Zaprite is a comprehensive Bitcoin payment platform designed to help individuals and businesses seamlessly accept and manage Bitcoin payments alongside traditional fiat options.
Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, Zaprite positions itself as a bridge solution for businesses transitioning to a Bitcoin standard while maintaining the flexibility to accept conventional payment methods.
Unlike traditional payment processors, Zaprite operates as a non-custodial platform—meaning it never touches user funds. Instead, payments flow directly into the merchant's wallet of choice, whether that's a self-custody hardware wallet, a Lightning node, or a custodial service provider. This architecture preserves user sovereignty while eliminating the technical complexity typically associated with Bitcoin payment infrastructure.
The platform supports on-chain Bitcoin payments, Lightning Network transactions, Liquid Network payments, and traditional card payments through integrations with Stripe and Square. This unified checkout experience allows businesses to offer customers multiple payment options while managing everything from a single dashboard.
Who Created Zaprite?
Zaprite was founded by John Magill, who initially built the platform to solve his own problem as a freelancer seeking to get paid in Bitcoin. What started as a personal tool evolved into a full-fledged business as others recognized the need for such a solution. The company received pre-seed funding in August 2022, raising $500,000 from notable Bitcoin-focused investors including Fulgur Ventures, Lightning Ventures, and Ten31.
In September 2023, Zaprite strengthened its team by bringing on Parker Lewis as Head of Business Development and Will Cole as Head of Product, signaling the company's commitment to expanding its reach in the Bitcoin payments space. The current team includes Nathaniel Kitzke as Head of Engineering, keeping the operation lean with fewer than 10 employees.
What is Zaprite For?
Zaprite serves multiple use cases across different business types:
Professional Invoicing
The platform excels at creating professional Bitcoin invoices for freelancers, contractors, consultants, lawyers, designers, and service providers. Users can generate customized invoices with line items, save contact information, and email invoices directly to clients. The system automatically calculates Bitcoin amounts based on current exchange rates while allowing denomination in various fiat currencies.
E-commerce Integration
Zaprite offers WooCommerce integration for online stores, enabling merchants to accept Bitcoin, Lightning, and card payments through a unified checkout. The platform also provides customizable payment links for selling goods, services, or event tickets.
Point-of-Sale Solutions
For physical locations and events, Zaprite provides a virtual POS terminal that allows merchants to accept Bitcoin payments in person, complete with QR code generation for easy scanning.
Payment Flexibility Features
One of Zaprite's standout features is the ability to incentivize Bitcoin adoption by adding premiums to fiat payments or offering discounts for Bitcoin payments. This allows businesses to nudge customers toward Bitcoin while still accommodating those not ready to make the switch.
Accounting and Reporting
The platform includes comprehensive reporting tools, transaction history exports, and fiat cost basis tracking for each payment, essential features for proper accounting and tax compliance.
Pros
True Non-Custodial Solution: Unlike many payment processors, Zaprite never holds user funds. Payments go directly to your wallet, preserving financial sovereignty and eliminating counterparty risk.
Multi-Payment Method Support: The ability to accept on-chain Bitcoin, Lightning, Liquid, and traditional card payments through a single interface reduces operational complexity significantly.
No KYC Required: Users can sign up with just an email address for core features, maintaining privacy and lowering barriers to entry.
Wallet Flexibility: Support for both self-custody wallets (hardware wallets via xpub) and popular custodial services (Alby, Strike, Zebedee, Cash App) gives users complete control over their setup.
Professional Invoicing Tools: The invoicing system rivals traditional business software with features like branded PDFs, partial address display for privacy, and the ability to reserve specific addresses for high-value invoices.
Developer-Friendly: A robust API and webhook service enables custom integrations for businesses with specific needs.
Incentive Mechanisms: The ability to add fiat premiums or Bitcoin discounts helps merchants encourage Bitcoin adoption among customers.
30-Day Free Trial: Users can fully test the platform before committing to a subscription. At $25/month ($240/year with annual discount), the cost is reasonable for active businesses, especially considering the platform never takes custody of funds and supports multiple payment rails.
Bitcoin-Only Focus: The company's commitment to Bitcoin-only (refusing to support altcoins) ensures focused development and alignment with Bitcoin's monetary properties.
Cons
Transaction Fees Apply: In addition to the subscription fee, certain payment activities incur transaction fees, which can add up depending on volume.
Limited to Email Sign-Up: While no KYC is required, the platform still requires an email address, which may be a minor privacy concern for some users.
Fiat Conversion Not Included: Zaprite doesn't facilitate Bitcoin-to-fiat conversion itself, though it integrates with services that do. Businesses needing immediate fiat liquidity must use external services.
Relatively New Platform: Founded in 2017 but gaining traction more recently, Zaprite has a shorter track record compared to established payment processors.
Learning Curve for Bitcoin Newcomers: Users unfamiliar with Bitcoin wallets, xpubs, and Lightning Network may need to invest time in education before effectively using the platform.
Limited Integration Ecosystem: While WooCommerce integration exists, the platform lacks native integrations with some popular e-commerce platforms and accounting software (though QuickBooks and Xero integrations are planned).
Small Team: With fewer than 10 employees, support response times and feature development may be slower than larger competitors, though this also keeps the company focused.
Final Verdict
Zaprite represents a mature, thoughtfully designed solution for businesses serious about accepting Bitcoin payments while maintaining operational flexibility. Its non-custodial architecture is its greatest strength—offering true financial sovereignty without sacrificing user experience or functionality.
For businesses committed to accepting Bitcoin payments professionally, Zaprite is one of the best options available. The 30-day free trial provides ample opportunity to evaluate whether the platform meets your specific needs. As the Bitcoin economy continues to mature, tools like Zaprite that reduce friction while preserving user sovereignty will be essential infrastructure.
Recommendation: Strongly recommended for freelancers, small businesses, and anyone seeking a professional, non-custodial Bitcoin payment solution with the flexibility to also accept fiat during the transition to a Bitcoin standard.
Visit Zaprite at zaprite.com to start your free 30-day trial.
