Published on Apr 26, 2025 4 min read

5 PayPal Alternatives in 2025 That Offer Smarter Payment Solutions for Businesses

PayPal has been a familiar name for years. It’s one of the pioneering services that made sending and receiving money online feel simple. However, just because something is well-known doesn’t always mean it’s the best option. Over time, business needs have evolved, and not every company finds PayPal to be the right fit anymore—whether it’s due to fees, limited customization, or customer service issues. If you’ve been wondering about alternatives, you're not alone. Many businesses in 2025 are exploring other options, and some of these are worth a second look. Let's explore five viable alternatives that companies are considering this year—and what sets them apart.

The 5 Best Alternatives to PayPal for Businesses in 2025

Stripe

Stripe has earned a strong reputation with businesses that desire more control over their payment setup. It’s not just for tech startups anymore. From small shops to mid-sized companies, Stripe is increasingly being integrated into payment systems for a reason.

The biggest draw is its customizability. If you have a developer on your team—or work with one—Stripe’s API can help you build a payment system that aligns perfectly with your brand. There’s also support for subscriptions, recurring billing, and mobile payments.

While Stripe’s fees are fairly close to PayPal’s, businesses appreciate its transparency. There are fewer surprise charges, and the dashboard is user-friendly. If your business needs a payment system that adapts to your operations—not the other way around—Stripe is worth considering.

Square

Square started as a simple white reader for phones, but it has since evolved into a comprehensive solution for businesses handling both online and in-person sales.

Square excels in simplicity. It includes tools for inventory, receipts, taxes, and customer tracking—all integrated. There’s no need to piece together multiple services. For shops and cafés, the hardware options are robust. They’ve also added features for online bookings and digital gift cards, which are increasingly popular.

What makes Square particularly appealing for smaller businesses is the absence of a monthly fee for the basic plan. You only incur a small fee per transaction, which alleviates financial pressure, especially during fluctuating sales periods.

Wise (Formerly TransferWise)

For companies that operate internationally or have global clients, Wise has become a standout choice. The service was designed to facilitate global payments with minimal friction, avoiding the high currency exchange mark-ups.

Unlike PayPal, Wise uses real exchange rates and provides upfront fee disclosures. This transparency has made it popular among freelancers, agencies, and businesses that prefer not to lose money on currency conversions.

While Wise doesn’t offer the extensive tools of Stripe or Square, it excels at making international payments cost-effective. If international payments are a significant part of your business, Wise deserves serious consideration.

Revolut Business

Revolut started as a personal finance app, but its business version has become a practical solution for companies, especially startups and small teams needing a flexible banking-style platform.

With Revolut Business, you get multi-currency accounts, instant payment notifications, corporate cards, and expense management tools. You can also pay invoices, schedule transfers, and automate routine payments.

One advantage is the quick setup process. Opening an account is hassle-free. The interface is intuitive, allowing you to manage funds from both mobile and desktop without getting overwhelmed.

There are paid tiers depending on your feature needs, but the free version includes essential features that many smaller businesses find sufficient.

Payoneer

Payoneer has become a favorite among global freelancers and digital sellers. It’s gaining attention from e-commerce businesses and agencies, particularly those on platforms like Amazon or working with international vendors.

Payoneer functions as a hybrid payment processor and digital bank. You can accept payments from marketplaces, clients, and networks, then use the balance to pay suppliers, employees, or yourself. This system helps avoid excessive fees by keeping the money within the platform.

Payoneer supports multiple currencies and offers localized receiving accounts, enabling international clients to pay you as if you were local. This feature makes it more practical than PayPal in certain markets.

For those needing to withdraw funds to a local bank, the rates are often more favorable compared to PayPal, especially for higher transaction amounts.

Final Thoughts

While PayPal remains a viable option for many businesses, it’s no longer the only player in the field. Recent years have highlighted the importance of fees, support quality, and customization, prompting other platforms to enhance their offerings.

If you’ve been using PayPal merely out of habit, it might be worth exploring other options. You could find a solution better suited to your business needs in 2025. After all, if there’s a tool that helps you retain more earnings, save time, or provide a smoother experience to customers—why not give it serious consideration?

Switching payment solutions could be the smartest decision you make this year.