Authorize.net vs PayPal: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Authorize.net and PayPal side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Authorize.net leads on higher user rating; PayPal leads on lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Authorize.net
Secure and reliable payment gateway for businesses of all sizes.
Best for you if:
- • You want widely recognized and trusted brand in payment processing
PayPal
The original online payment system, still everywhere
Best for you if:
- • You want ubiquitous brand recognition and consumer trust worldwide
| At a Glance | Authorize.net | PayPal |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | From $25/mo, billed monthly Gateway only plan | From $14.99/mo, billed monthly Invoicing subscription plan |
Category | E-commerce Payment Processing | Payment Processing Finance |
Rating | 4.2/5 G2 4.2 209 reviews | 3.3/5 Trustpilot 1.5 · Capterra 4.6 · G2 4.4 66,452 reviews |
Free plan | No | n/a |
Watch out for | eCheck 0.75% per transaction on Gateway + eCheck | Fixed fee for USD is $0.49 on the official US table. QR via a third-party integrator is $0.09 instead. |
Choose Authorize.net or PayPal?
Choose Authorize.net if
- You want widely recognized and trusted brand in payment processing
- You want robust fraud prevention tools
- You work in e-commerce, not payment processing
Choose PayPal if
- You want ubiquitous brand recognition and consumer trust worldwide
- You want no monthly fee for standard payment processing
- Budget matters ($14.99/mo, billed monthly vs $25/mo, billed monthly)
- You work in payment processing, not e-commerce
In-Depth Analysis
Authorize.net
Secure and reliable payment gateway for businesses of all sizes.
Authorize.net's pricing is fair for established businesses needing a reliable gateway, with a flat $25/mo plus per-transaction fees that are standard for the industry.
Watch out
eCheck 0.75% per transaction on Gateway + eCheck
Strengths
- Pro: Widely recognized and trusted brand in payment processing
- Pro: Robust fraud prevention tools
- Pro: Good integration capabilities with many e-commerce platforms
- Pro: Supports various payment methods
- Pro: Reliable uptime and transaction processing
Weaknesses
- Con: Can be more expensive than some newer payment processors
- Con: Setup process can be complex for beginners
- Con: Customer service can sometimes be slow
Key features
PayPal
The original online payment system, still everywhere
PayPal does not sell a SaaS seat.
Watch out
Fixed fee for USD is $0.49 on the official US table. QR via a third-party integrator is $0.09 instead.
Strengths
- Pro: Ubiquitous brand recognition and consumer trust worldwide
- Pro: No monthly fee for standard payment processing
- Pro: Comprehensive buyer and seller protection programs
- Pro: Supports online, in-person, and peer-to-peer payments in one platform
- Pro: Easy integration with major e-commerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce
Weaknesses
- Con: Transaction fees of 2.29-4.99% plus fixed fee add up for high-volume sellers
- Con: Account holds and freezes can disrupt cash flow without warning
- Con: Customer support can be slow for dispute resolution
- Con: Currency conversion fees apply on international transactions
- Con: Chargeback process often favors buyers over sellers
Key features
Plans and prices: Authorize.net vs PayPal
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Authorize.net |
| authorize.net/pricing read Nov 1, 2026 |
| PayPal |
| paypal.com/us/business/paypal-business-fees read Sep 29, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Authorize.net pricing and PayPal pricing.
Key Takeaways
Authorize.net
- Higher user rating: 4.2/5 vs 3.3/5
PayPal
- Lower entry price: $14.99/mo, billed monthly vs $25/mo, billed monthly
What the data shows
On the data below, Authorize.net leads on higher user rating; PayPal leads on lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Authorize.net has the higher user rating (4.2/5 from 209 reviews for Authorize.net, 3.3/5 from 66,452 reviews for PayPal).
- PayPal has the lower entry price: $14.99/mo, billed monthly (Invoicing subscription) against $25/mo, billed monthly (Gateway only) for Authorize.net.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Authorize.net and PayPal compare in 2026?
On the data below, Authorize.net leads on higher user rating; PayPal leads on lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Authorize.net has the higher user rating (4.2/5 from 209 reviews for Authorize.net, 3.3/5 from 66,452 reviews for PayPal). PayPal has the lower entry price: $14.99/mo, billed monthly (Invoicing subscription) against $25/mo, billed monthly (Gateway only) for Authorize.net.
What are Authorize.net and PayPal used for?
Authorize.net: Secure and reliable payment gateway for businesses of all sizes. PayPal: The original online payment system, still everywhere.
What does Authorize.net cost vs PayPal?
Authorize.net's cheapest paid plan is Gateway only at $25/mo, billed monthly. PayPal's cheapest paid plan is Invoicing subscription at $14.99/mo, billed monthly. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Nov 1, 2026.
What's the main difference between Authorize.net and PayPal?
Authorize.net's main strength: widely recognized and trusted brand in payment processing. PayPal's main strength: ubiquitous brand recognition and consumer trust worldwide.