Payment gateway software solutions have become one of the most critical tools in the world of online payments. Payment gateways help in processing, verifying, and accepting/declining direct payments on behalf of merchants using secure internet connections.
While many payment gateway solutions are available, 2Checkout and PayPal are among the most prominent ones. PayPal is the go-to choice for many to receive money from foreign transactions. However, people have started looking for alternatives due to some limitations and restrictions. 2Checkout is a beautiful option for merchants, e-commerce owners, freelancers, etc., since it integrates well with tools like Bigcommerce, Shopify, and more.
With that said, in this post, we will put light on 2Checkout vs. PayPal comparison and discuss how these two payment gateway solutions differ.
Let’s get started.
2Checkout vs. PayPal: Top Features Compared
While both the gateways work on the same principle, 2Checkout and PayPal differences are huge. The fees deducted for processing the transaction, the period when the payment will be received, the user interface, features, etc., all come into play when differentiating between the two popular payment gateways.
Several services and plans are offered through 2Checkout and PayPal. The table will guide you through the selection process.
PayPal | 2Checkout |
With Online Invoicing, contractors and freelancers can send out quick invoices for services they perform | No responsibility or charges for fraudulent or disputed charges (transactional disputes have a charge attached to them) |
The unique ‘Bill Me Later’ feature of PayPal offers no interest financing to customers | With 2Checkout, you can use multiple payment methods like debit card, credit card, and even PayPal |
PayPal allows you to set up things like recurring payments with ease | If you have an e-commerce site, 2Checkout can process 87 different currencies in 15 languages. That means it connects you to over 180 countries for worldwide selling |
Its Virtual Terminal enables you to collect phone and mail orders only at just $30 | 2Checkout allows you to integrate over 100 shopping carts without having the need for coding knowledge. The primary integrations include WooCommerce, Bigcommerce, and Spotify |
With PayPal Here mobile app, you can use the service, collect and send the payments on the go | You can use its mobile responsive checkout experience that allows your customers to purchase items while on their smartphones or tablets |
PayPal offers PayPal Payments Pro feature to website owners using which they get hosted checkout | It comes with Advanced Fraud Protection feature that prevents malicious people from taking advantage of your business |
PayPal Payments Standards is a basic payment processing plan for companies that don’t accept credit card payments. It comes extremely handy when payments are being delayed | It comes with two checkout options. The hosted checkout option supports lots of traffic and allows you to process a large number of orders. The inline checkout option is for smaller merchants that provide a seamless shopping experience |
The PayPal Express Checkout is a simple add-on for companies that accept credit card payments | The platform offers recurring billing option so that you can charge your customers on a monthly or yearly basis |
Differences between 2Checkout vs PayPal
2Checkout and PayPal are easy to navigate and are highly secure. The major differences between 2checkout and PayPal are as follows:
- PayPal possesses the “bill me later” feature, but 2Checkout does not.
- 85 currencies from more than 200 nations are accepted by 2Checkout, whereas PayPal supports 25 currencies across 200 nations.
- An electronic signature is not offered by 2Checkout, but PayPal offers that.
- 2Checkout is based on the web, but PayPal possesses Android and iPhone apps.
- 2Checkout is based on an online FAQ. But video tutorials and customer support are offered by PayPal.
- The services of 2Checkout are business-oriented, but PayPal serves both individuals and businesses.
- PayPal facilitates 6 payment methods, whereas 45 payment methods are offered by 2Checkout.
- 2Checkout is online based. On the other hand, PayPal facilitates in-person card transactions.
2checkout vs. PayPal- Support
2Checkout offered a support system for the shoppers and merchants, including a developers portal, a knowledge center, and FAQs. However, it is slightly less comprehensive than PayPal. For further support, you may need to opt for a support ticket online submission, and 2Checkout will get back to you.
PayPal got an extensive help center, offers various solutions to problems, and also replies to common questions. Also, search functionality is there to enhance convenience. You can even call the company straight away.
2checkout vs. PayPal- UX/Dashboard
2Checkout’s dashboard is less user-friendly compared to PayPal. It is designed for businesses and not for a wide range of users. Setting it up is also a bit more complicated than PayPal. The navigation bar of 2Checkout helps you find the things you are looking for.
PayPal’s UI is easy to navigate. Setting it up is easy, and starting a transaction through your account does not take long. Also, it comes with a guide that is simple to follow.
2checkout vs. PayPal- Integrations
You can integrate 2Checkout with more than 120 shopping carts, and it proves to be impressive. In addition, you can integrate PayPal into almost any eCommerce site with ease. You may opt for integration by including a PayPal HTML button, or you may choose to integrate the platform as per your choice.
2checkout vs. PayPal- Mobile apps
2Checkout does not provide you with a mobile application. But you can integrate it into several apps for mobile payments. The easy-to-use app of PayPal is available on both Android and iOS platforms. You can use it to send and receive money immediately, and you can also keep your eye on your recent activities.
2Checkout vs. PayPal- Analytics/ Reporting
2Checkout possesses a compact reports section where you can access subscription, marketing, executive, and financial reports. This is very useful in terms of business needs.
You can have easy access to every transaction history easily on PayPal, and also, you can download it in several formats like PDF, CSV, TAB, and a lot more. Everything is kept in one place. And you can access past statements, agreements, disputes, and insights.
2Checkout vs. PayPal: Ease of Use
Both platforms offer some incredible integrations and UI features when it comes to ease of use.
