# PayPal vs AFTERPAY

Source: https://nachonacho.com/compare/paypal-vs-afterpay

Choose PayPal if you need to accept several payment methods or bill customers repeatedly; choose AFTERPAY if your main goal is to add installment payments to retail checkout. Both offer online and in-store options, but PayPal publishes rates for its U.S. checkout products, while AFTERPAY does not publish a standard U.S. merchant transaction rate.

## At a glance

| | PayPal | AFTERPAY |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Primary use | Multi-method payment acceptance | Installment payment option |
| Payment methods | Cards, PayPal, Venmo, wallets, Pay Later | Pay in 4 and Pay Monthly |
| Recurring billing | Subscriptions in Checkout and Expanded Checkout | Not available |
| Installment terms | Pay in 4 and Pay Monthly | Four payments over six weeks; monthly option |
| Sales channels | Online, in person, payment links | Online, in store, in app |
| Published U.S. card rate | 2.99% + $0.49 with PayPal Checkout | Not available |
| Published installment merchant rate | 4.99% + $0.49 per U.S. transaction | Not available |
| Account and setup fees | No monthly or setup fee for Checkout | Free sign-up |
| Integrations | E-commerce partners, REST APIs, JavaScript SDK | E-commerce partners, APIs, iOS and Android SDKs |
| International reach | Customers in 200+ markets; 130+ currencies | Cross-border and multi-currency options |
| Published order limits | Not published | Merchant-specific minimum and maximum |
| Support | Help Center, chat, available phone support | Merchant email, phone, integration support |

## Which to choose

### Choose PayPal if

- Businesses accepting cards alongside PayPal and Venmo
- SaaS businesses billing customers on a recurring schedule
- Sellers needing invoices or payment links
- Businesses selling across multiple markets

### Choose AFTERPAY if

- Retailers adding Pay in 4 at checkout
- Stores offering installment payments in person
- Merchants adding installment checkout to an iOS or Android app
- Retailers seeking an installment option alongside existing payments

## Verdict

The deciding factor is whether you need a broader payments platform or a dedicated installment option. PayPal is the better fit for businesses collecting card, wallet, invoice, and subscription payments through one provider. AFTERPAY is the better fit for retailers adding Pay in 4 or Pay Monthly to an existing checkout, with settlement to the merchant while the shopper pays over time. Compare the applicable merchant fees and integration terms before choosing.

## Questions

### Should I use PayPal or AFTERPAY to accept more payment methods?

PayPal is the better fit for accepting cards, PayPal, Venmo, digital wallets, and installment payments. AFTERPAY focuses on adding installment payments to a merchant's checkout.

### Do PayPal and AFTERPAY both offer buy now, pay later?

Yes. PayPal offers Pay in 4 and Pay Monthly. AFTERPAY offers four payments over six weeks and a monthly option for eligible purchases.

### Which is a better fit for subscriptions?

PayPal is the clearer fit for subscriptions: it publishes recurring billing features for PayPal Checkout and Expanded Checkout. AFTERPAY does not publish a comparable merchant recurring-billing product on its U.S. product pages.

### What would a U.S. merchant pay to accept cards?

PayPal publishes a domestic card rate of 2.99% plus $0.49 per transaction for PayPal Checkout; Expanded Checkout starts at 2.89% plus $0.29. AFTERPAY does not publish a standard U.S. merchant card-processing rate.

### What are the merchant fees for installment payments?

PayPal publishes a U.S. Pay Later merchant rate of 4.99% plus $0.49 per transaction. AFTERPAY does not publish a standard U.S. merchant transaction rate, so a merchant needs its applicable terms to compare costs.

### Can I use either product in a physical store?

Yes. PayPal offers point-of-sale and tap-to-pay options. AFTERPAY supports in-store installment purchases using its app or card with a merchant's existing point of sale.

### Can I add either product to my mobile app?

AFTERPAY publishes iOS and Android SDKs for in-app checkout. PayPal publishes APIs and a JavaScript SDK for customized checkout; the appropriate integration depends on the app and checkout flow.

### Does AFTERPAY set minimum and maximum purchase amounts?

Yes. AFTERPAY says eligible order amounts have merchant-specific minimums and maximums that can be retrieved through its configuration API. It does not publish one universal U.S. merchant limit.

## Product pages

- PayPal: https://nachonacho.com/product/PayPal
- AFTERPAY: https://nachonacho.com/product/AFTERPAY