How much does PayPal Zettle cost?

PayPal Zettle, which is a point-of-sale (POS) system that enables businesses to accept card payments, costs $29 for the first card reader, and $79 for additional card readers after that. PayPal Zettle uses hardware like receipt printers, barcode scanners, and terminals to receive payments. There are no monthly fees for using Zettle, but standard PayPal transaction fees do apply.

Is PayPal software as a service?

No, PayPal is not technically a software-as-a-service (SaaS) company, but it plays a crucial role in powering digital payments, especially for software companies. It provides features such as secure online payments, multi-currency support, and integrations with eCommerce platforms. PayPal enables businesses to process transactions globally, making it a widely used solution for digital payments across industries.

Can PayPal be trusted?

Yes, PayPal is a trustworthy and legitimate company for businesses. PayPal reviews on Software Advice highlight its fast payments, user-friendly platform, and multiple security factors. However, users should always be cautious of sending and receiving money on the platform and verify that any merchants are legitimate.

How do I avoid PayPal fees?

To avoid PayPal fees, individuals can send and receive money via the 'Friends and Family' option and pay with a bank account. However, for businesses, this would violate PayPal's terms of service. For businesses looking to reduce their fees, they should receive payments in the same currency as clients and apply for lower fees if they earn more than $3,000 per month.

What are the pros and cons of PayPal?

Positive PayPal reviewers on Software Advice mention its easy mobile payments, detailed transaction monitoring, fast ACH payments, and robust security and buyer protection. Cons from users include high business and international transaction fees, which can quickly add up. Some PayPal reviews also mention issues with handling disputes.

Updated April 29, 2025 at 1:55 AM

PayPal 2026: Benefits, Features & Pricing

Written by Sabrina Khoulalène

Content Analyst

Edited by Mehar Luthra

Team Lead, Content

Wondering if PayPal is right for your organization?

Our Payment Processing Software selection experts can help you in 15 minutes or less.

On this page

Our Summary
Pricing and Plans
Features
Integrations
Key Sentiments
User Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions

Our Summary

PayPal

4.6

(26142)

Pros:

Strong security features
Global reach

Cons:

High transaction fees
Confusing interface

Pricing

Pricing available upon request

What is PayPal:

Paypal is an online payment system that allows businesses to send and receive money. PayPal helps businesses make purchases, transfer money, and pay bills with tools like instant transfers, multi-currency support, and cross-border payments. PayPal acts as an intermediary between banks and customers.

Why we like PayPal:

PayPal is featured on Software Advice’s FrontRunners list of top payment processing software, with users appreciating its real-time alerts on sales activity and transactions, online payments, and visual dashboards. PayPal ranks highly, with an overall rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars across 25,000+ reviews and 4.6 stars for ease of use and features.

Who should use PayPal:

PayPal is frequently used by small businesses, who make up 59% of PayPal reviewers on Software Advice. Users can accept online payments, utilize business debit cards or business loans, and analyze detailed reports on sales activity, refunds, fees, and customer data.

PayPal Screenshots

PayPal Overview

PayPal is a digital payment platform that enables businesses and individuals to pay and accept payments through an online portal. The solution is suitable for businesses of all sizes. It provides a one-touch login process, eliminating the need to re-enter information. For individuals, users can shop as well as process transactions overseas by linking their card details through PayPal’s portal.

For business owners, users can accept international payments from banks or digital wallets through the portal. Users can bill clients, receive direct payments from suppliers or manuf...

PayPal Pricing and Plans

Starting price: $0.09

Free Trial

Free Version

Point of Sale

$0.09

No plan information available

Card Processing

$0.29

Plan includes:

Visa
Mastercard
Apple Pay
Maestro
American Express
Discover

PayPal and Venmo

$0.49

Plan includes:

PayPal
Venmo

Pay Later

$0.49

No plan information available

Confused about pricing? We've got you covered.

Get a personalized pricing breakdown tailored to your specific needs—no guesswork, no generic estimates.

Our Analysis of PayPal's Pricing Plans

PayPal offers several pricing models to support a variety of payment methods, each with its own fee structure. Creating a business account is free—companies just need to provide a billing address and link a business bank account during setup. You can also choose which payment options to offer, and fees only apply when a transaction is processed.

