Are you looking for better ways to accept online payments without relying on a single platform?
While PayPal is a popular option, many merchants report issues such as funds holding, poor customer support, and high fees.
For small businesses, these challenges can quickly create cash flow problems, delay access to hard-earned revenue, and add unnecessary stress to everyday operations.
In this article, we created a list of the eight best PayPal alternatives to help you find reliable, cost-effective payment solutions that better fit your business needs.
How we selected these PayPal alternatives
To help you find the best PayPal alternatives, we:
- Analyzed 25+ payment providers and fintech platforms, focusing on solutions suited for small and mid-sized businesses, fast-growing e-commerce merchants, and companies expanding across Europe and beyond
- Evaluated payment method coverage and localization, prioritizing platforms that support local acquiring, regional card schemes, digital wallets, BNPL options, multiple currencies, and regulatory compliance across Central and Eastern Europe and the wider EU
- Compared online, in-person, and omnichannel capabilities, including hosted and embedded checkout, payment links, QR codes, subscriptions, Tap to Pay, POS terminals, and mobile payment acceptance
- Incorporated real merchant feedback and usability factors, including platform reliability, customer support quality, dashboard insights, reporting tools, and overall long-term business fit
8 Best PayPal alternatives to consider in 2026
Before we dive deeper into our top picks, here is a quick overview of what awaits you:
1. Paypercut
Paypercut is a localized online payments platform designed to help small and mid-sized businesses across Central and Eastern Europe, and beyond, accept payments quickly, easily, and securely.
Through a single integration, Paypercut connects merchants to a wide range of local payment methods, including cards (Visa, Mastercard), digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay), and Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) options.
The platform supports every key payment use case, from one-time card payments and recurring subscriptions to payment links, QR codes, hosted checkout, and embedded checkout experiences.
Paypercut stands out as the first BNPL aggregator in the region, giving merchants unified access to multiple BNPL providers through a single setup, boosting approval rates and simplifying cross-border transactions.
Key features:
- All-in-one payment platform – Manage BNPL, card, and digital wallet payments all in one place. Receive local settlements in your preferred currency, including, RON, HUF, PLN, CZK, EUR, and more.
- Fast, hassle-free integration – Start accepting payments in minutes with simple integration options. Connect via API or use ready-made plugins for WooCommerce, OpenCart, and Shopify.
- Localized experience – Provide customers with a familiar checkout experience in their own language and currency, featuring payment flows tailored to local habits and regulations.
- Recurring and subscription payments – Automate billing for memberships, subscriptions, or repeat services, saving time and ensuring steady revenue.
- Intuitive merchant dashboard – Monitor payments, payouts, and performance in real time for complete transparency and control.
- Designed for SMBs – Get clear documentation, friendly onboarding, and real human support to help your business grow with confidence.
Pricing
For card payments, fees vary by region: approximately 1.29% + €0.05 per transaction for EEA cards, and 2.69% + €0.05 for non-EEA cards. There are no activation, monthly, or support fees, no currency conversion fees (with local-currency payouts and country-specific rates), and volume-based discounts are available for both BNPL and payment processing.
2. myPOS
myPOS is an all-in-one payment platform that enables businesses to accept in-person, online, and mobile payments through card machines, Tap to Pay, and digital payment tools.
It provides instant access to received funds via a business account, along with a mobile app and connectivity features that help businesses manage payments anywhere.
Key features:
- Offline-ready connectivity – Uses built-in data SIM and Wi-Fi across terminals to stay connected and process payments reliably in mobile, outdoor, or high-traffic environments.
- Unified payment ecosystem – Brings card payments, online checkout, payment requests, virtual terminal, and business tools together in one ecosystem, reducing reliance on multiple providers.
- Built-in business debit card – Enables immediate access to received funds via a business debit card usable online, in-store, and with Apple Pay and Google Pay.
- Extensible payment infrastructure – Provides APIs, AppMarket integrations, and developer tools to connect payments with accounting, e-commerce, and business management systems.
Pricing
myPOS offers transaction-based pricing with card-present fees starting at 1.69% + €0.05 (no monthly fees for volumes under €10,000), custom rates for higher turnover, and online transaction fees from 1.30% + €0.20, with an additional 0.5% for MO/TO payments.
3. PayU
PayU is a global online payment platform that allows businesses to accept, process, and optimize digital payments across 50+ emerging markets through a single integration
With support for local and global payment methods, multi-currency processing, and advanced security and fraud prevention, it helps merchants expand internationally while maintaining high approval rates and reliable payment performance.
Key features:
- Payment optimization engine – Uses smart routing, instant retries, and AI-driven logic to improve authorization rates and reduce failed transactions.
- Enterprise-grade security & compliance – Includes built-in fraud prevention, tokenization, 3D Secure 2, and PCI DSS compliance to protect transactions and meet regulatory standards.
- Flexible credit & BNPL capabilities – Enables merchants to offer online credit and buy-now-pay-later options, helping increase conversions and reach underbanked customers.
