Best Payment Tools for Freelancers in 2025

Tired of waiting for payments or losing money to high fees? In 2025, freelancers have more payment options than ever, but choosing the right tool is the key to getting paid faster, saving on fees, and impressing clients worldwide. Let’s explore the best payment tools that can help you grow your freelance business and keep your cash flow strong.

I’m Riten, founder of Fueler a platform that helps freelancers and professionals get hired through their work samples. In this article, I’ll guide you through the most reliable payment solutions for freelancers in 2025. But beyond picking the right payment tool, remember: your portfolio isn’t just a collection of projects—it’s your proof of skill, your credibility, and your shortcut to trust. The way you present your work and handle payments can set you apart from the crowd.

Why Choosing the Right Payment Tool Matters for Freelancers

Getting paid quickly and securely is one of the biggest challenges for freelancers. The right payment tool helps you avoid late payments, reduce transaction fees, and offer clients a smooth experience. With global clients and multiple currencies, it’s vital to pick a platform that’s fast, affordable, and easy to use—so you can focus on your work, not on chasing invoices.

1. PayPal

PayPal is a global leader in online payments, trusted by clients in over 200 countries and supporting more than 25 currencies. You can send professional invoices, request payments via email, and set up recurring billing, making it easy to manage both one-time and ongoing projects. Instant transfers to your bank and buyer-seller protection are major perks, while the mobile app lets you manage payments on the go. Integration with top invoicing and accounting tools is seamless, but international and currency conversion fees can add up quickly. If you want a universally accepted and easy-to-use platform, PayPal is a reliable choice for freelancers.

2025 Pricing:

• Domestic: 2.99% per transaction (standard online), 3.49% + $0.49 (PayPal Checkout)
• International: 4.4% + fixed fee (varies by currency)
• Currency conversion: 3-4% above base exchange rate
• ACH/E-checks: 3.49% + $0.49 (up to $300 cap)
• Chargeback fee: $15-$20

Why PayPal Matters:

PayPal’s global reach and instant access to funds make it ideal for freelancers with international clients. The platform’s ease of use and client trust factor are unmatched, but it’s important to be aware of the higher fees for cross-border transactions and currency conversions. For freelancers who want a universally accepted, user-friendly solution, PayPal remains a top contender.

2. Stripe

Stripe is a favorite among tech-savvy freelancers and online businesses, offering seamless credit card payments, ACH transfers, and digital wallet support. Its customizable checkout and robust API make it easy to integrate with your website or invoicing tools, while the dashboard provides real-time analytics and automated payment reconciliation. Stripe supports over 135 currencies, making it a great fit for global freelancers, and it excels at recurring billing and subscription management. The transparent pricing and lower international fees are attractive, though setup may require a little more technical know-how. For automation and flexibility, Stripe is hard to beat.

2025 Pricing:

• Domestic: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction
• International: 4.3% (on international cards)
• Currency conversion: 2% markup over mid-market rate
• ACH: 0.8% (up to $5 cap)
• Chargeback fee: $15

Why Stripe Matters:

Stripe is known for its transparent pricing, developer-friendly features, and flexibility. It’s ideal for freelancers who want to accept a variety of payment methods, automate recurring payments, and work with clients globally. The lower currency conversion fees and advanced automation make Stripe especially attractive for those who want to scale their freelance operations.

3. Wise (formerly TransferWise)

Wise is perfect for freelancers who invoice clients in different countries and want to avoid hidden fees. It offers a multi-currency account, so you can receive payments in your client’s local currency and convert at the real exchange rate. Transfers are fast, often arriving within hours, and you can hold and manage balances in over 50 currencies. Wise’s interface is straightforward, making it easy to send, receive, and convert money with just a few clicks. The platform’s low, transparent fees help you keep more of your earnings from global clients.

2025 Pricing:

• No monthly fees
• Currency conversion: 0.35%-1% of the amount
• Fixed fee per transfer (varies by country)

Why Wise Matters:

Wise helps freelancers maximize their earnings by minimizing international transfer fees and offering some of the best exchange rates in the industry. It’s perfect for those who invoice clients in Europe, the US, the UK, and other global markets, ensuring you keep more of what you earn.

