9 Best PayPal Alternatives of July 2026
A PayPal business account makes accepting card payments online fast and easy. But alternatives may be a better fit for customization, advanced POS features or lower processing fees.
Helcim
Best for Interchange-plus payment processing
Payment processing fees
In-person: 0.4% + $0.08
Online: 0.5% + $0.25
Online: 0.5% + $0.25
Plus interchange
Monthly fee
$0
Learn more on Helcim's 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 may take up to two business days; same-day deposit option is not available.
- Interchange-plus costs can be difficult to predict.
Stripe
Best for Customizable online checkout options
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.7% + $0.05
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$0
on Stripe's 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.
Square
Best for All-in-one POS system and payment processing
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.15
Online: 3.3% + $0.30
Online: 3.3% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$0
for Free plan; $49 Plus plan; $149 Premium plan.
on Square's website
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.
- Free plan processing rates are more expensive than competitors.
Shopify Payments
Best for Online storefronts
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$39
Basic plan; $105 Shopify plan; $399 Advanced plan.
on Shopify's website
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
- Phone support only available for Plus plan subscribers.
- Monthly POS subscription costs can be expensive.
- Business and American Express cards carry higher online rates (3.5% plus 30 cents in the Basic plan).
Amazon Pay
Best for Amazon sellers
Payment processing fees
2.9% + $0.30
For online and mobile.
Monthly fee
$0
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.
Payline
Best for High-risk merchants
Payment processing fees
In-person: 0.35% + $0.10
Online: 0.5% + $0.20
Online: 0.5% + $0.20
Plus interchange
Monthly fee
N/A
Quote-based.
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.
Venmo Business Account
Best for QR code payments
Payment processing fees
1.9% + $0.10
Between Venmo accounts.
Monthly fee
$0
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.
Payoneer
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
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.
QuickBooks GoPayment
Best for Accounting software integration
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.5% + $0.00
Online: 2.99% + $0.00
Online: 2.99% + $0.00
Monthly fee
$0
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.
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- Monthly fee (low to high)
Default Helcim
Best for Interchange-plus payment processing
Payment processing fees
In-person: 0.4% + $0.08
Online: 0.5% + $0.25
Online: 0.5% + $0.25
Plus interchange
Monthly fee
$0
on Helcim's 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 may take up to two business days; same-day deposit option is not available.
- Interchange-plus costs can be difficult to predict.
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.
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 may take up to two business days; same-day deposit option is not available.
- Interchange-plus costs can be difficult to predict.
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.
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 may take up to two business days; same-day deposit option is not available.
- Interchange-plus costs can be difficult to predict.
Stripe
Best for Customizable online checkout options
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.7% + $0.05
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$0
on Stripe's 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Square
Best for All-in-one POS system and payment processing
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.15
Online: 3.3% + $0.30
Online: 3.3% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$0
for Free plan; $49 Plus plan; $149 Premium plan.
on Square's website
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.
- Free plan processing rates are more expensive than competitors.
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.
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.
- Free plan processing rates are more expensive than competitors.
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.
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.
- Free plan processing rates are more expensive than competitors.
Shopify Payments
Best for Online storefronts
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$39
Basic plan; $105 Shopify plan; $399 Advanced plan.
on Shopify's website
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
- Phone support only available for Plus plan subscribers.
- Monthly POS subscription costs can be expensive.
- Business and American Express cards carry higher online rates (3.5% plus 30 cents in the Basic plan).
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.
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
- Phone support only available for Plus plan subscribers.
- Monthly POS subscription costs can be expensive.
- Business and American Express cards carry higher online rates (3.5% plus 30 cents in the Basic plan).
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.
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
- Phone support only available for Plus plan subscribers.
- Monthly POS subscription costs can be expensive.
- Business and American Express cards carry higher online rates (3.5% plus 30 cents in the Basic plan).
Amazon Pay
Best for Amazon sellers
Payment processing fees
2.9% + $0.30
For online and mobile.
Monthly fee
$0
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Payline
Best for High-risk merchants
Payment processing fees
In-person: 0.35% + $0.10
Online: 0.5% + $0.20
Online: 0.5% + $0.20
Plus interchange
Monthly fee
N/A
Quote-based.
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.
Unlike many other providers — including PayPal — Payline handles payment processing for high-risk businesses in industries like travel, vitamins, credit repair and cannabis and CBD.
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.
Unlike many other providers — including PayPal — Payline handles payment processing for high-risk businesses in industries like travel, vitamins, credit repair and cannabis and CBD.
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.
Venmo Business Account
Best for QR code payments
Payment processing fees
1.9% + $0.10
Between Venmo accounts.
Monthly fee
$0
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Payoneer
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
QuickBooks GoPayment
Best for Accounting software integration
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.5% + $0.00
Online: 2.99% + $0.00
Online: 2.99% + $0.00
Monthly fee
$0
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Jump to
PayPal pros and cons
Are PayPal alternatives secure?
PayPal pros and cons
Identifying what you like and dislike about PayPal business accounts 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.
Methodology
NerdWallet’s ratings of payment processing providers rewards companies whose products and services are priced well and work in a variety of payment scenarios, among other criteria. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including overall cost, hardware and software options, system capabilities, customer service, contract requirements and integrations. Learn more about how we rate payment processing providers.
These ratings are a guide, but fees, hardware, software and contract requirements can vary widely from business to business and provider to provider. We encourage you to shop around and compare several providers.
NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines.
