Discover infinity
Posted on Oct 1, 2025
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get the latest updates, insights, and tips delivered straight to your inbox.
Running your own business is exciting. You get to call the shots, work with clients you actually want to work with, and create a lifestyle that suits you. But if you’re working with international clients, you already know that one thing isn’t as easy as it should be: getting paid.
It’s never just about sending an invoice and waiting for money to show up in your account. Instead, there are hidden bank fees, exchange rates that don’t work in your favor, payments that take forever to arrive, and a whole bunch of compliance rules that are confusing to keep track of.
That’s why learning how to manage international payments isn’t just about convenience, it’s about protecting your income, keeping your cash flow steady, and building a business you can grow with confidence. With the right tools, you can save time, cut down costs, and actually enjoy getting paid.
Who is a Solopreneur?
A solopreneur is simply someone who runs their business solo. No employees, no co-founders—just you, your skills, and your clients.
Think of freelance writers, designers, consultants, developers, or coaches who handle everything themselves: finding clients, delivering work, sending invoices, and yes—managing payments. It’s not a side hustle; it’s a serious business.
Being a solopreneur means complete independence and flexibility, but it also means you wear every hat. One day you’re the marketer, the next you’re the accountant, and the day after that you’re the customer service team. It’s rewarding, but it can also be overwhelming—especially when money is involved.
Also read: FIRC: A Complete Guide for Indian Businesses and Freelancers
Solopreneur vs Entrepreneur: What’s the Difference?
People often mix up “entrepreneur” and “solopreneur,” but they’re not the same.
Team: Entrepreneurs usually build teams and scale businesses. Solopreneurs prefer to run things alone and stay lean.
Goals: Entrepreneurs focus on expansion and investors. Solopreneurs focus on independence and flexibility.
Responsibilities: Entrepreneurs delegate. Solopreneurs do it all themselves.
Risk: Entrepreneurs often take bigger risks for faster growth. Solopreneurs go for manageable risks to keep things steady.
In short: entrepreneurs build businesses to grow beyond themselves, while solopreneurs build businesses around themselves. Both are valid paths, it just depends on what kind of life you want.
We have also found this article on LinkedIn that can help you build a future toolkit as a Solopreneur.
Source: LinkedIn
The Solopreneur Reality
One of the biggest perks of being a solopreneur is freedom. You get to choose the clients you want to work with, set your own schedule, and steer your business in the exact direction you want. That kind of independence is rare and it’s what makes solopreneurship so appealing.
But here’s the truth: with independence comes responsibility. And when it comes to money, especially managing international payments as a solopreneur—things can get complicated very quickly.
Here are some of the most common challenges solopreneurs face when dealing with global clients:
High transaction fees
Traditional banks and outdated payment platforms often take 3 to 5 percent of your earnings in transaction fees. For someone working solo, this isn’t just a small cut, it’s a significant chunk of income that directly affects profits and limits growth opportunities. Over time, these fees can add up to thousands of rupees lost unnecessarily.
Payment delays
International transfers usually take anywhere from 3 to 7 business days to clear. For solopreneurs who rely on consistent cash flow to pay personal bills and fund business expenses, this kind of delay can create real stress. Cash flow management becomes a constant juggling act.
Unfavorable exchange rates
Most banks and platforms apply exchange rates that favor them, not you. This means you lose out every time you convert your hard-earned dollars, pounds, or euros into INR. Without competitive currency conversion, solopreneurs often see their actual take-home pay shrink.
Compliance headaches
In India, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) requires specific documentation for every foreign payment you receive. From filing FIRC certificates to making sure invoices match regulations, the compliance process is confusing and time-consuming. Missing out on this can even cause payment holds or regulatory trouble.
Lack of transparency
Many banks and platforms aren’t upfront about how much they’re charging you. Hidden bank fees, unclear exchange markups, and surprise deductions make it almost impossible for solopreneurs to predict what they’ll actually receive after a transfer.
