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Mercado Pago vs PayPal
Mercado Pago and PayPal are both payment receiving platforms. Fees — Mercado Pago: Free P2P, ~0.5-6% merchant receiving fees. PayPal: Fees vary by transaction type and country.
Updated · from each platform’s published fees and payout terms · how we verify
Key differences
- Fees — Mercado Pago: Free P2P, ~0.5-6% merchant receiving fees. PayPal: Fees vary by transaction type and country.
- Both pay out via Bank transfer and Debit card.
- PayPal is the older platform — founded in 1998, 5 years before Mercado Pago (2003).
- Mercado Pago is based in Argentina, PayPal in United States.
- Mercado Pago focuses on Argentina, Brazil and Mexico, while PayPal operates internationally.
Which should you choose?
Choose Mercado Pago if…
- You live in Argentina, Brazil or Mexico.
Choose PayPal if…
- You prefer a long track record (since 1998).
Side by side
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Mercado Pago
Latin America biggest payments app - anyone can receive via QR codes, payment links, and card readers, with or…
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PayPal
The most widely accepted way to get paid online - send an invoice or a PayPal.Me link and receive from almost…
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|---|---|---|
| Type | Payment receiving like Payoneer | Payment receiving like Payoneer |
| Category | Payments | Payments |
| Vetted | No | No |
| Work from home | Yes | Yes |
| Fees | Free P2P, ~0.5-6% merchant receiving fees | Fees vary by transaction type and country |
| Payout speed | — | Standard bank transfer free, Instant Transfer 1.75% (max $25) |
| Withdraw via | Bank transfer, Debit card | Bank transfer, Debit card |
| Availability | Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Uruguay | 200+ markets |
| Local to | Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Uruguay | — |
| Founded | 2003 | 1998 |
| Headquarters | Buenos Aires, Argentina | San Jose, United States |
| Stock ticker | — | NASDAQ: PYPL |
| Popularity | 55 views · 0 likes | 51 views · 0 likes |
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Mercado Pago or PayPal?
Mercado Pago: Free P2P, ~0.5-6% merchant receiving fees. PayPal: Fees vary by transaction type and country.
Where are Mercado Pago and PayPal available?
Mercado Pago: Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Uruguay. PayPal: 200+ markets.