Best PayPal Alternatives for Freelancers

As a freelancer and online business owner, having a reliable payment system is crucial. As of March 2022, there were 429 million active PayPal accounts. PayPal processed 19.3 billion transactions in 2021 and performed $1.2 trillion worth of transactions in 2021 according to zippia.com. PayPal has long been a go-to choice for freelancers, but it’s not the only option available. This article will guide you in selecting PayPal alternatives that can provide you with seamless payment solutions, tailored to your needs as a freelancer.

Related: Best Payoneer Alternatives for Freelancers

Now, let’s explore the top PayPal alternatives that cater to freelancers.

Best PayPal Alternatives for Freelancers

1. Wise

Wise, formally known as TransferWise, is renowned for its transparent and low-cost international money transfers. When compared to utilizing a bank, over 13 million users of Smart move more than 6 billion GBP each month, saving 3 million GBP daily according to exiap.com. With Wise, you can hold and manage multiple currencies in one account, making it an ideal choice for freelancers working with clients worldwide.

Pros

1. Transparent Fees: Wise is known for its clear and upfront fee structure. They provide the real exchange rate and charge a small, visible fee, which can result in more cost-effective transfers compared to traditional banks and PayPal.
2. Real Exchange Rates: Wise offers mid-market exchange rates, ensuring you get a fair deal when converting currencies. PayPal typically uses less favorable exchange rates, resulting in hidden costs.
3. Multi-Currency Accounts: Wise allows users to hold and manage money in multiple currencies within a single account, making it convenient for international travelers, freelancers, and businesses with global operations.
4. Borderless Account: With Wise’s borderless account, you can receive money like a local in various countries. You get bank account details in different currencies, simplifying international payments.
5. Fast Transfers: Wise often completes transfers within one to two business days, which can be quicker than traditional banks and sometimes faster than PayPal.

Cons

1. Limited Availability: While Wise supports numerous currencies and countries, it may not cover every region or currency pair, limiting its usability for some users.
2. No Cash Deposits: Wise doesn’t support cash deposits, so it may not be suitable if you need to deposit physical cash.
3. Limited Financial Services: Unlike PayPal, Wise primarily focuses on international money transfers and doesn’t offer a wide range of financial services like lending or credit cards.

2. Stripe

Stripe offers a developer-friendly payment platform that allows you to accept payments directly on your website or app. As of 2023, Stripe held 68.02% of the market share for e-commerce payment processing in the US. It’s known for its robust security features and support for a wide range of payment methods.

Pros

1. Developer-Friendly: Stripe is renowned for its developer-friendly approach, offering a robust set of APIs and documentation. This makes it easier for businesses to integrate payment processing into their websites and applications.
2. Global Reach: Stripe supports payments in over 135 currencies, making it an excellent choice for businesses with international customers. It also provides local payment methods in various countries, improving conversion rates.
3. Subscription and Recurring Billing: Stripe makes it simple to set up and manage subscriptions, making it ideal for businesses with subscription-based models. It offers features like trial periods, metered billing, and proration.
4. Customizable Checkout: Businesses can create a seamless and branded checkout experience with Stripe’s customizable payment forms, reducing cart abandonment rates.
5. Strong Security: Stripe takes security seriously and is PCI-DSS compliant. It handles sensitive customer data and provides tools for businesses to enhance security further.
6. Invoicing: Stripe offers a convenient invoicing system, allowing businesses to send professional invoices and receive payments online.
7. Analytics and Reporting: Users can access detailed analytics and reporting tools to gain insights into their payment data, helping them make informed decisions.
8. Instant Payouts: Stripe’s Instant Payouts feature enables businesses to access their funds almost immediately, improving cash flow.

Cons

1. Pricing Complexity: Stripe’s pricing can be complex for some businesses, as it charges a percentage of each transaction along with a per-transaction fee. There are also additional fees for some features, like international cards.
2. Account Holds: Like many payment processors, Stripe may sometimes place holds on funds for risk management purposes, which can be inconvenient for businesses with tight cash flow.
3. Chargeback Handling: While Stripe offers tools for handling chargebacks, some users find the process somewhat challenging to navigate.

