15 Best PayPal Alternatives for Small Business

PayPal is a highly popular international payment processor, especially for solopreneurs and occasional sellers, because of its excellent multichannel capability and reasonable fees. It also has the advantage of one-click checkout, which helps increase customer purchases, and the ability to integrate quickly with most ecommerce platforms.

It provides a user-friendly POS that makes it easy to accept in-person payments. The funds are immediately available from your PayPal account, making it a seamless option for those with PayPal Business accounts.

• Occasional or low-volume sellers: It’s easy to request payments to your PayPal account using your email or PayPal.me. For those with inventory or needing a checkout system, there’s PayPal Point of Sale, formerly PayPal Zettle. This POS system for Android and iOS earned a spot in our best mobile credit card processors list. Learn more in our PayPal Zettle review.
• Online businesses: PayPal easily integrates into online systems. Some competitors on this list will also allow PayPal as an additional payment method. You can add a PayPal button just about anywhere, from social media to your online store or even your online invoices.
• International payments: We also like PayPal for international payment processing. It’s a highly versatile system, good for large corporations and individuals selling across borders. However, it has an extremely complex pricing structure, as rates depend on the payment method and country. Even cross-border fees vary.

Helcim offers transparent interchange-plus pricing without monthly fees, making it one of the most affordable processors compared to PayPal’s flat-rate model. Businesses benefit from automatic volume discounts and the option to pass fees to customers with Helcim Fee Saver. On top of that, Helcim provides free POS software, invoicing, and a virtual terminal — tools that PayPal usually charges extra for.

• You process steady volume and want to reduce costs with interchange-plus pricing
• You need built-in tools like invoicing, POS, and virtual terminal at no extra cost
• You want automatic volume discounts without renegotiating with your provider

Stripe provides powerful APIs, SDKs, and integrations that make it a top choice for online businesses that need flexibility beyond PayPal’s plug-and-play model. It supports 135+ currencies, no monthly fee, and has advanced tools for recurring billing, fraud detection, and integrations with popular ecommerce and accounting systems. ACH fees are also much lower than PayPal, making it appealing for invoicing and B2B payments.

• You sell internationally and want support for 135+ currencies
• You need advanced integrations, recurring billing, or customizable checkout flows
• You want lower-cost ACH payments for invoices and subscriptions

Square combines payment processing with a full suite of business tools at no extra cost. Every account includes free POS software, invoicing, and an online store, plus a magstripe reader to get started. Its modular add-ons cover payroll, marketing, delivery, and inventory management, giving it more flexibility than PayPal. For businesses that need a POS system they can grow into, Square is often a more complete and scalable option than PayPal.

• You want a free POS system with advanced add-ons and inventory features
• You need affordable, industry-grade hardware for in-person sales
• You want one provider for payments, POS, and ecommerce in a single ecosystem

Unlike PayPal, which mainly offers payments and invoicing, Shopify provides a full ecommerce ecosystem. Its online store builder, inventory management, and multichannel integrations (including Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, and eBay) make it a one-stop solution.

Shop Pay, its one-click checkout, rivals PayPal checkout and has been shown to increase conversions. Plus, Shopify Payments eliminates the need for a third-party gateway and reduces transaction costs for businesses that stick within the Shopify ecosystem.

• You want a full ecommerce platform with integrated payments and inventory management
• You want Shop Pay to boost checkout conversions on your online store
• You sell across multiple channels and need centralized inventory and order management

Unlike PayPal’s flat-rate model, Dharma uses interchange-plus pricing, which often lowers costs for businesses processing consistent volume. It includes discounted rates for nonprofits and offers strong customer support. While PayPal is easier for casual sellers, Dharma provides a stable merchant account that reduces the risk of account freezes and offers predictable margins.

• You process steady volume and want transparent interchange-plus pricing
• You run a nonprofit and qualify for discounted processing rates
• You want the stability of a traditional merchant account rather than an aggregator

Chase offers flat-rate simplicity for small businesses but also supports custom interchange-plus pricing for larger merchants. Its biggest advantage over PayPal is speed: businesses with Chase accounts often receive funds the same day, at no extra cost. Plus, being bank-backed adds credibility and stability, reducing the risk of unexpected account freezes that PayPal is known for.

