PayPal vs Authorize.net
Side-by-side from the Top 11 ranking of The 11 Best Payment Gateways. Last verified June 9, 2026.
The short answer
PayPal ranks higher on Top 11 (#3 vs #6) for Businesses accepting online payments. Unrivaled brand trust and a massive user base that boosts e-commerce conversion rates.
At a glance
| PayPal | Authorize.net | |
|---|---|---|
| Top 11 rank | #3 / The 11 Best Payment Gateways | #6 / The 11 Best Payment Gateways |
| Score (out of 9.4) | 8.8 | 8.1 |
| Best for | Maximizing conversion with brand trust | Reliable gateway for existing merchant accounts |
| Pricing | $$ (Pay-as-you-go) | $ (Gateway-only) |
| HQ | San Jose, USA | American Fork, USA |
| Founded | 1998 | 1996 |
PayPal
Unrivaled brand trust and a massive user base that boosts e-commerce conversion rates.
www.paypal.comAuthorize.net
A trusted, reliable, and widely integrated gateway, especially for those bringing their own merchant account.
www.authorize.netMethodology and scoring weights live at /methodology. No vendor pays for placement — see about.