Looking for PayPal alternatives to help with managing transactions online?
PayPal is easily one of the most popular payment gateways in the digital world. The simple peer-to-peer money sharing solution had 382 million registered accounts in 2021, and numbers online continue to grow. What's more, PayPal is available across around 1.6 million websites, making it one of the most recognizable tools for online selling.
PayPal is popular because it's simple, effective, and speedy. With this convenient tool, companies and consumers alike can leverage a convenient ecosystem for their digital purchases, complete with secure online wallets, invoicing tools, reporting features, and more.
Of course, PayPal is far from the only option available for online payments. Over the years, users complaining of common PayPal issues like low-quality service, account locks, and high fees have inspired the creation of a host of new competitors.
The question is, which PayPal alternatives are best?
The Top PayPal Alternatives for 2022
If you've tried PayPal and think it might not be the ideal solution for your business, or you simply want to take a different approach with your online payment gateway, you're in the right place. There are dozens of companies now competing for their share of the digital payment gateway landscape. However, not all of these tools were created equal.
We've curated the following list of PayPal alternatives by focusing on their selection of available features, ease-of-use, and any fees users need to be aware of.
Which is the best PayPal alternative?
If you want to skip the comparison and get our opinion on the best PayPal alternative right now, check out Wise (formerly Transferwise). It's one of the highest-rated alternatives for PayPal on the market, supporting multi-currency transactions, and a range of bonus features, for low fees.
Alternatively, read on for a complete list of potential PayPal competitors.
PayPal Alternatives #1: Wise
Previously known as “TransferWise”, Wise is our go-to choice for convenient and affordable transactions. Especially suited for cross-country transfers, Wise allows you to minimize the fees associated with accepting and sending payments worldwide.
With Wise, you can send money quickly and more efficiently than a standard bank, leveraging features like mobile apps to manage your finances on the move. Wise has its own dedicated card for spending in over 200 countries with both Apple and Google Pay.
Simple and straightforward, Wise cuts out hidden charges with a single upfront transfer fee. You'll be able to receive payments like a local in 10 currencies and convert and hold up to 54 currencies ? similar to how you can hold different currencies in PayPal.
Pricing:
There are no subscription fees associated with Wise. Instead, you pay an upfront transfer fee on all of your transactions. Wise will show you the transaction fee immediately to make an informed decision. For instance, if you send $1,000 to a customer who needs Euros, they'd receive 912.47 euros, with a $6.40 total transaction fee.
Pros:
- Exceptional international transfers with dozens of currencies to choose from
- Borderless account for holding and transferring between multiple currencies
- Transparent pricing (you can even see when another service is cheaper)
- Access your own IBAN number, account number, and routing number.
- Invoice your customers in the currencies suitable for them.
Cons:
- No advanced features like recurring automatic billing
- Only 10 options for receiving payments like a local
PayPal Alternatives #2: Payoneer
Another popular and well-known solution for online transactions, Payoneer, supports international payments for all kinds of companies. With a Payoneer account, you can receive funds, access loans and capital, and automatically transfer funds to various accounts.
Like Wise and PayPal, Payoneer has its own mobile app, so you can manage payments and keep track of crucial information on the move. There's also the option to request payments with Payoneer or add the system to your marketplace or store.
Payoneer provides a unified environment where you can manage currencies and withdraw money to various bank accounts. There's also a “Capital Advance” feature for Amazon and Walmart if you need access to extra cash.
Pricing
Fees associated with Payoneer are relatively straightforward. The transaction is free when you receive payments from another Payoneer customer paying from their digital balance. Alternatively, you'll pay a 3% fee on credit cards in all currencies and 1% on ACH bank debits.
Pros:
- Excellent range of tools and integrations for accepting money online
- Support for payments in various locations around the world
- Simple transaction system if you need to add a payment system to your website
- Getting access to your funds is quick and easy through a bank account or ATM
- Pricing is simple and transparent, with no hidden costs
- Capital advance feature available
Cons:
- Customer service is somewhat limited depending on where you are in the world
- Accepting credit card payments and using an ATM can create high fees
- You may have to pay fees when transferring money to a bank
PayPal Alternatives #3: Worldpay
Promising simpler online payments for those who need to manage their cash as quickly and efficiently as possible, Worldpay is a top competitor among PayPal alternatives. The solution is one of the market leaders for convenient payment processing, with access to a flexible API, so developers can embed their payment functionality into existing apps and tools.
WorldPay competes with PayPal by allowing companies to accept a wide range of payment options, from debit and credit cards to bank transfers. You can even synchronize and manage your online and offline transactions in the same space.