- Unified analytics & reporting – Delivers real-time insights and customizable reports through a single dashboard to monitor, analyze, and optimize global payment performance.
Pricing
PayU offers different pricing plans based on your business size, location, and the services you use.
4. Viva.com
Viva.com is a European payments and banking platform built to support businesses across multiple markets.
It offers omnichannel payment acceptance, Tap to Pay on mobile devices, business accounts, card issuing, financing options, and access to a wide ecosystem of software and hardware partners, all managed through a single integrated platform.
Key features:
- Fast settlement cycles – Enables merchants to access funds quickly, with near-real-time transaction settlement.
- Offline payment acceptance – Allows card payments to be processed even when internet connectivity is unavailable.
- Tap on Any Device technology – Turns smartphones and tablets into payment terminals without dedicated hardware.
- Advanced merchant reporting tools – Provides detailed transaction insights, reconciliation, and account management from a single dashboard.
Pricing
Viva.com offers transaction-based pricing with 1.69% (minimum €0.03) for card-present payments and 2.19% + €0.24 for online transactions on domestic and European consumer cards, with custom pricing available on request.
5. Stripe
Stripe is a global financial infrastructure platform that helps businesses of all sizes accept payments, manage revenue, and embed financial services using a unified suite of AI-powered tools.
Its products span online and in-person payments, billing, fraud prevention, financing, and data reporting, empowering companies to launch, scale, and optimize their operations worldwide.
Key features:
- Global payments – Enables businesses to accept over 100 payment methods and 135+ currencies, supporting seamless international transactions online and in person.
- Optimized checkout – Offers prebuilt and customizable payment interfaces, such as Checkout and Elements, to improve conversion and simplify integration.
- Fraud prevention – Uses AI-driven tools like Radar and Authorization Boost to detect fraud, enhance authorization rates, and secure transactions.
- Integrated revenue management – Combines billing, invoicing, and reporting into a single platform to automate recurring payments and financial operations.
Pricing
Stripe charges 2.9% + 30¢ per successful domestic card transaction, with additional fees for international cards (+1.5%), currency conversion (+1%), and ACH payments (0.8% capped at $5).
6. Paysera
Paysera is a fintech partner that lets businesses open an online IBAN account and manage payments, transfers, currency exchange, and cards across multiple currencies.
It also offers integrated solutions like e-shop payment processing, POS payments, financing options, and APIs to help businesses grow locally and internationally.
Key features:
- Developer APIs & system integration – Enables merchants to automate financial operations and connect Paysera with internal systems, e-shops, or third-party software for smoother workflows.
- Real-time currency exchange – Allows merchants to convert funds instantly across multiple currencies at competitive rates, supporting cross-border operations.
- Merchant mobile app – Gives business owners real-time visibility into balances, activity, and account controls directly from their smartphone.
- Business growth & support tools – Offers value-added services, including revenue-based financing, APIs, ticketing, and operational tools to help merchants scale efficiently.
Pricing
Paysera offers different pricing plans based on your business size, location, and the services you use.
7. Adyen
Adyen is a global financial technology platform that enables businesses to accept payments, manage finances, and access data insights through a single integrated system.
It serves enterprises across industries by offering online and in-person payments, fraud prevention, data-driven insights, and financial tools to support growth and efficiency.
Key features:
- Unified payments platform – Enables businesses to accept online, in-app, and in-store payments through a single system for seamless customer experiences.
- Global payment coverage – Supports hundreds of local payment methods and currencies to help businesses expand internationally with one integration.
- Intelligent risk management – Uses machine learning and real-time data insights to prevent fraud, boost approval rates, and protect revenue.
- Platform and marketplace solutions – Manages merchant onboarding, payouts, and fund flows efficiently within one infrastructure for scalable growth.
Pricing
Adyen charges a fixed processing fee of approximately €0.11 per transaction, plus an additional fee based on the payment method. For example, the fee for American Express is around 3.95%, while for Visa and Mastercard, it follows an Interchange++ model plus around 0.60%.
How to choose the best PayPal alternative
Now that you’ve explored the top PayPal alternatives, the best option ultimately depends on your business model, transaction volume, and the markets you serve.
If you operate a global business with complex payment needs, platforms like Stripe or Adyen are strong contenders. They offer extensive international coverage, advanced APIs, and powerful tools for payment optimization, fraud prevention, and large-scale operations.
For businesses that need a mix of online and in-person payments, fast settlements, and simple hardware solutions, providers such as myPOS or Viva.com can be a good fit.
However, if your priority is localized payments, high approval rates, and flexible Buy Now, Pay Later options across Central and Eastern Europe, Paypercut is the best choice.
It combines cards, digital wallets, and multiple BNPL providers into a single integration, supports local currencies and languages, and is specifically designed to help SMBs scale across the region with minimal friction.
Start with Paypercut today and simplify how your business accepts cards, wallets, and BNPL across Central and Eastern Europe.