To help you determine which model best fits your needs, we’ve outlined the core features, benefi...

ts, and potential drawbacks of PayPal’s main payment options: standard card processing (plus Expanded Checkout for digital wallets), PayPal and Venmo, PayPal Later, and PayPal POS. **Card processing (+ Expanded Checkout)** PayPal’s standard card processing charges 2.99% + $0.49 per transaction. Businesses using Expanded Checkout benefit from slightly lower rates—2.89% + $0.29 per transaction—while gaining the flexibility to offer additional payment methods like Apple Pay and Google Pay. Optional add-ons include Chargeback Protection (0.40%) and Advanced Fraud Protection ($0.07). **Pros:** - **Multiple payment options available:** Expanded Checkout lets businesses accept a mix of card payments and digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay, all under the same fee structure. - **No monthly fees:** Businesses only pay when they complete a sale, without any recurring monthly charges. - **Built-in protections:** Optional tools like Chargeback Protection and Advanced Fraud Protection help reduce risk. **Cons:** - **Add-on costs:** Extra fees for protection services can increase the total cost per transaction and accumulate over time. - **Flat transaction fees:** Even for smaller purchases, the $0.29 or $0.49 fixed fee per transaction can add up. **PayPal and Venmo payments** At $0.49 plus 3.49% per transaction, this setup serves businesses looking to reach digitally savvy, mobile-first customers who prefer using familiar platforms like PayPal or Venmo over traditional card payments. **Pros:** - **Expanded audience reach:** Helps businesses tap into PayPal and Venmo’s built-in user bases, particularly younger or mobile-first shoppers. - **PayPal Checkout access:** Combines card, PayPal, and Venmo payments in one streamlined flow, with built-in fraud tools and a familiar branded interface that can increase trust and conversion at checkout—but excludes support for other digital wallets, such as Apple Pay. - **Built-in protections:** Includes Seller Protection, fraud prevention, and compliance tools through PayPal Checkout. **Cons:** - **Higher transaction fees: Comes with a steeper rate—$0.49 plus 3.49% per transaction—compared to other PayPal options. - **Brand visibility tradeoff: Payments show as “PayPal” on customer bank statements, not your business name, which may affect brand recognition. **PayPal Pay Later** PayPal Pay Later charges 4.99% + $0.49 per transaction and is geared toward businesses selling high-ticket items or looking to increase average order value. It gives customers flexible payment options—either in four interest-free installments or extended monthly plans—while businesses receive the full payment upfront. **Pros** - **Built-in financing option:** Customers can choose between four interest-free payments or longer monthly installments of up to 24 months. - **Upfront business payouts:** Businesses receive the full transaction amount at the -time of purchase, while PayPal handles collection from the customer. - **No late fees:** Customers benefit from zero late fees or sign-up charges, helping reduce cart abandonment for higher-value items. **Cons:** - **Higher transaction fees:** The 4.99% + $0.49 fee per transaction is steeper than - PayPal’s other processing options. - **Aggressive interest charges for customers:** Monthly plans may include interest rates up to 35.99% APR, which may deter some buyers. - **Limited use case:** Best suited for businesses with higher average order values—and may not be ideal for those selling lower-cost goods. **PayPal POS** PayPal’s point-of-sale system charges a flat $0.09 per transaction and is designed for in-person sales at physical locations. Businesses can use the free POS app on a smartphone or purchase hardware like card readers and receipt printers starting at $29. Ideal for storefronts, contractors, or mobile vendors, this setup supports tap-to-pay, real-time inventory tracking, and instant fund transfers to your PayPal business account. **Pros:** - **Low transaction cost:** The $0.09 flat fee per sale makes PayPal POS an affordable in-person processing options. - **Flexible setup options:** Businesses can start with just a smartphone or add hardware like card readers and receipt printers as needed. - **Real-time payouts and insights:** Instant fund deposits, built-in inventory tools, and sales reports help streamline daily operations. **Cons:** - **Hardware costs:** While the app is free, physical stores may need to invest in POS equipment, which can add up. - **Limited to in-person sales:** This setup is tailored for face-to-face transactions and doesn’t cover online checkout needs. - **Basic feature set:** May lack advanced POS features found in more robust retail systems. **Conclusion** PayPal offers a flexible suite of payment solutions to meet the needs of online retailers and in-person sellers. Whether you’re looking to accept traditional card payments, tap into mobile-first audiences through PayPal and Venmo, offer buy now, pay later financing, or process in-store transactions with a POS system, each payment method brings its own advantages and limitations. Standard card processing and Expanded Checkout offer competitive rates and broad compatibility with digital wallets. PayPal and Venmo options help expand your customer base but come with slightly higher fees. Pay Later supports high-ticket sales and can boost order value, though it’s best suited for certain business types. Meanwhile, PayPal POS is a cost-effective tool for physical retailers and mobile vendors, offering affordable in-person transactions and real-time reporting features. Choosing the right PayPal payment setup will depend on your sales channels, customer preferences, and overall business goals. Carefully evaluating each option’s structure and associated fees can help you identify the approach that delivers the most value.

