Global payments
Posted on Jul 12, 2025
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India and the United Kingdom have always shared a strong trade relationship for decades.
From IT and consulting services to exports in textiles, pharmaceuticals, and education, Indian businesses are actively engaging with UK clients, partners, and customers. In FY2023-24, the UK ranked among India’s top trading partners in Europe, with billions of pounds exchanged annually.
With this growing partnership, efficient international payment systems have become a critical backbone for businesses. One of the most important needs is receiving GBP payments in India, in a way that is fast, cost-effective, and compliant with regulations. Whether you are an Indian exporter, freelancer, or SaaS provider, finding the right way to convert GBP to INR and collect payments matters more than ever.
In this blog, we will highlight InfinityApp as the best way to accept GBP payments in India and briefly compare other available methods.
Best ways to receive GBP payments in India
1. InfinityApp- Fast, Transparent GBP to INR payouts
InfinityApp is a modern fintech international payment platform designed for Indian freelancers, startups, and businesses. InfinityApp simplifies the process of receiving GBP payments from UK clients by offering a local virtual UK account, which means your UK-based clients can pay you via domestic transfers. This reduces the need for IBAN or complex SWIFT code procedures.
Features of InfinityApp:
Infinityapp provides real-time GBP to INR conversion using the mid-market exchange rate. This means there is 0 FX markup and no hidden fees.
InfinityApp charges a flat, transparent fee of 0.5%(inclusive of all). This ensures that you receive the most value for every pound you earn.
Another major benefit is speed. InfinityApp settles the payments within 24 hours. This allows you to access your INR funds faster than most other methods, like banks, PayPal, Wise, etc.
All the transactions on the platform are fully RBI and FEMA compliant, offering you both peace of mind and regulatory assurance.
With 0 setup costs or account maintenance charges, InfinityApp is ideal for Indian freelancers, exporters, startup founders, and SMBs in India.
2. Traditional Indian Banks (via SWIFT Transfers)
Many Indian businesses still rely on traditional banks to receive GBP payments through the SWIFT network. This involves the UK sender initiating an international wire transfer using the Indian recipient’s SWIFT/BIC code and banking details. The funds are then routed through intermediary banks before reaching the Indian account.
Pros of Traditional Indian Banks
Indian banks offer strong regulatory compliance and are trusted for handling high-value payments.
Viable option for large enterprises that handle sizable international transactions and have in-house finance teams to manage the process.
Cons of Traditional Indian Banks
SWIFT transfer can be slow and expensive. Indian banks like HDFC and ICICI Bank usually take 2-5 working days for SWIFT transfer.
The processing fees can be steep, with sender charges, intermediary bank deductions, and recipient bank fees, all reducing the final amount you receive.
Indian banks usually offer a marked-up exchange rate for GBP to INR conversions, which means you lose additional value on currency conversion.
The documentation process can also be cumbersome, especially for small businesses and freelancers who are not used to handling international payments.
Payment Gateways (PayPal, Stripe, Razorpay)
Online payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, and Razorpay International are another way Indian businesses and freelancers can receive GBP payments These platforms are popular because of their ease of integration with websites, e-commerce stores, or service platforms. Clients in the UK can pay in GBP, and the platform facilitates the currency conversion and fund transfer to your INR account.
Pros of Payment Gateways:
Payment Gateways provide a simple and relatively hassle-free option.
Cons of Payment Gateways:
Payment gateways like PayPal charge high service fees, often between 4-5% of the transaction amount. There is an additional markup on the GBP to INR exchange rate.
Payment gateways have a slow withdrawal time. It might take up to 2-4 days, depending on the provider.
There is no clarity on how much you will receive in INR until after fees and conversions are applied.
That said, for occasional, small-value transactions, especially in creative or freelance industries, payment gateways provide a simple and relatively hassle-free option.
