# PayPal Pricing: A Comprehensive Guide | Capterra > Check out the PayPal pricing guide to understand the cost of different pricing plans, features, and insights on how to choose the right plan. Source: https://www.capterra.com/p/207944/PayPal/pricing --- PayPal Pricing Guide 2025 Last updated on June 11, 2025 Written by [Preksha Buttan](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/pbuttan/) Writer Edited by [Caroline Rousseau](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/caroline-rousseau/) Editor Pricing for PayPal [4.6 (26395)](#reviews) User rating:[ 4.6 ](#reviews) Based on (26,395) reviews ## Overview of PayPal pricing [PayPal](https://www.capterra.com/p/207944/PayPal/) is a top-rated payment processing solution recognized in our [2024 Capterra Shortlist for payment processing software](https://www.capterra.com/payment-processing-software/shortlist/). This tool enables businesses to create a PayPal balance account and link their bank account to make and receive payments. It also provides payment services for online stores, allowing retailers to add Venmo and Pay Later as payment options for customers and clients.  As well as online payments, PayPal now offers physical point-of-sale (POS) services via a smart device application or optional payment hardware such as a card reader or terminal. Businesses can also use PayPal to send invoices and create a virtual credit card terminal on their website. Notably, PayPal provides discounted rates for not-for-profit organizations that use PayPal exclusively to receive donations. Businesses that process large volumes of sales daily may also qualify for custom pricing, determined on a case-by-case basis.  There are four main price points for receiving payments: basic card processing, PayPal and Venmo, Pay Later, and Point of Sale. Setting up a PayPal account is completely free of charge, but businesses will be charged fees for payments at one of the following four rates. Let’s take a look at the price plans in detail: - **Card processing**: When a customer pays you with a debit or credit card, you will be charged 2.99% of the transaction plus a flat fee of $0.49. Businesses can also apply for Expanded Checkout, which provides additional payment options, including Apple Pay. With Expanded Checkout, card payments are charged 2.89% of the transaction plus a $0.29 flat fee. - **PayPal and Venmo**: Customers can pay using their own PayPal or Venmo account, which costs you 3.49% of the transaction plus a flat fee of $0.49. - **PayPal Pay Later**: Customers can also opt to pay later or split larger payments into three monthly lump sums. This costs you 4.99% of the transaction plus $0.49 per sale. - **PayPal POS**: Customers can pay in-store via QR code (2.29% per transaction), keying in card details (3.49% per transaction), or presenting their card to a reader (2.29% per transaction). Each POS payment incurs an additional flat rate fee of $0.09. Point of Sale $0.09 Other, Card Processing $0.29 Other, * * * It Includes - Visa - Mastercard - Apple Pay - Maestro - American Express - Discover PayPal and Venmo $0.49 Other, * * * It Includes - PayPal - Venmo Pay Later $0.49 Other, The latest information on pricing is available on PayPal’s website. ## Cost breakdown Each PayPal pricing plan enables businesses to take payments in whatever way suits their sales and accounting model best. While the lowest-cost plan may seem the most cost-effective, PayPal provides data suggesting that offering additional payment options can drive higher sales. For example, according to PayPal, adding PayPal Pay Later as an option makes 62% of PayPal shoppers more likely to purchase. So, even though you may pay more per transaction, you may also make more sales by providing preferred payment options.  PayPal offers a range of pricing plans and payment options, allowing businesses of all types to find a suitable payment processing solution. ### Starting price PayPal is free to set up, but businesses must provide details such as a billing address and a business bank account to link to their PayPal account. During account setup, users can choose which payment options to offer customers. PayPal allows businesses to mix and match payment options as needed, and no fees are charged until payments are received. When a customer makes a $10.00 purchase, the amount a business receives depends on the payment method used. **A typical card payment** charges 2.99% + $0.49 per transaction, meaning the business would receive **$9.21** after fees on a $10.00 sale. With **Expanded Checkout**, which includes options like Apple Pay and Google Pay, the fee is lowered to 2.89% + $0.29, resulting in **$9.42** received.  **PayPal or Venmo** payments yield a 3.49% + $0.49 fee, leaving the business with **$9.16**. **PayPal Later**, which allows customers to split payments, incurs a 4.99% + $0.49 fee, bringing the amount received down to **$9.01**. **In-person payments using PayPal’s POS system** have fees that vary by payment method:  - **QR code and card-present transactions** are charged 2.29% + $0.09, bringing the amount received to **$9.68**. - **Keyed-in card transactions** are charged 3.49% + $0.09, bringing the amount received to **$9.56**. These fee variations highlight how different payment methods impact costs, with some offering lower transaction fees in exchange for businesses taking on more responsibility, such as handling refunds and compliance reporting. ### Billing options PayPal billing is always per transaction, except when purchasing POS hardware, which requires a one-time payment. For example, a card reader costs $29, while a more comprehensive POS terminal costs $199. Additional barcode scanners are available for $40, and receipt printers range from $70 to $99, depending on whether they’re purchased individually or with other equipment. Because PayPal deducts fees automatically, there’s no need for businesses to set up separate payment arrangements with PayPal. There are no standard subscription fees, though high-volume sellers may incur fees for additional bespoke services. Instead, each transaction is charged at the time of the sale, and users can log into their accounts to see a detailed breakdown of their fees.  ### Feature differentiation Setting up PayPal is free and charges on a per-transaction basis, with each price plan offering differing payment options for customers. Here are some of the key features and how they differ between plans: - **Payment options for customers**: Each PayPal price point provides different payment methods. The lowest price point allows customers to pay by debit card, credit card, and digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay. The mid-range price point covers PayPal and Venmo payments, while the highest payment price point covers Pay Later options. - **Ability to pay others**: Businesses can use their PayPal account to pay others where appropriate. For example, a business can pay a logistics invoice through PayPal, ensuring the transaction is logged in their PayPal account and any integrated accounting services. Payments to others incur a 2.99% transaction fee. - **Reporting**: PayPal users can access transaction history going back seven years and export data as a CSV file. PayPal also integrates with other financial and accounting services like QuickBooks at no extra cost. - **Invoicing**: Businesses can create manual invoices through PayPal for free. If a client or customer pays via PayPal, the fee is 3.49% + $0.49 per transaction. However, if a client chooses to use the invoice solely for their records and pay via bank transfer outside the PayPal system, no fees will be incurred—but that payment won’t be logged or covered by PayPal’s protection services. - **Fraud prevention**: PayPal offers a Seller Protection program for payments received via PayPal Checkout. The platform also includes fraud detection systems and a secure payment infrastructure to safeguard transactions. ## What users say about PayPal pricing Our team analyzed a total of 25,384 reviews from verified PayPal users across our website to better understand their views about this payment processing platform’s pricing. Users note that fees are affordable and fair for everyday transactions and domestic payments. However, some state that international payment fees can be significantly higher compared to other options. Many reviewers praise PayPal for its ease of use and seamless integration with other services used by small and midsize businesses. Here are some of the things users mentioned about PayPal pricing.[\[1\]](#footnotes) Oksana D.HR ConsultantAccounting2+ years PayPal has been a reliable and convenient tool for handling both personal and business transactions. While the fees can add up in some cases, its security features and ease of use make it a top choice for online payments. November 13, 2024 Margaret L.Owner - AdministratorE-Learning2+ years It's a safe and easy means of doing business concerning payments that has a low commission rate. December 25, 2025 Stefano I.Electronics engineerElectrical/Electronic Manufacturing2+ years PayPal also often has additional features such as discounts, offers, fraud protection and more. December 28, 2025 Steve K.CMOInternet2+ years The BEST part is I can transfer the money to my bank account in 1 day OR choose an instant payment and get the money immediately after paying a small fee. June 23, 2024 [Read more PayPal reviews here.](https://www.capterra.com/p/207944/PayPal/reviews/) ## Detailed breakdown of PayPal pricing plans ### Card processing and Expanded Checkout **Priced at**: Standard card processing is charged at a flat rate of $0.49 per transaction and 2.99% for each transaction. For Expanded Checkout customers, these fees change to $0.29 flat rate per transaction plus 2.89% of the transaction cost, with an optional 0.40% fee for Chargeback protection. **Ideal for**: Online retailers who want to offer multiple payment options for their customers and businesses who have an online store. Under Expanded Checkout, both card processing and additional payment options carry the same fees, allowing businesses to choose exactly what payment options they offer to customers. Firms can keep things simple by only offering debit or credit card payments or they can provide options like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other online wallets to make their online offerings appealing to more types of customers. **Expanded Checkout features**[\[2\]](#footnotes): - **Card processing**: Allow customers to pay using their usual credit and debit cards at no extra cost to them.  - **Online wallet payments**: Customers can also pay using their favorite online wallet like Apple Pay.  - **Optional Chargeback Protection**: Consumers may use chargeback to instruct their card provider to refund their money. Because not all consumers do this legitimately, PayPal’s Chargeback Protection service prevents this from occurring, instead prompting consumers to open a dispute. This service costs an additional 0.40% per transaction.  - **PayPal business bank account**: PayPal business users who choose Expanded Checkout (or any other PayPal Checkout option) gain access to a free PayPal business account for sending and receiving funds or integrating with other financial business services.  - **Advanced Fraud Protection**: PayPal offers additional fraud prevention and protection services to Expanded Checkout users at an additional flat fee of $0.07 per transaction. _PayPal payment and PayPal credit buttons on a retailer’s website (_[_Source_](https://www.capterra.com/p/207944/PayPal/)_)_ ### PayPal and Venmo Payments **Priced at**: $0.49 flat rate per transaction plus 3.49% of the transaction cost. **Ideal for**: Businesses wanting to attract buyers who routinely pay with PayPal or Venmo, as well as online retailers wanting to expand their audience. Adding additional ways to pay means you can make your business appealing to more types of customers. PayPal and Venmo payment options mean that your products or services are available to even more online buyers. **PayPal and Venmo plan features**[\[2\]](#footnotes): - **Add to Expanded Checkout:** Business PayPal users can opt to add PayPal and Venmo payments to their existing Expanded Checkout offering, although the increased fees remain the same.  - **Option for PayPal Checkout**: PayPal Checkout allows businesses to combine card, PayPal, and Venmo payments but doesn’t offer other online wallet payments. However, PayPal will investigate unauthorized transactions, chargeback issues, and compliance reporting. Card payments are slightly more expensive through PayPal Checkout at 2.99% plus a $0.49 flat rate fee per transaction. - **Seller Protection**: PayPal Checkout offers Seller Protection including fraud prevention, chargeback prevention, and compliance reporting tools. - **PayPal hosted checkout flow**: Everything on the PayPal Checkout is PayPal branded, providing buttons that consumers will recognize. Businesses should be aware that consumers/clients will see PayPal on their bank or card statements rather than the business name.   - **Guest checkout**: Allow customers and clients who don’t have PayPal to make payments through a convenient guest checkout option. _A payment screen showing PayPal options (_[_Source_](https://www.capterra.com/p/207944/PayPal/)_)_ ### PayPal Pay Later **Priced at**: $0.49 flat rate per transaction plus 4.99% of the transaction value **Ideal for**: Businesses selling larger ticket items or who expect high-value basket sales; Pay Later encourages customers to make larger sales by offering flexible credit-based payment options.  Customers who prefer to delay payment for a larger purchase or several smaller ones can opt for Pay Later. This option creates a short-term credit agreement where PayPal pays your business for the goods—minus the fees illustrated above—and collects the funds from the customer at a later date, with payment terms extending up to 24 months from the initial sale. **PayPal Pay Later plan features**[\[2\]](#footnotes): - **Options for four interest-free payments**: Customers can pay for their goods or services in four equal, interest-free payments, typically collected every two weeks after an initial payment at checkout. - **Monthly payments**: Customers can also opt for monthly payments spread over three, six, 12, or 24 months. While an initial payment is not usually required, these plans may carry interest rates of up to 35.99% APR. - **No late fees**: Businesses can attract more customers by offering them a short-term agreement via PayPal Pay Later that never incurs late fees or signup charges.  - **Autopay**: PayPal Pay Later offers automatic payments for monthly billing for customer convenience. Bi-weekly Pay Later payments require autopay by default.  - **PayPal Checkout and Expanded Checkout integration**: Pay Later options can be easily integrated into your existing PayPal checkout layout.  _A PayPal financial summary in CSV format (_[_Source_](https://www.capterra.com/p/207944/PayPal/)_)_ ### PayPal POS **Priced at**: $0.09 per transaction via a free POS app with the option to purchase additional hardware, starting at $29 per unit. **Ideal for**: Retailers with a physical store or businesses that need to sell certain goods or services from a physical location.  Contractors, sole traders, and entrepreneurs who see clients face-to-face can use the PayPal POS app on any smart device. The app has a “tap to pay” feature and charges a flat rate of $0.09 per transaction.  For businesses and retailers that need hardware for a fixed physical location like a store or office, card readers, terminals, and receipt printers are all available at various prices directly from PayPal. **POS plan features**[\[2\]](#footnotes): - **Instant payments**: Funds from PayPal POS transactions are immediately deposited into your PayPal business account, where they can then be transferred to a bank or used for business-related purchases.  - **Contactless payments**: The back of a smart device with the PayPal POS app installed can function as a contactless card reader for quick, secure transactions. - **Inventory management**: Businesses can create and manage inventory by adding categories, photos, barcodes, and other inventory-related data to streamline sales and accounting processes.   - **Sales reports**: The PayPal POS app offers sales data analytics and reports at no extra cost.  - **Discount management**: Businesses can adjust prices and add discounts directly within the app, making it easy to customize pricing for each sale. _Another example of how PayPal payments look on an e-store (_[_Source_](https://www.capterra.com/p/207944/PayPal/)_)_ ## Total cost of ownership While PayPal’s price plans are all transaction-based, businesses may still encounter additional costs beyond standard fees. Here’s a breakdown of all the potential expenses of using PayPal: ### Upfront costs PayPal is popular because it has no upfront costs to get started. Businesses with a good grasp on their sales volumes can use PayPal’s fee structure to estimate monthly transaction expenses. They can also evaluate whether opting for higher-tier pricing plans—which offer additional payment options—could increase sales and fit their budget for payment processing. However, there may be other costs to factor in. If your business already has a payment processing platform, check if you are in a contract and if early termination fees would apply for switching services. One advantage of PayPal is that there are no subscription fees (unless agreed on a bespoke basis), which can make the platform appealing to businesses looking to cut their subscription-as-a-service (SaaS) costs. ### Additional costs to consider As with most payment processing platforms, there are additional costs to consider apart from standard transaction fees. You may want to consider the following: - **Training costs**: If your employees are used to a certain payment processing system, there may be a learning curve for using a new one. While PayPal is simple to use and integrates into most systems, you’ll need to factor in the time required to do this, as well as the fact that this will take employees away from other business tasks. - **Compliance reporting and fraud prevention costs**: If you opt for the PayPal Checkout option or pay additional transaction fees via Expanded Checkout, you will receive Advanced Fraud Protection, Seller Protection, and compliance reporting. Businesses that opt not to have these services must cover these costs separately via another provider or hire in-house specialists to manage these aspects of finance.  - **International fees**: PayPal charges an additional 1.5% fee on all commercial transactions conducted internationally, on top of the standard domestic transaction fees. Additionally, PayPal applies a flat fee based on currency received. For example, if someone pays your business in Philippine pesos, you will have to pay at least 25.00 PHP plus the stated percentage of the entire transaction. If you operate internationally, it’s important to research the types of fees you can expect to pay for receiving funds in your expected currencies. - **Increasing sales volumes**: As sales increase, so will your PayPal fees. Make sure this is accounted for in any budgeting and forecasting. - **Changing business needs**: If your business currently only offers card payments but wants to expand to offer Pay Later services in the future, factor that into your software budget, as fees for these services are substantially higher. ### Services needed for implementing and managing the platform As with most business services, it’s worth upskilling a single member of your team who can become the “go-to” PayPal expert. They can help all others with PayPal-related queries and become an important resource for your business. Remember to budget for the time they’ll need away from their existing role and what this will cost your business.  ### Resources required for long-term platform management Because PayPal is a managed payment processing platform, it requires little support from internal teams. Any issues with the system—such as card payment errors or reporting glitches—are usually handled quickly by PayPal’s customer service team. However, you may want to consider the following internal resources: - **Ongoing training**: PayPal is updated frequently, and, as such, it’s a good idea for designated PayPal experts to stay informed by checking the knowledge base and website for any new updates. They can share relevant updates with sales teams or web developers as needed. - **Security**: Consult with your Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) if the security and fraud prevention services provided by PayPal are sufficient for your business needs. If additional protections are needed, you may have to invest in additional security services, adding further costs. - **Implementation or change management resources**: Switching to a new payment system can be daunting, especially for businesses that employ their own developers who add checkout scripts directly into the website code. Ensure that DevOps teams and other relevant departments have implementation support on hand or a change manager who can supervise the switchover to make sure it goes smoothly. ## How to choose the right PayPal pricing plan _Key considerations while choosing the right PayPal plan_ - **Assess your business needs**: Your PayPal pricing options will depend greatly on the payment services you need to offer your customers or clients. If you already offer Apple Pay and buy now pay later (BNPL) options, you may need Expanded Checkout, which includes these additional options but comes with higher fees. However, if the majority of your customers are happy to pay by card, you could continue this trend by opting for card processing features only at the lowest rates. If this is your first foray into either online or physical retail, target audience research can help you determine preferred methods of payment. - **Compare features offered in each plan**: PayPal pricing varies by payment type, not just by plan. Make sure you understand exactly what each charge is for and the benefits you gain from it. Pay Later, for example, is the most expensive per transaction but could help you attract customers who might not have otherwise purchased your products or services.  - **Consider your budget**: Always take your software budget into consideration when shopping for payment processing options. While PayPal helps you make money by providing multiple ways for customers and clients to pay, it also charges you for every single transaction made. Estimate your sales volume and calculate what portion of this will be spent on PayPal fees. If your software budget doesn’t cover this, you could find yourself running at a loss. ## How to maximize the value of your PayPal subscription By leveraging all the features, tools, and resources associated with your PayPal account, you can optimize the value it brings to your business. Here are some top strategies to get the most from your PayPal business account: _Ways to maximize the value of your PayPal subscription_ - **Utilize all the features of the tool**: PayPal does more than help collect payments from customers. It integrates with popular business accounting solutions such as QuickBooks or Sage, allowing businesses to automatically import sales and card payment data directly into their records. It also works with CRM platforms like Salesforce, helping businesses combine PayPal sales figures with customer insights to refine marketing strategies as well as create more accurate forecasts and budget plans. For online retailers, PayPal supports numerous e-commerce platforms, enabling businesses to keep their preferred platform while adding PayPal as a payment option. Additionally, PayPal provides detailed transaction reporting going back up to seven years, allowing users to view logs or expert data as CSV files at any time.  - **Fully leverage customer support and resources**: PayPal offers low-code payment solutions for small and midsize businesses with limited technical capabilities, while also offering developer resources for those who want full control over the checkout flow. Developers can access the developer resource site to view available plugins and discover the latest PayPal partners to ensure they’re maximizing the available opportunities. There is also a robust infrastructure of customer support available for all types of issues, from slow payouts to card processing errors. There are three channels to contact: Account Help, Technical Support, and Sales. There is also a developer forum with a thriving online community. **Further tips for getting the most out of your plan:** - **Regularly log into your account**: Even if you don’t use PayPal’s reporting features, log into your account regularly and check for notifications and updates. It’s easy to overlook important changes if you primarily use PayPal for payment processing. Logging in at least weekly helps ensure you stay informed about policy updates or changes to terms and conditions.  - **Let customers know**: If you decide to switch to PayPal and accept payments via PayPal or Venmo, advertise this fact. You can use it as part of your marketing strategy to attract those customers who prefer to pay using these methods. - **Utilize recurring payments for bills**: PayPal allows you to set up recurring payments for partners and providers. This makes it easier to manage incoming and outgoing payments and keep all transactions linked to your business accounting solution. - **Avoid the temptation to use Family and Friends**: If you receive payments via the Family and Friends option available on individual PayPal accounts, you won’t be charged. That’s because it’s not a business function and, as such, doesn’t offer any type of payment protection or fraud prevention features. While avoiding fees may be tempting, using this option for business transactions puts your business at risk if disputes or fraud occur. - **Remember, you can charge non-PayPal users**: People don’t need a PayPal account to pay you via PayPal. You can create a guest checkout option that still sends money to your PayPal account. Alternatively, you can use PayPal to create invoices that provide multiple ways for customers or clients to pay their bills. ## **Is it worth paying for PayPal?** Understanding whether PayPal is worth paying for means evaluating your business’s needs and budget. Here’s a breakdown of the main points to consider to help you make that decision. ### **Value for money** As a top-rated platform highlighted in the [2024 Capterra Shortlist for Payment Processing](https://www.capterra.com/payment-processing-software/shortlist/), PayPal is evaluated in several categories, including “Value for money.” The overall average rating in this category is 4.5 out of 5, based on 25,384 reviews. This score reflects the fact that PayPal is free to set up and use to send invoices and request payments. Users also note that the fees can be complex and, on occasion, expensive compared to alternative providers. Despite this, PayPal’s intuitive interface and ease of use make it an attractive option for businesses of all sizes. Here are some review snippets from verified PayPal users to help you understand the platform’s value proposition compared to its subscription fee:[\[1\]](#footnotes) Candace S.AssistantFishery2+ years I love how you can send money to someone if they have PayPal or not for FREE. May 1, 2024 Amy B.Practice ManagerVeterinary1-2 years They also have interest free payment plans, so you are saving money by using this service as a payment source. December 4, 2024 Maciej R.Head of OperationsWholesale2+ years Overall good solution provider, however the space has a lot of new entrants so now a question of comparing fees across multiple providers. May 28, 2024 Skyler R.Freelance Social Media SpecialistMarketing and Advertising2+ years I love PayPal for invoicing because it's free. November 1, 2024 [Read more PayPal reviews here.](https://www.capterra.com/p/207944/PayPal/reviews/) ### Included features Regardless of which pricing point you choose for payment options, all PayPal business accounts include certain standard features. You can hold funds in your business account indefinitely and transfer them to a connected bank account at any time; fees may apply for instant transfers. Businesses can also invoice and request payments for free, although those payments will then incur charges if paid via PayPal. Transaction logs and reports come as standard, as does the ability to integrate with many popular business e-commerce, accounting, and CRM solutions.  ### Customer support options All PayPal business accounts provide the same level of customer support, starting with the Help Center. This resource provides quick assistance for password and account issues, buyer disputes, linking bank accounts, and other common questions. It also includes guidance on what to do if your account becomes limited or payments are put on hold. Businesses can contact the sales team by phone for direct support, while technically support and developer assistance are available through dedicated online resources. ## Is PayPal right for you? ### Assessing your requirements Determining whether PayPal is the right payment processing platform for you involves assessing your business requirements and comparing them to the payment options on offer. Here are some key factors to consider: - **Business size, type, and growth expectations**: If you rarely need to accept card payments—such as working exclusively with large clients who pay via bank transfers—PayPal’s fees may not provide much value. Businesses that regularly take card payments and want to expand the range of payment methods they offer can benefit from competitive fees, depending on the plans they choose. Consider whether your sales volume is expected to grow in the coming months and if PayPal’s per-transaction fee model remains affordable as