PayPal Features

Drawn from insights across 26142 verified reviews, we've outlined PayPal's best and worst rated features and how they stack up against the average rating.

PayPal's score

Category average

PayPal's Best Rated Features

Payment Tracking

5.0

4.85 category average

Real-time Alerts

4.88

4.08 category average

Internal Fraud Monitoring

4.82

4.61 category average

PayPal's Worst Rated Features

Ad hoc Reporting

3.56

3.21 category average

Search/Filter

3.58

3.79 category average

Expense Tracking

3.92

3.74 category average

Popular features found in Payment Processing
ACH Payment Processing
Billing & Invoicing
Debit/Credit Card Processing
In-Person Payments
Mobile Payments
Multi-Currency
Multiple Payment Options
Payment Fraud Prevention
Payment Gateway Integration
PCI Compliance
Recurring/Subscription Billing
Reporting/Analytics
More features of PayPal
Access Controls/Permissions
Accounting
Activity Dashboard
Ad hoc Reporting
AI/Machine Learning
Alerts/Notifications
Anomaly Detection
API
Authentication
Barcode/Ticket Scanning
Billing Portal
Cash Management
Check Fraud Detection
Compliance Management
Contact Database
Credit Card Processing
CRM
Customizable Dashboard
Customizable Invoices
Data Import/Export
Data Management
Data Security
Data Visualization
Deferred Billing
Digital Wallet Payments
eCommerce Management
EDI
Electronic Payments
Electronic Signature
Expense Tracking
Financial Analysis
Financial Management
Financial Reporting
For Banking
For eCommerce
For Food Trucks
For Retail
For Small Businesses
Fraud Detection
Internal Fraud Monitoring
Inventory Management
Invoice Creation
Invoice History
Invoice Management
Invoice Processing
Marketing Reports
Mobile Access
Monitoring
Multi-Location
Multi-Period Recurring Billing
Online Invoicing
Online Payments
Order Management
Payment Links
Payment Options
Payment Processing
Payment Tracking
Performance Management
Point of Sale (POS)
Product Catalog
Projections
Promotions Management
Real-time Alerts
Real-Time Data
Real-Time Monitoring
Receipt Management
Recurring Invoicing
Refund Management
Reminders
Returns Management
Risk Analysis
Risk Management
Role-Based Permissions
Sales Reports
Sales Tax Management
Scheduled/Automated Reports
Search/Filter
Self Service Portal
Shipping Labels
Shipping Management
Social Media Integration
Status Tracking
Transaction History
Transaction Monitoring

PayPal Integrations

Based on 26142 verified reviews, we've identified products most frequently integrated with PayPal.

Shopify

Integration rated 4.6 from 180 reviews

Regine Rodriguez

CEO

Used for more than 2 years

Reviewed September 2022

"So easy to implement on the shopify payments area."

WooCommerce

Integration rated 4.7 from 130 reviews

Kathy Place

Owner

Used for more than 2 years

Reviewed November 2022

"Easiest way to collect money. Sets up easily with woocommerce"

Wix

Integration rated 4.6 from 79 reviews

Mike Perrier

Owner

Used for more than 2 years

Reviewed November 2021

"We sell tickets to our event on Wix and PayPal makes it very easy!"

QuickBooks Online

Integration rated 4.7 from 55 reviews

WordPress

Integration rated 4.7 from 36 reviews

BigCommerce

Integration rated 4.6 from 30 reviews

Venmo

Integration rated 4.8 from 19 reviews

Payoneer

Integration rated 4.2 from 18 reviews

Cash App

Integration rated 4.8 from 15 reviews

See all 156 integrations

PayPal Key Sentiments

We analyzed 26142 verified reviews for PayPal to find out what actual users really think.

Most Positive Sentiments

Payment processing

70% Positive

24% Neutral

7% Negative

Users appreciate PayPal for its secure platform, which ensures safe transactions and peace of mind when making payments. They value the option to pay balances off with no interest and the convenience of interest-free payment plans. Additionally, freelancers find PayPal an excellent method for receiving payments from clients, enhancing their financial management.

Customer service

57% Positive

16% Neutral

27% Negative

Users generally appreciate PayPal's customer support availability and find the service reliable and helpful. They value the responsive and empathetic support staff, which enhances their overall experience. However, some users still report frustrating service experiences, including slow response times and difficulties in resolving issues.

Purchase and sales management

54% Positive

32% Neutral

14% Negative

Users find PayPal convenient for sending and receiving money, which supports their business growth and international transfers. They appreciate the ability to print shipping labels directly from PayPal, saving time and effort. Additionally, PayPal's wide acceptance among various vendors and online stores helps users manage their purchases and sales efficiently.