2Checkout:
- Implementation of 2Checkout is effortless thanks to the payment API libraries available in cURL, Java, .NET, Ruby, Python, and PHP
- The most popular open-source carts can easily integrate with this platform. That is, Magento and WordPress carts have no problem integrating with 2Checkout
- To insert the payment gateway on your website, you are provided with bits of code. And managing your payments after that becomes incredibly simple
- Moreover, you also receive quick integrations with the most celebrated online retail platforms like Bigcommerce and Shopify
- 2Checkout’s dashboard and website are easy to navigate, with well-organized and ‘ready for customization’ developer tools
PayPal:
- PayPal, like 2Checkout, is insanely easy to use. That is, you can grab the PayPal button and start selling or doing business from any website
- Even if you don’t have an e-commerce website, the PayPal button will take care of everything for you
- You can send and receive payments on the go using the PayPal mobile app. The app is as smooth as Square, and you can use its free swiper and plug into your smartphone’s jack for card payments
- Reporting is another feature of PayPal that enhances its ease of use. That is, whether you collect payments through a mobile interface or online, all the transactions will be collected and organized into one place
- You can manage your PayPal account using a browser dashboard, and you can even export the reports to analyze and make predictions for the months and years ahead
2Checkout vs. PayPal: Fee Deduction
The fees and prices are listed on their respective sites. While there are many, we have tried to cover the most important ones to determine the principle2Checkout and PayPal differences.
2Checkout:
Depending on what type of business you are running, the platform offers a flat-rate pricing model. For example, domestic and local stores will have a different rate than international ones. Moreover, there are some e-commerce add-ons to consider in your fees in case if you plan to avail of the subscription plan.
In general, 2Checkout offers transparent pricing, and no hidden charges or monthly fees are attached. The pricing for 2Checkout has drastically changed over the years, and currently, it has numerous plans. While these plans are expensive than PayPal, it depends on your situation.
Here is what you can expect-
- 2Monetize Plan: For selling digital items internationally. It comes with a rate of $0.60 + 6% per sale
- 2Subscribe Plan: For selling subscriptions. It comes with a rate of $0.45 + 4.5% per sale
- 2Sell Plan: For selling products/services on a global scale. It comes with a rate of $0.35 + 3.5% per sale
In addition to these, if you are using e-commerce extensions, there are different charges. Some of its e-commerce extensions include:
- 2Service – for selling professional service
- 2Partner – for channel distribution and more automation
- 2Comply – for managing taxes
- 2Bill – for handling complex subscription sites
- 2Conver – for boosting conversions
Things to keep in mind when it comes to 2Checkout pricing
- On top of the daily bank exchange rate, currency conversion comes with a fee of 2-5%
- If you accept payment from people outside the US, a 1% service charge will be applied. This service charge differ based on the country you are operating in
- You can choose in whatever way you want to receive your payouts
- In case of any chargeback, you will be charged $20. 2Checkout is quite vigilant when it comes to preventing fraudulent chargebacks
- There are no hidden charges like for recurring billing or fraud protection
- There are no setup fees or monthly charges, making it a suitable option for freelancers and those who want to spend just a little to get started
- In case you sign up for the Enterprise plan, you can get a volume discount
PayPal:
Since PayPal is one of the oldest payment gateways, most people know its pricing option. Let’s have a look at that.
- For chargebacks, you will have to pay a fee of $20
- For virtual terminal transactions, the rate of $0.30 + 3.1% per transaction is charged
- In-Store and Keyed-in Mobile transactions are charged at $0.15 + 3.5 per transaction
- Swiped mobile and in-store transactions are charged at 2.7% per transaction
- For web transactions, you will be charged $0.30 + 2.9% per transaction
Things to keep in mind when it comes to PayPal pricing
- If you are a small company with transactions under $10 apiece, PayPal has a special plan that goes for $0.05 + 5% per transaction
- If you are taking up the PayPal Payment Pro plan, it requires a monthly payment. That means you will have to spend at least $30 every month for additional features and services
Related: Skrill review 2023: Is it safe and worth using it for your business
2Checkout vs. PayPal in terms of Security
Since millions of people use both payment gateway platforms worldwide, they have to be safe and secure from malicious hackers and fraudulent activities.
Take full advantage of the security measures 2Checkout and PayPal offer and follow suitable security protocols, like using two-factor authentication. You can rest assured that your transactions are safe on these platforms.
For instance, 2Checkout is PCI Level 1 certified. This is the highest level of security certification a company can have. It also comes with a 3-tier defense strategy that helps detect fraud in real time.
How to set up 2Checkout?
If you are considering signing up with 2Checkout and receiving payments, here’s a quick guide to getting started with the payment gateway.
- Log into 2Checkout by creating a 2Ckeckout Account
- Go to Account Tab > Site Management subcategory
- Turn off the Demo Mode during Live Sales
- Make sure your store’s currency matches your 2Checkout Pricing Currency
- Go to Direct Return and choose Header Redirect. You must update this URL every time you change your domain on 2Checkut.
- Email your new URL at accountupdates@2checkout.com
- Type your password (Secret Word)
- Hit the Save Changes button
- 2Checkout admin will manage all the activities related to any order created, invoice, fraud status, or refund
Conclusion
Based on the thorough comparison we have provided, it will be easier for you to choose the payment gateway based on your requirements. If you have any concerns regarding the 2Checkout vs. Paypal, feel free to ask us, or you can directly go to their website for additional information.