• You bank with Chase and want same-day access to your funds
• You prefer having a dedicated, bank-backed merchant account provider
• You process higher volumes and want custom rates beyond flat pricing

Unlike PayPal’s flat-rate card fees, GoCardless charges around 1% per transaction, capped at a few dollars. This can be a huge cost saver for recurring or high-ticket payments. It also integrates seamlessly with accounting and CRM tools, automating invoicing and reconciliation. While PayPal supports recurring billing, it’s more expensive and less flexible for ACH payments.

• You invoice clients or run a subscription business and want lower payment costs
• You need ACH debit instead of credit card processing
• You want automated reconciliation with accounting software

Unlike PayPal, which takes a higher cut on international payments, Payoneer supports multi-currency accounts and offers more competitive FX and withdrawal fees. It makes it easy to bill international clients directly, withdraw funds to local bank accounts, or use its debit card for spending. For freelancers and service providers, it’s often more affordable and practical than PayPal.

• You receive payments from global clients or marketplaces like Upwork or Amazon
• You want lower-cost cross-border transfers than PayPal offers
• You need to hold or withdraw funds in multiple currencies

Wise Business lets you open local bank details in multiple currencies, making it easier to receive payments from overseas clients without expensive bank wires. Funds can be held in your Wise account, converted at the real exchange rate, or sent to your local bank. Compared with PayPal’s international fees, Wise is almost always cheaper and more transparent, especially for larger B2B payments.

• You make frequent cross-border B2B payments and want lower FX costs
• You need to hold balances in multiple currencies
• You want transparent, predictable international transfer fees

BitPay offers flexible settlement options: merchants can keep payments in crypto or auto-convert to fiat to avoid volatility risk. Pricing is tiered — starting at 2% + 25 cents for lower volumes and dropping to 1% + 25 cents for high-volume merchants. BitPay also integrates with major ecommerce platforms, provides hosted checkout, and allows invoicing in crypto.

• You want to accept cryptocurrency directly at checkout
• You want flexible settlement in either fiat or crypto
• You serve a crypto-savvy customer base and want to expand payment options

Every SumUp account includes flat-rate processing (2.75% per transaction), no monthly fees, and inexpensive card readers starting at under $50. The platform is mobile-first, making it easy to pair with a smartphone or tablet for sales on the go. While PayPal Zettle offers similar features, SumUp is especially attractive for very small businesses that want simplicity above all else.

• You’re a microbusiness or hobby seller that wants affordable card readers
• You don’t need advanced POS tools or ecommerce integrations
• You want simple, predictable flat-rate pricing with no monthly cost

PaymentCloud accepts industries that PayPal and many other providers reject. Merchants get personalized support and dedicated reps to guide them through underwriting and chargeback mitigation. It integrates with popular ecommerce platforms, CRMs, and POS systems, making it easier for high-risk businesses to keep operations running smoothly once approved.

• You’re a microbusiness or hobby seller that wants affordable card readers
• You don’t need advanced POS tools or ecommerce integrations
• You want simple, predictable flat-rate pricing with no monthly cost

iATS was built for nonprofits, not general retail. Its tight integrations with CRMs and donor databases make it easier for organizations to track gifts, manage campaigns, and improve donor retention. Unlike PayPal, which treats nonprofits like standard merchants with discounted pricing, iATS provides a purpose-built ecosystem that aligns with nonprofit needs.

• You need direct integration with donor management CRMs like Salesforce or Raiser’s Edge
• You rely heavily on recurring donations or pledge programs
• You want tools specifically designed for nonprofit fundraising events

Most US banks integrate Zelle directly into their mobile apps, making it easy for customers to pay without needing another platform. Transfers are fast and free, which can be appealing for small service providers or local businesses that don’t need card acceptance. Unlike PayPal, though, Zelle cannot be embedded into an online checkout or POS system.

• You need instant, no-fee transfers between trusted US clients or customers
• You don’t require card acceptance, invoicing, or POS tools
• You want to avoid processing fees for simple peer-to-business payments

Amazon Pay integrates easily with ecommerce platforms and allows merchants to leverage the trust of the Amazon brand at checkout. It supports recurring payments and voice-activated commerce via Alexa, while offering merchants fraud protection and A-to-Z Guarantee coverage. Unlike PayPal, however, it does not extend to POS systems or global buyer familiarity in as many markets.

• You need instant, no-fee transfers between trusted US clients or customers
• You don’t require card acceptance, invoicing, or POS tools
• You want to avoid processing fees for simple peer-to-business payments