4. Payoneer

Payoneer is a global payment solution, especially popular with freelancers who use platforms like Upwork or Fiverr or need to receive payments from clients worldwide. It supports over 150 currencies and provides virtual bank accounts in major markets, making it easy to get paid locally by international clients. The prepaid Mastercard lets you withdraw funds at ATMs or spend online, and integration with freelance marketplaces is seamless. Payoneer’s competitive fees and fast transfers make it a practical option for freelancers who want flexibility and quick access to their earnings.

2025 Pricing:

• Receiving payments: 1% (US ACH), 3% (credit card), free from other Payoneer users
• Currency conversion: 2% above mid-market rate
• Withdrawal to bank: $1.50 (local currency), $15 (USD SWIFT)

Why Payoneer Matters:

Payoneer is a great choice for freelancers who work with clients through online marketplaces or need to manage funds in multiple currencies. Its global reach, prepaid card, and integration with freelance platforms make it a practical solution for getting paid quickly and efficiently.

5. Square

Square is well-known for in-person payments but also offers strong online invoicing, payment links, and a virtual terminal for remote payments. You can accept credit cards, send invoices, and track your income from a user-friendly dashboard. Funds are deposited quickly, often by the next business day, and there are no monthly fees for basic use. Square also provides tools for managing sales and generating financial reports, making it a solid choice for freelancers who work both online and offline.

2025 Pricing:

• Online payments: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction
• In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 per swipe/tap
• No monthly fees for basic use

Why Square Matters:

Square is ideal for freelancers who want a seamless way to handle both online and in-person payments. Its fast deposits, easy-to-use interface, and comprehensive reporting tools help you stay organized and get paid promptly, whether you’re working remotely or at live events.

6. Revolut

Revolut is a flexible option for freelancers needing multi-currency accounts, instant transfers, and low-cost international payments. The platform’s free SEPA transfers, competitive exchange rates, and mobile-first design make it especially popular in Europe and Asia. With budgeting tools, analytics, and a prepaid debit card, Revolut lets you manage your freelance finances from anywhere. Its instant notifications and low fees help you keep more of your earnings and get paid quickly, no matter where your clients are based.

2025 Pricing:

• No monthly fee for Standard plan
• Currency conversion: 0.5%-1.5% markup
• Free SEPA transfers, low-cost SWIFT transfers

Why Revolut Matters:

Revolut is a flexible option for freelancers working with clients in multiple countries. Its mobile-first design, instant notifications, and low fees make it easy to manage your freelance income, track expenses, and get paid quickly, no matter where your clients are based.

Final Thoughts

The best payment tool for you depends on where your clients are, how you want to get paid, and what fees you’re willing to accept. For most freelancers in 2025, using a mix of PayPal, Stripe, Wise, and Payoneer covers all bases for local and international payments. Don’t forget to keep your portfolio sharp with Fueler—clients who trust your brand are more likely to pay on time and in full. Choose the tools that fit your workflow, keep your fees low, and help you focus on what matters: delivering great work.

FAQs

1. What is the cheapest payment tool for freelancers in 2025?

Wise and Stripe generally offer the lowest fees for international payments and currency conversion, while PayPal is more expensive for cross-border transactions.

2. Can I use multiple payment tools as a freelancer?

Yes, most freelancers use a mix of PayPal, Stripe, Wise, and Payoneer to cover different client preferences and minimize fees.

3. Which payment tool is best for international clients?

Wise and Payoneer are top choices for international payments due to low conversion fees and multi-currency support.

4. How do I get paid faster as a freelancer?

Use payment tools that offer instant transfers, set clear payment terms in your contracts, and keep your portfolio updated on Fueler to build client trust.

5. Are there any hidden fees with PayPal or Stripe?

Both charge extra for currency conversion and international payments. Always check the latest fee schedules and compare total costs before choosing.

What is Fueler Portfolio?

Fueler is a career portfolio platform that helps companies find the best talents for their organization based on their proof of work.

You can create your portfolio on Fueler, thousands of freelancers around the world use Fueler to create their professional-looking portfolios and become financially independent. Discover inspiration for your portfolio

Sign up for free on Fueler or get in touch to learn more.