PayPal is used to handle payments by many companies that shifted to online operations.
Over 200 countries are served by the practical, multi-service platform PayPal, which makes it easier for online shoppers to complete their transactions. However, PayPal has some shortcomings.
- PayPal has randomly frozen user accounts without warning.
- Transferring money to your bank account usually takes five to seven days.
- The updated transaction fees for PayPal took effect on August 2, 2021, and they are very high. PayPal now charges 3.49% + $0.49 per transaction as opposed to 2.9% + $0.3.
In order to cover the costs of updating and enhancing the platform’s security, PayPal says it has raised the prices for its well-known services, PayPal Checkout, PayPal Credit, and Pay with Venmo.
However, if you run a small business or are a freelancer, the higher transaction fees may reduce your profit margins.
The good news is that there are other companies that offer digital payment solutions besides PayPal. Alternatives to PayPal exist that offer even better services.
5 Alternatives Payment Processor
1. Wise
When it comes to international transfers, Wise is among the best PayPal substitutes. It uses real-time foreign exchange rates and levies lower transaction fees.
If you run a freelance business, your foreign contractors get paid more than they would through PayPal.
Advantages:
- It offers lower fees than PayPal and uses real-time foreign exchange rates.
- With the help of Wise’s Multi-Currency Account, you can manage your money in more than 40 different currencies and receive a debit card.
- Simple and simple to use.
- With the Wise Business account, you can invoice clients in their own money.
- Unlike PayPal, Wise transfers money more quickly and directly to your bank account.
Disadvantages:
- It is available in 65 countries as compared to PayPal’s 200+.
- Business transfers are restricted in some countries.
2. Payoneer
Payoneer is a complete solution for independent contractors and e-commerce businesses that is accessible in more than 150 countries.
Advantages:
- Transfers between Payoneer accounts are available for free.
- When transferring money to a bank account, Payoneer levies 2% transaction fees rather than PayPal’s 4%.
- It is easy to use.
Disadvantages:
- If an account is inactive for more than a year, Payoneer charges an inactivity fee.
- It charges a higher credit card fee (3% vs. 2.29% for PayPal) than other services.
- It’s not always clear how transaction fees are calculated. Conversion fees, bank fees, and other fees that are not taken into account by Payoneer’s calculations may be assessed to you.
3. Stripe
By concentrating on the infrastructure side of online finance, Stripe sets itself apart from other PayPal substitutes. For numerous well-known e-commerce platforms, including Shopify and WooCommerce, integrations are offered.
Advantages:
- AliPay, Apple Pay, and Google Pay are just a few of the numerous payment methods that Stripe accepts.
- Compared to PayPal, it offers more customizations and integrations.
- Compared to PayPal, transaction fees are lower.
Disadvantages:
- Stripe is only available in 44 countries.
- It requires technical know-how to set up.
4. Authorize.net
Despite being less well-known than the other payment options, Visa subsidiary Authorize.net boasts secure transactions and outstanding customer support.
Advantages:
- It offers the top customer service and user support.
- An intuitive user interface is included with Authorize.net.
- It works seamlessly with other payment options.
- Transaction costs are lower (2.9% plus $0.3 per transaction, or $0.1 if you have a merchant bank account).
Disadvantages:
- It levies a $25 monthly gateway fee (which may not be worthwhile if you only make a small number of transactions per month).
- It is not appropriate for personal use, unlike PayPal, and is only a business payment solution.
5. 2Checkout
Another PayPal substitute that prioritizes international transactions is 2Checkout. It supports more than 200 countries and more than 45 different payment methods.
Advantages:
- Over 200 countries, 30+ languages, and 80+ currencies are supported.
- It connects to more than 120 shopping carts.
- Compared to PayPal, 2Checkout charges less for international transactions.
Disadvantages:
- 2Checkout’s fees inside US are comparable to PayPal’s.
Final Verdict
Although PayPal is the most widely used online payment processor, there are other options available.
Try these PayPal substitutes to reduce your business’ transaction costs in light of PayPal’s recent fee increases.
