PayPal vs Checkout.com
Choose PayPal if you want published US checkout rates, PayPal-branded payment options, and tools for selling online and in person; choose Checkout.com if you want tailored pricing and more configurable infrastructure for global online payments. Both support hosted checkout, developer integrations, subscriptions, and marketplace payments, so the deciding factors are your sales channels, preferred payment experience, and pricing model.
Last updated October 31, 2026.
At a glance
| Dimension | PayPal | Checkout.com |
|---|---|---|
| US online card pricing | PayPal Checkout: 2.99% + $0.49 per transaction | Tailored quote; flat-rate or interchange++ |
| PayPal-branded checkout | PayPal Checkout: 3.49% + $0.49 per US transaction | PayPal listed as a Hosted Payment Page option |
| In-person selling | PayPal Point of Sale app and hardware | Not published |
| Marketplace payments | Seller onboarding, partner fees, and payouts | Multi-seller splits, commissions, and payouts |
| Checkout deployment | Hosted PayPal Checkout or embedded Expanded Checkout | Hosted pages, embedded Flow, or payments API |
| Payment methods | Cards, PayPal, Venmo, Pay Later, and eligible wallets | Cards, wallets, bank payments, and local methods |
| Payment links | Dashboard and API options | Dashboard and API options |
| Ecommerce integrations | Ecommerce platform integrations and developer APIs | Ecommerce plugins, partner integrations, and API |
| Subscriptions | Recurring payments and subscription options | Recurring payment and subscription integrations |
| Currency coverage | Payment Links: customers can pay in 130+ currencies | 150+ processing currencies |
| Setup and account fees | No setup or monthly fee for PayPal Checkout | No setup or account maintenance fees |
| Business support | Developer resources; platform onboarding and integration specialists | Dedicated account management and integration support |
Scroll the table sideways to compare each row.
Which should you choose?
Choose PayPal if
- Businesses that want published US checkout rates
- Sellers that want PayPal and Venmo at checkout
- Teams that also need invoicing or in-person payments
- Businesses that want hosted checkout without a custom build
Choose Checkout.com if
- Businesses seeking tailored flat-rate or interchange++ pricing
- Global merchants evaluating local acquiring
- Marketplaces needing automated multi-seller splits
- Teams building a configurable online checkout
The verdict
PayPal is the better fit when you need to launch with published US checkout rates, offer PayPal and Venmo prominently, or use invoicing and point-of-sale tools alongside online payments. Checkout.com is the better fit when your priority is a tailored flat-rate or interchange++ proposal, local acquiring, or automated multi-seller payment splits. Compare a Checkout.com quote with the PayPal rates for the specific payment methods and integration you expect to use.
PayPal vs Checkout.com: common questions
- Is this comparison worth publishing?
- Yes. PayPal and Checkout.com both offer currently available online payment processing, checkout integrations, subscription support, and marketplace payment tools, making them plausible alternatives for a business choosing a payment provider.
- Which has publicly listed processing rates?
- PayPal lists US PayPal Checkout card processing at 2.99% plus $0.49 per transaction and PayPal-branded checkout at 3.49% plus $0.49 per transaction. Checkout.com describes flat-rate and interchange++ pricing but asks businesses to contact its team for a tailored plan.
- Do PayPal or Checkout.com charge setup fees?
- PayPal says PayPal Checkout has no setup or monthly fees. Checkout.com says it has no setup or account maintenance fees. Transaction charges and fees for other services should be evaluated separately.
- Can Checkout.com accept PayPal payments?
- Yes. Checkout.com lists PayPal among the payment methods available through its Hosted Payment Page. Availability and commercial terms should be confirmed for the merchant's account.
- Which is a better fit for in-person payments?
- PayPal publishes a Point of Sale offering with an app and payment hardware for in-person sales. Checkout.com's published comparison offerings focus on online payments; it does not publish a comparable point-of-sale offering in the materials reviewed.
- Can both providers support a marketplace?
- Yes. PayPal publishes platform tools for seller onboarding, partner fees, and payouts. Checkout.com publishes marketplace tools for seller onboarding, automated multi-seller splits, commissions, and payouts.
- Do both offer checkout without building a payment form?
- Yes. PayPal offers hosted PayPal Checkout and payment links. Checkout.com offers Hosted Payment Pages and payment links; both providers also publish more customizable integration options.
- Which should a global online merchant evaluate first?
- A merchant prioritizing local acquiring and a tailored processing proposal should evaluate Checkout.com; it publishes local acquiring coverage and tailored pricing. A merchant prioritizing PayPal-branded checkout alongside published US standard rates should evaluate PayPal. Confirm the required countries, payment methods, and quoted fees before deciding.