PayPal alternatives and what to compare
Looking at PayPal, Braintree and Zettle, or looking for a way out of it? This page lists what PayPal publishes, the questions worth asking before you stay or switch, and other providers to compare. It names no winner, because the cheapest provider depends on your own statement.
What PayPal publishes
PayPal publishes us in person, card present: 2.29% + $0.09; us manually keyed card: 3.49% + $0.09; us payment links (standard cards, wallets): 2.99% + $0.49 (PayPal US fees page (last updated 1 Oct 2026), 1 Nov 2026). Equipment lease and PCI fee terms were not published on the pages we read; PayPal's US POS page says there are no long-term commitments.
PayPal publishes separate fee pages for the United States and Canada. PayPal's US point-of-sale page says "PayPal Zettle is now PayPal Point of Sale", and its Braintree page says "Braintree is now PayPal Enterprise Payments". Sources: PayPal point-of-sale page and PayPal US fees page, checked 1 Nov 2026.
Questions to ask PayPal first
Whether you stay or move, get these in writing:
- Whether you are on the standard published rates or a negotiated volume rate.
- Chargeback fees and how reserves or holds on funds work for your business.
- In Canada, which in-person product is available to you and at what rate.
Other providers to compare
Each of these has its own page showing what the provider publishes on its own site and what it does not.
- Adyen. Dutch payments platform that publishes a fixed processing fee plus a payment-method fee, with interchange++ pricing on cards.
- Shift4. Publicly listed (NYSE: FOUR) payments company focused on restaurants, hotels, gaming, sports and travel. No rates published on pages we read.
- Global Payments. Publicly listed payments company (NYSE: GPN) that completed its Worldpay acquisition in January 2026. Publishes POS plan prices from $0 a month.
- Elavon. Wholly owned subsidiary of U.S. Bank. Publishes starting in-person and online rates and lists $0 annual, batch and cancellation fees.
The full list, including Square, Clover, Toast, Stripe, Helcim and Stax, is on the processor comparisons page.
Comparing with an agent instead of picking one
Moving from one provider to another by yourself means collecting quotes from each and reading every contract. CELER Merchants is an independent agent, not a processor: you send one statement, we name every fee, and we bring back offers from the providers we work with. The service costs you $0 because the provider you choose pays us. Start with the statement analysis or the savings calculator, and see CELER Merchants vs PayPal for the direct comparison.
All trademarks belong to their owners. CELER Merchants is not affiliated with or endorsed by PayPal, Braintree or Zettle. PayPal, Braintree, Zettle and Venmo are trademarks of their owners.
Questions
Other providers on our list include Adyen, Shift4, Global Payments, Elavon. Each has its own page showing what it publishes. The better question is which one is cheaper for your account, which depends on your card mix and volume, and which a statement analysis answers.
No. A statement analysis does not commit you to anything. Read your current agreement first for its term, renewal and early termination rules, and do not cancel until a replacement is approved and ready.
Whether you are on the standard published rates or a negotiated volume rate; Chargeback fees and how reserves or holds on funds work for your business; In Canada, which in-person product is available to you and at what rate.