PayPal vs Recurly: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between PayPal and Recurly comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
PayPal
The original online payment system, still everywhere
Best for you if:
- • You want to try before committing
- • You need invoicing features specifically
- • PayPal is a global payment platform for online transactions
- • It enables payments, invoicing, and checkout for businesses worldwide
Recurly
Automate exceptional digital subscription experiences to grow recurring revenue and improve retention.
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.5/10 vs 8.0/10)
- • You need crm features specifically
- • Automates subscription management and recurring billing for digital businesses.
- • Offers advanced churn mitigation, revenue recovery, and global payment capabilities.
| At a Glance |  PayPal | |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Paid |
Best For | Invoicing | CRM |
Rating | 80/100 | 85/100 |
| Feature | PayPal | Recurly |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Editorial Score | 80 | 85 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | InvoicingPayment Processing | CRMPayment Processing |
How PayPal and Recurly Compare
PayPal
The original online payment system, still everywhere
Free tier available · 80/100 score
Recurly
Automate exceptional digital subscription experiences to grow recurring revenue and improve retention.
Paid · 85/100 score
PayPal is a invoicing tool. Recurly is in crm.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
PayPal has a free tier. Recurly is paid only.
Go with: PayPal
Want the highest-rated option?
PayPal: 80/100. Recurly: 85/100.
Go with: Recurly
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Recurly
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
PayPal is freemium. Recurly is paid. PayPal lets you start free.
What's your use case?
PayPal is a invoicing tool. Recurly is in crm. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Recurly scores higher: 85/100 vs 80/100.
Key Takeaways
Recurly
- Higher score: 85/100 vs 80
- Our pick for this comparison
PayPal
- Has a free tier
- Better fit for invoicing
The Bottom Line
Recurly (85/100) is our pick. PayPal has a free tier if you want to test without paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PayPal or Recurly better?
Recurly scores 85/100 in our evaluation. PayPal is freemium and Recurly is paid.
What are PayPal and Recurly used for?
PayPal: The original online payment system, still everywhere. Recurly: Automate exceptional digital subscription experiences to grow recurring revenue and improve retention..
What does PayPal cost vs Recurly?
PayPal is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Recurly is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.