3. Payoneer

Payoneer is a global payment solution that provides freelancers with a virtual U.S. bank account. Customer funds increased by 18% through Payoneer year over year, exceeding 8% growth in total volume according to investor.payoneer.com. This feature simplifies receiving payments from U.S. clients and reduces currency conversion fees.

Pros

1. Global Reach: Payoneer provides services in over 200 countries and supports more than 150 currencies, making it an excellent choice for international businesses and freelancers.
2. Multi-Currency Accounts: Users can hold balances in multiple currencies, which helps save on conversion fees when dealing with international clients or vendors.
3. Lower Fees: Payoneer often offers competitive fees compared to PayPal, especially for international transactions and currency conversions.
4. Payment Request Links: Users can generate payment request links to easily receive payments from clients and customers, simplifying the invoicing process.
5. Quick Access to Funds: Payoneer provides several ways to access funds, including a prepaid Mastercard debit card and local bank transfers.
6. Integration Options: It integrates with various e-commerce platforms and marketplaces like Amazon, Upwork, and Fiverr, making it convenient for online sellers.
7. Security: Payoneer employs robust security measures to protect user accounts and transactions.

Cons

1. Not for Personal Use: Payoneer is primarily designed for businesses, freelancers, and professionals, so it may not be the best choice for personal transactions.
2. Withdrawal Fees: While Payoneer offers competitive fees, there are still charges for certain services, such as ATM withdrawals and currency conversion.
3. Customer Support: Some users have reported issues with Payoneer’s customer support, including long response times.

Ultimately, whether Payoneer is better than PayPal depends on your specific needs and use case. Businesses and freelancers conducting a lot of international transactions may find Payoneer’s global features, competitive fees, and multi-currency support particularly appealing. However, PayPal may still be a preferred choice for personal transactions and individuals who primarily operate within their domestic market.

4. Skrill

Skrill is an e-commerce platform that offers quick and secure online payments. More than 120,000 businesses use Skrill, and the service has more than 40 million regular customers globally according to earthweb.com. It’s a popular choice for freelancers thanks to its user-friendly interface and global reach.

Pros

1. Global Reach: Skrill is available in over 200 countries and supports multiple currencies, making it a versatile option for international transactions.
2. Wide Acceptance: Many online merchants and gaming websites accept Skrill payments, making it a convenient choice for various online transactions.
3. Security: Skrill uses robust encryption and security measures to protect user data and transactions. It also offers two-factor authentication for added security.
4. Low Fees: Skrill typically charges lower fees for international money transfers and currency conversion compared to traditional banks.
5. Prepaid Mastercard: Skrill offers a prepaid Mastercard that allows users to withdraw cash from ATMs and make payments at physical stores where Mastercard is accepted.
6. Cryptocurrency Support: Skrill enables users to buy, hold, and sell cryptocurrencies, adding to its versatility.
7. Skrill Knect: A loyalty program that offers users rewards and cashback for using the Skrill wallet for various transactions.

Cons

1. Fees for Inactivity: Skrill may charge an inactivity fee if your account remains unused for a certain period.
2. Currency Conversion Fees: While Skrill offers favorable rates compared to banks, it still charges a fee for currency conversion.
3. Limited Merchant Acceptance: Although Skrill is widely accepted, it may not be as universally recognized as PayPal.
4. Verification Process: The verification process for Skrill accounts can be somewhat complex and time-consuming.

5. Venmo

Owned by PayPal, Venmo is an excellent choice if you’re dealing with clients within the United States. There are 15.3 million people using Venmo on a monthly basis as of September 2022. It allows for easy peer-to-peer transactions and is particularly popular among millennials.

Pros

1. User-Friendly Interface: Venmo is known for its intuitive and user-friendly mobile app, making it easy for users to send and receive money with just a few taps.
2. Social Integration: Venmo allows users to add fun descriptions and emojis to transactions, which can be shared with friends and followers, adding a social element to money transfers.
3. Splitting Bills: Venmo simplifies splitting bills among friends by allowing users to divide expenses seamlessly.
4. Speedy Transfers: Money sent through Venmo typically arrives in the recipient’s Venmo balance almost instantly, making it suitable for quick transactions.
5. No Transaction Fees: Venmo doesn’t charge fees for most transactions, including sending and receiving money from friends or bank transfers.
6. Cash Card: Venmo offers a debit card linked to the app’s balance, allowing users to spend their Venmo funds in physical stores.

