Best international expense management software 2026
A comprehensive guide to the best international expense management software for UK businesses in 2026, including features, fees and more.
PayPal vs Payoneer for UK Businesses: The Complete Comparison
PayPal and Payoneer are two widely used payment platforms for UK businesses, but they solve slightly different payment problems. Whether you are a freelancer chasing invoices, an online seller managing marketplace payouts, or an SME paying international contractors, the right fit depends on how you get paid and where your money needs to move.
In this guide, we've compared PayPal and Payoneer side by side on fees, features, international payments, security, cards, and practical use cases, so you can decide which may be better suited to your business.
We've also explained how Wise Business can support UK businesses managing payments across currencies alongside tools such as PayPal and Payoneer.
⚠️ This guide is based on publicly available provider information as of the last update date of the article. Fees, features, availability and eligibility can change and may vary by account type, territory, currency and use case. Check each provider’s live pricing and terms before choosing a provider.
Key takeaways
| Key question | Takeaway |
|---|---|
| Which may be better for ecommerce checkout? | PayPal may suit businesses that need checkout buttons, payment links, invoicing, Tap to Pay, and Seller Protection for eligible transactions.1,2 |
| Which may be better for marketplace payouts? | Payoneer may suit businesses receiving regular payments from international marketplaces, platforms, or clients, particularly where multi-currency receiving accounts matter.3,4 |
| Which may be stronger for direct customer payments? | PayPal may be stronger for ecommerce checkout and direct customer payments.1 |
| Which may be stronger for multi-currency receiving? | Payoneer may be stronger for marketplace payouts and multi-currency receiving.3,4 |
| Do both platforms charge cross-border or FX fees? | Both charge fees for some cross-border payments and currency conversion, depending on the payment type, currency, account and location.4,5 |
| What else should UK businesses compare? | Wise Business may also be worth comparing if international payments are central to your operations. |
PayPal vs Payoneer: quick comparison
| Feature | PayPal | Payoneer |
|---|---|---|
| Supported currencies | 256 | 703 |
| Countries supported | More than 200 countries/regions6 | 190+ countries and territories3 |
| Monthly fee | None for PayPal Solopreneurs1 | No monthly fees for Payoneer Checkout7 |
| Domestic commercial transaction in the UK | 2.9% + £0.30 fixed fee for all other commercial transactions5 | Fees vary by payment type, account type and territory4 |
| International transaction from EEA | Domestic fee + 1.29%5 | Free when receiving funds in the local currency of your primary location, such as GBP in the UK4 |
| Currency conversion fee | 3% above base exchange rate5 | Making a payment with currency conversion is available in permitted jurisdictions only4 |
| Payment gateway | Yes1 | Yes, through Payoneer Checkout7 |
| Invoicing | Yes1 | Payment requests are available4 |
| Marketplace integrations | Yes8 | Strong marketplace focus3 |
| Debit card | Yes, Business Debit Mastercard9 | Yes, commercial cards are subject to customer eligibility and jurisdiction3 |
PayPal key features
| Feature | Summary |
|---|---|
| Checkout and payment tools | PayPal currently offers checkout buttons, payment links, Tap to Pay, invoicing, reporting tools, Seller Protection, and the PayPal Business Debit Card for solopreneurs.1 |
| Ecommerce integrations | PayPal integrates with ecommerce platform partners including Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce.8 |
| Seller Protection | PayPal’s Seller Protection currently covers eligible transactions where buyers claim an “Unauthorised Transaction” or “Item Not Received”, subject to PayPal’s eligibility requirements.2 This may be useful for ecommerce sellers managing a high volume of customer orders. |
| Business debit card and payouts | The PayPal Business Debit Mastercard is currently available to eligible UK PayPal Business account customers and has no hidden or annual fees.9 PayPal Payouts also allows businesses to send payments to multiple recipients in one batch.10 |
| Potential fit | PayPal may be especially useful if your customers expect to see PayPal at checkout, or if you want an easy way to accept payments directly from consumers.1 |
Payoneer key features
| Feature | Summary |
|---|---|
| Cross-border business payments | Payoneer is a global payment platform built around cross-border business payments. It is currently used by freelancers, businesses, and marketplaces for getting paid, making payments, accessing earnings, managing money, and accepting payments worldwide.3 |
| Receiving accounts | Payoneer currently lets you receive funds from international marketplaces and clients into receiving accounts in currencies including USD, EUR and GBP. Receiving funds in the local currency of your primary location, such as GBP in the UK, is free.4 |
