Best PayPal Alternatives
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Input your business’s monthly transaction details and we’ll help you sort from the best valueProduct | Cost Estimate | Payment processing fees | Cost Estimate | Learn more | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Helcim Learn more on Helcim's secure website | Get an estimated monthly cost for your business. | 5.0/5 Best for Interchange-plus payment processing | In-person: 0.4% + $0.08 Online: 0.5% + $0.25 Plus interchange | $0.00 | Get an estimated monthly cost for your business. | Learn more on Helcim's secure website |
Stripe Learn more on Stripe Payments' secure website | 5.0/5 Best for Customizable online checkout options | In-person: 2.7% + $0.05 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $0.00 | Learn more on Stripe Payments' secure website | ||
Square Learn more on Square's secure website | 5.0/5 Best for All-in-one POS system and payment processing | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $0.00 Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations. | Learn more on Square's secure website | ||
Shopify Payments Learn more on Shopify Payments' secure website | 4.5/5 Best for Online storefronts | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $39.00 Basic plan; $105 Shopify plan; $399 Advanced plan. | Learn more on Shopify Payments' secure website | ||
Amazon Pay | 4.5/5 Best for Amazon sellers | 2.9% + $0.30 For online and mobile. | $0.00 | |||
Payline | 4.5/5 Best for High-risk merchants | In-person: 0.4% + $0.10 Online: 0.75% + $0.20 Plus interchange | $10.00 in person; $20 online. | |||
Venmo Business Account | 4.0/5 Best for QR code payments | 1.9% + $0.10 Between Venmo accounts. | $0.00 | |||
Payoneer | 4.0/5 Best for International money transfer app | 3.99% + $0.00 Maximum per credit card transaction; 0% between Payoneer accounts. | $0.00 | |||
QuickBooks GoPayment | 4.5/5 Best for Accounting software integration | In-person: 2.5% + $0.00 Online: 2.99% + $0.00 | $0.00 |
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
on Helcim's secure website
Pros
- Businesses save when customers use cards with low interchange rates.
- Offers free POS software.
- Offers volume-based discounts automatically.
- No termination fees, long-term contracts or PCI compliance fees.
Cons
- Deposits are available within two business days; same-day deposit option is not available.
- Interchange-plus costs can be difficult to predict.
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
on Stripe Payments' secure website
Pros
- Highly customizable online checkout options.
- No termination fees or long-term contracts.
- 24/7 chat support.
- Can process transactions in more than 135 currencies.
- No PCI compliance fees.
Cons
- Doesn’t sell full countertop POS setups; hardware is limited to handheld terminals and card readers.
- Deposits can take up to two business days.
- No phone or email support.
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
on Square's secure website
Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations.
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.
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
on Shopify Payments' secure website
Basic plan; $105 Shopify plan; $399 Advanced plan.
Pros
- Hundreds of e-commerce website templates available.
- Can customize checkout page.
- Higher-tier plans offer less expensive online processing rates (as low as 2.5% plus 30 cents).
- No long-term contracts.
Cons
- E-commerce plan with monthly fee is required to use Shopify Payments.
- Monthly POS subscription costs can be expensive.
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
For online and mobile.
Pros
- Easy checkout for customers with Amazon accounts.
- Supports global customers and currencies.
- No monthly subscription costs or termination fees.
- Alexa voice integration to place and track orders.
Cons
- Reserve policy delays payouts, especially for newer accounts.
- No third-party accounting integrations.
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
in person; $20 online.
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.
- Compatible with multiple POS terminal providers, including Clover.
Cons
- Separate monthly fees for in-person and online processing.
- Must contact Payline for information on hardware costs.
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
Between Venmo accounts.
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
Maximum per credit card transaction; 0% between Payoneer accounts.
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
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.
Stripe
- 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
- 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
- Interchange plus 0.4% and 10 cents for in-person transactions.
- Interchange plus 0.75% and 20 cents for online transactions.
Amazon Pay
- 2.9% plus 30 cents for web and mobile transactions.
- Extra 1% for cross-border transactions.
Venmo Business Account
- 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
- 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.
Payoneer
- 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
- 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
- 2.5% for in-person payments.
- 2.99% for online and invoiced payments.
- 3.5% for manually keyed payments.
- 1% for ACH transactions.
- 2.4% plus 30 cents per in-person transaction.
- 3.5% plus 30 cents per keyed-in or invoiced transaction.
- $3 per ACH transfer.
- 1.6% plus 30 cents per in-person transaction.
- 3.3% plus 30 cents per keyed-in or invoiced transaction.
- $3 per ACH transfer.
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).
Processing rates for online transactions can be complex.
Payment gateways and chargeback protection may incur extra fees.