WorldPay makes it simple to track orders and payments and access insights into your sales with real-time data. You can use webhook notifications, for instance, order updates and set up recurring payment schedules, which is ideal if you run a subscription service.
Pricing:
The WorldPay pricing system is a little different to that offered by different payment providers. You'll pay for a monthly service for the gateway, starting at ?19 per month for the “Standard” option or ?45 per month for the “Advanced” service.
Both solutions have various features, including PCI compliance, ultra-fast pay-outs, global reach with more than 120 currencies, and fraud prevention. On top of monthly payments, there are also card processing fees to consider, like a cost of 2.9% plus 30 cents for every offline payment.
Pros:
- More than 120 currencies accepted across countries around the world.
- Advanced features like recurring payments and automations
- Designed for developers with comprehensive API access
- Lots of offline and online payment processing options
- Excellent 24/7 support from the team
- Pricing is flexible and easy to budget for, with no hidden costs
Cons:
- Contracts can be expensive for companies just starting out online
- Terminating your package early could lead to a cancellation fee.
PayPal Alternatives #4: Shopify Payments
Shopify is best-known for being one of the most popular eCommerce building solutions in the world today. If you already have a Shopify website, using Shopify payments can be one of the best ways to manage your transactions while keeping costs low.
Shopify Payments comes embedded into the Shopify platform, so you don't have to work with a third-party payment provider to make your eCommerce dreams a reality. With Shopify Payments, you can manage your transactions within the Shopify dashboard and enjoy seamless cohesion between your payment ecosystem and your online store.
Shopify Payments also supports offline shopping, so you can also accept transactions from customers in a physical store. The ecosystem supports everything from VISA and Mastercard payments to Apple, Google, and Facebook Payments.
Pricing:
Shopify Payments can be one of the most affordable ways to start dealing with transactions on Shopify. With this service, you can skip the 0.5% to 2% transaction fees usually charged by Shopify when you use another gateway. Instead, you only pay the card processing fees based on your Shopify plan.
The lowest rate for Shopify Payments is 2.4% plus 30 cents, while the highest rate is 2.9% plus 30 cents.
Pros:
- Minimizes the costs of accepting payments online
- Can be embedded with a wide range of platforms, as well as offline and online payments.
- Works well with numerous accounting and reporting tools.
- Eliminates transaction fees if you're already using Shopify
- Allows users to accept a range of different payment types, including Goole Pay
Cons:
- Only available in a handful of countries
- No immediate transfer of funds into your bank account.
PayPal Alternatives #5: Payline
Promising affordable, transparent pricing, and the option to accept payments from a range of different card solutions, including Visa, Mastercard, and Discover, Payline is a top competitor for PayPal. The solution supports both eCommerce online checkouts and in-store payments too.
Payline allows you to get ahead of the curve when budgeting your business costs by calculating the monthly cost you'll need to pay based on how you take payments and how many transactions you handle each month.
You'll also get access to a range of bonus features with Payline, like a cart integration and payment page option, so you can link Payline directly to your site, and a virtual terminal. There's also invoicing and recurring billing, API and developer doc access, and PCI compliance built-in.
Payline also comes with custom reporting, so you can get behind-the-scenes insights into your business landscape.
Pricing:
Payline's website has an online calculator you can use to track the kind of monthly charges you can expect when accepting payments online and in person. There are no cancellation fees if you decide to move your payment processing requirements elsewhere.
Pricing starts at 0.2% for each in-person transaction, with a $0.10 fee for each payment and a $10 per month fee. Online transactions cost 0.4% with $0.20 for each transaction, and there's a $20 per month fee too.
Pros:
- Wide range of in-store and online payment processing options
- Access to API and developer documentation for advanced integrations.
- Transparent pricing so it's easy to predict how much you might pay.
- PCI compliance is already included to protect your customers.
- Support for mobile payments to delight your audience.
Cons:
- Not available in a wide selection of countries
- Ecommerce payment processing is somewhat limited compared to PayPal
PayPal Alternatives #6: Square
One of the better-known tools for payment processing in the current digital world, Square empowers both offline and online selling alike. You can even get custom hardware from the Square company if you need card readers and point-of-sale technology for your store.
Square is perhaps the most popular tool for synchronizing online and offline selling. This technology allows companies to access everything from virtual terminals to credit card information storage vaults and customizable invoicing.
You can even build your own eCommerce website with Square without spending a fortune. Square isn't quite as famous as well known as PayPal, and it isn't available in the broadest selection of countries, but it is packed with great features. You can even access specialist services for restaurants and other specific kinds of companies.
