PayPal

What is PayPal?

PayPal is a widely trusted payment brand accepted almost everywhere, with easy checkout and global reach. Founded in 1998, it lets businesses accept payments online and lets customers pay without sharing card details, using their PayPal account or cards, with a brand consumers recognise and trust worldwide. For businesses, adding PayPal checkout is simple and can lift conversion because many customers prefer and trust it, and it supports international payments across many countries and currencies. Popular with small businesses, freelancers and consumers globally, PayPal is a default way to send and accept money online. For broad, trusted payment acceptance, PayPal is a leading choice.

PayPal's distinction is its trusted, globally recognised brand and ease of acceptance. Many customers already have PayPal and trust it, so offering it as a checkout option is easy to add and can improve conversion, with broad international reach. That consumer trust, ubiquity and simple integration set it apart, making it a near essential payment option for many online businesses, though some cite its fees and payment holds.

Who PayPal is best for

PayPal is best for small businesses, freelancers and online sellers that want to offer a widely trusted, easy payment option customers recognise, and to receive international payments simply. It suits those wanting broad acceptance and quick setup. It is a weaker fit for businesses wanting the lowest fees or deepest developer control, where Stripe or interchange plus providers fit, or heavy in person retail, where Square fits better.

Key features

The core strengths are trusted, recognisable checkout, acceptance of PayPal balances and cards, global reach across many countries and currencies, and simple integration with e-commerce and invoicing. PayPal offers buyer and seller protection, invoicing, and a vast user base of consumers who already have accounts. Its brand trust, ubiquity, ease of acceptance and global reach are its defining advantages for online businesses.

PayPal pricing

PayPal charges per transaction, typically around 2.9 percent plus a fixed fee for online payments, with different rates for in person, international and specific products, and no monthly fee for standard use. International transactions and currency conversion add fees, and some users note payment holds. Its pay as you go pricing suits businesses adding PayPal as an option, with total cost depending on volume. Details are on the PayPal fees page.

Integrations and ecosystem

PayPal integrates with e-commerce platforms, checkout flows, invoicing and countless tools, and owns Braintree and Venmo, extending its ecosystem. Its wide integrations and consumer base let businesses add trusted PayPal checkout easily wherever they sell, which is central to its value as a broadly accepted payment option.

PayPal and trust

Consumer trust is PayPal's signature: its globally recognised brand and buyer protection mean many customers prefer and trust paying with PayPal, so offering it can lift conversion, especially for international or first time buyers who are wary of entering card details. For businesses that want to reassure customers and capture those who prefer PayPal, this trust is the main reason to offer it.

Ease of use and support

PayPal is easy to add and use, with global reach and strong brand trust, though users commonly cite expensive fees on small and international payments and slow support or payment holds. Its G2 reviews praise ease and global acceptance, with fees, holds and support the main considerations.

Is PayPal worth it?

For small businesses, freelancers and online sellers that want a widely trusted, easy payment option and simple international payments, PayPal is a near essential, leading choice, often offered alongside other processors. The main caution is its fees and payment holds, so businesses wanting the lowest fees or developer control may prefer Stripe or interchange plus providers, and heavy in person retail Square, but for trusted acceptance PayPal excels.