A PayPal business account allows companies to accept card payments online, even from customers who don't have a PayPal account. Its fast setup makes it a popular choice, but alternatives may be a better fit if you’d like more customization options, additional point-of-sale (POS) system features or just a simple money transfer app. Some competitors also charge lower processing fees.
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Here are the top PayPal alternatives and why they stand out.
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Our pick for
Online storefronts
Shopify tailors its processing services to online businesses and lets you choose from more than 200 website themes to build the right e-commerce experience for your customers. It offers plans for businesses selling both online and in person, too.
Shopify Payments
4.5
NerdWallet rating
on Shopify Payments' secure website
Monthly fee
$39.00
Basic plan; $105 Shopify plan; $399 Advanced plan.
Shopify Payments accepts multiple payment methods and offers competitive processing fees. Because it’s a fully integrated service offering an e-commerce platform, a point-of-sale system, and payment processing services, e-commerce businesses can simplify and streamline their sales and transactions.
Read full review
Pros
- Accepts a variety of payment methods.
- Can customize checkout page.
- Easy to set up and use.
- Transparent, flat-rate fees.
Cons
- E-commerce plan with monthly fee is required to use Shopify Payments.
- Charges fee for use of third-party payment gateway.
Read full review
Our pick for
Interchange-plus payment processing
Unlike PayPal and the other alternatives listed here that use flat-rate pricing, Helcim’s interchange-plus model passes fluctuating interchange rates plus an additional fixed fee to businesses. Its volume discounts can be beneficial for high-volume businesses as well.
Helcim
5.0
NerdWallet rating
on Helcim's secure website
Monthly fee
$0.00
Unlike flat-rate payment processors that charge the same transaction fee across different types of credit cards, Helcim uses an interchange-plus pricing model. This means your business saves when a customer uses a card with low interchange rates. Helcim also offers volume discounts if you process more than $50,000 monthly, which is a plus for high-volume businesses. And if you need hardware for taking payments in-person, the company sells its own smart terminal and mobile card reader, too.Read full review
Pros
- Interchange-plus pricing structure can help businesses save money.
- Quick setup; approvals usually take a day.
- Offers volume-based discounts automatically.
- Syncs directly with QuickBooks Online and Xero.
- No termination fees or long-term contracts.
Cons
- Deposits are available within two business days; same-day deposit option is not available.
- Doesn’t offer services to businesses in certain high-risk industries.
Read full review
Our pick for
All-in-one POS system and payment processing
Square is nearly ubiquitous for a reason — it’s easy to set up, offers a variety of POS hardware options, a free online store and built-in payment processing services. It can be a good fit for brick-and-mortar retail stores, quick-service restaurants and service-based businesses alike.
Square
5.0
NerdWallet rating
on Square's secure website
Monthly fee
$0.00
Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations.
Square's product lineup is modular, but its POS system works well enough as a stand-alone product. Pricing is competitive, making it a solid option for many small businesses.
Read full review
Pros
- Offers a free mobile card reader and free POS software plan.
- Can subscribe to related services, such as payroll, that integrate with its POS system.
- No termination fees or long-term contracts.
- No chargeback or PCI compliance fees.
Cons
- Complex businesses might prefer a processor that integrates with more specialized POS systems.
Read full review
Our pick for
Customizable online checkout options
Stripe is mainly meant for online sellers and offers a high degree of customizability if you have coding experience. Similar to PayPal, it’s also available in dozens of countries and supports a variety of different currencies, making it ideal for international online sales.
Stripe
5.0
NerdWallet rating
on Stripe Payments' secure website
Monthly fee
$0.00
With Stripe Terminal, you can integrate in-person payments into your online payment setup. Transparent pricing and customizable features make it a good choice for online-first businesses looking to extend to in-person sales. However, many features — including connecting hardware to software — require coding experience or “no-code” integrations.
Read full review
Pros
- Highly customizable online checkout options.
- No termination fees or long-term contracts.
- 24/7 phone and chat support.
- Can process transactions in more than 135 currencies.
Cons
- Doesn’t sell full countertop POS terminals.
- Deposits can take up to two business days.
Read full review
Our pick for
Amazon sellers
Amazon Pay lets you incorporate the option for customers to pay using their Amazon accounts on your e-commerce site. This can help speed up the online checkout process and potentially increase conversion, since Amazon is such a recognizable name.
Amazon Pay
4.5
NerdWallet rating
Payment processing fees
2.9% + $0.30
For online and mobile.
Monthly fee
$0.00
E-commerce businesses with an Amazon Seller account can integrate Amazon Pay to create a convenient and seamless checkout experience for their customers. Business owners may find that Amazon’s globally recognized brand and the company’s purchase guarantee lead more customers to feel confident making purchases with the Amazon Pay option.
Read full review
Pros
- Easy checkout for customers with Amazon accounts.
- Supports global customers and currencies.
- No setup or monthly fees; pay only per transaction.
- Alexa voice integration to place and track orders.
Cons
- Reserve policy delays payouts, especially for newer accounts.
- No in-person payment support.
- No volume discounts or custom packages.
