[](https://portal.azure.com/#create/Microsoft.Template/uri/https%3A%2F%2Fraw.githubusercontent.com%2Fbtcpayserver%2Fbtcpayserver-azure%2Fmaster%2Fazuredeploy.json)
BTCPay Server is a free and open-source cryptocurrency payment processor which allows you to receive payments in Bitcoin and altcoins directly, with no fees, transaction cost or a middleman.
BTCPay is a non-custodial invoicing system which eliminates the involvement of a third-party. Payments with BTCPay go directly to your wallet, which increases the privacy and security. Your private keys are never uploaded to the server. There is no address re-use, since each invoice generates a new address deriving from your xpubkey.
The software is built in C# and conforms to the invoice [API of BitPay](https://bitpay.com/api). It allows for your website to be easily migrated from BitPay and configured as a self-hosted payment processor.
You can run BTCPay as a self-hosted solution on your own server, or use a [third-party host](https://github.com/btcpayserver/btcpayserver-doc/blob/master/ThirdPartyHosting.md).
The self-hosted solution allows you not only to attach an unlimited number of stores and use the Lightning Network but also become the payment processor for others.
Thanks to the [apps](https://github.com/btcpayserver/btcpayserver-doc/blob/master/Apps.md) built on top of it, you can use BTCPay to receive donations, start a crowdfunding campaign or have an in-store Point of Sale.
Firstly, decide if you want to host an instance yourself or use a [third-party host](https://docs.btcpayserver.org/deployment/thirdpartyhosting). If you've chosen to self-host, we documented plenty [ways to deploy BTCPay Server](https://docs.btcpayserver.org/deployment/deployment).
After successful deployment, make sure to check our [getting started](https://docs.btcpayserver.org/btcpay-basics/gettingstarted) and [walkthrough](https://docs.btcpayserver.org/btcpay-basics/walkthrough) guides. In case you would like to use Lightning Network, see [Lightning guide](https://docs.btcpayserver.org/features/lightningnetwork).
Please check out our [official website](https://btcpayserver.org/), our [complete documentation](https://github.com/btcpayserver/btcpayserver-doc) and [FAQ](https://github.com/btcpayserver/btcpayserver-doc/tree/master/FAQ#btcpay-frequently-asked-questions-and-common-issues) for more details.
If you have trouble using BTCPay, consider joining [communities listed on official website](https://btcpayserver.org/#communityCTA) to get help from BTCPay community members. Only file [Github issue](https://github.com/btcpayserver/btcpayserver/issues) for technical issues you can't resolve through other channels or feature requests you've validated with other members of community.
Main community chat is located on [Mattermost](https://chat.btcpayserver.org/).
BTCPay is built and maintained entirely by volunteer contributors around the internet. We welcome and appreciate new contributions.
If you're a developer looking to help, but you're not sure where to begin, check the [good first issue label](https://github.com/btcpayserver/btcpayserver/issues?q=is%3Aissue+is%3Aopen+label%3A%22good+first+issue%22), which contains small pieces of work that have been specifically flagged as being friendly to new contributors.
Contributors looking to do something a bit more challenging, before opening a pull request, please [create an issue](https://github.com/btcpayserver/btcpayserver/issues/new/choose) or join [our community chat](https://chat.btcpayserver.org/) to get early feedback, discuss best ways to tackle the problem and to ensure there is no work duplication.
You also have an awesome video of our contributors which explains how to get started.[](https://www.youtube.com/embed/VNMnd-dX9Q8)
