We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page. It never changes a score or a ranking. How we make money
Most buyers should pick PayPal.
Choose Elavon if you need a dedicated processor for in-person or online sales and want published starting rates: in-person processing starts at 2.60% + 12¢ per qualified transaction; online starts at 3.30% + 30¢. Choose PayPal if you want a business account with no monthly maintenance fee and broad wallet and checkout options; processing charges apply. PayPal is our default for most small businesses on the published pricing, while neither comparison publishes team seat costs or integration details.
01Side by side
| Elavon | PayPal | |
|---|---|---|
| Published entry pricing | 2.60% + 12¢ in-person; 3.30% + 30¢ online | $0/month account; processing fees apply |
| Free plan | No free plan listed | Free business account; no monthly maintenance fee |
| Best for | Businesses needing online, in-person, or mobile processing | Businesses wanting checkout, wallet, and money-transfer options |
| Core strength | Payment processing, gateways, and customized online reporting | Checkout, money transfers, shopping, and savings |
| Learning curve | Not published | Not published |
| Integrations/data | Customized reporting listed; integrations not published | Integrations and reporting details not published |
| Team/seat costs | Not published | Not published |
| Support | Customer support listed as available 24/7/365 | Support availability not published |
Elavon Choose Elavon if
- Choose Elavon if you need in-person and online payment processing.
- Choose Elavon if you want published starting processing rates.
- Choose Elavon if 24/7/365 customer support matters.
PayPal Choose PayPal if
- Choose PayPal if you want a business account with no monthly maintenance fee.
- Choose PayPal if you need online checkout and a digital wallet.
- Choose PayPal if you want money transfers and shopping features.
02Pricing compared
Elavon lists transaction-based pricing, not monthly subscription fees. In-person processing starts at 2.60% + 12¢ per qualified transaction; online processing starts at 3.30% + 30¢. Both list $0 annual, batch, additional authorization and cancellation or early termination fees. Interchange Plus is available, but its price is not published.
PayPal’s Business Account has no monthly maintenance fee, but processing charges apply: PayPal Checkout and Venmo are listed at 3.49% + $0.49, standard card payments at 2.99% + $0.49, and in-person card or QR payments at 2.29% + $0.09. Other PayPal checkout options carry monthly fees: Payments Advanced is $5 per month, Payflow Pro is $25, and Payments Pro is $30. Transaction fees may also apply. The pricing pages do not publish annual billing prices.
03Features and depth
Elavon is the more dedicated payment-processing option. Its listed services cover online, in-person and on-the-go payments, plus payment gateways, eCommerce tools, reporting and customer support. Quick Capital, offered through Liberis, provides funding with payments that adjust to daily card sales. Elavon says support is available 24/7/365.
PayPal combines business checkout with a broader consumer wallet. Businesses can accept online and in-person payments, while users can send or request money; accounts are required to send and receive. PayPal also offers Pay in 4 and Pay Monthly, subject to approval and availability, along with merchant offers and rewards on eligible purchases. Its additional consumer features include PayPal Savings, held at Synchrony Bank with a variable APY, and cryptocurrency buying, selling and transfers, with fees and risks applying.
Choose based on the job: Elavon’s published materials focus on payment acceptance and processing. PayPal adds shopping, transfers and wallet features, but that broader scope does not make its processing fees disappear.
04Ease of use and learning curve
Neither set of materials gives enough detail to compare setup steps, integrations or day-to-day learning curves. Elavon lists online, in-person and mobile payment options, reporting tools and 24/7/365 customer support, but the published information does not specify which integrations are included or how onboarding works.
PayPal’s Business Account combines checkout options without a monthly maintenance fee, while Payflow and other checkout products add separate pricing and choices. Money transfers require accounts for both sending and receiving. Before switching, confirm how your current checkout, payment terminals and reporting will connect: integration details and team-seat costs are not published in this comparison’s published material.
Questions people ask
Is Elavon legitimate?
The published materials describe Elavon as a payment processor for small businesses and enterprises, with online, in-person and on-the-go payment services. They do not independently verify its regulatory standing or assess a specific offer. Check the full contract and applicable terms before signing.
Is Stripe payment better than PayPal?
The published sources do not include Stripe pricing or features, so we can’t make a grounded head-to-head verdict. PayPal’s listed Business Account has no monthly maintenance fee, but transaction charges apply. Compare both providers’ fees for your sales channels and confirm integration details before switching.
What is Opayo by Elavon?
The published materials do not explain Opayo’s relationship to Elavon or list Opayo plans. They do say Elavon offers payment gateway solutions and online payment processing. Check Opayo’s own current product and pricing information to confirm what it includes and how it is offered.
Is PayPal considered a fintech company?
Yes. The published product information describes PayPal as a financial technology company and digital wallet. It covers online and in-store payments, money transfers, savings and shopping, as well as installment options and cryptocurrency services. Availability, approval, fees and risks vary by feature.