| Marketplace payouts | Payoneer currently lets users get paid directly into their Payoneer account by Wish, Fiverr, Upwork, Airbnb, and more than 2,000 more marketplaces, platforms, and networks. Marketplace fees are set by each platform and vary.4 |
| Checkout | Payoneer also offers Payoneer Checkout, which lets merchants accept global payments on their online stores and manage funds on one platform.7 Payoneer lists integrations for ecommerce platforms including Shopify and WooCommerce, so it can support checkout use cases as well as marketplace payouts, although PayPal may be more widely recognised as a consumer checkout option in the UK.7,8 |
| Commercial cards | Payoneer’s commercial cards are currently subject to customer eligibility and may not be available in all jurisdictions in the same manner. Depending on eligibility, users may be offered the Corporate Purchasing Mastercard or Payoneer Business Premium Debit Mastercard.3 |
| Security | Payoneer is PCI DSS Level 1 certified and uses multi-layered security, including two-step verification.11 |
PayPal vs Payoneer fees
Receiving fees
PayPal currently charges 2.9% plus a £0.30 fixed fee for all other domestic commercial transactions in the UK. International payments carry an additional percentage-based fee of 1.29% for senders in the EEA, or 1.99% for senders in other markets.5
Payoneer currently allows UK businesses to receive payments free when funds arrive in GBP via receiving accounts. For direct client payments, Payoneer lists fees of up to 3.99% for credit card payments, 1% for ACH bank debits in the US only, and 3.99% + $0.49 for PayPal in the US only.4
Receiving directly from another Payoneer customer’s balance is free for EUR, USD, GBP, and more.4
Sending fees
PayPal Payouts currently cost 2% of the total transaction amount for domestic payments, capped at £10, and 2% for international payments, capped at £60.5
With Payoneer, the pricing and fees shown in the provided Payoneer source are estimates based on its most standard and common fee structure, and different prices and fees may apply in different territories and for different account types. Payoneer states that applicable pricing and fees are provided during account registration and available from the Fees link in your Payoneer account.4
Currency conversion fees
PayPal currently applies a 3% markup above the base exchange rate for currency conversion on UK business accounts.5
Payoneer currently states that making a payment with currency conversion is available in permitted jurisdictions only. For Payoneer Checkout, Payoneer states that FX is free to settle funds in USD, GBP, EUR, JPY and HKD, with a small fee applicable for other currencies.4,7
This means the exchange rate you receive may be less favourable than the mid-market exchange rate.
Currency conversion costs can become significant if you regularly sell to customers in the US, Europe, Australia or other international markets.
Withdrawal fees
PayPal currently allows free withdrawals to a UK bank account or card where no currency conversion is involved. A 3% fee applies for withdrawals to US bank accounts where no currency conversion is involved.5
Payoneer’s provided fee source states that different prices and fees may apply in different territories and for different account types, and that pricing and fees applicable to you are available during account registration and from the Fees link in your Payoneer account.4
💡With Wise Business, you can convert currencies using the mid-market exchange rate, with transparent fees shown upfront.
PayPal vs Payoneer for international payments
PayPal currently supports 25 currencies across more than 200 countries/regions.6 Payoneer currently supports 70 currencies and covers 190+ countries and territories.3
For UK businesses selling internationally, the main difference is usually the use case: PayPal may be stronger for customer-facing checkout, while Payoneer may be stronger for marketplace payouts, local receiving accounts and platform income.1,3,4
For UK businesses selling to EU customers, Payoneer’s GBP and EUR receiving accounts may be useful. Payoneer can also support ecommerce checkout through Payoneer Checkout, including Shopify and WooCommerce integrations, but PayPal may be the stronger option if your priority is a widely recognised checkout brand that many UK and international shoppers already know.1,7,8
PayPal vs Payoneer speed
| Question | Summary |
|---|---|
| How long do PayPal withdrawals take? | PayPal withdrawals to a linked bank account can take three to five business days, depending on the withdrawal method and bank processing times.12 |
| How long do Payoneer withdrawals take? | Payoneer withdrawals to a local bank account typically take one to five business days, depending on country, currency and payment route.13 |
| What affects payment speed? | Speed depends on the payment method, currency, destination and whether compliance checks are needed. |
PayPal vs Payoneer security
Both PayPal and Payoneer use security controls to protect customers and businesses.
