp;

Limitations &amp; watch-outs for Indian users

When considering Revolut's upcoming launch in India, there are several limitations and watch-outs that users should be aware of:

If you receive business payments from abroad

If you are an Indian business, freelancer, agency, or SaaS company receiving payments from international clients, it's important to note that Revolut's services are not yet widely available in India.&nbsp;

Moreover, the company's current communication primarily focuses on a consumer-oriented payments launch, which includes UPI integration and card services.

As an exporter, you have specific requirements to ensure compliance and smooth operations. These include purpose-code mapping, Foreign Inward Remittance Advice (FIRA), <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/what-is-e-brc">Electronic Bank Realisation Certificate (eBRC),</a> predictable settlement, and transparent foreign exchange rates. At present, there is no clear indication that Revolut's Indian offering will cater to these business-specific needs at launch.

This is where Skydo emerges as a compelling alternative, tailored specifically for Indian exporters.&nbsp;

A business-grade alternative for exporters &amp; freelancers: Skydo

Skydo is a purpose-built platform designed specifically for Indian freelancers, agencies, SaaS providers, and SMBs receiving international client payments.&nbsp;

Skydo prioritizes compliance, efficiency, and transparency, enabling your business to streamline international payment workflows and focus on growth.&nbsp;

If you're an Indian exporter seeking a comprehensive solution for managing client payments, Skydo offers the tools and features you need to succeed.

Quick comparison: Skydo vs. Revolut India&nbsp;

Here's a quick comparison table between Skydo and Revolut India at launch:

As the rollout begins, waitlisted users will be invited to access the app in phases, with priority given to early registrants

Getting started with Skydo takes just a few minutes:

That’s it — your international payment setup is ready.
Join thousands of Indian businesses using Skydo to get paid globally, faster, and without hidden fees.

👉 <a href="https://www.skydo.com/">Create your account today</a>

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Revolut India

Short answer: Yes, Airwallex is available in India. India-registered businesses are onboarded under Airwallex Singapore Pte. Ltd., and your products/fees follow the Singapore entity.

Airwallex is a global payments and financial platform founded in 2015. It offers multi-currency accounts, FX &amp; transfers, payment acceptance (gateway &amp; links), payouts, cards/expense, and APIs.

Yes. India is an eligible country to onboard, and India-registered companies are served by the Singapore entity—this influences available features, fee schedules, and compliance artefacts.

Documents (indicative; confirm during signup)

Airwallex has a dedicated page for South-East Asia documents, which includes India. Expect standard company proofs (incorporation, GST, PAN, ownership chart) and a recent bank statement or financials.&nbsp;

Key takeaway: You’ll operate under Singapore licensing, not Indian banking regulation. This affects available features, pricing visibility, and compliance documentation.

What Indian businesses can use with Airwallex

1) Global Accounts (collect like a local)

How it works (example): A US client pays you via ACH into your US receiving details; funds land as USD in your wallet → you hold or convert to INR → payout domestically.

2) Payment Gateway (accept cards &amp; local methods)

Pricing &amp; FX: what’s public (examples)

Important: India-registered businesses are typically on Singapore pricing logic. Confirm your exact rates with Airwallex.

Airwallex <a href="https://www.airwallex.com/us/pricing?">pricing pages</a> commonly show ~0.5% above interbank for major currencies and ~1.0% for others (ranges can vary by country page/plan).&nbsp;

Worked example (USD → INR @ 0.60% spread for illustration):

Card acceptance (gateway) — reference geographies

Rates vary by merchant region. Public UK pricing page shows: UK cards 1.30% + £0.20; EEA cards 2.40% + £0.20; International 3.15% + £0.20 per successful card transaction. Use this only as a benchmark and confirm India-entity specifics with sales.&nbsp;

Payouts &amp; SWIFT (reference schedules)

What Indian exporters should verify (with any provider)

Note: We haven’t found official, public confirmation that Airwallex automatically issues FIRA/eBRC for India inward remittances. Ask this explicitly in onboarding.