Pricing:
Transaction fees and pricing are pretty straightforward with Square. You get a range of functionality for free, including real-time analytics, inventory management, and dispute resolution. Your in-person transaction fees start at 1.75%, while online payments range between 1.9% and 2.9% depending on where the transactions come from.
You'll also pay around 2l5% for manually keyed-in transactions. Square's pricing is consistent with what most people expect from the payment processing world.
Pros:
- Excellent for synchronizing online and offline with inventory and payment management.
- Comprehensive payment solution with extra add-on services.
- Specialist solutions for certain types of business.
- No monthly fees or subscription costs to worry about.
- Excellent for building your business with site-building tools
- Competitive fee structure
Cons:
- Only available in the US, Canada, UK, Japan, and Australia
- Not ideal for high-risk merchants
PayPal Alternatives #7: Skrill
Skrill is an online wallet similar to PayPal, where you can track all kinds of payments and manage your money from a range of environments at once. Skrill supports many features you can't get from other leading online transaction solutions, including the opportunity to buy and sell crypto.
You can also access your Skrill card, making payments in the real world, with money stored in your digital account. The platform supports a range of international currencies and makes it easy to spend money online simultaneously.
Similar to PayPal, Skrill is convenient and straightforward for people who don't have a lot of experience with the technical side of online payments. You can even set up loyalty programs for your customers with minimal stress, improving the chances they'll want to come back and buy from you in the future.
Pricing:
Skrill's rates and fees are similar to those you can expect from a company like PayPal. You can send money by bank transfer for free to domestic accounts, and you'll pay up to 1% for an international transfer sent by debit card or bank transfer.
International credit card transfers cost 2.99%, and sending money to other Skrill users also costs a fee of 2.99%.?
Pros:
- Easy to use environment with a convenient and intuitive range of features.
- Relatively competitive pricing and fees compared to PayPal.
- Good security for you and your customers
- Access to a Skrill card to make various forms of transactions easier
- Access to cryptocurrency management as part of your online wallet
Cons:
- Sending money to another Skrill wallet still costs money
- Strict fraud prevention tools could mean your account gets frozen accidentally
PayPal Alternatives #8: Verifone (2Checkout)
Verifone (previously 2Checkout) is a comprehensive platform for online transactions built to support growing businesses. This unique ecosystem takes a modular approach to payment processing, allowing companies to access only the features they need as their business expands.
You can access everything from global payments to integrations with digital eCommerce sites and subscription billing. There are a built-in global tax and financial services, as well as risk management and compliance features to help you minimize the number of potential threats your business might face. Verifone 2Checkout even offers service in more than 180 countries.
The 2Checkout environment makes it quick and straightforward to go global with your business while keeping track of important fees and taxes. You can set up recurring revenues, leverage new distribution channels, and immediately integrate your system with your checkout cart.
Pricing:
The costs of using 2Checkout depend on the features you want to access. For instance, if you want to sell instantly across 200 countries and integrate with over 120 carts, you'll need the “2Sell” package for 3.5% with a 25 cents cost per sale.
The 2Subscribe service costs 4.5% with a 35 cents extra cost for smart subscription management tools, and access to additional features.
2Checkout also offers 2Monetize for 6% plus 45 cents for each transaction, with invoice management, and optimized conversion rates, and 4Enterprise with custom pricing.
Pros:
- Excellent range of monetization and transaction management options
- Accept a wide range of popular payment methods, including credit and debit cards
- Choose from a host of currencies and payment types in different languages
- Advanced fraud protection to defend both you and your customers
- A range of customizable checkout options with recurring billing
- Connect your merchant account with a payment gateway
Cons:
- 1% fee for payments accepted outside of the US
- Average fee for currency conversion can be quite high.
PayPal Alternatives #9: Stripe
Stripe is a payment processing solution and an alternative to PayPal most people will be familiar with. Suitable for use with a wide range of website builders and leveraged by major brands like Deliveroo and Booking.com, Stripe has no shortage of fans in today's eCommerce world.
The Stripe solution promises simplicity and versatility for today's companies. You get a fully integrated suite of payment products in one with Stripe, including physical and virtual card issuing, invoicing, fraud protection, and even access to business capital.
You can accept payments from locations worldwide, manage your business spending in an easy-to-follow interface, and get reports on your finances. Stripe offers a range of easy-to-use APIs, so developers can embed the payment functionality into apps.
Pricing
Pricings and fees for Stripe vary depending on where you are. However, the fees are comparable to PayPal. In the UK, for instance, you'll have to pay a charge of 1.4% and 20p on every payment from a European card, or 2.9% and 20p from non-European cards.
