PayPal vs Braintree
PayPal is global payment platform for online and in-person payments, invoicing, and transfers, while Braintree is payPal's payment gateway for online and mobile payments with support for multiple payment methods. PayPal is built for businesses wanting universal payment acceptance, whereas Braintree targets businesses that need paypal, venmo, and credit card processing in one integration.
| Feature | PayPal | Braintree |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier available | ✓ | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Checkout | ✓ | — |
| Drop-in UI | — | ✓ |
| Fraud protection | — | ✓ |
| Global | ✓ | — |
| Invoicing | ✓ | — |
| PayPal integration | — | ✓ |
| Payment processing | — | ✓ |
| Payments | ✓ | — |
| Venmo | — | ✓ |
Pricing: Both PayPal and Braintree are free. You can try both without spending a dollar.
Feature gaps: PayPal offers Checkout, Global and Invoicing that Braintree lacks. Braintree brings Drop-in UI, Fraud protection and PayPal integration that PayPal does not have.
Where each tool shines: PayPal's biggest strengths are: includes payments as a core feature, purpose-built for payment processing workflows. includes invoicing as a core feature, purpose-built for payment processing workflows. Braintree's biggest strengths are: paypal, venmo, and card payments in one integration. drop-in ui makes implementation fast.
Watch out for: With PayPal, users commonly note that free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade. With Braintree, the main complaint is that owned by paypal — some businesses prefer independent providers.
choose PayPal if
- Your profile matches its sweet spot: businesses wanting universal payment acceptance
- You specifically need Checkout and Global
- You care about includes invoicing as a core feature, purpose-built for payment processing workflows
- The free tier works for you: no monthly fees
choose Braintree if
- Your profile matches its sweet spot: businesses that need paypal, venmo, and credit card processing in one integration
- You specifically need Drop-in UI and Fraud protection
- You care about drop-in ui makes implementation fast
frequently asked
What is the difference between PayPal and Braintree?
PayPal is global payment platform for online and in-person payments, invoicing, and transfers, while Braintree is payPal's payment gateway for online and mobile payments with support for multiple payment methods. PayPal is built for businesses wanting universal payment acceptance, whereas Braintree targets businesses that need paypal, venmo, and credit card processing in one integration.
Should I use PayPal or Braintree?
PayPal is built for businesses wanting universal payment acceptance. Braintree is built for businesses that need paypal, venmo, and credit card processing in one integration. Pick the one that fits.
When should I choose PayPal over Braintree?
Choose PayPal if Your profile matches its sweet spot: businesses wanting universal payment acceptance; You specifically need Checkout and Global; You care about includes invoicing as a core feature, purpose-built for payment processing workflows; The free tier works for you: no monthly fees.
When should I choose Braintree over PayPal?
Choose Braintree if Your profile matches its sweet spot: businesses that need paypal, venmo, and credit card processing in one integration; You specifically need Drop-in UI and Fraud protection; You care about drop-in ui makes implementation fast.
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