Read full review
Our pick for
High-risk merchants
Unlike many other providers, including PayPal, Payline handles payment processing for high-risk businesses in industries like travel, cannabis and CBD, vitamins and credit repair.
Payline
4.5
NerdWallet rating
Monthly fee
$10.00
in person; $20 online.
Unlike some of its payment processor competitors, Payline works with businesses in high-risk industries like credit repair, tobacco, cannabis and travel. However, pricing is not consistent across these industries. Instead, Payline creates custom solutions for each high-risk business. Separately, it integrates with a variety of shopping carts, making it a good solution for online businesses.Read full review
Pros
- No long-term contracts or cancellation fees.
- First month or two (depending on the business) is free.
- Works with high-risk merchants.
- No PCI compliance fees.
- 24/7 support.
Cons
- Separate monthly fees for in-person and online processing.
- Must contact Payline for information on hardware costs.
Read full review
Our pick for
QR code payments
Venmo is a money transfer app that lets businesses and individuals digitally send money back and forth. Pop-up shops and other mobile sellers can display their business’s Venmo QR code, so that customers can scan it and pay them.
Venmo Business Account
4.0
NerdWallet rating
Payment processing fees
1.9% + $0.10
Between Venmo accounts.
Monthly fee
$0.00
Venmo business accounts let you transfer money through QR codes, the Venmo app and Tap to Pay on iPhone or Android. QR codes are especially useful for small businesses that sell goods or services at popups. You can display your business’s unique QR code for customers to scan, and it’ll take them straight to your Venmo profile where they can complete their payment.
Pros
- Low per-transaction fees between Venmo accounts.
- No monthly costs or setup fees.
- Ability to accept payments via QR code.
- Venmo sends tax forms to your business if you meet certain income thresholds.
Cons
- Instant bank transfers cost extra.
- Not available outside of the U.S.
Our pick for
International money transfer app
Payoneer is a money transfer app that, like PayPal, you can use outside of the United States. It operates in fewer countries than PayPal, but supports more currencies.
Payoneer
4.0
NerdWallet rating
Payment processing fees
3.99% + $0.00
Maximum per credit card transaction; 0% between Payoneer accounts.
Monthly fee
$0.00
Payoneer is a money transfer app that’s similar to Venmo and PayPal. Unlike Venmo, however, you can use it outside of the U.S. This is important for businesses that sell internationally and need to convert currencies. Its fees aren’t competitive if you’re accepting credit card payments or bank transfers; however, if your customer is using their own Payoneer balance to pay you, transactions are free. Just know that it still costs money to withdraw those funds and transfer them to your bank account.
Pros
- No setup or monthly fees.
- Accepts international payments.
- No-fee transfers between Payoneer accounts.
Cons
- Limited functionality; can’t accept in-person payments.
- Customers report account freezes and terminations, resulting in the loss of funds.
- Must pay a withdrawal fee to move funds from your Payoneer account to your bank account.
Our pick for
Accounting software integration
The QuickBooks GoPayment app and card reader is a convenient way for QuickBooks Online users to accept the occasional in-person sale. Plus, you can automatically connect your payments account with the company’s in-house accounting software.
QuickBooks GoPayment
4.5
NerdWallet rating
Monthly fee
$0.00
For businesses that already use QuickBooks, particularly QuickBooks Payments for processing transactions, the free GoPayment mobile POS app makes great sense. Sticking to the QuickBooks suite of payment processing and accounting products can save you time and the hassle of finding and communicating with multiple providers.Read full review
Pros
- Convenient for existing QuickBooks clients.
- Free app that works on Android and iOS devices.
Cons
- Limited to businesses using QuickBooks accounting.
- Pricing structure can be difficult to navigate.
Read full review
Our picks for the best PayPal alternatives
Stripe
Best for customizable online checkout options
Why we like it: Stripe powers the checkout processes of large companies such as Amazon and Google. Its application programming interface, or API, allows companies to customize their payment solutions to fit their requirements, making it a good option for large online-based businesses. Other features include advanced reporting, billing and invoicing tools. Read our full Stripe Payments review.
2.7% plus 5 cents for in-person transactions.
2.9% plus 30 cents for online transactions.
3.4% plus 30 cents for manually keyed transactions.
4.4% plus 30 cents for international card transactions.
Helcim
Best interchange-plus payment processing
Why we like it: If you’re looking for an affordable payment processing service and don’t require a full POS system, Helcim could be a good fit. Its interchange-plus pricing structure helps you save when customers use cards with low interchange rates. However, while its pricing is transparent, it can be more difficult to understand than flat-rate pricing. Read our full Helcim review.
Interchange plus 0.4% and 8 cents per in-person transaction (if $50,000 or less in monthly card transactions).
Interchange plus 0.5% and 25 cents per online or manually keyed transaction (if $50,000 or less in monthly card transactions).
0.5% plus 25 cents for ACH payments (capped at $6).
Payline
Best for high-risk merchants
Why we like it: Payline is a solid, low-cost merchant services provider that offers in-person and online payment processing to businesses, including those in high-risk industries. The company also offers additional features such as a credit card reader, direct integration with QuickBooks and a virtual terminal, which allows you to accept cards online with an internet-connected device. Read our full Payline review.