Least Positive Sentiments

Transaction fees

20% Positive

39% Neutral

41% Negative

Users express dissatisfaction with PayPal's high transaction fees, especially for small and international transactions. While some appreciate the instant transfer options, many find the fee structure complex and costly. The high fees can significantly impact small businesses and frequent users, leading to concerns about overall operating expenses.

Money transfers

48% Positive

31% Neutral

20% Negative

Users find PayPal convenient for sending and receiving money, with robust security features and quick international transfers. They value the speed of transactions and the ability to manage multiple currencies. However, some users experience account freezes, limitations, and slow transfer times, which can be frustrating and inconvenient.

PayPal User Reviews

Overall Rating

4.6

Ratings Breakdown

74%

20%

Secondary Ratings

Ease of Use

4.6

Value for money

4.5

Customer support

4.2

Functionality

4.6

Verified

Reviewer

Logistics and Supply Chain

1001-5000 employees

Used weekly for more than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed February 2026

Totally worth to use it!

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Functionality

Pros:

Super easy and safe platforms to make all kinds of online payments! Love the fact that i can have several cards on my wallet, and that the refunds are quite fast!

Cons:

Sometimes a transaction in a website "gets" saved and it will not ask for the password again. I would prefer to insert the password every time.

Brittany B.

Verified reviewer

Hospital & Health Care

2-10 employees

Used monthly for more than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed January 2026

PayPal makes my life easier

Have not had any issues with this product and universally accepted with most local businesses in my area

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

PayPal is easy to use for anyone new to payment transfers. It’s one of my favorites in terms of money transactions

Cons:

It does take some time to load every now and then but all in all a great product for everyday users.

Reasons for switching to PayPal

Cleaner platform and easier to use for my everyday purchases

Vanessa D.

Verified reviewer

Hospitality

11-50 employees

Used daily for more than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed February 2026

Why I think Pay Pay is Great!

Previously 4

Life Changer over the last couple of years. Very reliable and great that is now a source of payment for many locations.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Previously 4

Functionality

Previously 4

Pros:

Quick and efficient when transferring money between accounts or other individuals. Now that more places accept it as a form of payment it has changed the way I purchase things..

Cons:

Honestly don't have a problem with it currently, would be nice if funds transferred quicker sometimes.

Absana P.

Verified reviewer

Information Technology and Services

501-1000 employees

Used weekly for more than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed December 2025

Reliable and Convenient for Majority of Tasks

Overall, my experience with PayPal has been positive, it's a dependable platform for online payments, invoicing and sending/receiving money. Compared to other first choice payments like Zelle, Square or Venmo I find it to have more options especially with international transactions, however, it does have added fees. Despite this, it's adds an added level of security that not a lot of other plat forms can provide.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

I love the added safety of PayPal, as someone that makes quite a bit of online purchases on all sorts of sites, I always use PayPal, since the seller will never see my card or bank details. I've had a lot of peers that have gotten random charges on their cards, and this has never happened to me. Furthermore, PayPal also offered buyer protection and their customer support is great at responding if there was any issues with your purchases. It's also very fast & convenient, you can just pay with an email and password and no need to repeatedly enter card information. Furthermore, i love it's ability to automate payments, whenever I was sublease an apartment I could just automate it for the start of the month without having to manual remember and pay.

Cons:

There are very few drawback to PayPal, however, the fees can add up, especially for international transactions. They have a 5% fee and sometimes a currency conversion fee, so I found other platforms like my bank, the Bank of America, to do this conversions for more less.

Reasons for switching to PayPal

Direct online payments while still being able to transfer money to and from users.

jane f.

Verified reviewer

Insurance

2-10 employees

Used weekly for more than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed February 2026

Making Online Payments Smooth and Stress Free

Overall, my experience with PayPal has been very positive. It makes sending and receiving payments simple, fast, and reliable every time.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

PayPal makes getting paid and paying others super easy. Everything is quick, organized, and I love how simple it is to keep track of transactions.

Cons:

Some fees can add up depending on the transaction, but the convenience usually makes it worth it. There are occasional holds or delays on funds, but it is understandable for security reasons.

Trinidad F.

Verified reviewer

Business Supplies and Equipment

10000+ employees

Used weekly for more than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed February 2026

PayPal is your financial online pal!

My overall experience with Paypal is extremely positive. I've had very little issues when using the product and app. I highly recommend this product to friends, family, and other users.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

PayPal is very convenient and the app is very user-friendly. I really enjoy the ease and simplicity of this product. Also it's amazing how much you can do with the free version.

