PayPal review

Unrivaled brand trust and a massive user base that boosts e-commerce conversion rates.

Verdict

PayPal is ranked #3 due to its immense global user base and brand recognition, which directly translates to higher trust and conversion rates for merchants at checkout.

What customers praise

The 'Pay with PayPal' button is a powerful conversion tool, and its Braintree subsidiary offers a robust, developer-centric gateway for more advanced needs.

What customers criticise

Account stability can be a concern, with reports of funds being frozen unexpectedly. Standard fees can be higher than some competitors for card processing.

Best for

E-commerce businesses of all sizes that want to leverage a globally recognized and trusted brand to increase checkout conversion.

At a glance

• Integrations: Virtually all e-commerce platforms, Shopify, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, QuickBooks
• Compliance: PCI DSS Level 1, PSD2
• Regions served: Global (200+ countries)
• Typical onboarding: 0 days
• Free tier: yes

Red flags

Public risk signals as of June 2026: low. Some public reports of account holds/freezes, a known risk factor for merchants heavily reliant on the platform. See the full red-flag report.

Alternatives

See alternatives to PayPal, or compare against the next-ranked entry: PayPal vs Square.

Source: Top 11 The 11 Best Payment Gateways, verified June 9, 2026 — no paid placement.