NOWPayments vs CoinGate 2026: Which Crypto Gateway Wins?
Head-to-head comparison of NOWPayments and CoinGate — fees, supported coins, KYC, affiliate programs, and which one to pick for your business in 2026.
Key Takeaways
- NOWPayments wins on coin selection — 300+ vs ~70, including Monero
- CoinGate wins on fiat settlement — pays out in EUR/USD via SEPA/SWIFT
- Both charge 0.5% — though CoinGate's default is 1% until you hit volume
- NOWPayments affiliate is stronger — 25% for 5 years vs CoinGate's shorter window
Table of Contents
Quick Overview
Both NOWPayments and CoinGate are legitimate, well-established crypto payment gateways used by thousands of merchants. The choice between them comes down to one question: do you need fiat settlement? If yes, CoinGate. If not, NOWPayments wins on almost every other metric.
Fees Compared
| Fee | NOWPayments | CoinGate |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction fee | 0.5% | 1% (0.5% high volume) |
| Setup / monthly | Free | Free |
| Fiat settlement | No | Yes (EUR/USD, SEPA/SWIFT) |
| Withdrawal | Network fee only | Network fee + 1% conversion |
CoinGate's 1% default rate drops to 0.5% for high-volume merchants — but you need to negotiate. NOWPayments is 0.5% from day one, no negotiation needed.
Supported Cryptocurrencies
NOWPayments supports 300+ cryptocurrencies including Monero (XMR) — which most gateways refuse due to its privacy features. CoinGate supports around 70 coins. For most merchants accepting BTC, ETH, USDT, and USDC, both cover the bases. If your customers pay in anything beyond the top 30 coins, NOWPayments is the only realistic choice.
300+ coins, 0.5% fee, free to start
Try NOWPayments Free →E-Commerce Integrations
NOWPayments has official plugins for WooCommerce, Shopify, Magento, PrestaShop, WHMCS, OpenCart, and Zen Cart — 7 platforms. CoinGate covers WooCommerce, Shopify, Magento, PrestaShop, and OpenCart — 5 platforms. Both have REST APIs for custom integrations. For WooCommerce specifically, see our WooCommerce crypto gateway guide.
Affiliate Programs
| Gateway | Commission | Lifetime | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| NOWPayments | 25% | 5 years | None |
| CoinGate | 25% | Shorter window | None |
The 5-year lifetime on NOWPayments is the key differentiator. A merchant you refer today generates commission until 2031. See our NOWPayments affiliate program guide for the full breakdown.
Pros and Cons
NOWPayments
PROS
- 300+ coins including XMR
- 0.5% from day one
- 5-year affiliate lifetime
- Subscription billing built-in
- Mass payouts
CONS
- No fiat settlement
- Business KYC required
- Custodial
CoinGate
PROS
- EUR/USD fiat settlement
- SEPA/SWIFT payouts
- Clean dashboard UI
- EU-based, MiCA-ready
CONS
- 1% default fee (not 0.5%)
- Only ~70 coins
- Full KYC required
Which Should You Choose?
Pick NOWPayments if you need broad coin support, subscription billing, mass payouts, or the best affiliate commission. Pick CoinGate if you need EUR/USD fiat settlement or are based in the EU and want SEPA payouts.
Ready to get started with NOWPayments?
Create Free NOWPayments Account →FAQ
Is NOWPayments better than CoinGate?
NOWPayments is better for coin selection (300+ vs ~70) and affiliate earnings. CoinGate is better if you need fiat settlement in EUR/USD via SEPA.
Do both charge 0.5%?
NOWPayments charges 0.5% from day one. CoinGate charges 1% by default, dropping to 0.5% for high-volume merchants.
Which has the better affiliate program?
NOWPayments pays 25% of transaction fees for 5 years per referred merchant with no cap. CoinGate also pays 25% but with a shorter referral window.
Does CoinGate support fiat settlement?
Yes — CoinGate pays out in EUR or USD via SEPA or SWIFT. NOWPayments does not offer fiat settlement; payouts are crypto only.
Which supports more cryptocurrencies?
NOWPayments supports 300+ including Monero (XMR). CoinGate supports around 70 coins.
Do both require KYC?
Yes. Both require business KYC — company registration, proof of address, and a business description. For no-KYC options, see our no-KYC gateway guide.