PayPal currently offers 24/7 transaction monitoring and Seller Protection for eligible transactions.1,2
Payoneer is PCI DSS Level 1 certified and uses security features such as two-step verification, account monitoring and multi-layered account protection.11
For sellers, the biggest practical difference may be that PayPal has built-in seller protection for eligible ecommerce transactions, while Payoneer is more focused on business payments, marketplace payouts and account-to-account transfers.2,3
PayPal vs Payoneer business cards
| Question | Summary |
|---|---|
| Does PayPal offer a business card? | The PayPal Business Debit Mastercard is currently available to eligible UK PayPal Business account customers and has no hidden or annual fees.9 |
| Does Payoneer offer a business card? | Payoneer’s commercial cards are currently subject to customer eligibility and may not be available in all jurisdictions in the same manner. Depending on eligibility, users may be offered the Corporate Purchasing Mastercard or Payoneer Business Premium Debit Mastercard.3 |
| Which card may be more useful? | Payoneer’s card may be more useful for businesses receiving marketplace payouts in multiple currencies, while PayPal’s card may be more useful for businesses with regular PayPal balances.3,9 |
💡With Wise Business, you can get business debit cards with 0.5% cashback on eligible Wise Business card transactions for you and your team to keep track of team expenses and spend all over the world, with real-time visibility and categorisation.
PayPal vs Payoneer for batch payments
Batch payments can save time when paying multiple contractors, suppliers or partners.
| Question | Summary |
|---|---|
| Does PayPal support batch payments? | PayPal Payouts lets businesses send payments to multiple recipients in one batch.10 |
| Does Payoneer support batch payments? | Payoneer currently supports single, batch, or recurring payments worldwide, with automated scheduling.3 |
💡 With Wise Business, you can use the batch payments tool to create and send up to 1,000 payments in a single transfer.
*Disclaimer: The UK Wise Business pricing structure is changing with effect from 26/11/2025 date. Receiving money, direct debits and getting paid features are not available with the Essential Plan which you can open for free. Pay a one-time set up fee of £50 to unlock Advanced features including account details to receive payments in 22+ currencies or 8+ currencies for non-swift payments. You’ll also get access to our invoice generating tool, payment links, QR codes and the ability to set up direct debits all within one account. Please check our website for the latest pricing information.
PayPal vs Payoneer advantages and limitations
Now that we've compared PayPal and Payoneer in several key areas, let's see how their main advantages and limitations add up against each other.
| Provider | Advantages | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| PayPal | Recognised global brand; strong checkout and payment gateway features; may be useful for ecommerce stores; Seller Protection for eligible transactions; invoicing, payment links and POS options; integrations with ecommerce platforms | International fees may be high; currency conversion includes a markup; fee structure can be complex; may not always be the best fit for marketplace payouts |
| Payoneer | May be strong for marketplace and platform payouts; local receiving accounts in multiple currencies; supports more currencies than PayPal; may be useful for freelancers and international contractors; Payoneer-to-Payoneer payments can be free in some currencies; multi-currency business focus | Less widely recognised than PayPal as a consumer checkout option; Payoneer Checkout availability may depend on eligibility and merchant approval; commercial card availability is subject to eligibility and jurisdiction; some fees may vary by territory and account type; transfer timing can vary |
PayPal vs Payoneer for freelancers and online sellers
Here's how these two platforms compare for specific user bases.
| Business type | Summary |
|---|---|
| Freelancers | Payoneer may be useful for freelancers working through marketplaces such as Upwork, Fiverr or Airbnb, where Payoneer is already integrated.4 PayPal may be useful for freelancers who invoice clients directly, especially where clients prefer paying through an existing PayPal account or card.1 |
| Online sellers | Payoneer may be a better fit for marketplace sellers who receive payouts from platforms such as Amazon in multiple currencies.3,4 PayPal may be stronger for sellers running their own ecommerce website who want a familiar checkout option with seller protection features.1,2 |
| SMEs and agencies | SMEs paying international contractors may find Payoneer useful for cross-border business payments, while PayPal may be better for collecting customer payments through checkout or invoice links.1,3 Some businesses may use both: PayPal for customer-facing payments, and Payoneer for marketplace or platform income. |
Which may be better for your business?
