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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Trustworthiness

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Luke Swierczynski Troy, MI

Fees are competitive for the industry and their system is quick. Relatively few if any issues ever occur, and they make sure you get a resolution between you and the customer.

3 years ago

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Megan Rigby

I feel safe and secure using PayPal when making online purchases. They keep my information secured and private and its a simple step of making a payment. no hassle of entering info over and over.

7 years ago

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Danielle Syracuse, UT

Paypal has been a great way to receive payment from my employer. It’s easy, fast, and very convenient. The transfer to my bank is quick and efficient. I’ve had great experiences with PayPal

7 years ago

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Lisa C Johnson Washington, DC

I actually like PayPal. When it was first introduced to me I was suspicious about them. I am guarded with my personal information. But i needed to order an item quickly and I didnt have my credit card with me. PayPal was an option on a website. It was easy to use and I felt it was secure. I use PayPal often now.

4 years ago

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Morgan whiting Los Angeles, CA

We received a Pay pal loan for our business. They took a cut of our profit to pay it back. It was super easy to do and we had the money fast. We had it paid back in a 1/4 th the time they gave us to pay it back. I would do it again.

4 years ago

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Druw Bernal Mesa, AZ

Using PayPal for my small business has been a great experience. With every new company you have about one or two problems, however PayPal customer service is top notch. Whether I was buying or selling items PayPal has always helped me with any questions I have. I never hesitate using PayPal knowing that I’m very protective

7 years ago

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Tanner Dastrup Pleasant Grove, UT

Paypal is a safe way to transfer my money. I felt like my money was always secure and didn't have to worry about my information being linked to 3rd party companies.

7 years ago

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Bria Daley Tallahassee, FL

What I like about PayPal is that it is a very trustworthy website that allows me to safely make purchases, and I am able to get my money back if the companies were not legit or I had dilemmas.

4 years ago

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Jennifer Cale Conway, AR

The best parts about PayPal are its transparency and user-friendly interface. They are always willing to help with any issues that may arise and ensure that their customers' finances are secured.

4 years ago

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Kent Logan, UT

I use PayPal for just one online store, and not too frequently. Despite the infrequent use, there are never issues with account inactivity or anything like that. I have also never had any account security issues.

4 years ago

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Lottielyn Schwenke Orlando, FL

We use paypal services as a merchant payment option on our website and is it great. It integrates smoothly into our system and is a popular payment option among our shoppers. Works great!

4 years ago Edited September 14, 2021

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Anne Kimball Salt Lake City, UT

I use PayPal for a number of things and it is just so refreshing to not have to type in my information ever single time I need to buy things over and over again. It makes online shopping much quicker and more convenient.

6 years ago

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Chris Milke Olney, MD

Use it for personal payments and online payments frequently. Would be nice if all fees were more transparent. Good service that is reliable nonetheless.

4 years ago

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Whitney Wilkins West Valley City, UT

PayPal is such a great way to make payments and also get paid. As a business owner, it is so easy to keep track of payments and to pay employees or ambassadors.

4 years ago Edited September 14, 2021

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Alyssa Hansel Tallahassee, FL

Paypal is super user-friendly and l love how secure the checkout process is. I use this for almost every online transaction, it's definitely a trust-worthy service!

4 years ago

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Lisa Burrup Los Angeles, CA

I have been a PayPal customer since the very beginning. It is great to have that extra layer of security while shopping online. It is also so easy and convenient to use.

4 years ago

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Jess Root Gilbert, AZ

I love PayPal. It is easy to make and accept payments. You don't have to have cash or write a check. And I have had to use the buyer protections. I got my money back.

7 years ago

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Rhonda stewart Queen Creek, AZ

Love PayPal. Convenient in so many ways. Able to pay for services, get paid or just send money to family members

7 years ago

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Zach Dastrup Sandy, UT

Paypal is one of the best companies I know that have your back when making purchases. They are on top of their game

7 years ago

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Joannetta Jarman Secaucus, NJ

We love paypal for our public events when you have that person who doesn't have cash or card. Also, its a lifesaver for sending quick invoices.

4 years ago

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Mom of three Brigham City, UT

Good customer service. PayPal is easy to use for eBay purchases or sending money. They keep fees low. I will continue to use them.

4 years ago

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Katie Elliott ,

PayPal has really saved me. It has really made sending and receiving money from family easier since I live on the opposite side of the state.

4 years ago

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Cassandra Larsen Mesa, AZ

PayPal has always been really easy to use and we use their merchant service for our business. Money comes to our account very quickly.

7 years ago

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Alle South Jordan, UT

I use paypal for my small business. It's an easy and fast way to collect money from customers.

7 years ago

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Kyle Johnson Portland, OR

PayPal has been a great way to easily transfer money. Love that there is a secure way to send money.

4 years ago

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Max Winkel Lindon, UT

Great tool. I've used it for years. It's easy to use. Appears to be secure. Trusted by most sellers.

4 years ago

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Cdavid St Louis, MO

I feel like my purchases through PayPal are safe and secure. Their customer service has been excellent.

4 years ago

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Debbie Stringham Garden City, UT

We love having a paypal account. It makes shopping easier and we feel it is so much safer for online shoppers. Thanks!

4 years ago

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Tony Riverton, UT

It's slightly spendy but Paypal is hands down the best tool we use as part of our e-commerce web site.

4 years ago

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Kim Young Little Rock, AR

Very user-friendly and secure platform that several different retailers and small business owners use.

4 years ago

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Kimberley Hirt Buena Vista, VA

I use pay pal all the time. It is a great way to send money and a secure way to purchase items. Highly recommend.

6 years ago

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Sara Jane Crestwood, KY

Easy integration into my website. Reliable service. I have never had any issues. Fees are reasonable.

6 years ago

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Christopher Milke Olney, MD

Ease of checkout (especially via the app) make it our favorite. PayPal is very good for us.

4 years ago

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Kristen Dorsey Sun City, AZ

PayPal is a great and secure way to make purchases quickly and without hassle. Great Company!

4 years ago

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Sterling McKay West Valley City, UT

I used PayPal to send and recieve cash and I’m always amazed at how easy it is.

4 years ago

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Teresa N. Abston Conway, SC

I love being able to use it. It is so convenient.

4 years ago

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TJ

PayPal is an awesome way to pay others and receive money.

7 years ago

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Sherry Wootton Ogden, UT

It is user friendly, no hassle and secure site.

7 years ago

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Spencer Goodworth Pleasant Grove, UT

I try to use them for all of my purchases. 100% trust them with my information.

7 years ago

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LSitze Round Rock, TX

Very useful for exchanging money with businesses.

7 years ago