your business scales. - **Security and data privacy**: PayPal provides fraud prevention and seller protection services. Your CISO will be able to determine whether the protections they offer are viable for your business and industry. It’s important to review their recommendations before committing to any payment processing solution. - **Current systems and applications**: Check if PayPal is compatible with your current accounting and CRM solutions. If integrations are unavailable, you may need to pay more for additional services to import and integrate your sales data. ### Alternatives to PayPal PayPal scores an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 from Capterra users. But how does it compare to other top competitors in the payment processing software space? When examining “Value for money” as a separate category, PayPal has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 across all its reviews. **Stripe** is one of the top alternatives—another global payment system allowing clients and customers to make card payments and bank transfers. Stripe scores 4.4 out of 5 in value-for-money, slightly less than PayPal. **Square Point of Sale** is a popular choice for both in-store and online retailers needing a POS platform. Like PayPal, Square POS scores 4.5 out of 5 for value-for-money. **Oracle NetSuite** offers cloud-based accounting software that provides billing solutions as well as financial reporting. However, users don’t find this platform as good value for money as some alternatives, scoring it a slightly lower 3.8 out of 5. **Odoo** is also listed as a top alternative—this open source software has numerous applications, including sales and payment integrations. The overall average rating for Odoo in terms of value-for-money is 4.1 out of 5.  The final top-rated alternative is **Vagaro**, a platform designed for dance studios to book classes and take payments. Users find this platform excellent value-for-money, scoring it at 4.7 out of 5. Let’s take a closer look at the strengths of these alternatives: - **Stripe** is one of the top-rated alternatives to PayPal, offering card payments and more from anywhere in the world. Stripe has an overall average rating of 4.6 out of 5 and scores highest in the “Features” category. Reviewers note that Stripe provides a good payment experience for customers and has an easily reachable customer support team. - **Square POS** offers point-of-sale services for in-person, over-the-phone, and online sales interactions. It also includes functions for tracking customer sentiment and preferences, allowing businesses to refine marketing strategies and improve customer satisfaction. Square POS scores an overall average rating of 4.6 out of 5, with users praising excellent customer service and an intuitive mobile sales experience. - **Oracle NetSuite** is an enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform with multiple financial features, including billing, invoicing, and budgeting. Generally preferred by larger enterprises, the platform is module-based and highly customizable. NetSuite has a current overall average rating of 4.2 out of 5. Reviewers frequently comment on how the provider offers free services to not-for-profit organizations and how helpful it is to automate frequent tasks.  - **Odoo** is an open-source ERP and CRM tool. This multifunction platform allows users to link payments and log financial transactions, as well as manage inventory. Odoo scores an overall average rating of 4.3 out of 5, with users appreciating the intuitive interface and customizable options. - **Vagaro** is a niche platform designed for dance studios; it supports scheduling, booking, and taking payments for dance classes. This industry-specific app has an overall average rating of 4.7 out of 5, impressing users with its value for money. Reviewers note that the app is easy to use and has excellent mobile capabilities, making scheduling appointments and taking payments easy. ### Cost comparison: PayPal vs. popular alternatives [4.6 (3335)](https://www.capterra.com/p/123889/Stripe/#reviews) * * * Starting Price Contact vendor * * * [3.9 (43)](https://www.capterra.com/p/153572/NetSuite-OpenAir/#reviews) * * * Starting Price $399.00 Per User , Per Month * * * [4.2 (1304)](https://www.capterra.com/p/135618/Odoo/#reviews) * * * Starting Price $31.10 Per User , Per Month * * * [4.7 (3632)](https://www.capterra.com/p/153752/Vagaro/#reviews) * * * Starting Price $23.99 Flat Rate , Per Month * * * ## Making the final decision PayPal offers multiple types of payment methods, each with different price points and benefits. Its value for money rating is a solid 4.5 out of 5, indicating a good overall level of satisfaction with the features compared to the price. Businesses can opt for PayPal Checkout with Seller Protection and Advanced Fraud Protection built-in. They can also choose Expanded Checkout for additional payment types and the option to add those protections at an additional cost. There are also plenty of options