Notably, there are no setup fees or monthly fees to worry about, and Stripe even offers access to custom payment packages depending on your distinct needs. For instance, you can also leverage interchange pricing, multi-product, and volume discounts.
Pros:
- Quick and easy transfers so you can get paid quickly
- Convenient mobile payments are available
- Accept payments from companies and people worldwide
- Real-time fee reporting and analytics
- Fully transparent pricing with custom options available
Cons:
- Merchant accounts are only available in some countries
- The interface can require some programming knowledge to unlock extra value
PayPal Alternatives #10: Dwolla
Though a little lesser-known than some of the PayPal alternatives on this list, Dwolla is quickly gaining more attention as a leading modern payment processor. The solution is best known for being highly flexible and customizable, with various tools which allow development innovators to program and automate payments.
Unlike PayPal, Dwolla doesn't process cards directly but enables fund transfers by linking directly to your bank account. This helps to keep the transfer funds as low as possible. However, you may also find you don't have as many options for accepting payments online.
The modern payments API associated with Dwolla is a continuously tested and reliable solution, with configurable payment flows and scalable technology. You even get the promise of PCI DSS compliance and 99.9% uptime for perfect peace of mind.
Pricing:
The unique functionality of Dwolla means it can offer highly affordable pay-as-you-go pricing, ideal for low transaction volumes. In most cases, you won't need to pay a fee for transferring money under $10. However, fees are involved if you want to access the Dwolla API, starting at $250 per month.
Companies can also access special pricing packages based on their needed tools and functionality. For instance, you can pay a little extra to get dedicated implementation support and instant transfer speeds when you need money fast.
Pros:
- Excellent branding tools for customization
- Potential for instant and next-day transfers for quick payments
- API access allows for comprehensive scalability
- Automation for mass pay-outs and transactions
- Incredibly easy for bank transfers
Cons:
- You'll need your payor to have a Dwolla account
- Monthly fees can be quite expensive
PayPal Alternatives #11: Authorize.Net
Now owned by Visa, Authorize.net is one of the market's most reliable and credible PayPal alternatives. Offering companies a convenient way to accept payments from anywhere, through credit cards, contactless payments, and eChecks, Authorize.net is highly versatile.
You can offer your customers various payment options, from point-of-sale transactions to phone and eCommerce payments. Authorize.net offers extra peace of mind with an exceptional, award-winning support team. There are already hundreds of thousands of merchants using the Authorize.net technology today.
This company delivers a highly secure and reliable approach to payment management. Authorize.net is one of the most widely used payment gateways on the planet, although you won't have all the user-friendliness of PayPal.
Pricing:
The price you pay for your Authorize.net solution will depend on several factors, including whether you have a merchant account or not. If you don't already have a merchant account, you can get one for a monthly gateway fee of $25 and a per-transaction cost of 2.9% and 30 cents.
If you just want to pay for the Payment Gateway, Authorize.net will charge you $25 per month for the gateway and a 10-cent transaction fee. There's also the option to create custom-made pricing packages, depending on your needs.
Pros:
- Exceptional security and reliability empowered by Visa
- Fantastic mobile app and swiper included
- Access a merchant account or just a payment gateway
- Syncing and integration with various tools, like QuickBooks
- No setup fees for your payment gateway or merchant account
Cons:
- No personal finance tools
- Gateway fee of $25 per month can be expensive
PayPal Alternatives #12: Braintree
Technically, Braintree belongs to PayPal, so it's not a direct alternative to PayPal in that sense. However, it does provide a slightly different experience to PayPal if you're looking for additional functionality. Braintree has access to a range of versatile tools, similar to what you might expect from PayPal, including the option to accept and make global payments.
The solution allows companies to accept Venmo, PayPal, cards, and various other forms of payments, with access to exceptional data security for customer protection. You can access extensive reporting and analytics tools to track your incoming and outgoing expenses and unlock the power of various high-quality fraud prevention tools.
Braintree is also excellent for business leaders, employees, and contractors, as you can automatically pay sellers and freelancers globally.
Pricing:
As you might expect, the Braintree pricing is similar to what you would get from PayPal because PayPal owns Braintree. In the UK, for instance, you'll pay a ?0.20 transaction fee for each transaction and a 1.9% rate.
There's also the option to access custom pricing if you have special requirements for bulk payment processing.
Pros:
- Excellent easy-to-use functionality, similar to PayPal
- Accept a wide range of payment methods, including Venmo and PayPal
- Collect recurring billing payments and store credit cards
- Access relatively high-quality customer support
- Special marketplace payment system available
Cons:
- Very similar to PayPal in a lot of ways
- List of additional fees to consider
PayPal Alternatives #13: WePay
Owned by JPMorgan Chase, WePay is a relatively well-known solution for online selling and money transfer. The card processing solution is responsible for processing around $1.4 trillion in annual payments. It allows business leaders to embed the payment processing tools they need directly into their websites or apps.
