The Bottom Line
- Price
- From $14.99/mo. Compare plans
Key facts
- Global digital payments platform for online checkout, in-person POS, and peer-to-peer transfers
- Transaction fees range from 2.29% + $0.09 (in-person) to 3.49% + $0.49 (online PayPal payments)
- No monthly subscription required, pay only per transaction with volume discounts available
Pros
- Ubiquitous brand recognition and consumer trust worldwide
- No monthly fee for standard payment processing
- Comprehensive buyer and seller protection programs
- Supports online, in-person, and peer-to-peer payments in one platform
- Easy integration with major e-commerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce
- Free tap-to-pay via mobile app eliminates hardware costs
Cons
- Transaction fees of 2.29-4.99% plus fixed fee add up for high-volume sellers
- Account holds and freezes can disrupt cash flow without warning
- Customer support can be slow for dispute resolution
- Currency conversion fees apply on international transactions
- Chargeback process often favors buyers over sellers
What is PayPal?
Available on: Web
Ratings Across the Web
PayPal holds an aggregate rating of 3.3 out of 5 from 66,452 reviews across G2, Capterra, SourceForge and Trustpilot, last checked September 17, 2026.
Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more
Key Features
- Online checkout with credit/debit card and PayPal balance support
- Point-of-sale with card readers, terminals, and tap-to-pay
- Peer-to-peer money transfers domestically and internationally
- Buy Now Pay Later with installment payment options
- Invoicing with automatic payment reminders
- Venmo integration for social commerce
- Virtual terminal for phone and mail orders
- Fraud protection and dispute resolution for buyers and sellers
- Multi-currency support across 200+ markets
- Developer APIs and e-commerce platform integrations
Pricing Plans
Pricing checked Sep 29, 2026
| Plan | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| PayPal Checkout (US domestic) | 3.49% + $0.49 |
+1 more Show less
|
| Cards and wallets | 2.99% + $0.49 |
|
| QR code | Third-party integrator QR is 2.29% + $0.09 |
|
| Pay Later | 4.99% + $0.49 |
|
| Invoicing subscription | $14.99/month |
|
Is PayPal worth the price?
PayPal does not sell a SaaS seat.
US merchants pay a published take rate. Domestic Checkout is 3.49% + $0.49.
Cards on invoices are 2.99% + $0.49. QR is 2.29% + $0.49.
Pay Later is 4.99% + $0.49. The optional invoicing subscription is $14.99/mo.
This is best for sellers who want the official US fee table in one place, not a guessed $0 plan.
Hidden Costs & Gotchas
Fixed fee for USD is $0.49 on the official US table. QR via a third-party integrator is $0.09 instead.
International receiving adds 1.50% on top of the domestic commercial rate.
Invoice Subscription Service is $14.99/mo plus the same per-payment rates. Chargeback and risk uplifts can add up to 5% after 30 days notice.
Crypto buy/sell on a business account is a separate % band (2.20% down to 1.50% by size). PYUSD is excluded from that band.
Reviews
Review PayPal, get a free AI guide
Share your experience and we will send you Improve Your Thinking Patterns Using ChatGPT, free.
Across 66,452 verified user reviews on Trustpilot, Capterra, G2
Add your hands-on experience using the offer above to help the next buyer.
Best PayPal Alternatives
Top alternatives based on features, pricing, and user needs.
International money transfers and accounts
Payment processing and POS systems
Payment infrastructure for the internet
Global payment solutions for businesses, freelancers, and marketplaces to pay, get paid, and grow globally.
Payments infrastructure for SaaS
Accept global payments with unified commerce
Sell digital products directly to fans, no upfront costs
Still deciding?
Most buyers shortlist 2 or 3 tools before committing. Pull a side-by-side comparison or browse the full alternatives shortlist below.
Explore More
PayPal FAQ
How does PayPal facilitate online sales for businesses?
How does PayPal compare to Stripe for payment processing?
What are the main trade-offs when using PayPal for business transactions?
Which teams would benefit most from using PayPal?
How is PayPal priced for users and businesses?
Can PayPal be used for in-person transactions?
Does PayPal offer protection for both buyers and sellers?
Source: paypal.com