Apa vs NOWPayments
The core difference is custody. NOWPayments is a custodial crypto processor — funds are received by the provider and then paid out to you. Apa is non-custodial: payments move wallet-to-wallet and never sit in an Apa balance.
Where they differ
A custodial processor holds funds before paying you out. Apa never does — the trade-off is no managed balance, but also no provider risk on your money.
Non-custodial. Funds never pass through Apa; you receive them straight to your wallet.
Custodial processor. Payments are received by the provider, then paid out to you.
0% on direct payments, 1.5% on routed payments. No payout fees.
A processing fee per payment, plus conversion and withdrawal costs.
Apa's built-in routing kicks in when the paid asset differs from your receive asset.
Wide currency support with conversion handled inside the custodial flow.
You pick one receive asset and keep it; settlement is on-chain to your wallet.
Configurable settlement currency, paid out from provider-held balances.
Hosted, branded checkout and payment links.
Hosted invoices, checkout pages and plugins.
REST API, sessions and webhooks; no account balance to manage.
Mature REST API and IPN callbacks, oriented around a hosted balance.
Hosted; nothing to run.
Hosted SaaS processor.
Comparison reflects how each product is positioned and may change as either evolves. Verify current details with NOWPayments directly.
Skip the custodial balance. Get paid to your wallet.
Create your first payment link or API checkout in minutes. Direct payments are free, routed conversions are flat, and Apa never holds your funds.