With WePay, you get access to a developer-focused environment with modern REST APIs and quick integrations with SDKs. Open source code examples and extensive developer docs make it quick and simple to create your own custom payment system.
The WePay environment offers several ways to manage your payments, from the “Clear” white-label payment solution to the “Link” system, which allows merchants to conduct transactions through an integrated payment service. The “Core” technology allows brands to fully integrate into Chase's cash management infrastructure.
Pricing:
The pricing available from WePay isn't as straightforward as you might expect from most PayPal alternatives. If you choose the “Link” option, you'll pay a similar set of fees to PayPal, around 2.9% and 25 cents for every transaction.
There's also a 1% fee and 30-cent cost for every ACH payment processing transaction. On the plus side, there are no hidden fees with this company. You can reach out to WePay to get more information about potential costs before you sign up.
Pros:
- Extremely flexible API, ideal for developers and innovators
- Relatively easy to get an account up and running
- Diverse range of payment options supported
- No monthly charges for the Link service
- Various payment plans to suit different needs.
Cons:
- No in-store card processing features
- No option to accept funds from PayPal.
PayPal Alternatives #14: Amazon Pay
If you're familiar with Amazon, the world's most prominent marketplace merchant, you'll probably be familiar with Amazon Pay too. The solution is a comprehensive tool designed specifically for companies selling products through Amazon who want to keep their fees as low as possible. Think of it as a similar solution to Shopify Payments.
Amazon Pay allows companies from various environments to access payments directly from the accounts customers have on Amazon. Essentially, it means your customers don't necessarily need to go through the headache of signing up for an account with your company and entering their credit card or debit card details.
With Amazon Pay, your customers can simply press a button at checkout, log into their Amazon account, and finish the transaction with a couple of clicks. It's a much more convenient option for many of today's time-pressed consumers.
Pricing:
Amazon Pay fees are based on each individual transaction and come with an authorization and processing component. For instance, if you're taking payment on a website or through a mobile device, you'll pay a domestic processing fee of 2.9% and an authorization fee of 30 cents. This is similar to the cost you'll expect from PayPal.
There's also a 4% processing fee for transactions through Alexa, with a 30 cents authorization fee.
Pros:
- Easy to use environment is excellent for beginners and startups
- Makes the checkout process much simpler for your audience
- Can help you to convert more customers with credibility and simplicity
- Reasonably affordable processing fees with no hidden costs
- Security is very advanced compared to most competitors
Cons:
- You won't be able to take all forms of payment, like PayPal
- Integration with your online store can take some effort
PayPal Alternatives #15: ProPay
Secure, innovative, and reliable, ProPay is quickly gaining the attention of companies worldwide. The ProPay brand sets itself apart from other payment solutions by promising a convenient and flexible range of payment options for businesses of all sizes.
With ProPay, merchants can collect payments through credit and debit cards or enable pay-by-text and one-click payment options on their websites. There's an excellent level of customer support provided by the technical team to help you customize your package to suit your needs.
ProPay is also an extremely secure payment solution with high-quality fraud and data protection elements to keep you and your customers safe.
Pricing:
ProPay is extremely transparent with its pricing structure. Two different package options are available, with an annual payment for each. The smaller package will cost $39.95 annually, with a $39.95 sign-up cost. There's also a more expensive option for $69.95 per year and the same for a signup cost.
The package you choose will determine your transaction fees. For instance, a 2.6% transaction fee for a Visa card swiped on the lower plan or a 2.4% fee for the higher plan.
Pros:
- Secure and reliable service for payment processing
- Online terminal and mobile application included
- Numerous methods for taking payments, including a “buy now” button
- Take credit card payments, in-store payments, and bank transfers
- Access to PCI compliance as standard
Cons:
- Set-up costs and annual subscription fees to consider
Which is the Best PayPal Alternative?
There's no one-size-fits-all when it comes to choosing the perfect payment alternative. PayPal is one of the most popular options on the market. It's easy to use, brimming with versatility, and well-known all over the globe. However, PayPal has its limitations too.
Though you can get a simple and flexible experience from PayPal, getting the customer support you might need is not always easy. Plus, it's worth noting there are countless horror stories out there of people getting their accounts shut down for seemingly no reason.
If you'd like something a little more reliable without compromising on flexible international payments, we'd recommend switching to Wise as our number one pick. However, each of the options above has something unique to offer. Make sure you consider all of your options carefully.