A tailored, compliant alternative for Indian exporters: Skydo

If you export services from India, the real bottleneck isn’t just collecting dollars, it’s staying audit-ready while you collect. That’s the problem Skydo solves without drama. Your client pays like they would locally, money lands in your local virtual account, FX is at live mid-market rates with a clear flat fee, and the compliance trail writes itself. A FIRA is generated when funds settle; if you sell via Amazon Global Selling, you also receive eBRC. The <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/rbi_purpose_code_for_inward_remittance?">purpose code</a> you chose once is remembered for next time, so every repeat invoice stays clean and consistent. What you see is a practical stack that cuts back and forth, shortens payout time, and doesn’t leave you guessing at audit time.

Get started in minutes. Streamline international payments and stay fully compliant—Sign up for Skydo.

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What is FIRA (and how the terminology evolved)

In banking, FIRA is your AD bank’s written confirmation that foreign currency was received against your export of goods/services. Many branches still use “FIRA/FIRC” interchangeably, which causes confusion—the function for exports is FIRA.

Freelancers &amp; agencies (service exporters)

If you offer services to overseas clients—IT/engineering, design, content, marketing, consulting—every inward foreign payment should be backed by a FIRA. It proves the income is export revenue, not a personal transfer, and supports GST refunds and audits.

If you are working for an international company and getting paid directly from them in foreign currency, you would need FIRA.&nbsp;

For global subscriptions or license sales, FIRA underpins revenue recognition and audit trails (monthly or one-off). Course creators and other digital products fall here, too.

Goods exporters &amp; marketplace sellers

If you export physical products (direct or via marketplaces like Amazon/eBay), FIRA is the first step; then, eBRC is generated to complete the documentation.

Simple rule: If you receive foreign income, you should have a FIRA for each payment.

Takeaway: Service exporters typically rely on FIRA; goods and SOFTEX-covered software exporters need FIRA + eBRC.

Skydo: instant, automated FIRA (and clear pricing)

If you receive payments through Skydo, FIRA is generated automatically for every inward remittance—no branch visits or follow-ups. You also get live mid-market FX with clear, flat fees (no hidden markups), plus India-based support.

Why exporters pick Skydo for compliance + cost control

Want a link-based flow with automatic FIRA and predictable FX? Try InstaLinks for US clients, or use Skydo’s virtual USD/EUR/GBP accounts for broader collections.

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Cashfree makes it easy to manage both domestic and international flows in one place. As export volumes grow, some teams explore adjacent options, not because Cashfree “doesn’t work,” but to see which platform best matches their ticket sizes, settlement needs, <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/forex-markup-fee-explained">FX preferences</a>, and compliance workflow.

Think of Cashfree as a generalist payments stack that also supports export collections.

When teams look for Cashfree alternatives

With that lens, here are the leading alternatives to Cashfree and where each one fits.

Skydo: Export-first collections (freelancers, agencies, SaaS, exporters)

If your revenue is primarily from overseas clients, Skydo is purpose-built for that motion. 

Three things stand out for export teams:

Why pick Skydo over other Cashfree competitors? Because it removes guesswork where exporters feel it the most: FX clarity, compliance artefacts, and payout speed.

Payoneer: Marketplace-native (Amazon Global, Upwork, Fiverr)

If most of your receivables come from marketplaces, <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/payoneer-payment-gateway-features-fees">Payoneer</a> is familiar—and for good reason. You can receive in multiple currencies, withdraw to your Indian account, and keep your accounting straightforward. Payoneer also offer free FIRA for every payment.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/payoneer-fees-india-guide">Fees vary by route and volume.</a> For virtual account transfers, fees can be up to 1%, while credit card payments carry a 3.2% fee+ a small fixed fee. There's also a 3% conversion fee while converting the amount to INR.&nbsp;

Pick Payoneer if your primary motivation is “get paid from marketplaces reliably” and you value minimal setup over granular control of each corridor.

Wise&nbsp; Business:&nbsp; Transparent FX for lighter volumes

<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/transferwise-india-features-benefits-pros-cons">Wise</a> is known for its mid-market FX and its super intuitive UI. If your cross-border volume is under USD 10k, Wise’s multi-currency accounts and predictable conversion method feel refreshingly simple.

Wise supports up to USD 10k/invoice and also offers FIRA for every payment, albeit at an additional cost of USD 2.50&nbsp;

As mentioned, it offers a midmarket rate without any markup and<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/wise-transfer-charges-in-india"> its fee</a> ranges mostly between 1.6-1.8%.&nbsp;

Choose Wise if you prize transparency and ease, and your current scale doesn’t demand advanced export workflows.

