Top PayPal Alternatives & Competitors For 2024

Last Updated:

Looking for alternatives to PayPal? Many users crave user-friendly and feature-rich solutions for tasks like Marketing and Search Engine Optimization, Platform Capability, and Checkout. Leveraging crowdsourced data from over 1,000 real eCommerce Platforms selection projects based on 400+ capabilities, we present a comparison of PayPal to leading industry alternatives like Big Cartel, SquareSpace, WooCommerce, and Amilia.

Big Cartel Software Tool
WooCommerce Software Tool
Amilia Software Tool

Product Basics

PayPal is a payment processing solution that serves as an electronic alternative to traditional methods like money orders and checks. It allows users to shop online, send and receive money securely, and receive payments. It is a two-sided network that connects merchants to consumers in various markets. As a merchant, add a one-touch payment point to the business website, provide customers with faster checkouts, offer credit lines and EMIs, receive recurring payments, accept credit and debit cards, and send multiple payments with a single click. It is a secure and fully PCI-compliant payment facilitator.
read more...
Big Cartel is an eCommerce website builder that helps artists quickly design and launch an online storefront. They can set up professional websites on a custom domain for free, and move onto paid plans during scaling for features like inventory management, theme code editing, Google Analytics and more. The free plan supports five products and paid plans can support up to 500 products.
read more...
Squarespace is a website builder that helps create portfolios and blogs, track web traffic and manage content on mobile applications or desktop. It offers customizable templates, product merchandising, custom CSS, inventory management and more. Other attributes include scheduling, email marketing and commenting. Users can track orders, manage taxes, handle payments, analyze sales and design logos and manage social media posts. It is helpful for small businesses, photographers, bloggers, artists, restaurants, musicians, wedding planners and students. 
read more...

WooCommerce, a free and open-source eCommerce platform, empowers you to sell products online by leveraging the popular content management system, WordPress. Ideally suited for small businesses and entrepreneurs venturing into the online marketplace, WooCommerce offers a user-friendly setup and a diverse range of features to facilitate online sales. The platform's open-source nature allows for customization to meet specific needs, while its large community of users and developers provides support and resources.

Key benefits of WooCommerce include its cost-effectiveness, flexibility, ease of use, and comprehensive feature set, encompassing product catalog management, order processing, and secure payment gateways. The platform's extensibility through plugins and themes further enhances its capabilities, enabling businesses to tailor their online stores to their unique requirements. When compared to similar eCommerce solutions, WooCommerce often stands out due to its affordability and adaptability, making it a compelling choice for budget-conscious businesses seeking a customizable online store solution.

read more...

Amilia is a comprehensive software solution designed to streamline and manage tasks within the realm of Recreation Management. It is particularly well-suited for organizations and businesses that operate in the leisure and community services sectors, offering a range of tools to facilitate program registration, membership management, and facility booking. One of the key benefits of Amilia is its ability to enhance customer engagement through an intuitive online platform, making it easier for users to access services and for providers to manage operations efficiently. Among its popular features are online registration, payment processing, and scheduling, which collectively contribute to a more organized and user-friendly experience. When compared to similar products, Amilia stands out for its user-centric design and flexibility, accommodating a variety of recreational management needs. Pricing considerations for Amilia typically involve a range based on the scale of usage, with options for monthly or annual payment plans, ensuring that there is a cost-effective solution for different sizes of organizations.

read more...
$$$$$
i
$$$$$
i
$$$$$
i
$$$$$
i
$$$$$
i
$0.30
$12
$16
$25
$99
Per Transaction, 5.4% Flat Rate
Monthly, Freemium
Monthly
Monthly
Monthly
No
Small 
i
Medium 
i
Large 
i
Small 
i
Medium 
i
Large 
i
Small 
i
Medium 
i
Large 
i
Small 
i
Medium 
i
Large 
i
Small 
i
Medium 
i
Large 
i
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile

Product Assistance

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
we're gathering data
Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support

