Shopify Payments vs PayPal: Key Differences, Fees & Best Choice for 2025
Compare Shopify Payments vs PayPal in 2025. Learn about transaction fees, fixed costs, payment gateways, and which option is better for your online store.
A PayPal Business Loan is available directly through PayPal for businesses that process payments using its platform. The product features an online application, a fixed fee structure, and potential funding within one business day, which can be particularly useful for businesses who are looking for a quick borrowing process. However, as with any financing option, it is important to review important details such as eligibility requirements, repayment terms, and total costs before proceeding.
So let’s take a look at how PayPal Business Loans work, who qualifies, and whether they’re the right fit for your funding needs.
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A PayPal Business Loan is a financing option offered to eligible small businesses that already use PayPal to process payments. It’s designed to provide quick access to funds for things like covering operational costs, purchasing inventory or supporting growth. A PayPal business loan varies from traditional loans because it often requires lengthy paperwork. PayPal’s process is fully online and easy to use, which may appeal to business owners who need funding quickly. The loan comes with a fixed fee instead of a traditional interest rate, and repayments are made through automatic weekly withdrawals from the borrower’s business bank account.
Applying for a PayPal Business Loan is a relatively straightforward process, especially if you're already using PayPal for business transactions. You will need to start by checking your eligibility directly through your PayPal dashboard. If you're pre-qualified, you’ll receive an invitation to apply, which includes a custom loan offer based on your PayPal sales history.1
The application itself is completed online and typically only takes a few minutes to fill out.2 Once you submit the necessary business and identity details, PayPal will perform a soft credit check that doesn’t affect your credit score.3 If approved, you could receive funds as quickly as the next business day.4
In terms of repayment, it is completely automated, with fixed weekly payments withdrawn from your linked business bank account.5 The speed and convenience appeal to many; it’s important to carefully review the offer terms before accepting, as repayment structures and fees can vary depending on your business profile.1
Before applying for a PayPal Business Loan, it’s important to understand the basic eligibility requirements. PayPal doesn’t require a traditional credit check during the initial application; it does look at your business’s performance, especially your PayPal sales history.2 The exact criteria can vary slightly depending on whether you’re applying for a Business Loan or Working Capital, but most applicants will need to meet the following:
Meeting these standards doesn’t guarantee approval, but it helps make sure your application is considered. PayPal primarily evaluates your business’s cash flow and sales trends to determine your eligibility and loan offer.3
Understanding how PayPal Business Loans work means looking closely at the loan terms, fees, and how repayment is handled. The process can be expedited, but it’s important to know what you’re committing to so you can make an informed decision that suits your business needs.
PayPal Business Loans typically offer terms ranging from 13 to 52 weeks, depending on the loan amount, your business’s financial profile, and repayment ability.2 Loan amounts can range from $5,000 up to $150,000, with eligibility based largely on your PayPal sales history and business revenue.2 The fixed term also means you’ll be expected to repay the loan within that set timeframe, regardless of how well your business performs during that period.1
Instead of charging interest, PayPal Business Loans come with a fixed fee that is disclosed upfront.2 The flat fee doesn’t change based on how quickly you repay, meaning early repayment won’t reduce the total amount owed.4 The simplicity of a fixed fee can be appealing; it's important to calculate the effective annual percentage rate (APR), as it can be higher than traditional loans, especially for shorter terms.1
Repayment is handled through automatic daily withdrawals from your linked business bank account.2 They’re fixed daily payments that are based on the loan term rather than a percentage of sales, which differentiates PayPal Business Loans from its Working Capital product.3 This setup provides predictability but doesn’t adjust during slow sales periods, which may affect businesses with fluctuating income.5
Like any financing option, PayPal Business Loans come with both advantages and trade-offs. They provide a quick and convenient way to access capital, especially for existing PayPal users, but they may not be the right fit for every business. It’s essential to look at the overall structure, fees, and flexibility before making a decision.
Below is a balanced breakdown of the main pros and cons to help you evaluate whether this lending option aligns with your business needs.5
Benefits | Considerations |
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Fast funding, often within one business day2 | Fixed fee can result in a high effective APR1 |
No traditional credit check to apply2 | Daily repayments may strain cash flow during slow periods3 |
Transparent fixed fee, know total cost upfront2 | Loans are short term (13 to 52 weeks)2 |
No early repayment penalties4 | Requires consistent business bank account cash flow5 |
Simple online application process1 | Not available to businesses outside the U.S.2 |
Deciding whether a PayPal Business Loan is right for your business depends on your unique needs and how you manage cash flow. If your business already processes payments through PayPal, the convenience and speed of funding can be a major benefit.
