Top 10 Best Apps Like PayPal for Business Transactions

Have you ever had a PayPal payment stuck for days right when you needed it most? Or maybe you have watched a chunk of your earnings vanish in fees after a cross‑border transfer. I know the feeling. It is stressful, especially if your business or freelance income depends on fast and reliable payments. That’s why you need to find other apps like PayPal.

In 2025, PayPal still dominates digital payments, but it is no longer the stress‑free solution it once was. High fees, surprise account freezes, slow withdrawals, and limited global support push more users to look for better options.

The good news?

I have tested the best PayPal alternatives that solve these pain points with faster transfers, lower fees, and extra perks like crypto and multi‑currency wallets. If PayPal has ever let you down at the worst time, these 10 apps can make managing your money smarter and less stressful.

PayPal is a global online payment platform and a digital wallet that allows you to send, receive, and manage money securely.

I like it because it is widely accepted for online shopping, business transactions, and international payments. It supports linking your bank account, credit card, or debit card for seamless transfers.

However, while PayPal is convenient and widely trusted, it has transaction fees, occasional account freezes, and slower cross-border transfers, which leads many users to look for PayPal alternatives.

Even though PayPal is a leading payment app with services in 200+ countries, it is not perfect. After using it for years, I have noticed several drawbacks that often push users to look for alternatives.

Let’s catch them:

• High Transaction Fees: Sending money internationally can cost 4–7% of the transaction once you factor in PayPal’s service fee and currency conversion rates. For businesses and freelancers, these fees can add up to hundreds of dollars monthly.
• Account Freezes: PayPal is known for suddenly holding funds for 21 days or more, especially if it flags an unusual transaction. It can disrupt cash flow for small businesses and freelancers who rely on timely access to money.
• Slow Bank Transfers: While instant transfers are available for a small fee, standard bank withdrawals often take 1–3 business days. In today’s fast-paced financial world, waiting days for your own money can be frustrating.
• Limited Crypto Support: PayPal allows basic cryptocurrency buying and selling, but it does not offer advanced trading features or wallet control, which limits its appeal for crypto enthusiasts.
• Not Available Everywhere: Despite being a global brand, PayPal does not operate in several countries or has limited features in regions like Africa and parts of the Middle East. Thus, it is less reliable for truly global users.

If you are frustrated with PayPal’s high fees, random holds, or slow transfers, you need to explore other apps like PayPal. Thankfully, 2025 offers plenty of flexible, secure, and faster alternatives that can handle everything from domestic P2P payments to global business transactions.

These apps often offer lower fees, faster payouts, multi-currency wallets, and even cryptocurrency support. Hence, they give you more control over your money. Some of them, like Wise and Revolut, now process billions in transactions every year, which proves that PayPal is no longer the only reliable option.

So, what is the best option for you? Let me explain the list of 10 PayPal alternatives for 2025 and decide why they might fit your personal or business needs better.

1. Wise (Formerly TransferWise)

Wise is my favorite for international money transfers because it uses the real exchange rate, not the inflated one banks often sneak in. You can hold, send, and receive in 50+ currencies, which is perfect for freelancing, e-commerce, or travel.

Transfers are fast, secure, and often cheaper than PayPal, and the app shows exact fees upfront. I also love its multi-currency account and debit card, which make spending abroad hassle-free without hidden charges. Wise is truly built for global users.

Pros

• Low international transfer fees
• Real exchange rate with no hidden markup
• Multi-currency account support
• Fast global payments
• Transparent fees

Cons

• Not ideal for domestic peer-to-peer payments

2. Skrill

Skrill is a digital wallet and payment platform that’s ideal for online shoppers, freelancers, and gamers. I use it for quick international transfers and secure online payments, and it even supports cryptocurrency trading directly in the app. Skrill offers a prepaid Mastercard.

Thus, you can spend your balance instantly without waiting for bank withdrawals. And that’s the reason it is often counted among the apps like Afterpay. For anyone who deals with global clients or online gaming platforms, Skrill is one of the fastest and flexible apps like PayPal with strong security and worldwide coverage.

Pros

• Supports international and domestic transfers
• Cryptocurrency buying and trading
• Offers prepaid cards for spending
• Fast online payments and withdrawals
• Popular for gaming and e-commerce

Cons

• Some services have higher fees than bank transfers

3. Revolut

Revolut feels like a bank in your pocket, and you can rely on it for travel and international payments. It offers multi-currency accounts, instant transfers, crypto and stock trading, budgeting tools, and virtual cards for safer online shopping. I like that it minimizes foreign exchange fees.

Also, it lets you freeze or generate disposable cards for extra security. For digital nomads, travelers, or businesses handling global payments, Revolut makes managing and moving money effortless, and it is far more feature-rich than PayPal.

Pros

• Multi-currency accounts with real exchange rates
• Virtual and disposable cards for security
• Supports crypto and stock trading
• Great for travelers and freelancers
• Instant transfers to other Revolut users

Cons

• Premium features require a subscription

4. Venmo

Venmo is my go-to app for U.S. peer-to-peer payments because it makes splitting bills, rent, or event tickets so easy and even fun. I like its social feed, where you can add notes, emojis, or inside jokes to payments to make transactions more personal.

