PayPal review
Pay online, send money to friends and shop with rewards
- PayPal
- Free
- iPhone & iPad, Android, Web
4.8 from 6.3M App Store ratings 500M+ Google Play downloads #3 in Finance on the US App Store
Does it deserve #15?
Is PayPal worth it?
For most people, yes. PayPal scores 8.1/10 and ranks #15 in Money & Investing. It's best for online shoppers who want buyer protection and a quick, card-free checkout. Skip it if you mainly split bills with friends and want a simpler social payment app. Price: Free to send from balance or bank in the US; cards cost 2.9% plus 30 cents.
The verdict
PayPal is still one of the easiest ways to pay online without typing your card number, and Purchase Protection helps if an eligible order never shows up. Sending money to friends in the US is free from your balance or bank, while cards cost 2.9% plus 30 cents. The app also covers Pay in 4, savings, crypto and cash back offers. It tracks a lot, and sending abroad or converting currency gets pricey.
- Pay online without sharing your card
- Purchase Protection on eligible orders
- Free US transfers from balance or bank
- Pay in 4 and PayPal Savings
- Rewards and cash back offers
Score breakdown
Overall = features 30% · design 20% · speed 20% · value 15% · privacy 15%. Why these weights?
What's new
- Aug 2026A rebuilt, simpler PayPal app arrived on iPhone
- Aug 2026US users can pay by QR code at Weixin Pay shops across China through PayPal World
- Jan 2026Free do-it-yourself tax filing for PayPal Debit Card customers
Privacy 5.4/10
App Store label: usage data may be used to track you. Purchases, financial info, location, contacts, searches, browsing history, identifiers and more may be linked to you.
What we like
- Accepted at a huge number of online stores
- Purchase Protection when eligible orders go wrong
- Free to send to US friends from balance or bank
What could be better
- Sending with a card costs 2.9% plus 30 cents
- Sending abroad costs 5% (up to $4.99) plus currency fees
- App Store label lists usage data used for tracking
Online shoppers who want buyer protection and a quick, card-free checkout
you mainly split bills with friends and want a simpler social payment app
Questions about PayPal
Is PayPal worth it in 2026?
For most people, yes. PayPal scores 8.1/10 and ranks #15 in Money & Investing. It's best for online shoppers who want buyer protection and a quick, card-free checkout. Skip it if you mainly split bills with friends and want a simpler social payment app. Price: Free to send from balance or bank in the US; cards cost 2.9% plus 30 cents.
Is PayPal free?
Opening an account and buying with PayPal are free. Sending money to friends in the US is free from your balance or bank, but costs 2.9% plus 30 cents with a card.
How much is a PayPal instant transfer?
Instant transfers to your bank or card cost 1.75%. To a card, the fee is at least 25 cents and at most $25. Standard transfers are free.
What are the best alternatives to PayPal?
The closest alternatives are Venmo, Wise and Cash App. See all of them ranked on our PayPal alternatives page.
Where does PayPal rank?
PayPal ranks #15 of 16 in our Money & Investing ranking, with an overall score of 8.1 out of 10.