Cons

1. Limited International Use: Venmo is primarily available for use within the United States, limiting its international functionality.
2. Privacy Concerns: The default setting on Venmo makes transactions public, which can be a privacy concern for some users. However, it can be adjusted to private settings.
3. No Buyer or Seller Protection: Venmo is designed for peer-to-peer transactions and doesn’t offer the same level of buyer and seller protection as PayPal for online purchases.

6. 2Checkout (Now Verifone)

2Checkout, now part of Verifone, specializes in e-commerce payments. It supports multiple payment methods and offers global coverage.

Pros

1. Global Reach: 2Checkout supported payments from customers in over 200 countries and offered multiple payment methods, making it suitable for businesses with an international customer base.
2. Multiple Payment Options: It allowed businesses to accept payments via credit cards, debit cards, PayPal, and various other online payment methods, making it convenient for customers.
3. Recurring Billing: 2Checkout provides robust subscription management tools, making it a good choice for businesses that offer subscription-based services or products.
4. Fraud Protection: The platform offered fraud prevention tools and security measures to help protect businesses from fraudulent transactions.
5. Multi-Currency Support: It allows businesses to accept payments in multiple currencies, which is essential for international transactions.
6. User-Friendly Interface: The platform was known for its user-friendly dashboard and reporting tools, making it easier for businesses to manage their payments and finances.

Cons

1. Fees: Like many payment processors, 2Checkout charged transaction fees, which could add up for businesses with high sales volumes.
2. Limited Customization: Some users found the level of customization and branding options to be limited compared to other payment processors.
3. Integration: While it offered various integrations, it may not have had as extensive an ecosystem as some other payment gateways like PayPal.
4. Customer Support: Customer support experiences varied, and some users reported difficulties in getting timely assistance.

7. Square

Square is known for its point-of-sale solutions but also provides payment processing services. In 2023, there will be 114.8 million proximity mobile payment users in the United States, according to statistica.com. It’s a versatile option for freelancers who occasionally sell products or services in person.

Pros

1. Ease of Use: Square offers a user-friendly interface, making it easy for businesses to set up and start accepting payments quickly.
2. Diverse Payment Options: Square allows businesses to accept a variety of payment methods, including credit cards, debit cards, mobile payments (e.g., Apple Pay and Google Pay), and contactless payments.
3. Inventory Management: Square includes inventory management tools, helping businesses keep track of their products and manage stock levels efficiently.
4. Reporting and Analytics: Square provides detailed reporting and analytics, enabling businesses to gain insights into their sales, customer trends, and performance.
5. Customizable Point of Sale (POS): Users can customize their POS system to suit their specific business needs, whether they operate a retail store, restaurant, or service-based business.
6. Online Store Integration: Square offers seamless integration with e-commerce platforms, allowing businesses to sell online in addition to their physical locations.
7. Invoicing and Virtual Terminal: Businesses can create and send invoices, making it convenient for remote transactions. Square also offers a virtual terminal for over-the-phone payments.
8. Funding Options: Square provides access to business loans and financing, helping businesses with cash flow and growth.

Cons

1. Pricing Structure: Square’s pricing can be a bit complex, with various fees for different types of transactions. This may require businesses to carefully review and understand their pricing model.
2. Hold Policies: Square may hold funds in certain cases, such as high-risk transactions or unusual sales patterns, which can be frustrating for businesses that need immediate access to their funds.
3. Limited International Support: Square primarily caters to businesses in the United States and a few other countries, so it may not be the best choice for businesses with a strong international customer base.

8. GPay (Google Pay)

Google Pay offers a simple and secure way to make payments. In the US, Google Pay is the 3rd most popular mobile payment app. It’s especially convenient if you’re already using other Google services like Gmail.

