The Best PayPal Alternatives

6 Best PayPal alternatives

Here are some PayPal alternatives that may be viable options for your organization’s payment processing needs.

1. Square

Square lets business owners accept payments on mobile devices, by card and through digital payment methods in-store. As our comprehensive Square review explains, it also enables businesses to build a free online store or connect the payment solution to an existing website built with GoDaddy, Wix, WooCommerce or Magento.

When it comes to Square vs. PayPal, Square may appeal more to brick-and-mortar retailers, restaurants and appointment-based businesses due to its industry-specific software.

2. Stripe

Stripe is considered one of the best credit card processors, with a strong focus on online payments. It also offers a virtual terminal and card readers.

Stripe Checkout, which is ompatible with multiple credit and debit cards, enables secure one-click payments and real-time card validation. The platform supports recurring payments, generates professional invoices and schedules email reminders for late payments.

Stripe is an excellent PayPal alternative for e-commerce and marketplace businesses, especially those planning to scale quickly. It offers strong security features and a transaction-retry protocol to increase sales that otherwise would have been declined.

3. Authorize.Net

Authorize.Net allows businesses to accept payments online, in-store, via mobile devices and over the phone. It’s one of the few alternative providers that allows businesses to accept payments from PayPal accounts. In addition, it also accepts major credit and debit cards, e-checks (ACH) and Apple Pay.

Its e-commerce features include advanced fraud detection, customer card storage and a mobile POS app for processing refunds, changing settings and viewing transaction history. The Virtual Point of Sale (VPOS) terminal allows merchants to email or print receipts and connect to a card reader via USB or Bluetooth.

Authorize.Net is ideal for e-commerce businesses, especially those with in-house web developers. However, transaction costs may be higher for companies that process many smaller purchases due to Authorize.Net’s per-transaction fees.

4. Shopify Payments

Shopify Payments is a payment processor that conveniently integrates into a seller’s Shopify store. It allows all payments, orders and analytics to be accessed, controlled and managed directly from a single dashboard.

Shopify Payments doesn’t charge additional fees for using the services of other payment processors. Additionally, it supports multi-currency processing — a significant advantage for businesses operating globally.

Shopify Payments is an excellent alternative for online businesses based on the Shopify platform. Our comprehensive review of Shopify Payments delves into the platform’s month-to-month terms and straightforward flat rates.

5. Braintree

Braintree is a developer-friendly payment platform that features customizable APIs, enabling seamless integration into a business’s existing systems.

Braintree’s competitive rates come with various helpful features, including recurring billing, subscription management and robust fraud prevention. It accepts payments in over 130 currencies — ideal for global businesses — and makes scaling up easy.

6. Payoneer

Payoneer is an international money service that supports over 200 countries and more than 150 different currencies. It integrates with popular online marketplaces, including Upwork, Fiverr and Airbnb.

Customers can make payments through credit cards, ACH or their own Payoneer account; businesses can send invoices and request global payments. Payoneer also offers a convenient mobile app and a prepaid Mastercard for an annual fee.

Payoneer is ideal for freelancers or individuals who frequently work with international clients.

What to consider when choosing a PayPal alternative

Consider how your business operates and the specific features it requires when searching for the best alternative payment processor. Avoid paying for features you won’t use, and find a payment gateway that offers the functionality your organization needs.

Consider the following factors when evaluating PayPal alternatives:

• Fees: Evaluate both fixed and percentage-based fees per transaction to determine cost implications. “Carefully consider transaction fees when choosing a provider, as these costs can significantly impact your bottom line,” advised Preston Dull, head of growth at Atomix Logistics.
• Security: Robust security features safeguard your company and customers against potential threats. Look for advanced encryption, PCI compliance and credit card fraud detection tools.
• Payment options: Consider the payment methods processors support to ensure you can accommodate diverse customer preferences. These include major credit and debit cards, mobile payments, mobile wallets (like Apple Pay and Google Wallet) and support for international transactions in multiple currencies.
• Integrations: Consider how well the platform connects with your business’s existing systems. It should integrate seamlessly with your e-commerce platform, shopping cart, accounting software, POS system and other essential business technologies.
• Payout speed: Fast access to funds is crucial for maintaining a stable cash flow. “Consider the time it takes for funds to be deposited into your business account, as this affects cash flow,” Dull advised.
• Customer service and reputation: Clare Perry, president of BuyMax/BuyFin, stressed that a platform’s customer support is critical. “It’s a good idea to review feedback and ratings on third-party sites to gauge the company’s reliability and customer satisfaction,” Perry suggested.
• Global reach: International capabilities matter for global businesses. “If you operate internationally, ensure the provider supports multiple currencies and has a broad geographic reach,” Dull advised.

Why you may want to use a PayPal alternative

PayPal’s payment processing services may not be right for everyone. Here are several reasons your company might benefit from a PayPal alternative:

• Transaction fees: PayPal’s fees can be higher than those of other payment processors, which may significantly impact profit margins, particularly for businesses with high transaction volumes.
• Account stability: “Some users report sudden account freezes or limitations with PayPal, which can disrupt business operations,” explained Dull.
• Customer support: “There are concerns about PayPal’s responsiveness and effectiveness in resolving issues, leading businesses to look for providers with better support,” Dull noted.
• Feature limitations: PayPal may lack certain necessary functionalities, such as advanced invoicing, enhanced reporting tools or robust multi-currency support.