9 Best PayPal Alternatives of June 2025

These PayPal alternatives for businesses offer useful features at competitive prices.
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.

Best PayPal Alternatives

Product Best for NerdWallet rating Payment processing fees Monthly fee Learn more
Helcim

Helcim

on Helcim's secure website

Interchange-plus payment processing

In-person:

0.4% + $0.08


Online:

0.5% + $0.25

Plus interchange

$0

on Helcim's secure website

Stripe

Stripe

on Stripe Payments' secure website

Customizable online checkout options

In-person:

2.7% + $0.05


Online:

2.9% + $0.30

$0

on Stripe Payments' secure website

Square

Square

on Square's secure website

All-in-one POS system and payment processing

In-person:

2.6% + $0.15


Online:

2.9% + $0.30

$0

Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations.

on Square's secure website

Shopify

Shopify Payments

on Shopify Payments' secure website

Online storefronts

In-person:

2.6% + $0.10


Online:

2.9% + $0.30

$39

Basic plan; $105 Shopify plan; $399 Advanced plan.

on Shopify Payments' secure website

Amazon Pay

Amazon Pay

Amazon sellers

2.9% + $0.30

For online and mobile.

$0

Payline

Payline

on NerdWallet's secure website

High-risk merchants

In-person:

0.4% + $0.10


Online:

0.75% + $0.20

Plus interchange

$10

in person; $20 online.

on NerdWallet's secure website

Venmo Business Account

Venmo Business Account

QR code payments

1.9% + $0.10

Between Venmo accounts.

$0

Payoneer

Payoneer

International money transfer app

3.0 /5
3.99% + $0.00

Maximum per credit card transaction; 0% between Payoneer accounts.

$0

QuickBooks

QuickBooks GoPayment

Accounting software integration

In-person:

2.5% + $0.00


Online:

2.99% + $0.00

$0

Product Best for NerdWallet rating Payment processing fees Monthly fee Learn more
Helcim

Helcim

on Helcim's secure website

Interchange-plus payment processing

In-person:

0.4% + $0.08


Online:

0.5% + $0.25

Plus interchange

$0

on Helcim's secure website

Stripe

Stripe

on Stripe Payments' secure website

Customizable online checkout options

In-person:

2.7% + $0.05


Online:

2.9% + $0.30

$0

on Stripe Payments' secure website

Square

Square

on Square's secure website

All-in-one POS system and payment processing

In-person:

2.6% + $0.15


Online:

2.9% + $0.30

$0

Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations.

on Square's secure website

Shopify

Shopify Payments

on Shopify Payments' secure website

Online storefronts

In-person:

2.6% + $0.10


Online:

2.9% + $0.30

$39

Basic plan; $105 Shopify plan; $399 Advanced plan.

on Shopify Payments' secure website

Amazon Pay

Amazon Pay

Amazon sellers

2.9% + $0.30

For online and mobile.

$0

Payline

Payline

on NerdWallet's secure website

High-risk merchants

In-person:

0.4% + $0.10


Online:

0.75% + $0.20

Plus interchange

$10

in person; $20 online.

on NerdWallet's secure website

Venmo Business Account

Venmo Business Account

QR code payments

1.9% + $0.10

Between Venmo accounts.

$0

Payoneer

Payoneer

International money transfer app

3.0 /5
3.99% + $0.00

Maximum per credit card transaction; 0% between Payoneer accounts.

$0

QuickBooks

QuickBooks GoPayment

Accounting software integration

In-person:

2.5% + $0.00


Online:

2.99% + $0.00

$0

Best PayPal Alternatives

Helcim

Best for Interchange-plus payment processing

Payment processing fees
In-person: 0.4% + $0.08
Online: 0.5% + $0.25

Plus interchange

Monthly fee
$0

on Helcim's website

Helcim

Best for Interchange-plus payment processing

Payment processing fees
In-person: 0.4% + $0.08
Online: 0.5% + $0.25

Plus interchange

Monthly fee
$0

on Helcim's website

Stripe

Best for Customizable online checkout options

Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.7% + $0.05
Online: 2.9% + $0.30

Monthly fee
$0

on Stripe's website

Stripe

Best for Customizable online checkout options

Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.7% + $0.05
Online: 2.9% + $0.30

Monthly fee
$0

on Stripe's website

Square

Best for All-in-one POS system and payment processing

Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.15
Online: 2.9% + $0.30

Monthly fee
$0

Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations.

on Square's website

Square

Best for All-in-one POS system and payment processing

Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.15
Online: 2.9% + $0.30

Monthly fee
$0

Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations.

on Square's website

Shopify Payments

Best for Online storefronts

Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 2.9% + $0.30

Monthly fee
$39

Basic plan; $105 Shopify plan; $399 Advanced plan.

on Shopify's website

Shopify Payments

Best for Online storefronts

Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 2.9% + $0.30

Monthly fee
$39

Basic plan; $105 Shopify plan; $399 Advanced plan.

on Shopify's website

Amazon Pay

Best for Amazon sellers

Payment processing fees
2.9% + $0.30

For online and mobile.

Monthly fee
$0

Amazon Pay

Best for Amazon sellers

Payment processing fees
2.9% + $0.30

For online and mobile.

Monthly fee
$0

Payline

Best for High-risk merchants

Payment processing fees
In-person: 0.4% + $0.10
Online: 0.75% + $0.20

Plus interchange

Monthly fee
$10

in person; $20 online.

Payline

Best for High-risk merchants

Payment processing fees
In-person: 0.4% + $0.10
Online: 0.75% + $0.20

Plus interchange

Monthly fee
$10

in person; $20 online.

Venmo Business Account

Best for QR code payments

Payment processing fees
1.9% + $0.10

Between Venmo accounts.

Monthly fee
$0

Venmo Business Account

Best for QR code payments

Payment processing fees
1.9% + $0.10

Between Venmo accounts.

Monthly fee
$0

Payoneer

Payoneer

3.0

 

Best for International money transfer app

Payment processing fees
3.99% + $0.00

Maximum per credit card transaction; 0% between Payoneer accounts.

Monthly fee
$0

Payoneer

Payoneer

Best for International money transfer app

3.0

 
Payment processing fees
3.99% + $0.00

Maximum per credit card transaction; 0% between Payoneer accounts.

Monthly fee
$0

QuickBooks GoPayment

Best for Accounting software integration

Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.5% + $0.00
Online: 2.99% + $0.00

Monthly fee
$0

QuickBooks GoPayment

Best for Accounting software integration

Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.5% + $0.00
Online: 2.99% + $0.00

Monthly fee
$0

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.

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.

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 15 cents for in-person transactions with all free plans.
  • 2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions with paid restaurant plans.
  • 2.5% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions with paid retail and appointments plans.
  • 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.
  • 1% 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.
  • 1% 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 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.
Last updated on July 12, 2024