The application is straightforward and doesn’t require a traditional credit check, which may appeal to businesses that don’t qualify for bank loans.2 However, the fixed fees and automatic daily repayments can be restrictive for businesses with inconsistent income.3
It’s also worth noting that borrowing amounts are based on your PayPal sales history, so newer or lower-volume sellers might not qualify for larger loans.4
However, businesses that need access to capital quickly without piles of paperwork may find it a good short-term option.5 As with any financing decision, it’s important to compare alternatives and carefully review the terms before committing to make sure it aligns with your goals.1
Wise Business can help you save big time on international payments.
Wise is not a bank, but a Money Services Business (MSB) provider and a smart alternative to banks. The Wise Business account is designed with international business in mind, and makes it easy to send, hold, and manage business funds in currencies.
Signing up to Wise Business allows access to BatchTransfer which you can use to pay up to 1000 invoices in one go. This is perfect for small businesses that are managing a global team, saving a ton of time and hassle when making payments.
Some key features of Wise Business include:
Mid-market rate: Get the mid-market exchange rate with no hidden fees on international transfers
Global Account: Send money to countries and hold multiple currencies, all in one place. You can also get major currency account details for a one-off fee to receive overseas payments like a local
Access to BatchTransfer: Pay up to 1000 invoices in one click. Save time, money, and stress when you make 1000 payments in one click with BatchTransfer payments. Access to BatchTransfer is free with a Wise Business account
Auto-conversions: Don't like the current currency exchange rate? Set your desired rate, and Wise sends the transfer the moment the rate is met
Free invoicing tool: Generate and send professional invoices
No minimum balance requirements or monthly fees: US-based businesses can open an account for free. Learn more about fees here
PayPal Business Loans are a fast and accessible funding option, especially for businesses that already rely on PayPal for payment processing. With a simple application process, fixed fees and quick turnaround times, they can be a convenient solution for managing short-term financial needs.2
However, the automatic daily repayments and reliance on PayPal sales data may not suit every business model.3 It's also important to remember that these loans are best for businesses with consistent cash flow and established PayPal histories.4
They also may not replace traditional financing for larger, long-term investments; they can be used as a practical tool for helping with cash flow gaps or seizing timely growth opportunities.5
No, you must actively process payments through PayPal to qualify for a PayPal Business Loan. Your eligibility, loan amount and repayment terms are all based on your business’s PayPal sales history.2 If you don’t regularly generate revenue through PayPal, you won’t meet the platform’s minimum sales threshold.
In most cases, PayPal does not report your Business Loan or Working Capital repayment activity to the major credit bureaus unless there’s a serious issue, such as default.3 This means repaying your loan on time is unlikely to improve your business credit score. However, missing payments or defaulting could result in collections, which may negatively affect your credit.4
Yes, you can repay your PayPal Business Loan early at any time without incurring any prepayment penalties.2,4 That flexibility is a benefit for businesses that might have fluctuating revenue or receive a cash infusion. However, it’s important to note that PayPal charges a fixed fee when the loan is originated. This fee does not decrease even if you pay off the loan early. So while you can save time by eliminating daily repayments sooner, you won’t save money on interest or fees, as you would with traditional interest-based loans.
If your business experiences a drop in revenue and you can’t cover the fixed daily repayments, it’s crucial to contact PayPal immediately.3 PayPal Business Loans require fixed repayments, even if your earnings decline⁴, which can cause cash flow strain if your sales are seasonal or inconsistent. Failing to make payments could result in penalties, collections or a restriction of your PayPal account usage.5
No, PayPal does not allow multiple Business Loans to be active at the same time.5 You must fully repay your current loan before applying for another. This includes all outstanding balances and fees. Once you’ve finished paying off your loan, there’s typically a short review period, often three to five business days, before you can apply again.4 The policy is designed to help businesses avoid becoming over-leveraged and make sure that each new loan is based on the most up-to-date financial data. So while you can apply for multiple PayPal Business Loans, you can only have one active loan at a time.
Yes, PayPal Business Loans are intended for business-related expenses only.2 There’s no formal auditing process, but using the funds for personal purchases would likely violate the loan agreement. Acceptable uses may include buying inventory, covering payroll, expanding marketing efforts, or investing in equipment. However, businesses are expected to use discretion and make sure funds are directed toward operations or growth-related expenses. If you’re found misusing funds, PayPal could take action, including freezing your account or requiring repayment.5
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*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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