Interchange plus 0.4% and 10 cents for in-person transactions.
Interchange plus 0.75% and 20 cents for online transactions.
Amazon Pay
Best for Amazon sellers
Why we like it: Amazon Pay is a payment gateway that allows customers to check out online using the information stored in their Amazon account. To access Amazon Pay, you set up a seller account and then use Amazon’s customizable API to integrate the plug-in with your existing e-commerce platform. It works with several popular e-commerce platforms, including BigCommerce and Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento). Read our full Amazon Pay review.
2.9% plus 30 cents for web and mobile transactions.
Extra 1% for cross-border transactions.
» MORE: Learn the difference between a payment gateway and a payment processor
Venmo Business Account
Best for QR code payments
Why we like it: Venmo business accounts work similarly to your normal consumer Venmo account — they let you use your linked bank account to send money to vendors and accept payments from customers. However, business owners will be charged 1.9% plus 10 cents per transaction between Venmo accounts. In particular, its QR code feature is ideal for pop-up shops that would rather accept digital payments than use a mobile card reader. Read our full Venmo business account review.
1.9% plus 10 cents per transaction between Venmo accounts.
2.29% plus 9 cents per contactless “Tap to Pay” payment.
1.75% fee for instant transfers.
Shopify Payments
Best for online storefronts
Why we like it: If you have an e-commerce store with Shopify, it makes sense to use Shopify Payments. It offers multiple payment methods and competitive processing rates, although it is not available in all countries, and it doesn’t work with businesses in certain high-risk industries. Read our full Shopify Payments review.
2.5%, 2.7% or 2.9% plus 30 cents for online payments for Advanced, Shopify or Basic plan, respectively.
2.4%, 2.5% or 2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person payments for Advanced, Shopify or Basic plan, respectively.
» MORE: NerdWallet's best small-business apps
Payoneer
Best international money transfer app
Why we like it: Payoneer is a money transfer app for businesses that don’t want a full payment processing service or need to take payments in person. Unlike Venmo, it’s available in different countries outside of the U.S. and allows you to convert currencies. You’ll save the most if your customers have their own Payoneer accounts and pay you with their balance. Read our full Payoneer review.
Payoneer charges an annual account fee of $29.95 if you don’t use your account for 12 months. Here are the additional transaction fees:
Up to 3.99% for credit card transactions (all currencies), plus $0.49 in some countries.
1% for ACH bank debit transactions.
0% to receive payments from other Payoneer users.
$1.50 to transfer funds from Payoneer to your bank account; up to 3% to transfer from a non-local currency.
Square
Best all-in-one POS system and payment processing
Why we like it: Square rivals PayPal in popularity, and for good reason. It offers a variety of payment processing solutions, including the ability to accept chip, swipe and contactless forms of payment. It also sells some of the most popular payment processing hardware, including the Square magstripe reader and Square Register. Its free POS software makes it one of the best PayPal alternatives for brick-and-mortar businesses. Read our full Square POS review.
2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions.
2.9% plus 30 cents for online transactions.
3.5% plus 15 cents for manually keyed transactions.
3.3% plus 30 cents for invoices.
QuickBooks GoPayment
Best accounting software integration
Why we like it: The QuickBooks GoPayment app is a simple, no-frills solution for accepting in-person payments on the go. Similar to PayPal, there are no monthly software fees (aside from your accounting software subscription) and the app is free. Read our full QuickBooks GoPayment review.
For QuickBooks Online users
2.5% for in-person payments.
2.99% for online and invoiced payments.
3.5% for manually keyed payments.
1% for ACH transactions.
For QuickBooks Desktop users
Pay as you go plan (no monthly fee):
2.4% plus 30 cents per in-person transaction.
3.5% plus 30 cents per keyed-in or invoiced transaction.
$3 per ACH transfer.
Pay monthly plan ($20 monthly fee):
1.6% plus 30 cents per in-person transaction.
3.3% plus 30 cents per keyed-in or invoiced transaction.
$3 per ACH transfer.
PayPal pros and cons
Identifying what you like and dislike about PayPal can help you choose the right alternative for your business. Here are some of PayPal’s strengths and downsides.
Pros
Familiar name and longstanding reputation.
No monthly software fees.
Easy integration with PayPal Zettle POS system.
Can accept a variety of payment types (e.g., PayPal, Venmo, installments).
Cons
Processing rates for online transactions can be complex.
Payment gateways and chargeback protection may incur extra fees.
Are PayPal alternatives secure?
PayPal protects customers’ information by maintaining PCI compliance, encrypting card data and monitoring transactions 24/7. Payment processing companies, including top PayPal alternatives, typically employ similar tactics to uphold a solid reputation and avoid data breaches. Most providers automatically provide anti-fraud and chargeback tools to businesses as well.
That being said, keeping customers’ data secure falls on both the payment processor and your own business. Some tips for strengthening your business’s data hygiene include using unique passwords, updating your POS software, teaching employees how to responsibly handle sensitive information and learning to recognize phishing scams.
Maddie Shepherd contributed to this article.
A version of this article was first published on Fundera, a subsidiary of NerdWallet.
