Checked 12 Sep 2026
PayPal 4.1Bronze 30 pts
The most widely accepted way to get paid online - send an invoice or a PayPal.Me link and receive from almost any client in the world.
- Free to joinNo sign-up fee
- Only in 201 countriesCheck yours below
- Instant sign-upStart right away
- Pays via Bank transfer+1 more way to get paid
- Work from homeOnline, from anywhere
- Public companyNASDAQ: PYPL
- Since
- 1998 28 yrs
Based in- San Jose, United States
- Web rank
- #174 worldwide
Can you join PayPal?
Answer two questions and we check them against PayPal's sign-up rules.
Pick your country and age then press Check. Your answer shows here and in “Can I join?” below.
PayPal is a payment platform where anyone can register to start earning, and the work can be done remotely. Fees are Fees vary by transaction type and country, earnings are typically paid out standard bank transfer free, instant transfer 1.75% (max $25) and you can withdraw via Bank transfer and Debit card. Founded in 1998, PayPal is based in San Jose, United States and is publicly traded (NASDAQ: PYPL). It is available in 201 countries.
Last updated
Getting paid
What the platform takes, when you get your money and how
Not verified yet: Payment protection · Minimum payout Know the answer? Tell us
What people actually earn on PayPal
Sourced figures from the platform, filings and independent studies
We haven't found a verified figure for what people earn on PayPal yet. We add one here when PayPal or an independent study publishes numbers. See what people earn on other platforms →
What changed
Every update we made to this listing, with the page we checked
1 update · latest Sep 12, 2026
What changed
Every update we made to this listing, with the page we checked
- Payout speed added: Standard bank transfer free, Instant Transfer 1.75% (max $25) source ↗
Every change we make to this listing, with the official page we checked. Recent updates across all platforms →
How complete is this profile?
We have 9 of the 17 things we track for every platform. Fees, payouts, join rules, countries and real earnings count most.
- Plain-English overview
- Minimum payout
- Payment protection
- Real earnings figures
- Review ratings
- Support channels
- Mobile apps
- Social accounts
- What kind of platform it is
- Year founded
- Headquarters
- Fees
- How fast you get paid
- Withdrawal methods
- Join requirements
- Countries it accepts
- Wikipedia or reference page
Every fact is checked against the platform's own pages. How we check →
Our rating
Worked out from the facts on this page, the same way for every platform
Strong on track record and access.
- FeesNot enough facts yet
- Getting paid3.0
- Access4.3
- Track record5.0
- Proof of earningsNot enough facts yet
Not a review of service quality: a score from verified fees, payouts, access, track record and earnings data. How the rating works
Achievements
30 of 100 points from 6 of 14 achievements, Bronze tier. Earned from verified facts, never paid for
Free to joinNo fee to sign up+5
Why it matters Paying to join is a red flag on many work sites. This one costs nothing to start.
How we check The platform's sign-up and pricing pages show no fee to register as an earner.
PayPal free
Every platform with this badge →Fast payoutsPays out instantly, daily or on demand+5
Why it matters Money arrives when you need it, not weeks later.
How we check The platform says payouts are instant, same-day, daily or on demand.
PayPal Standard bank transfer free, Instant Transfer 1.75% (max $25)
Every platform with this badge →Top 10K websiteAmong the world's 10,000 most visited sites (Tranco)+5
Why it matters Big platforms have more clients and buyers, and a lot to lose from treating earners badly.
How we check The site ranks in the world's 10,000 most visited on the Tranco list, a research-grade ranking.
PayPal #174 worldwide
Every platform with this badge →10 years runningFounded at least 10 years ago+5
Why it matters Platforms that have lasted a decade are less likely to vanish with your balance.
How we check Its founding year, checked against company records, is at least 10 years ago.
PayPal Founded 1998
Every platform with this badge →20 years runningFounded at least 20 years ago+5
Why it matters Two decades of paying people is a strong track record.
How we check Its founding year, checked against company records, is at least 20 years ago.
PayPal Founded 1998
Every platform with this badge →Public companyListed on a stock exchange, with audited filings+5
Why it matters Listed companies publish audited accounts, so their finances and risks are public.
How we check The company has a stock ticker on a public exchange, with filings we can read.
PayPal NASDAQ: PYPL
Every platform with this badge →Verified earningsA sourced figure for what people earn or are paid there10
Why it matters You can judge the pay from a real number instead of the platform's own promises.
How we check We need a figure for what earners are paid, earn typically, or how many people earn, with a link to the filing, pay page or study it came from.
Not earned yet: we have not verified this for PayPal.
Every platform with this badge →Open worldwideAccepts people from almost every country10
Why it matters Most earning platforms only take people from a handful of countries. This one lets almost anyone join.
How we check The platform's own terms or sign-up pages say it accepts people worldwide, with no more than eight countries left out.
PayPal 200+ markets
Every platform with this badge →Clear feesPublishes its cut as a percentage5
Why it matters You can work out what you keep before you start.
How we check The platform publishes its cut as a percentage on its pricing or help pages, which we record as a range when it is tiered.
PayPal Fees vary by transaction type and country
Every platform with this badge →Low cutTakes 10% or less of what you earn10
Why it matters More of every payment reaches you. Many marketplaces take 20% or more.
How we check The highest percentage the platform names in its published fees is 10% or less.
PayPal Fees vary by transaction type and country
Every platform with this badge →Low payout barLets you cash out $10 or less5
Why it matters Small earnings are not left stuck in your account waiting for a high threshold.
