Still deciding between Authorize.net vs. PayPal for your website? Our guide will break down everything you need to know. With our help, you can choose between PayPal vs. Authorize.net today.
Approximate read time: 5 minutes
Are you still comparing Authorize.net vs PayPal for your business website? Both have pros and cons, so we understand the headache of picking the best option.
You don’t want to make the wrong choice for your business, so which payment gateway is best?
Let's dive in and find out which suits your needs the best.
What to know about Authorize.net vs PayPal
Imagine PayPal vs Authorize.net as two highways leading to your business's success. Both get your customers where they need to go, but each offers a different journey.
Authorize.net is like a road with special stops for extra services, offering a customized path. PayPal is like a fast lane that gets customers through quickly with fewer stops.
But, for a quick highlight, let's break each of these down:
PayPal
PayPal is the industry giant for online payments. It's known for handling over a trillion dollars in transactions yearly and is easy for people to use. Plus, PayPal remembers your payment info to make buying things easier next time.
They also have special business tools that simplify accepting payments online and in person. But, because PayPal combines many businesses into one account, there can be some drawbacks.
Authorize.net
Authorize.net might not be as well-known as PayPal, but it focuses a lot on security. It lets businesses set up their way to accept payments, which can lead to more stable transactions and lower fees.
For businesses that want their account and appreciate having someone to call when they need help, Authorize.net is a go-to choice. Plus, they are a subsidiary of Visa, so you know they can be trusted with transactions.
There's no one-size-fits-all answer with Authorize.net vs PayPal. It comes down to what each business needs. Both are great options for accepting online payments.
So, we'll look at how they match up in these areas:
Authorize.net pros and cons
Overview
Authorize.net is great for handling payments online, on mobile, and in person. They offer custom features, detailed reports, and protection against fraud.
Pros
- Lower fees: Authorize.net has lower per-transaction fees, especially if you have large transaction volumes.
- Dedicated support: If you want the control of a dedicated merchant account, then Authorize.net is the way to go.
- More security features: More fraud detection and prevention tools compared to PayPal's standard plans.
- Recurring payments: Authorize.net lets you set up automatic payments for things like subscriptions.
Cons
- Monthly fee: There's an initial setup cost and monthly fees, which could be expensive for small businesses or freelancers.
- International use: Authorize.net has some limits on using different currencies, depending on your country. However, there are ways to accept other currencies, though it's a bit complicated.
Authorize.net All-in-one
Authorize.net offers a solution for small businesses seeking a merchant account and a payment gateway.
This Authorize.net payment gateway includes automated recurring billing, making it an excellent option for subscription-based businesses.
Payment Gateway Only Plan
Authorize.net also has a plan for small businesses with merchant accounts.
This service neatly bundles all your day's transactions into one package and sends it off to get processed. Just like their all-in-one package, you get automated billing for repeat payments.
PayPal pros and cons
Overview
PayPal is easy to set up and offers many ways to pay. Depending on your plan, some advanced features might be limited, but not everyone needs those extras.
Pros
- No monthly fee: Great for small businesses because there's no monthly fee for basic use.
- International use: PayPal lets you deal with many types of currencies efficiently, accepting around two dozen, which is a big advantage.
- Customer experience: PayPal is the biggest payment gateway in the world, meaning your customers already know and love it.
- Security features: PayPal provides a range of tools designed to detect fraud, capable of identifying potential scammers through their names and IP addresses.
Cons
- Recurring payments: PayPal has a feature for automatic recurring payments, but it costs $10 monthly plus a small fee for each payment. You may want to seek a PayPal alternative if this is a dealbreaker.
- Customer support: You can get help from PayPal from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CST on weekdays. They also offer text support for extra assistance.
- Higher fees: While PayPal doesn't have a monthly fee, the transaction fees can add up quickly.
PayPal Payments Standard
PayPal Payments Standard is the best choice for small to medium-sized businesses.
It's easy to set up, doesn't require a monthly fee, and seamlessly integrates into your website. It lets customers pay without leaving your site.
PayPal Payments Pro
PayPal Payments Pro comes with a monthly fee but offers a more personalized checkout experience. This service also has phone-based credit card payments and better fraud protection.
You can take payments from 200 countries in 25 different currencies, handle phone payments, and meet security standards quickly. This PayPal payment gateway is a step above the standard issue.
Feature face-off: Authorize.net vs PayPal
PayPal vs Authorize.net on costs
PayPal vs Authorize.net is like comparing a monthly subscription to a pay-per-use service.