Product Ranking

#1

among all
eCommerce Platforms

#11

among all
eCommerce Platforms

#5

among all
eCommerce Platforms

#7

among all
eCommerce Platforms

#62

among all
eCommerce Platforms

Find out who the leaders are

Analyst Rating Summary

we're gathering data
we're gathering data
88
we're gathering data
we're gathering data
we're gathering data
we're gathering data
94
we're gathering data
we're gathering data
we're gathering data
we're gathering data
100
we're gathering data
we're gathering data
we're gathering data
we're gathering data
87
we're gathering data
we're gathering data
Show More Show More
Catalog and Product Management
Checkout
Integrations
Inventory Management
Marketing and Search Engine Optimization
Catalog and Product Management
Checkout
Integrations
Inventory Management
Marketing and Search Engine Optimization
Checkout
Marketing and Search Engine Optimization
Platform Capability
Shipping
Storefront
Catalog and Product Management
Checkout
Integrations
Inventory Management
Marketing and Search Engine Optimization
Catalog and Product Management
Checkout
Integrations
Inventory Management
Marketing and Search Engine Optimization

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

PayPal
Big Cartel
SquareSpace
WooCommerce
Amilia
+ Add Product + Add Product
Catalog and Product Management Checkout Inventory Management Marketing and Search Engine Optimization Order Management Payments Platform Capability Reporting and Analytics Sales Channel Shipping Storefront 94 100 87 100 84 66 100 80 65 100 100 0 25 50 75 100
0%
100%
0%
100%
90%
10%
0%
100%
0%
100%
0%
100%
0%
100%
100%
0%
0%
100%
0%
100%
0%
100%
0%
100%
80%
20%
0%
100%
0%
100%
0%
100%
0%
100%
100%
0%
0%
100%
0%
100%
0%
100%
0%
100%
80%
20%
0%
100%
0%
100%
0%
100%
0%
100%
64%
36%
0%
100%
0%
100%
0%
100%
0%
100%
100%
0%
0%
100%
0%
100%
0%
100%
0%
100%
80%
20%
0%
100%
0%
100%
0%
100%
0%
100%
71%
29%
0%
100%
0%
100%
0%
100%
0%
100%
100%
0%
0%
100%
0%
100%
0%
100%
0%
100%
100%
0%
0%
100%
0%
100%

Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

0%
100%
0%
100%
70%
30%
0%
100%
0%
100%

User Sentiment Summary

Excellent User Sentiment 23875 reviews
Great User Sentiment 32 reviews
Excellent User Sentiment 5450 reviews
Great User Sentiment 1659 reviews
Great User Sentiment 87 reviews
94%
of users recommend this product

PayPal has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 94% when considering 23875 user reviews from 3 recognized software review sites.

84%
of users recommend this product

Big Cartel has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 84% when considering 32 user reviews from 2 recognized software review sites.

91%
of users recommend this product

SquareSpace has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 91% when considering 5450 user reviews from 4 recognized software review sites.

88%
of users recommend this product

WooCommerce has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 88% when considering 1659 user reviews from 5 recognized software review sites.

88%
of users recommend this product

Amilia has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 88% when considering 87 user reviews from 2 recognized software review sites.

5.0 (23)
n/a
n/a
5.0 (29)
n/a
n/a
4.2 (21)
4.4 (870)
4.3 (785)
5.0 (3)
4.63 (404)
4.18 (11)
4.57 (2539)
4.54 (504)
n/a
4.7 (23448)
n/a
4.6 (1944)
4.5 (277)
4.4 (84)
n/a
n/a
4.2 (97)
4.4 (64)
n/a

Awards

User Favorite Award
we're gathering data
User Favorite Award
we're gathering data
we're gathering data