How we check The platform's published minimum withdrawal is $10 or less, or it has no minimum.
Not earned yet: we have not verified this for PayPal.
Every platform with this badge →Payment protectionHolds or guarantees payment before you work10
Why it matters Something stops you working for nothing, such as client money held before the work starts.
How we check The platform publishes how it protects earners' payments: escrow, guaranteed pay or a dispute process.
Not earned yet: we have not verified this for PayPal.
Every platform with this badge →Loved appA mobile app rated 4.5 or higher5
Why it matters A well-rated app usually means smooth day-to-day work and fewer payout problems.
How we check The platform's app is rated 4.5 or higher on the Apple App Store or Google Play.
Not earned yet: we have not verified this for PayPal.
Every platform with this badge →Fully documentedFees, payouts, countries and company details all verified15
Why it matters Everything you need to decide is verified here, not left as guesswork.
How we check Fees, payouts, minimum payout, who can join and the company details are all recorded from official pages.
Not earned yet: we have not verified this for PayPal.
Every platform with this badge →
How achievements and tiers work · Open any badge for the details
Can I join PayPal?
Age, countries, equipment and how sign-up works
Yes, if you are 18 or older and live in one of 201 countries.
You can start straight after signing up.
Enter your country and age in the quick check and we will tell you here whether PayPal accepts you. Your answers stay on your device.
Check with my countryAge 18 or older
Open in201 countries
No special equipment listed.
- Sign upFree
- Start straight awayNo waiting for approval
- Do your first workJobs, tasks or sales
Good to know: Not available in Pakistan or Bangladesh, and in some listed countries accounts may only send or cannot withdraw locally, so check in the app.
PayPal's official requirements ↗Every platform you can join →
How PayPal compares
Against similar platforms in our directory
- Founded in 1998, PayPal has been running for about 28 years — longer than 51 of the 53 payment receiving platforms we track with a known launch year.
Compared with the payment receiving platforms in our directory. See them all →
Is PayPal legit?
What we could verify about the company
PayPal is a real, operating platform. What we could verify:
- Operating since 1998 (28 years)
- Headquartered in San Jose, United States
- Publicly traded (NASDAQ: PYPL)
- Has a Wikipedia article
- Among the world's top 1,000 websites by traffic (Tranco rank #174)
Listing last updated September 2026 · how we verify platforms · Missing or out of date? Tell us
PayPal in public records
Company filings, web traffic and app store data
- Website rank
- #174 worldwideAmong the top 1,000 sites (paypal.com)
- Founders
- Ken Howery, Max Levchin, Luke Nosek and Peter Thiel
- Industry
- Fintech
Revenue grew 64% from 2016 to 2019. Fiscal years as reported; revenue is the company's, not what people earned on the platform.
Sources: Tranco · Wikidata · SEC EDGAR. Retrieved October 29, 2026.
PayPal timeline
Founding, funding, milestones and news
-
Founded
PayPal founded by Ken Howery, Max Levchin and Luke Nosek
Headquarters today: San Jose, United States
-
On FreelanceSites
Added to the FreelanceSites.net directory
Checked against its official pages before listing.
From the platform's own reports and press coverage we checked, plus company records on Wikidata. Know a milestone we're missing? Tell us
Guides
Step-by-step help for this platform
No step-by-step guide for PayPal yet. Browse all guides or find the right way to earn for you.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about PayPal
How much does PayPal charge?
PayPal fees: Fees vary by transaction type and country.
How do you get paid on PayPal?
PayPal pays out via Bank transfer and Debit card. Timing: Standard bank transfer free, Instant Transfer 1.75% (max $25).
Which countries is PayPal available in?
201 countries.
Is PayPal legit?
Yes, PayPal is a real, operating platform: operating since 1998 (28 years), headquartered in San Jose, United States and publicly traded (NASDAQ: PYPL). As with any platform, check its current terms before relying on it for income.
What are the best PayPal alternatives?
Similar platforms include Wise, Payoneer, Revolut and Skrill. Compare their fees and payouts in the alternatives section below.
Compare PayPal with…
PayPal alternatives
More payment receiving like Payoneer
WiseA multi-currency account with local bank details in 9+ currencies - clients pay you like a local, and conversion happens at the mid-market rate.
Fees Low conversion fees at the mid-market ratewise.com
PayoneerThe freelancer favorite for international payments - receiving accounts in USD, EUR, GBP and more, connected directly to Upwork, Fiverr, Amazon, and dozens of marketplaces.
Fees Withdrawals 1.2-4% ($1.50 USD to US), 0.5% conversion, $29.95/yr if under $6Kpayoneer.com
RevolutA financial super-app with multi-currency accounts - freelancers receive international payments and hold, exchange, and spend dozens of currencies.
Fees Free standard plan, ATM/FX fees beyond allowancesrevolut.com
SkrillA digital wallet long popular with freelancers and online workers for receiving and sending money internationally at low cost.
Fees Free to receive, 2.99% to send, 2.8% withdrawal (min EUR 3.50), 4.49% FXskrill.com
GreyVirtual USD, GBP, and EUR accounts for African freelancers - receive international payments and convert to local currency at competitive rates.
Fees No account fees, FX conversion margingrey.co
MTN MoMoMTN mobile-money service across many African markets for receiving and sending money.
Fees Tiered cash-out fees ~0.5-2%mtn.com