for physical POS and Pay Later options. Selecting the best PayPal plan requires a full assessment of your business’s needs in terms of taking payments, consolidating accounts, and integrating financial and sales data with other systems. Taking the time to carefully consider what features PayPal offers now can help you optimize your budget and potentially boost customer satisfaction or even increase your customer base. ## FAQs What fees does PayPal charge? PayPal charges for all payment transactions. The business will pay a minimum of 2.89% plus a flat fee depending on the type of payment made. How much is the PayPal fee per $100? For a card payment made via Expanded Checkout, a $100 sale would cost $3.18 in fees (2.89% plus a flat fee of $0.29). The business would receive $96.82, and PayPal would take the rest. These fees increase for other types of payments. Why am I paying a fee when receiving money on PayPal? PayPal makes money by charging per transaction. The seller or business will always pay the fees. Is PayPal charging fees for Friends and Family? No, PayPal does not charge for sending money privately via an individual PayPal account using the Friends and Family feature. Using this service for business carries risks, including having your PayPal account permanently closed for misuse. How can I use the Friends and Family option on PayPal? Businesses should not use the Friends and Family feature. It has no buyer or seller protection and the fraud prevention capabilities may not be as robust. It also falls outside the terms and conditions of using PayPal, which include that Friends and Family payments should not be used for goods or services. What's the difference between PayPal Friends and Family and Goods and Services? Individual PayPal accounts can make two types of payments: Goods and Services for paying a business and Friends and Family for sending money to people you know personally. Businesses should always promote the use of Goods and Services _or_ their own payment buttons to ensure protection for both buyer and seller. How much money can you send through PayPal for free? Private individuals can send up to $4,000 via PayPal without incurring charges, increasing to $60,000 once they verify their account. Businesses are always charged for PayPal transactions. #### Methodology 1. Review excerpts are passages extracted from longer reviews written by verified reviewers. We obtain these excerpts by applying an algorithm that considers factors including, but not limited to, length, topic coverage, and thematic relevance. Excerpts are evaluated for positive or negative sentiment and receive a sentiment score. Excerpts represent user opinion and do not represent the views of, nor constitute, an endorsement by Capterra or its affiliates. Excerpts are not edited for clarity or grammar. 2. Our research team identified these features from vendor websites (as of Jan. 28, 2025) based on their analysis of what users find valuable or expect from project management software. This list is not exhaustive. For additional features, refer to the vendor’s website. [Preksha Buttan](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/pbuttan/) Writer Experience I am a writer at Capterra, where I've been providing expert insights to help small businesses find the right software solutions since January 2022. I analyze user review data for top-rated products across various software categories—including project management, finance, technology, and healthcare—to ensure businesses make informed decisions in an ever-evolving tech landscape. Before joining Capterra, I wrote, published, and managed website, blog, and social media content for... [Caroline Rousseau](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/caroline-rousseau/) Caroline Rousseau is a content editor at Capterra. A former content analyst, Caroline has, for the past five years, built, written, and edited research reports about technological trends, opportunities, and challenges with a small and midsize business audience in mind. Her content has been featured in French tier 1 media including Le Monde, L’Express, and Le Figaro, among other publications. Her previous experience as a graphic designer, translator, and LQA specialist in various industries... Related reading Table of Contents - [Overview of PayPal pricing](#overview-of-paypal-pricing) - [Cost breakdown](#cost-breakdown) - [What users say about PayPal pricing](#what-users-say-about-paypal-pricing) - [Detailed breakdown of PayPal pricing plans](#detailed-breakdown-of-paypal-pricing-plans) - [Total cost of ownership](#total-cost-of-ownership) - [How to choose the right PayPal pricing plan](#how-to-choose-the-right-paypal-pricing-plan) - [How to maximize the value of your PayPal subscription](#how-to-maximize-the-value-of-your-paypal-subscription) - [Is it worth paying for PayPal?](#is-it-worth-paying-for-paypal) - [Is PayPal right for you?](#is-paypal-right-for-you) - [Making the final decision](#making-the-final-decision) - [FAQs](#faqs)