Library / Fee Intelligence
Guides to payment fees, FX markups & smarter invoicing
Everything we learned building the calculators, written out long-form. No fluff, no recycled listicles — worked numbers on real corridors so you can verify every claim yourself.
Foundations9 min read
The Complete Guide to Payment Gateway Fees
Every percentage, fixed fee and conversion markup PayPal, Stripe, Wise and Payoneer can apply to a freelance payment — and how they stack on cross-border invoices.
Read the guideDeep dive6 min read
How to Avoid PayPal Currency Conversion Fees
PayPal's 3–4% spread is baked into the rate you're quoted, never shown as a line item. Here's exactly where it hides and three ways to route around it.
Read the guideComparison5 min read
Stripe vs Wise for International Payments
A card processor and a money mover solve different problems. Compare the sticker fees AND the conversion rates before you pick one for foreign invoices.
Read the guideDeep dive8 min read
Stripe Fees Explained: Every Percentage & Surcharge
The 2.9% + $0.30 is just the entry point. International cards, currency conversion, invoices and micro-payments each change the math — here's the full picture with worked examples.
Read the guideDeep dive7 min read
Wise Fees Explained: What You Really Pay Per Transfer
Wise prices each corridor individually. Learn how the percentage-plus-fixed structure works, why it beats gateway spreads, and when it still isn't the cheapest option.
Read the guideDeep dive7 min read
Payoneer Fees Explained: Receiving, Withdrawing & Converting
Free receiving accounts aren't quite free once you withdraw or convert. A full breakdown of Payoneer's fee sheet for freelancers paid from marketplaces and direct clients.
Read the guidePlaybook6 min read
How to Invoice US Clients in USD from India
Which currency to bill in, which gateway keeps the least, how India's 4.4% cross-border surcharge changes the ranking, and what to write on the invoice itself.
Read the guidePlaybook5 min read
The Processing-Fee Invoice Template (Pass Fees to Clients)
A transparent 'Processing Fee Buffer' line item lets clients cover gateway costs legally and clearly. Copy the exact wording and calculate the buffer correctly.
Read the guideFoundations8 min read
Freelancer Take-Home Pay: Where FX Markups Eat Your Rate
Your day rate survives negotiation, then loses 4–7% between your client's card and your bank account. Trace every cut and reclaim most of it.
Read the guide