PayPal alternatives 2026: 6 ways to get paid online
Side-by-side comparison
| Service | What we verified (US rates, 2026-10-19) | Where to check | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| PayPal (baseline) | Checkout 3.49% + $0.49; cards 2.99% + $0.49; international +1.50%; conversion 3.00% or 4.00% | PayPal fee page | Clients who insist on PayPal |
| Stripe | 2.9% + 30¢ domestic cards; +1.5% international cards (4.4% + 30¢); +1% when conversion is needed | Stripe pricing | Online checkout, SaaS, subscriptions |
| Wise | Not verified: Wise's pricing page says the fee varies by currency | Wise pricing | Direct invoicing by bank transfer |
| Payoneer | Not verified: varies by marketplace and country | Payoneer pricing | Marketplace payouts |
| Revolut Business | Not verified: depends on country and plan | Revolut's own pricing page | Businesses in countries where it is offered |
| Skrill | Not verified | Skrill's own fee page | Clients who already use Skrill |
| USDT route | No single figure: network fee, exchange fee, spread and cash-out route all count | PayPal vs USDT fees | Crypto-comfortable clients where exchanges serve your country |
What a $1,000 card payment costs (US account, USD, from the verified rates)
| Route | Domestic | Cross-border | If the payment is also converted |
|---|---|---|---|
| PayPal Checkout | $35.39 | $50.39 | +$30.00 (3.00%) or +$40.00 (4.00%) |
| PayPal standard card | $30.39 | $45.39 | +$30.00 (3.00%) or +$40.00 (4.00%) |
| Stripe | $29.30 | $44.30 | +$10.00 (1%) |
The six alternatives in detail
1. Stripe
Best if you run a SaaS, an e-commerce checkout or a subscription business. On Stripe's US page, domestic cards cost 2.9% + 30¢, which is $6.09 less than PayPal Checkout and $1.09 less than PayPal standard cards on $1,000. It is less useful if your clients prefer wallet-style payments. Check that Stripe supports sellers in your country.
2. Wise (ex TransferWise)
A bank-style route: your client sends a transfer to your account details. Wise states on its pricing page that it uses the mid-market exchange rate; its fee varies by currency, so check Wise's pricing page for your case. Slower than a wallet checkout, and the client has to start a transfer.
3. Payoneer
Common for marketplace payouts. Payoneer's pricing page says costs vary by marketplace; for direct invoicing they depend on how the payer pays and on your country. Check the pricing page before relying on it for direct clients.
4. Revolut Business
A multi-currency business account where it is offered. Features and fees depend on your country and plan, so read Revolut's own pricing page for your case.
5. Skrill
A digital wallet used internationally. Check Skrill's own fee page and whether your clients already use it before you offer it.
6. USDT (stablecoin) routes
Your client sends USDT, a dollar-pegged stablecoin, to a wallet or exchange account you control, and you cash out through an exchange or a P2P market. The cost is not one number: the network fee, the exchange fee, the spread and your cash-out route all count. Legality, tax treatment and whether exchanges serve your country depend on where you live. Read PayPal vs USDT fees and how to cash out USDT before you try it.
Which should you pick?
- Running SaaS or an online checkout: Stripe.
- Monthly retainer clients who can pay by bank transfer: Wise or a local bank transfer; compare using their calculators.
- On a freelance marketplace: use the payout methods the platform offers and compare their fees on the platform's help pages.
- Based where Revolut Business is offered: compare its plans with your current bank.
- Client comfortable with stablecoins: price a USDT route first (guides above).
FAQ
Can I use two at once? Yes. You can offer different routes to different clients and keep PayPal for those who insist on it.
Will clients accept crypto? Some do, many do not. Ask before you quote, and keep a fiat option for clients who refuse.
Tax implications? They depend on your country and on the rail you use, and crypto can have its own rules. Keep records of every payment and ask a local tax adviser. We do not give tax advice.
PayPal, US business fees (the page shows "Last Updated: October 1, 2026"): paypal.com/us/business/paypal-business-fees
Stripe, pricing for the United States: stripe.com/pricing
Checked on 2026-10-19: PayPal Checkout 3.49% + $0.49, standard cards 2.99% + $0.49, +1.50% for international commercial payments, conversion 4.00% or 3.00%; Stripe 2.9% + 30¢ for domestic cards, +1.5% for international cards, +1% for currency conversion. The $1,000 table is our arithmetic from these rates. No figures are stated for Wise, Payoneer, Revolut Business, Skrill or USDT (we only quote Wise's and Payoneer's general statements from their pricing pages); check the providers' own pages.