Stripe: Global SaaS billing (India availability varies)

For teams with a strong subscription or recurring billing motion, <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/stripe-india-charges-review-alternatives">Stripe</a> is a developer’s favourite: flexible pricing models, solid APIs, and battle-tested tooling across many currencies. However, here are the things you need to know

Choose Stripe when your product is subscription-led and engineering flexibility matters more than out-of-the-box export ops.

PayPal: Familiarity that can lift conversion

Sometimes the fastest way to get paid is to meet the buyer where they already are.<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/paypal-in-india-charges-review-alternatives"> PayPal </a>is globally recognised, often improving first-time conversion.

 On the flip side, total cost (cross-border + conversion) can be up 8% higher than bank-rail options. It offers a monthly digital FIRA that is available by the 15th of the next month

Choose PayPal when buyer preference is the deciding factor and you want instant recognizability.

Cashfree vs competitors: how to actually choose

If you’re happy with a single, generalist stack, Cashfree does the job, especially when you need domestic + international + gateway in one place. I

If you’re running an export-led operation and want mid-market FX, flat fees, faster INR, and per-payment FIRA by default, shortlisting Skydo is a smart next step.

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What are Stripe Payment Links—and where can you use them?

Stripe Payment Links are hosted checkout pages you can create without code. You generate a link (or button/QR), share it anywhere (email, WhatsApp, proposals, socials), and your client pays on a Stripe-hosted page. Use them for products, services, subscriptions, tips, and donations; you can even embed “Buy” buttons or run simple A/Bs.&nbsp;

India availability: Stripe operates invite-only in India right now, so new accounts require approval before you can use Payment Links.

How Stripe Payment Links work (quick, step-by-step)

Pricing: what you actually pay with Stripe in India

Stripe lists separate pricing for domestic vs. international card payments, plus conversion when currency changes. Figures below reflect Stripe India references and current docs; confirm your exact plan/corridor with Stripe

Worked example (international card to INR)

Card processing fee (international): 4.3% = $430

(Assumes pricing above and that conversion applies. Your outcome varies by corridor, disputes, refunds, etc.)

Limitations to watch (especially for India)

A focused alternative for Indian exporters: Skydo InstaLinks (US clients only)

If your clients are largely in the US, Skydo InstaLinks gives you link-based collection via card or ACH. Funds convert at live mid-market rates with clear, flat fees and settle to your Indian bank account; a FIRA is issued automatically for every inward remittance, no branch visits or follow-ups.

Both tools solve “send a link, get paid.” If you need global coverage and already have Stripe, Payment Links are reliable. If your work is US-centric and you want free FIRA + live FX + ACH, InstaLinks can reduce cost and compliance overhead.

Stripe Payment Links vs. Skydo InstaLinks (quick grid)

Stripe figures per current India references; always confirm inside your dashboard/contract

Conclusion: The link that does the heavy lifting (InstaLinks)

If most of your clients sit in the US, the simplest way to cut friction is to stop “building” payment flows and just send a link that does the compliance and conversion work for you. Skydo InstaLinks lets US clients pay the way they already do—card net banking—while you get live mid-market FX, clear flat fees, and automatic FIRA on every inward remittance. Funds settle to your Indian bank within ~24–48 hours, and your purpose codes + audit trail stay tidy without extra ops. It’s the practical, exporter-first way to keep cash moving and books clean.

Send a link. Get paid. Stay compliant.
Try InstaLinks and make your next US payment the easiest one yet.

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If you’re billing overseas clients, from a SaaS subscription to a consulting invoice, you want three things: a. the payment to land on time, b. The INR you receive to be predictable, c. and the paperwork to be airtight.

This guide explains how Cashfree handles international payments, what it costs, what documents you get, and when a specialised exporter platform (like Skydo) might fit better.

Cashfree is a Bengaluru-based payments company. Domestically, it’s an RBI-licensed Payment Aggregator. For cross-border, it offers two ways to collect and settle in INR:

Let's take a moment to understand both these methods.&nbsp;

1) Global Collections Account (virtual accounts + local rails)

Best for: Invoices from overseas clients (freelancers, agencies, IT/consulting, SaaS).

In short: Feels like a “local bank account” for your client; you receive INR in India with per-payment FIRA.

