Looking for PayPal alternatives? This comprehensive guide compares the best payment providers to help you find the right one for your needs. Discover features, fees, and more!
The Best PayPal Alternatives
In the realm of digital payments, PayPal has long been a dominant player. However, for those seeking alternatives that offer specific advantages, several platforms stand out. Among these alternatives, Wise emerges as a compelling option, especially for international transactions. Let’s explore some of the best PayPal alternatives, with a focus on Wise as a standout choice.
Wise
Wise, formerly known as TransferWise, is a Money Services Business (MSB) provider that offers a smart alternative to traditional banks. It is particularly well-suited for international business transactions, providing cost-effective solutions for sending and receiving payments across 40+ currencies.
The Wise Business account is tailored to meet the needs of businesses operating globally, offering features like holding and managing funds in multiple currencies and obtaining local account details for seamless international transactions.
- Pros:
- Cost-effective international transfers with transparent fees.
- Ability to hold and manage funds in various currencies.
- Local account details for receiving payments globally.
- Cons:
- Limited acceptance compared to PayPal in some regions.
Credit Cards
They are widely used as an alternative means of payment on the Internet. To do this, you have to enter your card number, the expiry date of the card, and the verification number in the relevant fields when paying by credit card.
- widespread
- the normal credit card fees apply
- Buyer protection through the credit card
- Cancellation only possible at the bank
When paying by credit card, your credit card details are stored with the online retailer – a point that not everyone likes and therefore only serves as a PayPal alternative to a limited extent.
Stripe
Stripe is a renowned payment processing platform that caters to millions of companies worldwide. It provides software and APIs for accepting payments efficiently and securely.
Amazon Pay
In addition to PayPal, Amazon Pay is also one of the best-known online payment providers. According to Amazon, 33 million users have already used the service once and the payment volume has increased significantly.
Customers can both send and receive money here. Thus, the systems of PayPal and Amazon Pay are very similar. With Amazon Pay, you can also pay in participating online shops, regardless of Amazon. With this PayPal alternative, the payment data stored in the Amazon account is accessed.
- around 150 online shops offer Amazon Pay
- the dealer pays the fee
- Buyer protection: Yes
- Cancellation of a payment possible
- Verification takes place via the login data from Amazon
This payment method is particularly convenient for those who have an Amazon account. In addition, it only accesses your Amazon data. It does not pass it on to the online shop.
Skrill
This payment method is not widely used. But it counts among the PayPal alternatives as one of the most anonymous variants. Because Skrill is comparable to a prepaid card, which means that you transfer money from your account to your Skrill account and can then use this credit to pay for your purchases over the Internet.
- Skrill is not yet widely used (Skype, online casinos)
- when charging, fees are partly due
- Account required
- Cancellation of a payment is not possible
- No verification necessary as it is a prepaid system
Apple Pay
Apple Pay is a separate payment service that can only be used in conjunction with an iOS device (e.g. iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch) and the Safari browser. Before you can use Apple Pay, you have to deposit your credit card file with Apple in order to then verify the purchase via the fingerprint sensor, FaceID or your unlock code.
- Apple Pay hasn’t been around for long
- banks pay the fees
- Buyer protection through the credit card
- no account necessary
- Cancellation only possible at the bank
- Verification takes place via the fingerprint sensor, FaceID, or unlock code
Apple Pay is actually only responsible for the processing between the online shop and the bank because you pay with your credit card. If you pay with Apple Pay, you have to accept that Apple receives information about where you shop and what you shop. This data is stored in the USA.
Venmo
Venmo is known for its user-friendly interface and quick payment processing, making it ideal for peer-to-peer transactions in the US.
Google Pay
For some time now, it has also been possible to pay via Google Pay. However, in terms of functionality, Google Pay hardly differs from Apple Pay. Here, too, a credit card must be stored once, which the system can then access.
Google Pay also offers the option of connecting the account to a PayPal account. This can be especially important for people who don’t have a credit card but still want to use Google Pay.
- No fees
- fewer restrictions than other providers
- Account required
- Cancellation of a payment possible
Payoneer
Payoneer serves as a reliable alternative to PayPal, offering money transfer and digital payment services tailored to businesses of all sizes
Masterpass
One of the possible PayPal alternatives is the MasterCard payment service. Accordingly, the credit card is initially deposited with Masterpass. However, this does not necessarily have to be a MasterCard, because here you can also pay with VISA or AmericanExpress credit cards. This means that online payment is made using the access data stored with Masterpass. This means that your credit card details will not be passed on.
- around 600 shops offer Masterpass as a payment system
- the normal credit card fees apply
- Buyer protection through the credit card
- Account required
- Cancellation only possible at the bank
- Verification takes place via the TAN procedure from Masterpass
The advantage of Masterpass is that the credit card details do not have to be entered in the respective online shop.
Conclusion: Many good PayPal alternatives
After all, each of the presented payment systems has its advantages and disadvantages. Not all of the providers are as well known and widespread as PayPal, which is why one or the other will certainly develop their functions further in the future.
Nevertheless, no one except PayPal offers such a large network of companies, retailers, and shops. You should always keep an eye out for other PayPal alternatives and deal with different providers.
