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PayPal Pricing (April 2026)

Free plan available
Prices verified March 16, 2026

How much does PayPal cost?

PayPal offers a free plan with paid tiers starting at Free/mo.

Free TierYes
Starting PriceFree
Number of Plans2
Billing Cyclemonthly
Pricing Modelusage-based

All Plans

Standard

Free
Billed monthly
  • 2.99% + $0.49 per transaction
  • No monthly fees
  • PayPal checkout
Start Free
Most Popular

Pro

$30/mo
Billed monthly
  • 2.59% + $0.49 per transaction
  • Advanced checkout
  • Virtual terminal
Try Pro

PayPal Pricing Breakdown

Transaction Fees

PayPal's pricing is usage-based, with fees varying by transaction type and sales volume. For domestic online transactions in the United States, you'll typically pay 2.99% + $0.49 per transaction. International sales incur an additional 1.5% fee, making it crucial to factor these costs into your pricing strategy.

No Monthly Fees

Unlike many payment processors, PayPal offers a free basic account with no monthly maintenance fees. This makes it an attractive option for small businesses and startups looking to minimize upfront costs. However, advanced features like virtual terminals or recurring billing do carry additional monthly charges.

Volume-Based Pricing

As your business grows, PayPal offers more competitive rates. High-volume merchants can negotiate custom interchange rates, potentially reducing per-transaction costs. Businesses processing over $100,000 monthly might qualify for specialized pricing that significantly lowers their effective transaction rate.

Additional Costs

Be aware of potential hidden costs. Chargebacks can cost $20 per incident, and currency conversion fees add approximately 3-4% to international transactions. While these aren't enormous expenses, they can impact profit margins for businesses with tight financial constraints.

Feature Breakdown by Plan

FeatureStandardPro
2.99% + $0.49 per transaction
No monthly fees
PayPal checkout
2.59% + $0.49 per transaction
Advanced checkout
Virtual terminal

Is PayPal Worth It?

4.34.3/5 from 12,000 reviews

The free plan lets you test core functionality before committing.

Best for: Small businesses, Freelancers, eBay sellers. Keep in mind: higher fees than competitors.

PayPal Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Trusted brand recognition
  • Buyer protection
  • Easy setup
  • Wide acceptance
  • One-click checkout
Cons
  • Higher fees than competitors
  • Account freezes
  • Limited customization
  • Slow fund access

Frequently Asked Questions

PayPal offers a free plan. Paid plans start at Free/mo, billed monthly. There are 2 plans total.
Yes, PayPal offers a free tier that lets you try core features before upgrading to a paid plan.
The most affordable paid plan is Pro at $30/mo.
With a 4.3/5 rating from 12,000 reviews, PayPal is well-regarded. Best for: Small businesses, Freelancers, eBay sellers.
PayPal bills monthly. The pricing model is usage-based.
PayPal offers 2 plans: Standard, Pro.
Visit PayPal

Read full PayPal review

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