2) International Payment Gateway (cards/APMs)

Best for: Online checkout flows (eCommerce, digital goods, subscriptions, SaaS).

In short: Optimised for conversion at checkout with multi-currency presentation; compliance comes as period summaries.

Cashfree International Payments Charges — what to expect

Use the International Gateway when:

Quick comparison: Global Collection Account vs Payment Gateway

A focused alternative for exporters: Skydo

While Cashfree gives Indian businesses multiple ways to collect payments, it’s still built to serve both domestic and international flows.
If you’re an exporter or freelancer who deals primarily in foreign payments, Skydo might be a better fit because it’s designed only for that.

With Skydo, you get global bank accounts in your business’s name across major currencies like USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, and AUD.
Your clients can pay you through their local payment methods, ACH in the US, SEPA in Europe, Faster Payments in the UK, and the funds reach your Indian account at live forex rates with zero markup.

If your client’s in the US, you can even share an InstaLink; they can pay instantly via card (5%) or ACH debit (2%) at midmarket rates without any markup

Every payment comes with an instant FIRA and eBRC (for Amazon sellers).

In short, Skydo takes care of the entire export payment journey,&nbsp; from collection to compliance, without the guesswork or hidden forex costs. So try Skydo today and let us take on of your payment worries

Cashfree International Payments (2025): Global Account, Gateway, Charges & Alternative

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What is Remitly—and how does USD→INR work?

Your <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/how-to-receive-money-from-usa-to-india">US-based clients</a> can use Remitly Business to pay you if they are a US-based business. For USD→INR:

Practical tip: For any payout, compare Remitly’s quoted rate with the mid-market rate (the “Google rate”). The difference indicates your effective FX cost for that transfer.

How much does Remitly charge for USD to INR transfers?

Remitly’s fees appear straightforward at first, but the exchange rate significantly impacts the amount you actually receive.

The mid-market rate (the “Google rate”) is the real USD→INR rate without markup.
Remitly’s offered rate is usually slightly lower. For example, if the mid-market rate is ₹85.00 per USD, Remitly might offer ₹84.50—a ₹0.50 difference applied to every dollar sent. On a $5,000 transfer, that’s about ₹2,500 less received.

Remitly’s markup on USD→INR transfers generally falls between 0.4% and 1.4%, depending on the amount, market movement, and transfer speed.

Even if there’s no visible fee, the markup affects your payout.
Compare Remitly’s quoted rate with the mid-market rate before confirming a transfer; the gap between them is your true FX cost.

Real cost breakdown: what you actually receive

To understand how exchange rates affect your payout, here’s an example using approximate numbers for common transfer amounts.

*Based on a mid-market rate of ₹85.01 per USD, assuming an average forex markup of around 0.9%.
Actual markups can vary,&nbsp; and in some cases, may be higher,&nbsp; depending on transfer size, timing, and exchange-rate movement.

Once transfers exceed $1,000, the flat fee becomes less significant. The exchange rate markup continues to determine how much ultimately reaches your account.
On a $2,000 transfer, that difference translates to roughly ₹900 less received. Multiply that across recurring invoices or multiple clients, and the impact compounds quickly.

💡 Note: Exchange rates fluctuate throughout the day. Always check Remitly’s live USD→INR rate against the mid-market rate (the rate visible on Google or XE.com) to know your exact cost before confirming a transfer.

Remitly Business offers two ways to transfer funds, and your choice affects both how quickly you receive the money and the rate you get.

Typically takes up to 5 business days to reach your Indian bank account, but it usually comes with a more favourable exchange rate. This option works well for planned or recurring business payments where timing is flexible.

Deliver funds faster, often within a few hours or by the next business day. The trade-off is that Express transfers may use a slightly lower exchange rate compared to Economy.

In short, Economy favours value; Express favours speed. Choosing between them depends on whether you prioritise timing or maximising your payout.

Remitly Business deposits funds directly into your Indian bank account. They work with all major banks, including HDFC, ICICI, SBI, Axis Bank, and others.

Your client initiates the payment on their end through Remitly Business. Once processed, the money appears in your account - no need to visit a branch or collect cash.

Transfer limits and verification requirements

Remitly Business typically allows transfers of up to about $30,000 per transaction from the US to India. For most freelancers, agencies, and small businesses, this covers regular project or retainer-based payments comfortably.