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Convenient and Widely Accepted: PayPal is a popular online payment method that is accepted by many online retailers, making it a convenient option for shoppers.
Enhanced Security: PayPal offers buyer and seller protection policies, which can help to protect users from fraud and scams. For instance, if a buyer does not receive an item they purchased, or if the item is significantly different from its description, they may be eligible for a refund under PayPal's Buyer Protection program.
Dispute Resolution: The platform provides a dispute resolution process to help resolve issues between buyers and sellers.
Show more
Simple Store Setup: Big Cartel is known for its straightforward and user-friendly interface, making it easy for users to set up their online stores quickly, even with limited technical expertise.
Free Plan Availability: The platform offers a free plan that allows users to sell up to five products, making it an attractive option for individuals or small businesses starting with a limited budget or inventory.
Affordable Paid Plans: Big Cartel's paid plans are generally considered affordable compared to other eCommerce platforms, providing scalability for growing businesses without breaking the bank.
Focus on Artists and Makers: Big Cartel caters specifically to artists, crafters, and independent creators, offering features and tools tailored to their needs, such as customizable themes and the ability to sell digital products.
Show more
Website Builder: It’s simple to create a professional website without any coding using the drag-and-drop editor, according to 70% of users mentioning this feature.
Ease of Use: The platform is intuitive and straightforward, according to 100% of users mentioning this aspect.
Domain: Squarespace helps transfer existing domains without any hassle, according to 90% of reviews mentioning domains.
Customer Support: Vendor’s support team offers quick and quality responses, as noted by 92% of reviews on customer support.
Show more
Flexibility and Customization: It’s a flexible platform that offers various customizations through plugins and add-ons, according to 94% of users mentioning this element.
Ideal for WordPress: Users can add essential eCommerce features to any website on WordPress, as noted by 97% of reviews on this aspect.
Implementation: According to 96% of reviews on implementation, it’s easy to implement the software without in-depth technical expertise.
Training: A vast amount of tutorials are available from vendors and external user bases, according to 100% of reviews on training.
Costs: It’s a cheaper option than its competitors, as noted by 85% of users mentioning pricing.
Show more
Implementation: Approximately 58% of users who mentioned this solution's implementation process said it's easy to install and has a vigorous interface.
Customer Support: Of the users who addressed this program's customer support, 81% said the staff is superb and knowledgeable.
Performance: Roughly 80% of users who discussed this platform's performance said it's user friendly and better than paper rosters.
Show more
Limited Seller Protection: PayPal's seller protection policies can be difficult to navigate and may not cover all types of transactions or disputes, leaving sellers vulnerable to fraud or chargebacks.
Account Holds and Freezes: PayPal has been known to hold or freeze accounts without warning or clear explanation, which can disrupt business operations and cause frustration for users who rely on the platform for their livelihood.
Customer Service Challenges: Getting timely and effective support from PayPal's customer service can be difficult, with long wait times and inconsistent responses being common complaints among users.
Show more
Limited Design Flexibility: The platform's design options can feel restrictive for users seeking extensive customization, especially when compared to other platforms that offer a wider range of themes and more advanced design tools.
Feature Limitations: Big Cartel may not be the best fit for businesses with complex needs, as it lacks certain features commonly found in other eCommerce platforms, such as abandoned cart recovery, detailed analytics, and extensive marketing tools.
Scalability Challenges: While suitable for smaller stores or those just starting out, Big Cartel may not be the best choice for rapidly growing businesses due to limitations in product variations, inventory management, and order processing capabilities.
Show more
Rigidity: The drag-and-drop website editor lacks customization features, according to all users discussing personal customizations.
Cost: According to 92% of users reviewing the pricing structure, the solution is costlier than its competitors based on the features provided.
Performance Speed: 82% of users who mentioned this element said that the platform uses a lot of RAM while running and is prone to crashes.
Data Analytics: In-depth analytics is only available with the enterprise pricing plan, according to 67% of reviews discussing this aspect.
Show more
Advanced Features: Most of the advanced eCommerce features are only available as paid plugins, according to all the reviews on this aspect.
Website Performance: More plugins can affect the website’s speed and performance, as mentioned by 90% of reviews on website functioning.
Show more
Training: Of the users who mentioned this solution's training process, 41% said it has a steep learning curve.
Features: Roughly 73% of users who addressed this program's features said the reports aren't customizable, it can't perform automatic bank reconciliations and the billing process is tricky.
Show more

