WHMCS Multi-Currency Setup: Accept Payments in Any Currency

If you serve customers internationally, displaying prices in their local currency dramatically improves conversions. Customers are more comfortable purchasing when they see familiar currency symbols and don't have to calculate exchange rates mentally. WHMCS has robust multi-currency support that, when configured properly, provides a seamless experience for global customers while simplifying your accounting. This comprehensive guide covers everything from initial setup to advanced configuration.

Understanding Multi-Currency in WHMCS

WHMCS handles multi-currency through a base currency plus additional currencies with exchange rates. All internal calculations happen in the base currency, with conversions applied for display and payment processing. This architecture keeps accounting clean while presenting prices in familiar formats to customers worldwide.

Base Currency

Your base currency is the primary currency for accounting purposes. All product prices are defined in this currency, and exchange rates are calculated relative to it. Choose your base currency carefully—it should be the currency you use for accounting, pay suppliers in, and receive most revenue in. Changing the base currency after going live is complex and should be avoided.

Display vs Settlement Currency

Customers see prices and pay in their selected currency. However, many payment gateways settle in a single currency. For example, a European customer might pay in EUR through Stripe, but Stripe deposits USD into your account after conversion. Understand how your payment processors handle currency to avoid unexpected conversion losses.

Initial Currency Configuration

Navigate to Setup → Payments → Currencies to configure multi-currency support. Here you'll manage all currencies your system accepts.

Adding a New Currency

For each currency you want to support, you need to configure several settings that affect how prices display and how the system handles conversions.

• Currency Code: ISO 4217 code (USD, EUR, GBP, INR, etc.)
• Prefix: Symbol displayed before the amount ($, €, £)
• Suffix: Symbol displayed after the amount (used in some currencies)
• Exchange Rate: Value relative to base currency
• Format: Decimal places and thousand separators

Setting Exchange Rates

Exchange rates determine how prices convert between currencies. You have two options for managing these rates, each with distinct advantages.

Manual Rates: Set fixed exchange rates yourself. Provides price stability but requires periodic updates. Best for businesses that prefer predictable pricing and can absorb minor exchange fluctuations.

Automatic Updates: WHMCS can fetch current exchange rates automatically. Navigate to Setup → Payments → Currencies and configure the cron to update rates daily or weekly. This keeps prices current but can cause fluctuations customers notice.

Pricing Strategies

Converted Pricing

The simplest approach: define prices in base currency and let WHMCS convert automatically. If your base price is $9.99/month and EUR exchange rate is 0.92, European customers see €9.19/month. This works well for maintaining consistent margins across all currencies but can result in odd prices.

Fixed Local Pricing

Override converted prices with specific amounts per currency. You can set shared hosting to exactly €9.99/month for EUR customers, regardless of exchange rate. This provides cleaner pricing but requires you to update prices manually if exchange rates shift significantly over time.

Psychological Pricing

With fixed pricing, you can use psychological pricing in each currency. Ending prices in .99 or .95 works in most Western markets. In some Asian markets, lucky numbers matter more. Configure pricing that resonates with each market's expectations for maximum conversion impact.

Customer Currency Selection

Automatic Detection

WHMCS can automatically select currency based on customer location. Using GeoIP, the system detects the visitor's country and assigns the appropriate currency. This creates a seamless experience where customers see local pricing without any action required.

Manual Selection

Add a currency selector to let customers choose their preferred currency. Some themes include this by default. The selector should be prominent—typically in the header or near pricing tables. Once selected, the preference persists throughout their session and account.

Currency Lock

After a customer places their first order, their account is locked to that currency. This prevents issues with mixed-currency invoices and simplifies accounting. If a customer truly needs to change currency, an admin can update their profile, but existing invoices remain in the original currency.

Payment Gateway Considerations

Multi-Currency Gateways

Not all payment gateways support all currencies. Before adding a currency, verify your payment processors can accept it. Stripe supports 135+ currencies but settles in fewer. PayPal supports many currencies but has different fee structures. Configure gateway-currency restrictions in WHMCS to prevent checkout failures.

Currency-Specific Gateways

Some markets prefer local payment methods. Indian customers expect UPI and Paytm options. European customers may want SEPA direct debit. Configure different gateways for different currencies to maximize payment success rates in each market.

Settlement Currency

Understand how payments flow from the customer's currency to your bank account. Multiple conversions can stack fees. A customer paying in INR through PayPal might see the amount converted to USD by PayPal, then converted again if your bank account is in EUR. Minimize conversion steps where possible.

Reporting and Accounting

Revenue Reports

WHMCS reports revenue in base currency by default. This provides consistent metrics regardless of which currencies customers pay in. You can also generate reports per currency to understand market performance. The income reports show conversion rates applied to give accurate base-currency totals.

Invoice Export

When exporting invoices for accounting software, consider which currency representation your accountant needs. Some businesses maintain parallel books in multiple currencies. WHMCS stores both the original currency amount and base currency equivalent for each transaction.

Tax Implications

Multi-currency sales may have tax implications depending on your jurisdiction. Consult with an accountant familiar with international digital services. VAT, GST, and sales tax rules vary by country and currency of transaction. Document your currency handling approach for audit purposes.

Common Issues and Solutions

Price Discrepancies

If customers report price mismatches, check the exchange rate applied to their account versus current rates. Rates can drift if not updated regularly. Decide whether to honor the quoted price or explain the change.

Gateway Rejections

Payment failures often occur when attempting to charge unsupported currencies. Verify gateway configuration and consider currency restrictions. Test each currency-gateway combination before going live.

Round-Off Issues

Currency conversion can create tiny amounts that don't reconcile perfectly. Configure rounding rules in WHMCS to handle these gracefully. Most businesses round to the nearest cent, absorbing minimal differences.

Conclusion

Multi-currency support transforms WHMCS from a local billing system to a global commerce platform. Customers convert better when seeing local prices, and you can compete effectively in international markets. Start with your most important secondary markets—add those currencies first, test thoroughly, and expand from there. The investment in proper configuration pays off through increased international sales and improved customer experience across all markets you serve.