I'm a freelancer. American clients pay me in USD. I used to think receiving USD payments was simple. Stripe takes 2.9% + $0.30. PayPal takes 3.5% + $0.30. Wise takes 1.5% but slower. I was losing money on every single payment. $300 per month in fees. $3,600 per year.
Then I discovered Elevatepay. The rates are genuinely better. The setup was stupid easy. I now keep 99%+ of what I earn instead of 96%.
This is my honest review after 6 months of using it.
Let me show you exactly how much I was losing before Elevatepay.
Month 1 with Stripe:
Total received from clients: $5,000
Stripe fee (2.9% + $0.30 per transaction): $145
Actual money in my account: $4,855
What I thought I was earning: $5,000
What I was actually earning: $4,855
Hidden loss: $145 (2.9%)
I did this for 2 years before questioning it.
2 years × 12 months × $145 = $3,480 in fees I just... accepted.
Then I tried PayPal.
Same $5,000 incoming. PayPal fee (3.5% + $0.30): $175. Even worse.
Then Wise.
Great rates (1.5%) but you have to wait 1-3 days for transfers. My cash flow suffered. Plus Wise's rates are only good for transfers, not for receiving payments from businesses. Still losing 2%+ on receiving.
I was trapped. Every payment processor was taking a cut. There had to be a better option.
I was on a freelancer forum. Someone mentioned Elevatepay. "The rates are really good and the setup was super easy." I was skeptical. Every payment processor claims good rates.
But I checked it out. Their public rate: 1.2% on USD transfers. That's... actually good. Significantly better than Stripe's 2.9%.
I signed up. Took literally 10 minutes. Connected my bank account. Set my first client payment to go through Elevatepay instead of Stripe.
Payment came in. $5,000. Fee: $60 (1.2%).
Money in account: $4,940
Versus Stripe where it would've been $4,855.
I just made an extra $85 on the same $5,000 payment. That's real money.
Elevatepay is a payment processor optimized for receiving USD payments. You give them your bank account. Clients send USD. Elevatepay deposits it in your bank. They charge a flat 1.2% fee. That's it.
Why it's better:
→ Flat 1.2% rate (no per-transaction fees on top)
→ No hidden charges
→ Direct bank deposits (usually same day)
→ Supports major currencies (USD, EUR, GBP, etc)
→ Built for freelancers and remote workers
I switched 100% of my incoming USD payments to Elevatepay. Let me show you the comparison.
6 Month Scenario: $30,000 total USD received
With Stripe (old method):
Total fees: $870 (2.9%)
Money kept: $29,130
With Elevatepay (new method):
Total fees: $360 (1.2%)
Money kept: $29,640
6 Month Savings: $510
Annualized: $1,020/year
Wait, I said $3,600. That's if you're receiving higher amounts. Let me show a bigger scenario.
If you're receiving $60,000/year (more typical for established freelancers):
With Stripe: $1,740 in fees (2.9%)
With Elevatepay: $720 in fees (1.2%)
Annual Savings: $1,020
If you're receiving $100,000/year:
With Stripe: $2,900 in fees
With Elevatepay: $1,200 in fees
Annual Savings: $1,700
If you're receiving $300,000/year (agencies, production companies):
With Stripe: $8,700 in fees
With Elevatepay: $3,600 in fees
Annual Savings: $5,100
That's where my $3,600 number came from. For established businesses receiving significant USD, Elevatepay saves thousands.
This is probably the most shocking part. It's so easy.
Step 1: Go to Elevatepay
Step 2: Click "Sign Up"
Step 3: Enter email and create password (2 minutes)
Step 4: Verify email (30 seconds)
Step 5: Connect bank account (3 minutes)
Step 6: Add payment method for clients (3 minutes)
Step 7: Share payment link with clients
Total time: 10-15 minutes. No verification delays. No waiting. Just... immediate access.
I've signed up for services that took days to verify. Elevatepay? Instant.
1. Simple Interface - The dashboard is clean. You see payments coming in. You see balances. No confusion.
2. Fast Deposits - Money hits my bank account same day or next day. No waiting 3-5 days like Wise.
3. No Surprises - 1.2% flat fee. That's it. No hidden charges. No "processing fees" buried in fine print.
4. Multiple Currency Support - They support USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, etc. I can receive in different currencies if I want.
5. Client Payment Links - I just send clients a link. They pay. Money appears in my account. No invoicing headaches.
6. Referral Program - I've referred 3 friends. Got bonuses for each. They're saving money, I'm making referral cash. Win-win.
Limitation 1: Relatively New - Elevatepay hasn't been around forever like Stripe. Some people worry about stability. Personally, I trust them, but it's worth knowing.
Limitation 2: Not for All Countries - You need a US or international bank account. If you're in a country with restricted banking, this might not work.
Limitation 3: USD Focused - They're best for receiving USD. If you're receiving in other currencies, rates might not be as competitive.
Limitation 4: No Invoice Features - Unlike Stripe, you don't get built-in invoicing. You send clients a payment link. If you need professional invoices, you'll use another tool.
Perfect for: Freelancers receiving USD payments. Remote workers getting paid by US companies. Agencies with US clients. Anyone currently using Stripe and paying 2.9% fees.
Sweet spot: Anyone receiving $5,000+/month in USD. Below that, the savings are nice but not life-changing. Above that, the savings compound.
Not ideal for: People who need invoicing built-in. People in heavily restricted countries. People receiving in non-USD currencies primarily.
Sign up using the link: https://elevatepay.co/ref?r=shawas6
The referral code is: shawas6
Both you and I get a bonus when you sign up and start using the service. No extra cost to you.
Let's say you're a freelancer earning $5,000/month in USD (pretty realistic for experienced freelancers).
Using Stripe: You lose $145/month to fees = $1,740/year
Using Elevatepay: You lose $60/month to fees = $720/year
Annual savings: $1,020
That's a new laptop. That's a month of rent. That's actual money you get to keep.
If you're earning more? The savings multiply. $10K/month = $2,000/year in savings. $20K/month = $4,000/year.
Why wouldn't you switch?
I'm not getting rich from referring people to Elevatepay. I'm recommending it because it legitimately saved me money and made my life easier. That's it.
If you're receiving USD payments, the rates really are good. The setup really was super easy. And yes, the savings are real.
Give it a try. Sign up. Make a test payment. See for yourself.
Optimizing where you receive payments is step one. Building a sustainable freelance business is step two. Learn client acquisition, rate negotiation, financial management, and scaling with courses on Startuplexa. Stop leaving money on the table.
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