SmartFolio vs PayPal
Which is better in 2026? Five scores, side by side.
SmartFolio is the better app overall, scoring 8.5 to 8.1. SmartFolio wins on 2 of the 5 scores, PayPal on 2, with 1 tied.
Dividend and long-term investors who want a private, free portfolio view
Online shoppers who want buyer protection and a quick, card-free checkout
Score by score
The details
| Feature | SmartFolio | PayPal |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Money & Investing | Money & Investing |
| Category rank | #6 of 16 | #15 of 16 |
| Developer | The Big Head | PayPal |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Usable for free | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone & iPad | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android | — | ✓ |
| Web | — | ✓ |
Common questions
Is SmartFolio better than PayPal?
SmartFolio is the better app overall, scoring 8.5 to 8.1. SmartFolio wins on 2 of the 5 scores, PayPal on 2, with 1 tied.
Which is cheaper, SmartFolio or PayPal?
SmartFolio: Free, no subscription, no ads, no in-app purchases. PayPal: Free to send from balance or bank in the US; cards cost 2.9% plus 30 cents. On value for money, SmartFolio scores higher.
Do SmartFolio and PayPal work on the same devices?
Only PayPal runs on Android, Web.
Which is more private, SmartFolio or PayPal?
SmartFolio scores higher on privacy (9.6/10). No account and no server: your portfolio stays on your iPhone or iPad, and backups are files you keep. Live prices come from public market data. No ads or tracking; App Store label: Data Not Collected.
Strengths and weaknesses
SmartFolio
- Free with no ads, no account and no in-app purchases
- Portfolio data stays on your iPhone or iPad
- Clear history of every trade, even after you sell
- No automatic broker sync, so updates mean re-importing
- iPhone and iPad only, and it needs iOS 26.2 or later
SmartFolio is a portfolio tracker that keeps everything on your device. You import your history using guides for 19 brokers or any CSV or Excel file, then see every buy, sale and dividend per holding, time-weighted returns against the S&P 500 and what your holdings should pay over the next 12 months. There is no account and no brokerage login, which is great for privacy but means updates are manual. For dividend investors who want a free, private overview, it is a strong pick.
Full SmartFolio review
PayPal
- 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
- 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
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.
Full PayPal review
