Should I keep PayPal/Zettle or compare alternatives?
PayPal and its Zettle in-person arm are widely recognized and easy to set up. As transaction volume grows, it's worth checking whether the flat-rate pricing still lines up well against other models.
Last reviewed July 25, 2026 · Trailhead Payments
Very low-volume or occasional sellers who want instant brand recognition and a simple setup with no other accounts required.
Strengths
- Extremely well-known and trusted by consumers
- Fast, self-serve setup with no long-term contract
- Consistent flat-rate pricing across online and in-person
Things to consider
- Flat-rate pricing is on the higher end of published options for meaningful volume
- Account holds and risk reviews have historically been a pain point for some merchants
- In-person hardware is limited to the Zettle reader
Pricing approach
Flat-rate pricing, published publicly, applied online and in person.
Hardware & POS considerations
Zettle reader only; businesses needing a broader terminal lineup will want to compare other providers.
Your volume is light, brand recognition at checkout matters, and the simplicity outweighs the per-transaction cost.
Your volume has grown, you've experienced account holds, or you need a broader hardware lineup than a single reader.
PayPal is a reasonable starting point for many businesses. A review checks whether it's still the most efficient option once volume picks up.
Every Trailhead Review™ looks at the same five areas.
Technology helps us pull and organize the numbers, but a person reviews every recommendation before it reaches you. Staying with your current setup is treated as a legitimate outcome, not a failure to find something to sell — sometimes the smartest move is staying put.
- Costs & Fees
- Contract & Terms
- POS & Equipment
- Software & Integrations
- Support & Growth Readiness
Content reviewed and maintained by Trailhead Payments. Have questions about how we evaluate your setup? Start a free Trailhead Review™.
See how your current setup compares.
A free Trailhead Review™ looks at your actual statement next to how PayPal / Zettle is typically priced — including staying put as a valid outcome.