Pros

1. Wide Acceptance: Google Pay is accepted at numerous online and offline merchants, making it convenient for both online and in-store purchases.
2. Integration with Google Services: It seamlessly integrates with other Google services like Gmail and Google Drive, making it easy to send and receive money through emails or store payment receipts.
3. Simple and Intuitive Interface: The user interface is user-friendly and easy to navigate, making it accessible for users of all levels of tech-savviness.
4. Security: Google Pay uses advanced security measures such as tokenization to protect your payment information, and it can be secured with a PIN, password, or biometric authentication (e.g., fingerprint or face recognition).
5. Peer-to-Peer Payments: You can easily send money to friends and family using Google Pay, and it’s often fee-free for personal transactions.
6. Rewards and Offers: Google Pay often offers rewards, cashback, and special discounts at participating merchants, making it appealing for saving money.
7. Cross-Platform Compatibility: It works on both Android and iOS devices, making it accessible to a wide range of users.

Cons

1. Limited International Support: Google Pay may not be as widely accepted internationally as PayPal, which is often the preferred choice for cross-border transactions.
2. Not Ideal for Online Businesses: While it’s suitable for personal use and smaller businesses, larger e-commerce websites may prefer PayPal for its extensive merchant services.
3. Reliant on Smartphone: You need a compatible smartphone to use Google Pay, which might exclude individuals who don’t own such devices.
4. Limited Features: Google Pay’s feature set, as of 2021, may not be as extensive as PayPal’s for businesses, such as invoicing and subscription billing.

Comparing Fees and Transaction Charges

When choosing an alternative to PayPal, it’s crucial to consider the fees associated with each platform. While some alternatives offer lower transaction fees, others may charge additional costs for specific services.

Security and Buyer/Seller Protection

Your online safety and the protection of your funds should be a top priority. Explore the security measures and buyer/seller protection policies offered by each alternative.

Ease of Use and Integration

Freelancers often require a seamless integration process with their websites or apps. Look for alternatives that offer user-friendly APIs and integration options.

Currency Exchange Rates

If you work with international clients, pay attention to the currency exchange rates offered by each platform, as this can significantly impact your earnings.

Withdrawal and Transfer Options

Consider how easily you can access your funds and the available withdrawal methods. Some platforms offer faster transfers and more options than others.

Customer Support

In the world of online payments, having reliable customer support can make a world of difference. Evaluate the level of customer service provided by each alternative.

Tax and Reporting Considerations

Freelancers must stay compliant with tax regulations. Check if the alternative provides tax reporting features and integration with accounting software.

Tips for Making the Switch

Transitioning from PayPal to an alternative can be seamless with the right approach. We’ll provide you with practical tips to make the switch hassle-free.

Final Verdict

Choosing the right PayPal alternative for your freelance business can enhance your financial efficiency and give you peace of mind. Consider your specific needs, compare the features and fees, and make an informed decision that suits your unique freelancing journey.

FAQs

1. Are these PayPal alternatives secure?
   • Yes, these alternatives prioritize security and offer various measures to protect your transactions.
2. Which alternative is the best for international freelancers?
   • TransferWise (Wise) and Payoneer are excellent options for international freelancers.
3. Do these alternatives support recurring payments?
   • Many of them offer recurring payment options for subscription-based services.
4. Can I use multiple alternatives simultaneously?
   • Yes, you can use multiple alternatives to diversify your payment options.
5. Are there any hidden fees I should be aware of?
   • It’s essential to review the fee structures of each alternative to avoid unexpected charges.
6. How long does it take to set up an account with these alternatives?
   • Account setup times can vary but generally take a few minutes to a couple of business days.
7. Do these alternatives offer invoicing services?
   • Some of them offer invoicing features to help you streamline your billing process.
8. What’s the best alternative for low-volume freelancers?
   • Stripe and PayPal alternatives like Skrill are suitable for low-volume freelancers.
9. Is my personal information safe with these alternatives?
   • These alternatives prioritize data security and employ encryption and authentication measures.
10. Can I switch back to PayPal if needed?
    • Yes, you can switch back to PayPal if you find that it better suits your needs in the future.