Standard transfers between Venmo users are free and instant, while instant bank cash-outs are available for a small fee. It is simpler than PayPal for personal payments and widely accepted at many stores and apps for checkout.

Pros

• Instant peer-to-peer payments in the U.S.
• Social and user-friendly interface
• Free transfers between Venmo users
• Supports debit card for instant cash-out
• Integrated with PayPal for wider coverage

Cons

• Limited international functionality

5. Cash App

Cash App is another US-focused app you can use for fast, flexible payments. Beyond sending and receiving money, it lets you buy stocks and cryptocurrency, trade Bitcoin, and use the Cash Card for instant spending. I like how simple and intuitive the interface is, and transfers between users are typically instant and free.

For anyone wanting quick payments, small investments, and cryptocurrency options in one place, Cash App feels modern and versatile, while PayPal often feels slower and less flexible for casual users.

Pros

• Easy peer-to-peer payments
• Supports Bitcoin buying and selling
• Cash Card for instant access to funds
• Stock investing features
• Free standard bank transfers

Cons

• Limited global availability

6. Zelle

Zelle is perfect for instant bank-to-bank transfers in the U.S, and that’s why it is placed among the best apps like PayPal. I love that I can send money directly using just an email or phone number without any extra steps. Most major banks and credit unions integrate Zelle, so transfers typically arrive in minutes with no fees.

You can use it for rent payments, shared expenses, or family transfers because it is fast, safe, and bypasses app balances entirely. While Zelle is not for international payments, it beats PayPal for speed and simplicity domestically.

Pros

• Instant transfers between supported banks
• No fees for standard transactions
• Integrated with many banking apps
• No need for extra app balances
• Highly secure through bank networks

Cons

• Only works domestically in the U.S.

7. Google Pay

Google Pay is my digital and modern payment platform for online shopping, in-store payments, and peer-to-peer transfers. I like how it integrates loyalty cards, coupons, and cashback offers to make spending more rewarding. For everyday transactions, tap-to-pay using my phone is seamless, and online checkout is just as easy.

Google Pay is also secure, using tokenization and biometric verification. While it’s best for local payments and app purchases, it’s a smooth and reliable PayPal alternative for daily use in supported countries.

Pros

• Tap-to-pay and online payments
• Easy P2P transfers within supported countries
• Integrates with loyalty and reward programs
• Strong Google security features
• Works with many banks and cards

Cons

• Limited direct international transfers

8. Apple Pay

Apple Pay is my favorite for secure, seamless payments on iPhones, Apple Watch, and Macs. You can tap-to-pay in stores, check out online instantly, and use Apple Cash to send and receive money domestically. Privacy is a big plus because Apple Pay hides my real card number with tokenization.

It is especially useful for loyal Apple users who want speed and security without extra apps. While it lacks broad international transfers, it’s perfect for day-to-day payments and iOS convenience.

Pros

• Tap-to-pay and online checkout
• Secure with Face ID and tokenization
• Apple Cash supports quick P2P transfers
• Widely accepted by merchants and apps
• Seamless for Apple users

Cons

• Only for Apple devices

9. Payoneer

Payoneer is a lifesaver for freelancers, remote workers, and global businesses. I use it to receive payments from clients worldwide faster than PayPal, often with lower fees. Payoneer gives me multi-currency receiving accounts, and I can withdraw to local banks or spend instantly using their prepaid card.

It also integrates with freelance marketplaces like Upwork, Fiverr, and Amazon, making cross-border payments smooth and reliable. For professional payments, Payoneer is far more predictable and less restrictive than PayPal.

Pros

• Great for international freelancers and businesses
• Multi-currency receiving accounts
• Supports bank withdrawals and prepaid card
• Faster payments than traditional wires
• Integrates with platforms like Upwork and Fiverr

Cons

• Withdrawal fees may apply for some regions

10. Stripe

Stripe is a powerful payment processor that I recommend to online sellers, SaaS providers, and e-commerce stores. Unlike PayPal, Stripe is highly customizable, handling website payments, subscriptions, and global transactions.

I love that it supports hundreds of currencies, modern payment methods, and robust fraud protection. Stripe is not just a wallet. It is a full business solution for those who need scalable, reliable, and developer-friendly payment infrastructure. While it’s less casual than PayPal, it excels for business and professional transactions in 2025.

Pros

• Powerful business and e-commerce solution
• Supports recurring and subscription payments
• Global currency support for sellers
• Developer-friendly with APIs
• Highly secure with fraud protection

Cons

• More complex setup for casual users

These are the details about the top 10 best apps like PayPal. PayPal is convenient, but it’s not always the fastest, cheapest, or most flexible option. I’ve discovered that using multiple payment apps gives me better fees, faster transfers, and extra features like crypto trading or multi-currency wallets.

Whether you are a freelancer, small business owner, traveler, or casual user, apps like Wise, Revolut, Payoneer, and Stripe can help you manage money smarter in 2025.

Stop relying solely on PayPal. Try one or two of these PayPal alternatives and enjoy financial freedom without the fees and frustrations.