non-custodial draft
Self-custodial Lightning toolkit — Alby Hub (open-source node software) plus Alby Cloud hosted hosting.
- · Lightning Address
- · LNURL
- · API
- · Self-hosted
CreatorsDevelopersnostr-user
Lightning payments, demystified
Find the simplest way to accept Bitcoin over Lightning.
Compare wallets, payment processors, and setup paths for creators, freelancers, developers, and small merchants.
Educational only. LN Cash does not custody funds, route payments, or sell financial products.
Non-custodial-first. Recommendations favor setups where you, or your chosen provider, control the keys. No hype. Plain language, hands-on testing, opinionated verdicts.
Pick your path
What are you trying to do?
✶
I am a creator
Tips, donations, paid newsletters.
Continue →◐
I run a small shop
Café, market stall, pop-up.
Continue →◇
I sell digital products
Courses, downloads, services.
Continue →⌘
I am a developer
API, plugin, or app integration.
Continue →⌂
I want self-custody
No third party holds my funds.
Continue →➜
I want the easiest setup
Lowest friction, lowest learning curve.
Continue →Best for creators
Lightning wallets we cover
#2 Wallet of Satoshi
The easiest Lightning wallet — historically custodial, with a self-custodial future via Spark.
custodial draft
Custodial Lightning wallet with the simplest onboarding in the ecosystem. Re-entering the US via a self-custodial Spark integration.
- · Lightning Address
- · LNURL
BeginnersCreators
non-custodial draft
Self-custodial Lightning wallet from ACINQ. Single dynamic channel managed automatically via splicing.
- · Lightning Address
- · LNURL
Self-custody seekersCreatorsBeginners
Best for merchants
Payment processors we cover
non-custodial draft
Open-source, self-hosted Bitcoin and Lightning payment processor. Native LND and Core Lightning support.
- · API
- · Point of sale
MerchantsDevelopersSelf-custody seekers
custodial draft
Hosted Lightning payment platform with BTC, USDT, and USDC support. Tether-backed; powers high-profile US merchants.
- · API
- · Point of sale
- · Fiat settlement
MerchantsCreatorsstablecoin-merchant
custodial draft
Hosted Bitcoin + Lightning payment processor with fiat settlement in supported regions.
- · API
- · Fiat settlement
MerchantsDevelopers
Start here
Featured guides
How to accept Lightning payments
Practical paths for creators, merchants, and developers — without becoming a crypto expert.
Read →Lightning Address, explained
An email-style address that lets anyone send you Bitcoin over Lightning.
Read →LNURL, in plain English
What it does, when it matters, and the difference between the LNURL subtypes.
Read →BTCPay Server vs OpenNode
Self-hosted vs hosted. Two very different answers to the same question.
Read →Free tools
Choose a setup, verify what you have built
Setup wizard
Seven questions about your use case, country, and custody preference. Returns a wallet (and processor, for business use) that matches.
Open tool →Lightning Address checker
Inspect what a Lightning Address publishes — minimum and maximum sendable, comment support, callback URL. Does not send any payment.
Open tool →LNURL decoder
Decode a bech32 LNURL string into the underlying URL. Optionally fetch metadata to see what the endpoint exposes.
Open tool →Merchant checklist
Six questions about your business; output a tailored printable checklist covering technical, fiat, accounting, and staff training.
Open tool →LN Cash is informational and educational. Nothing on this site is financial, tax, or legal advice. Tool availability, fees, and regulatory treatment vary by country and change over time. Always verify with the provider, and confirm tax obligations with a professional in your jurisdiction.