Authorize.net has a monthly fee, which makes it a good pick if you need long-term and consistent service. PayPal charges per transaction fee, so it's better for occasional use.
Authorize.net has three plans, each with a monthly fee of $25.
| All-in-One | Payment gateway and eCheck | Payment gateway | |
| Monthly gateway | $25 | $25 | $25 |
| Setup fee | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Processing rates per transaction | 2.9% + 30¢ | eCheck: 0.75% Credit card: 10¢ + daily batch fee 10¢ | 10¢ + daily batch fee 10¢ |
For PayPal’s Payments Standard, there is no monthly fee. PayPal also offers a Pro merchant account with a monthly cost of $30.
If you have a high cost per transaction, Authorize.net will ultimately save you money. If you have minimal or low-cost transactions, PayPal may be your best choice.
If it differs from month to month, you could save or lose money with either service. So, which is best choice on PayPal vs Authorize.net? For most businesses, PayPal likely wins in this category.
Customer support
Customer support can make or break your day. Authorize.net offers a 24/7 lifeline with its comprehensive support, ready to dive deep into any issue.
PayPal customer support provides a widespread community to help when you need it most. However, they only offer direct support from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CST Monday through Friday.
In terms of customer support, we've found that people have an easier time with Authorize.net.
The learning curve
We all love things that make our lives easier. PayPal shines with its plug-and-play nature, welcoming users with open arms.
Authorize.net asks for a bit more time to get comfortable with, but rewards you with robust personalization options.
It all depends on how you are wanting to use your payment processor. If you want something simple, go with PayPal. If you need something you can personalize, go with Authorize.net.
Flexibility and future proofing
As your business gets bigger, the way you handle processing payments will need to change. Planning ahead can make this transition smoother.
Authorize.Net is great for growing businesses. It can handle more types of payments, like credit cards, e-checks, and online payments, as your business gets bigger.
PayPal is easy to use and popular, which can help new businesses attract customers.
But, if your business grows fast, you might find PayPal less flexible than Authorize.Net, which offers more personalized options.
International payments
Want to connect with people worldwide? PayPal works in many countries and handles a wide variety of different currencies easily.
Authorize.net steps up to the plate too, offering international payment solutions with a bit more setup. You can accept credit cards from all over the world, but it is limited.
On the international payments front, PayPal wins by a mile. This is what they do best.
Customer experience and checkout process
The checkout experience is key to turning visitors into customers. Making it simple reduces the chances of people leaving before buying.
Authorize.Net lets you personalize this process to fit your site well. It offers a smooth experience and many payment options that are easy to add to your website.
PayPal is known for its quick checkout. PayPal Express Checkout lets users buy with a few clicks. This is easy for customers, but it means you have less control over how the checkout looks.
Fraud and chargeback security
Both platforms arm you well, but with different shields.
Authorize.net gives you customized security with 13 fraud filters to block scammers easily.
PayPal offers many tools to catch fraud and can identify scammers by name and IP address.
Both options are good for keeping your payments safe. They offer different protections, but they even out at the end of the day.
E-commerce and beyond
Whether your shopping cart is online or in-store, both systems have got you covered.
Both services offer options for online and in-person sales. These services can include virtual terminals, card readers, payment processors and more.
Here, the battle between PayPal vs Authorize.net is an even tie.
The final verdict: Authorize.net vs PayPal?
Choosing between Authorize.net vs PayPal comes down to your specific needs and preferences.
Are you looking for a custom-fit or a one-size-fits-all solution? Every business has different needs, so neither choice is wrong. They will both arm you well for accepting payments on your website.
Either way, you're making a solid choice for your online payment processing needs.
Your bridge to payment processing
Wherever you stand on Authorize.net vs PayPal, integrating it into your WordPress site is a breeze with Formidable Forms.
Our plugin works with both Authorize.net and PayPal. Using Formidable Forms lets you easily make payment forms, handle subscriptions, and more.
With Formidable Forms, you can completely personalize your payment forms to fit your needs. Plus, setting up Authorize.net and PayPal are both simple. It should be light work for any developer!
Simply download your desired add-on under Formidable → Add-Ons → Install. If you get lost, you can follow our guides to making them work for you!
When it comes to PayPal vs Authorize.net, both are simple to set up on your WordPress site. All you need to do is connect your account, customize your form, and add it to whatever page works best for you.
So, ready to choose between Authorize.net vs PayPal?
Whether you prefer Authorize.net for its customization or the easy use of PayPal, Formidable Forms makes it easy to connect with either.
Dive in now and take your website to the next level with the perfect payment gateway. Start using Formidable Forms today!
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