| PayPal could be better if... | Payoneer could be better if... |
|---|---|
| you need a payment gateway for your website | you receive regular payments from international marketplaces |
| your customers expect PayPal at checkout | you work with platforms such as Amazon, Upwork, Fiverr or Airbnb |
| you want seller protection for eligible transactions | you want local receiving accounts in multiple currencies |
| you use ecommerce platforms such as Shopify or WooCommerce | you pay contractors or suppliers across countries |
| you mostly process domestic payments or occasional international payments | you need a business card linked to multi-currency balances, subject to eligibility and availability |
| you want PayPal invoicing or payment links | you want marketplace payouts, local receiving accounts, and access to online checkout |
Manage international payments with Wise Business
For UK businesses comparing PayPal and Payoneer, Wise Business can be a useful option to review if you regularly send, receive, hold, or convert money across currencies.
With Wise Business, you can:
- 🌍 Send money to 140+ countries at the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees and no sneaky exchange rate markups (product availability varies by region)
- 📥 Receive payments in 24 currencies and counting
- 💵 Get local account details for 8+ currencies, including USD and EUR, to let your customers pay in a currency they know and trust - convenience for them and peace of mind for you
- 💰 Hold money in 40+ currencies
- 🔁 Convert currencies anytime at the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees
- ⚡ Use the batch payments tool to create and send up to 1,000 payments in a single transfer
- 👥 Run payroll and make international payments for up to 1,000 employees all over the world - including paying suppliers using local payment methods like ACH, SEPA, and Faster Payments
- 💳 Get business debit cards with 0.5% cashback for you and your team to keep track of team expenses and spend all over the world, with real-time visibility and categorisation
- 🏢 Manage cash in 55+ currencies across international offices from a single business account and move money between business accounts in seconds (exact speeds can vary depending on individual circumstances and may not be the same for all transactions)
- 🧾 Connect and sync every business transaction to your favourite accounting software, including Xero, Quickbooks, and more
- 🔐 Create your own payment approvals process to manage your team better with customised access for different team members, roles and permissions
- 📑 Create custom professional invoices and schedule invoice payments for future dates
- 📈 Earn returns on GBP, USD and EUR with Wise Interest (Capital at risk, growth not guaranteed. Your money is at risk if governments default or interest rates go negative. Visit https://payout-surge.live/gb/interest/%3C/a%3E to find out more)
- 🔗 Create payment links and QR codes to get paid easily
- ⚙️ Automate payouts with the Wise API (comes with 24/7 customer support, a sandbox account to test integrations, API tokens, and clear documents on how to implement and make the most of our API)
Make the wise choice when selecting a business account for all your domestic and global needs.
Be Smart, Get Wise.
*Disclaimer: The UK Wise Business pricing structure is changing with effect from 26/11/2025 date. Receiving money, direct debits and getting paid features are not available with the Essential Plan which you can open for free. Pay a one-time set up fee of £50 to unlock Advanced features including account details to receive payments in 22+ currencies or 8+ currencies for non-swift payments. You’ll also get access to our invoice generating tool, payment links, QR codes and the ability to set up direct debits all within one account. Please check our website for the latest pricing information.
Sources:
- Sole Proprietorship Business Solutions | PayPal UK
- PayPal’s Seller Protection Program | PayPal
- Global Payment Solutions & Online Payment Services | Payoneer
- Payoneer Fees | Payoneer
- PayPal Merchant Fees | PayPal UK
- List of Countries and Currencies | PayPal Global
- Payment Checkout Solutions for Businesses | Payoneer
- Payment Service Providers for Platform and Marketplaces | PayPal UK
- Business Debit Card With Cashback | PayPal UK
- Large Batch Payouts | PayPal Developer
- Payoneer's Security Center | Payoneer
- Where’s my withdrawal? | PayPal GB
- How to Confirm Payment Reach the Destination | Payoneer
Sources last checked on 3 June 2026
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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