PayPal vs Square
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 #4) for Businesses accepting online payments. Unrivaled brand trust and a massive user base that boosts e-commerce conversion rates.
At a glance
| PayPal | Square | |
|---|---|---|
| Top 11 rank | #3 / The 11 Best Payment Gateways | #4 / The 11 Best Payment Gateways |
| Score (out of 9.4) | 8.8 | 8.6 |
| Best for | Maximizing conversion with brand trust | Integrated online and offline payments |
| Pricing | $$ (Pay-as-you-go) | $$ (Pay-as-you-go) |
| HQ | San Jose, USA | San Francisco, USA |
| Founded | 1998 | 2009 |
PayPal
Unrivaled brand trust and a massive user base that boosts e-commerce conversion rates.
www.paypal.comSquare
The top choice for businesses needing a single, simple solution for both online and in-person sales.
squareup.comMethodology and scoring weights live at /methodology. No vendor pays for placement — see about.