PayPal users generally give it a thumbs-up for its convenience and security. Setting up an account is a breeze, and the platform is widely accepted by online merchants, making it a go-to for quick and easy payments. The security features, like encryption and fraud protection, give users peace of mind when making transactions. However, some users find the fees, especially for international transactions and credit card payments, to be a bit of a bummer. Additionally, while PayPal is widely accepted, it's not universally accepted, so users may occasionally encounter situations where they need to whip out a different payment method. Compared to other digital payment platforms like Zelle, Venmo, and Cash App, PayPal stands out with its robust buyer and seller protection policies, making it a safer choice for larger transactions or purchases from unfamiliar sellers. But for splitting bills with friends or sending small amounts of money, the simplicity and social features of Venmo or Cash App might be more appealing. So, who's PayPal's ideal user? It's perfect for folks who frequently shop online and value security and convenience. If you're someone who makes international payments or deals with large transactions, PayPal's buyer and seller protection features are a major plus. However, if you're mainly looking for a way to split the bill at dinner or send a few bucks to a friend, you might find other platforms more user-friendly and cost-effective.

Show more

Big Cartel has been making waves in the eCommerce world, but like any platform, it has its fans and its critics. Users who dig Big Cartel often point to its user-friendliness and affordability as major pluses. It's a great starting point for small businesses and artists who want to get their online stores up and running without breaking the bank or getting bogged down in technical complexities. However, some users find Big Cartel's features a bit too basic, especially compared to more robust platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce. If you're looking for advanced marketing tools, extensive customization options, or top-tier customer support, Big Cartel might leave you wanting more. Ultimately, Big Cartel is a solid choice for those who prioritize simplicity and affordability, but if you need a platform that can scale with your business, you might want to explore other options. "Big Cartel: the perfect platform for your big dreams." Whether you're an artist selling handmade crafts or a musician hawking merch, Big Cartel provides a straightforward way to turn your passion into profit. Just remember, as your business grows, you might need to upgrade to a platform with more bells and whistles.

Show more

Squarespace helps businesses and individuals promote their brands digitally by launching professional websites and integrating every social account in a unified platform. According to reviews, the drag-and-drop website builder and intuitive user interface are the primary pros of the software.But, users have noted that the drag-and-drop editor lacks intricate customizations like moving image blocks, using multiple fonts, changing website structures and more. If you’re looking to deploy the software, we advise having technical expertise in WordPress coding or CSS editing for in-depth personalization. In conclusion, Squarespace is ideal for creating fashionable landing pages for individuals and smaller businesses, especially those looking for a simple option. It’s less effective for larger organizations with big inventory and that need hyper-detailed websites.

Show more

WooCommerce facilitates eCommerce on any WordPress website. It’s a popular solution among users for its flexibility and ease of implementation. The plugin is easy to install and use without complicated coding. The basic plugin is free but only provides essential eCommerce features. Advanced modules like data analytics, email marketing, CRM and more are available as paid extensions. Reviews noted that heavier websites with many extensions tend to work slow. So for users without WordPress and coding experience, it’s tough to maintain the website. In conclusion, WooCommerce is a robust solution that businesses of any type can mold based on their needs and scale with adequate technical expertise.

Show more

Amilia is an accounting ERP that streamlines recreational management. Users rave about the simple installation and robust interface. They also adore the knowledgeable support staff and how it's more efficient than paper-based rosters. On the other hand, some users find that the features are lackluster because the reports are not customizable and the system doesn't carry out instant bank reconciliations. They also complain that the solution has a complicated learning curve. However, the majority of users find it a useful solution to meet their recreational needs.

Show more

Related Categories

Top Alternatives in eCommerce Platforms


Adobe Commerce

BigCommerce

commercetools

Ecwid

Kibo

Optimizely

Oracle Commerce

Salesforce Commerce Cloud

SAP Commerce Cloud

Shopify

Sitecore

SquareSpace

TrueCommerce

Unilog

Wix

WE DISTILL IT INTO REAL REQUIREMENTS, COMPARISON REPORTS, PRICE GUIDES and more...

Compare products
Comparison Report
Just drag this link to the bookmark bar.
?
Table settings