Wise (formerly TransferWise) Business Account
Wise is a global fintech platform that has gained popularity for its transparent pricing and mid-market exchange rates. Through a Wise Business Account, Indian users can receive GBP payments using local UK account details provided by Wise, allowing clients in the UK to make standard domestic payments instead of costly SWIFT transfers.
Pros of Wise:
Wise is best suited for freelancers or small teams working with global clients.
Wise is appreciated for its clean interface, excellent user experience, and clear cost breakdown.
Cons of Wise:
Wise has regulatory limitations in India. It may not offer the level of RBI-specific alignment required for Indian businesses handling multiple inbound payments.
Indian businesses and freelancers needing speed, regulatory ease, and automated compliance, Wise may not be a suitable platform due to its delayed settlement time and high charges.
Comparison table: The best ways to receive GBP payments in India
Method | Speed | Fees | Exchange Rate | Compliance | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
InfinityApp | 24-hours settlement | Flat, transparent fees | Mid-market rate, no markup | Fully RBI, FEMA compliant | Freelancers, startups, SMBs |
Traditional Banks | 2-5 business days | High SWIFT & intermediary charges | Marked up rate | Fully compliant | Large enterprises with in-house finance |
Payment Gateways | 1-3 business days | 4-5% + currency markup | Poor | General compliance | E-commerce sellers, creatives |
Wise Business Account | 1-2 business days | Low, transparent fees | Mid-market rate | Limited INR support | Global freelancers |
Conclusion: Why InfinityApp is the best option for receiving GBP payments in India
As the economic ties between the United Kingdom and India grow stronger, the volume of GBP transactions coming into India is also rising. Indian freelancers, service providers, D2C brands, and SaaS businesses are increasingly working with UK-based clients, and that makes having a reliable and cost-effective GBP payment solution more essential than ever.
Unfortunately, the traditional methods of receiving international payments often come with major downsides:
Banks rely on the SWIFT network, which is slow, expensive, and full of hidden charges.
Global platforms like PayPal or Stripe offer convenience but charge high fees and provide poor GBP to INR exchange rates.
Foreign currency accounts can be useful, but they are complicated to open and not suitable for everyone.
That is where InfinityApp changes the game.
InfinityApp is built specifically for Indian users who need a better way to manage cross-border GBP payments. It is fast, transparent, and 100% compliant with Indian regulations. Here is what makes it stand out:
GBP virtual account: Get local UK bank details to receive international payments as if you had a bank account in London, no SWIFT needed.
Live GBP to INR conversions: Convert your payments at the mid-market exchange rate with 0 FX markup, so you keep more of what you earn.
Faster settlements: Receive INR in your Indian bank account within 24 hours, much quicker than traditional banking methods.
Full RBI and FEMA compliance: InfinityApp is built to meet the compliance needs of Indian businesses and freelancers.
No setup or hidden fees: There is no cost to join, no maintenance fee, and no hidden deductions for intermediaries.
Whether you are a:
Freelancer working with UK agents.
D2C exporter shipping products to UK customers
or a SaaS company serving UK clients globally,
InfinityApp gives you the tools to handle GBP payments efficiently, predictably, and profitably.
In a world where international clients are just a Zoom call away, you need more than just a bank; you need a payment partner that’s built for modern Indian businesses and freelancers.
Sign up for InfinityApp today and receive your GBP payments more smartly!
FAQs
What is the best way to accept GBP payments in India?
For fast, low-cost, and compliant transfers, platforms like InfinityApp are ideal. They offer a local UK account, real-time GBP to INR conversions, and 24-hour INR settlements.
Can Indian freelancers or businesses receive GBP like local payments?
Yes. With a platform like InfinityApp, Indian freelancers and businesses can receive GBP through a local virtual UK account. This allows your UK clients to make domestic transfers, avoiding SWIFT charges.
What are the fees involved in receiving GBP via traditional Indian banks?
Traditional Indian banks process GBP payments through SWIFT, which may involve multiple fees. These costs can add up to 30 pounds or more, excluding exchange rates.