However, this limit can vary. The actual cap depends on your verification tier, the transfer method used (Economy or Express), and Remitly’s risk assessment of your account. It’s always best to check your current limit in the app before your client initiates a large transfer — limits can change as your usage grows.

When you first set up Remitly Business, you’ll complete a basic verification process using your business and tax details. As your transaction volume or frequency increases, Remitly may request additional verification to comply with regulatory standards.

These checks are part of standard KYC (Know Your Customer) and KYB (Know Your Business) processes required for licensed money-transfer providers. They aren’t unique to Remitly; they apply across the financial industry.

If your expected payment exceeds your transfer limit, you have two options:

Keep in mind that splitting payments can lead to additional FX markups being applied to each transfer. For example, two × $20,000 transfers may cost slightly more overall than a single $40,000 payment on a platform with a higher limit.

💡 Tip: If you frequently receive large invoices or recurring international payments, explore solutions that offer higher limits and transparent flat-fee pricing, so your total costs remain predictable.

Compliance: India-specific rules that matter

When receiving international business payments, compliance is as important as speed or cost. For transfers from the US to India, it’s essential to use the correct Remitly service and maintain proper documentation for Indian regulations.

Consumer Remitly is for personal use only

The standard Remitly app operates under the Reserve Bank of India’s <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/what-is-lrs">Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS</a>), which is intended solely for personal remittances, for example, family support, gifts, or education expenses.

Using Consumer Remitly to receive business payments or export proceeds isn’t permitted. It falls outside LRS guidelines and also violates Remitly’s own user terms, which prohibit commercial transactions such as freelance payments, service exports, or product sales.

For legitimate business transactions, the sender (your US client) should use Remitly Business. It’s designed for US-registered companies, LLCs, corporations, or sole proprietors paying overseas vendors, contractors, or service providers.
This ensures the payment is correctly classified as a commercial transaction, keeping both sender and recipient compliant with US and Indian regulations.

Even when payments are made via Remitly Business, recipients in India must meet compliance obligations under RBI rules. Each inbound business payment requires:

Remitly doesn’t issue FIRA or eBRC; these must be requested from your Indian bank after each payment. Keeping these documents ensures your foreign income is properly recorded for <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/decoding-gst-on-foreign-exchange">GST filings</a>, audits, and export compliance.

Missing or delayed documentation can lead to complications during tax assessments or while claiming export benefits. The responsibility to maintain compliance lies with the recipient, not the payment platform.

💡 Tip: Always verify whether your client is using Remitly Business before accepting payments, and ensure you or your accountant collects FIRA/eBRC promptly after each transfer. Or consider platforms like Skydo, which take care of these compliance docs on your behalf.&nbsp;

A business-grade alternative: Skydo for Indian exporters

If you regularly receive payments from US clients, Skydo is built specifically for Indian businesses, freelancers, agencies, and SaaS exporters who want transparency, faster settlements, and built-in compliance.

Skydo provides the live mid-market exchange rate, the same one you’d see on Google, with zero markup.
Instead of adding hidden margins, it follows a simple flat-fee model:

This makes every transaction predictable; you know your exact cost before receiving the funds.

Skydo gives you two flexible options to receive payments:

Each Skydo payment automatically generates FIRA, and for Amazon Global sellers,&nbsp; eBRC is automated too.&nbsp; You don’t have to contact your bank or follow up manually; all compliance documentation appears in your dashboard and inbox as soon as funds are processed.

Let’s see how Skydo compares on a standard $10,000 invoice.

*Based on a mid-market rate of ₹85.01/USD. Actual results depend on live exchange rates.

Remember, we are assuming a 0.9% markup; the real markup can be more as well. Even with a small markup, the difference adds up. On a $10,000 transfer, you keep about ₹2,000 more with Skydo — plus, your FIRA and eBRC are generated automatically, saving hours of manual follow-up.

💡 Insight: Flat-fee, zero-markup pricing becomes more cost-effective as your transfer amounts increase, especially for recurring invoices or larger export payments.

However, for smaller transfers, Remitly can be a more cost-effective solution, although note that you still have to figure out compliance documents on your own.&nbsp;

So, what are you waiting for? Make your global payments simple and more affordable with Skydo

Remitly Transfer (USD→INR): Fees, Limits, Compliance — and a Better Business Alternative

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