PayPal Logo
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5.7

Overall Score

Author: Kaitlyn Short

LAST UPDATED: October 28th, 2021

Founded in 1998, PayPal provides about 244 million active account holders with an open digital payments platform. PayPal strives to create an overall better money movement and management system with the combination of innovative technology and strategic partnerships. Both consumers and merchants are known to use PayPal services. 

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The Good

  • No Hidden Fees
  • Personal and Business Services
  • Buyer/Seller Protection and Security 
  • Refund Policy

No Hidden Fees

PayPal doesn't seem to have any hidden fees. All the costs are provided on its website, outlining the difference for pay-as-you-go and the monthly plan. Hidden fees are actually one of the most common reasons for negative merchant services reviews; so PayPal's lack of hidden fees is definetely a plus for people looking for a transparent payment processor. 

Personal and Business Services

A major benefit of PayPal as your payment solutions company is personal options are available in addition to business options for merchants. For personal use, you can use PayPal's services for free with any shopping platform that accepts PayPal, which the majority of companies do. This makes your credit card and debit card transactions significantly more secure because the money is processed through your PayPal account rather than your bank account. PayPal also has additional fraud detection to keep your information secure. Personal use of PayPal can also include sending money to friends and family easily without having to bother with withdrawing cash or writing a check. It makes money transfers simpler and completely free.

PayPal also has extensive options for business owners. The company allows merchants to get paid on their website, their business app, in their business, or on-the-go. Additionally, PayPal works for email and over-the-phone transactions. Businesses that use PayPal can accept credit cards and debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, PayPal Credit, and other forms of payment. The company also serves as a financial institution because it provides small business loans for merchants. 

With several options for personal use as well as business use, PayPal is a simple and affordable payment processing company.

Protection and Security

The company advertises on its website that it provides both buyer and seller protection and security services. These services for buyers and sellers include the following:

  • Personal data privacy
  • 24/7 monitoring
  • Secure technology
  • Fraud prevention/ merchant fraud prevention
  • Dispute resolution
  • Global buyer protection/ global transactions

Refund Policy

On its website, PayPal claims to provide a full refund, including the cost of original shipping, if consumers' orders fail to arrive or if their orders do not match the description of their original purchase.

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The Bad

  • Customer Complaints

Customer Complaints

PayPal has recieved quite a few negative payment processing services reviews. The highest number of complaints (over 2,300) stemmed from problems with the products and services. The second highest group of complaints (over 1,500) were about advertising and sales issues.  

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The Bottom Line

Bottom line, PayPal is one of most common online payment processor names in today's market, and most widely accepted payment method via stores, Internet and now, individual merchants. PayPal offers something other payment processing solutions don't, and that is the online payment. Customers can type in an email address to send payment via the net. With per swipe charge or monthly plan, no additional hidden fees, and same-day money transfer, PayPal seems to be a top payment processing company.

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Star Rating

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4.0

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82 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

49%

4 grade

24%

3 grade

11%

2 grade

2%

1 grade

13%

Sentiment Criteria

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Quality

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Service

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Alex Rogerson Saratoga Springs, UT

My wife used to own a small photography company and would use PayPal here and there to collect payments. We found that the process was extremely easy and user friendly. We ordered a card swipe and received it within a few days. It was nice to not go through a lengthy application process like other merchant accounts, but the reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the fees involved. They have high fees, but for the convenience, it is worth it.

7 years ago

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Ken South Jordan, UT

Paypal makes running my small business so much easier. Everyone uses Paypal and its payment options are intuitive for my customers. I also get good transaction reporting. The one major problem is customer service. You absolutely can NOT get a live knowledgeable person on the phone, or a reasonable response via email.

7 years ago

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Emerald Scott West Jordan, UT

PayPal is really simple to use and set up. I used it to pay rent for two years and to pay friends or family back a few times. I don't really believe in using cash a lot so this is a great alternative.

7 years ago

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Myah Freeman Jacksonville, FL

I use PayPal for my art business as a method of payment. For the most part, it is very convenient and dependable. The only downside I have is the percent taken out of payments because customers are reluctant to make up for the amount taken out. I do love how PayPal is always willing to help return your money when a seller has done dirty business.

4 years ago

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Jon Posey Riverton, UT

I have dealt with Paypal for a long time now and for the most part have had a good experience. There has been the occasional random issue and once or twice you don't understand their reasoning but for the most part they are good to work with.

4 years ago

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Stacy Kay Salt Lake City, UT

Works great. I have used this as a customer as well as a business (for the company I work for). Easy to use, and I have never had a problem with them. I had to contact customer service once and they were very professional and courteous.

7 years ago

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Tagg Ogden, UT

I like being able to offer PayPal as a payment method for my small online shop. It gives my customers the peace of mind to be able to pay that way and it is very easy to use and collect the money from PayPal.

4 years ago

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Jill Dastrup Eagle Mountain, UT

PayPal is great at making things easy!! Wish it had easier transferring and pay options like Venmo though.

7 years ago

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Carol Knight Salt Lake City, UT

I like using PayPal for online payments. I feel confident that my sensitive information is protected and secure. Great service.

4 years ago

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Suzanna Wootton Springville, UT

It’s fairly easy to use! The only thing i don’t like is the service fee they charge you.

7 years ago

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Raquel Sandy, UT

PayPal has been great for receiving payment from friends and family. So easy and user friendly.

7 years ago

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Ernie Herriman, UT

I love that you can use paypal and it hides your credit card information during transactions.

7 years ago

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Kurt Lucas Olney, MD

I find PayPal Merchant Account Services the fastest and easiest way to receive an invoice and make a payment.

4 years ago

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Wendy Rowlette Morgan, UT

I like using paypal for my online purchases. I am able to shop online worry free. It's easy to sign up and use.

4 years ago

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JJ Racine, WI

Never had any issues with paypal. I wish they accepted HSA however.

7 years ago

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Kamron LaVerkin, UT

PayPal is a great platform when purchasing from unfamiliar sites.

7 years ago

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Stephen Veal

PayPal has great customer service and is security conscious.

8 years ago

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Kurt Lucas Olney, MD

PayPal is the easiest and simple to work with. I would recommend using their service.

4 years ago

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JP Herriman, UT

PayPal is a great way to get payments. Easy to use and navigate. Never had a problem with PayPal.

4 years ago

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Vicki A Michaels

I think they were the Industry leader in this class. Never had a problem.

7 years ago