Cons:

PayPal leaves very little to be desired. Especially when comparing Paypal to similar products and other apps. I do wish transactions through Paypal were a little bit faster. Sometimes there is a slight delay when transferring funds to a bank account.

Harrison K.

Verified reviewer

Consumer Goods

2-10 employees

Used daily for more than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed January 2026

Small Business Owner 4 Year Experience

As a small business owner Paypal has been the easiest software to use for invoicing and tracking transactions.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

The instant transfers, the low fees and the ability to move money around to different account is amazing but being able to invoice customers directly from the software is invaluable.

Cons:

Sometimes customer support is slow to resolve disputes but as long as you have evidence it will work out.

Nathaniel H.

Verified reviewer

Automotive

10000+ employees

Used monthly for more than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed January 2026

PayPal - Online Payment System

Overall I am very happy with PayPal. I first made a PayPal account when I started buying and selling on eBay many years ago. Since that time the number of both online vendors and private individuals who have made PayPal accounts continually rises so that more and more transactions can be processed using PayPal as opposed to other less common payment methods

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

What I like most about PayPal is that in 2026, it is integrated into many online vendors sites and can be used for payment. Additionally, most everyone I know has a personal PayPal account. The more people who have it, the more robust it inherently makes PayPal.

Cons:

This has only happened to me maybe once or twice, but what I like least about PayPal is the fee you pay if you do not send and receive funds to friends and family members.

Malisha C.

Verified reviewer

Real Estate

2-10 employees

Used monthly for less than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed December 2025

A Seamless, Secure, and Reliable Payment Experience with PayPal

There isn't anything I don't like about PayPal, I enjoy everything it has to offer. It is great to have.My overall experience with PayPal has been consistently great. It’s reliable, easy to use, and makes managing payments simple whether I’m buying, selling, or transferring money. I value the strong security features and protection policies, which give me confidence every time I use it. The convenience and widespread acceptance make PayPal a service I genuinely trust and enjoy using.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

I like PayPal because it makes sending and receiving money fast, easy, and secure. I appreciate how widely accepted it is, whether I’m shopping online or getting paid for my work. The added buyer and seller protection gives me peace of mind, and I love that I can manage everything in one place without sharing my bank details.there isn't many bugs and issues with the site. I think it's a great value to have.

Cons:

There isn't any cons of PayPal that I have came across while using the site. I pretty much enjoy everything it has to offer.

Nicole G.

Verified reviewer

Insurance

Self-Employed

Used weekly for more than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed January 2026

PayPal: Send and Receive Money Instantaneously

I enjoy using PayPal because it has a nice interface and it is very simple to use. I have not had any major issues with the setup.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

PayPal has a simple interface that is easy to use and I can seamlessly send and receive money to my friends and family from one app.

Cons:

Sometimes the funds come from my bank account instead of my PayPal balance which is tricky. The setting needs to be changed before sending money and it is not very intuitive.

Showing 1 - 10 of 26142 Reviews

See All Reviews

PayPal FAQs

How much does PayPal Zettle cost?
PayPal Zettle, which is a point-of-sale (POS) system that enables businesses to accept card payments, costs $29 for the first card reader, and $79 for additional card readers after that. PayPal Zettle uses hardware like receipt printers, barcode scanners, and terminals to receive payments. There are no monthly fees for using Zettle, but standard PayPal transaction fees do apply.
Is PayPal software as a service?
No, PayPal is not technically a software-as-a-service (SaaS) company, but it plays a crucial role in powering digital payments, especially for software companies. It provides features such as secure online payments, multi-currency support, and integrations with eCommerce platforms. PayPal enables businesses to process transactions globally, making it a widely used solution for digital payments across industries.
Can PayPal be trusted?
Yes, PayPal is a trustworthy and legitimate company for businesses. PayPal reviews on Software Advice highlight its fast payments, user-friendly platform, and multiple security factors. However, users should always be cautious of sending and receiving money on the platform and verify that any merchants are legitimate.
How do I avoid PayPal fees?
To avoid PayPal fees, individuals can send and receive money via the 'Friends and Family' option and pay with a bank account. However, for businesses, this would violate PayPal's terms of service. For businesses looking to reduce their fees, they should receive payments in the same currency as clients and apply for lower fees if they earn more than $3,000 per month.
What are the pros and cons of PayPal?
Positive PayPal reviewers on Software Advice mention its easy mobile payments, detailed transaction monitoring, fast ACH payments, and robust security and buyer protection. Cons from users include high business and international transaction fees, which can quickly add up. Some PayPal reviews also mention issues with handling disputes.