If you're building a MERN stack project (MongoDB, Express, React, Node.js) โ like an e-commerce app, portfolio site, SaaS, or digital product โ and donโt have a registered business, this guide is for you.
โ What Youโll Find Here
- ๐ List of payment gateways that work without business registration
- ๐ Whether they provide live API keys
- โ๏ธ Their setup complexity
- ๐งช Backend verification support (very important!)
- ๐งฉ Suitability for MERN stack apps (API, webhooks, React-friendly)
- ๐ One recommended gateway
๐ Recommended for MERN Stack Developers (No Business)
| Goal | Recommended Gateway |
|---|---|
| ๐ฎ๐ณ Indian payments + MERN backend | Instamojo |
| ๐ Sell digital products globally | Gumroad |
| ๐ฐ Accept tips/supporters | Buy Me a Coffee or Ko-fi |
| ๐ Subscriptions or SaaS | Stripe via Payhere or LemonSqueezy |
โ Ultimate Comparison Table (For Personal MERN Projects)
| Platform | INR Support | Global Support | Business Required? | API Access | Backend Verification | Setup Level | MERN Integration | Fees / Payouts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Instamojo | โ Yes | โ Limited | โ No (just KYC) | โ Yes | โ Webhooks + API | โ๏ธ Medium (1โ2 days KYC) | โ Easy (Node, React) | ~2% + โน3 / txn Payout: 2โ3 days |
| Gumroad | โ Yes | โ Yes | โ No | โ Webhook | โ Yes | โ๏ธ Very Easy | โ Easy (checkout + backend) | 10% free plan PayPal payout |
| PayPal (Personal) | โ No INR | โ Yes | โ No | โ ๏ธ IPN only | โ Yes (IPN) | โ๏ธ Easy | โ Medium (backend) | 4.4% + $0.30 Payout to bank |
| Buy Me a Coffee | โ via Stripe/PayPal | โ Yes | โ No | โ No API | โ No backend logic | โ๏ธ Very Easy | โ Frontend only | 5% + Stripe/PayPal fee |
| Ko-fi | โ via PayPal | โ Yes | โ No | โ No API | โ No backend | โ๏ธ Very Easy | โ Frontend only | 0% free plan + PayPal fees |
| Stripe via Payhere | โ Yes | โ Yes | โ No (via Payhere) | โ Yes | โ Webhook | โ๏ธ Easy | โ Easy (hosted checkout) | ~2.9% Stripe Payout by Payhere |
| LemonSqueezy | โ Yes | โ Yes | โ No | โ Yes | โ Webhooks | โ๏ธ Medium | โ Easy | 5% + Stripe/PayPal Payout to PayPal |
| UPI QR / Static ID | โ Yes | โ No | โ No | โ No API | โ No backend | โ๏ธ Instant | โ Display only | Free Manual confirmation |
| Razorpay | โ Yes | โ Yes | โ Not without GST | โ No live API | โ Yes (if verified) | โ ๏ธ Hard | โ Advanced (if verified) | 2% + GST Payout: T+2 |
| Cashfree | โ Yes | โ Yes | โ ๏ธ Prefer business | โ Yes | โ Webhook | โ๏ธ Medium | โ Yes | ~1.75โ2.5% Payout: 1โ2 days |
๐งช Backend Verification Support
| Platform | Backend Verification | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Instamojo | โ Yes | Webhook + API |
| Gumroad | โ Yes | Webhook (token) |
| PayPal | โ Yes | IPN/Webhook |
| Stripe via Payhere | โ Yes | Webhook |
| LemonSqueezy | โ Yes | Webhook |
| Buy Me a Coffee | โ No | N/A |
| Ko-fi | โ No | N/A |
| UPI QR Code | โ No | Manual |
๐ Best Overall (India + MERN): Instamojo
โ Why Instamojo?
- No business registration needed (just PAN + bank + KYC)
- Full REST API + hosted checkout links
- Supports webhooks for backend payment verification
- Accepts UPI, Credit/Debit cards, Netbanking
- Perfect for:
- E-commerce MERN apps
- Portfolio donations
- Selling digital goods
๐งฉ Example: Instamojo MERN Integration
Frontend (React)
<a href="https://www.instamojo.com/@yourusername">
<button>Pay Now</button>
</a>
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