Irregular income
Unlike salaried employees, solopreneurs don’t have a guaranteed paycheck at the end of the month. Combine that with slow payments from international clients, and income becomes irregular. This makes it tough to plan for personal expenses, invest back into the business, or save for the future.
No employee benefits
Solopreneurs don’t get perks like health insurance, retirement contributions, or paid leave. Every rupee has to be earned and managed carefully. Losing money to high payment fees or exchange losses makes covering these costs even harder.
Blurred work-life boundaries
Without an office or a team, work often spills into personal life. And when payment delays or compliance issues arise, the stress follows you everywhere—making it harder to maintain balance and avoid burnout.
Administrative overload
Beyond client work, solopreneurs spend countless hours managing invoices, tracking payments, filing taxes, and handling compliance paperwork. Instead of focusing on growth, much of their energy gets drained by backend financial tasks.
Methods Solopreneurs Can Use to Receive International Payments
When you’re working with international clients, choosing the right payment method can make a big difference in how much money you actually take home and how smoothly your business runs. Here are some of the most common options solopreneurs use:
Traditional Bank Transfer
Many clients prefer direct wire transfers. While reliable, they often come with high fees, poor exchange rates, and long processing times.
PayPal
A popular option worldwide, but it charges steep fees (both transaction and currency conversion) that can cut deeply into your earnings.
Payoneer
Widely used by freelancers, Payoneer is convenient but still comes with service charges and exchange markups that reduce your take-home amount.
Stripe
Stripe is good for businesses selling online or offering subscriptions, but not always ideal for solopreneurs due to setup requirements and higher costs.
Wise (formerly TransferWise)
Known for transparent fees and fair exchange rates, but not always the cheapest or fastest for Indian solopreneurs.
International Payment Platforms for India
Specialised platforms built for Indian freelancers and solopreneurs, like Infinity, are designed to cut fees, speed up transfers, and handle RBI compliance—solving many of the problems that come with the methods above.
Why the Right International Payment Solution Matters?
Managing payments shouldn’t feel like running another business on the side. Solopreneurs need something simple, affordable, and built for the way they actually work.
That’s where Infinity comes in. Designed specifically for freelancers and solopreneurs in India, Infinity takes the stress out of international payments so you can focus on your work instead of chasing down money.
Here’s how Infinity makes life easier:
Low Fees
Save up to 70% on payment fees compared to banks or platforms like PayPal. More money in your pocket, where it belongs, all at the small cost of 0.5% as transaction fee.Fast Transfers
Forget waiting a week, Infinity processes payments in 24 hours so your cash flow doesn’t take a hit.Fair Exchange Rates
Transparent, competitive rates with no sneaky FX Margins.This 0% Fx margin and conversion at live FX rates.Compliance Done for You
Infinity handles RBI and FEMA compliance and paperwork so you don’t have to stress about regulations.Supports Multiple Currencies
USD, GBP, EUR, JPY, you name it, Infinity supports 50+ currencies so you can work with clients anywhere.
With Infinity, getting paid finally feels as simple as it should. Sign up today!
Conclusion
Being a solopreneur is about freedom and independence, but money problems can take the joy out of it. By choosing the right payment partner, you can save time, save money, and keep your business running smoothly.
Infinity gives you exactly what you need: low fees, faster payments, great exchange rates, and compliance support all in one place.
If you’re ready to grow your business globally without the stress of international banking, Infinity is your best bet.
FAQs
Q1. Why are international payments so tricky for solopreneurs?
Because banks and old platforms charge high fees, give poor exchange rates, and take too long.
Q2. What’s the best way for solopreneurs in India to get paid globally?
Use a modern payment platform like Infinity that’s built for freelancers and solopreneurs.
Q3. Does Infinity only work for big businesses?
No—it’s made for freelancers, solopreneurs, and small businesses too.
Q4. Can Infinity handle multiple currencies?
Yes, it supports 50+ currencies including USD, GBP, and EUR.
Q5. How much can I save with Infinity?
Up to 80% compared to banks and traditional platforms.
