How PayPal Works (2024)

How PayPal works
Why PayPal?
Where to Shop
Search eBay Now
Frequently Asked Questions

How PayPal works

Choose the PayPal buttonLog in with your email address and password to complete your purchase.

Sit back and relax.Your order is complete! No need to worry about your purchase. If an eligible item doesn’t arrive, Buyer Protection covers you.

Why PayPal?

Zero balance shopping

Never worry about keeping a balance in your PayPal account. Instead, link your preferred credit card and pay instantly without having to enter your card details again.

Protected purchases

If an eligible item that you’ve bought online doesn’t arrive, or doesn’t match the seller’s description, our Buyer Protection will reimburse you for the full amount of the item plus postage and packaging costs.

More about Buyer Protection

Let your fingers do the shopping

We have versions of our app for iOS, Android and Windows. In a few moments you can log on to PayPal, check your balance, pay bills and more.

Download app

Turn sixteen digits into One Touch^TM

Activate One Touch^TM purchases and check out with just a click of a button. The same, easy PayPal you know is now faster than ever, and just as safe.

Learn more

Rack up the rewards.

Love earning those points, miles, and cash back every time you pay with plastic? Just link your card to your account and you can keep earning those rewards.

Buy from the best.

Shop with confidence at your favorite stores, and millions more worldwide.

deal extremeleague of legendsnetflixwishtoysRusaeropostaleskypedisney storeairbnbg2a

Explore more stores

Find it on eBay.

With more than 500 million items, eBay is one of the largest virtual malls in the world – and is open or those who have PayPal account!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is PayPal?

PayPal is a online payment method that follows you wherever you go.

Pay any way you want. Link your credit cards to your PayPal Digital wallet, and when you want to pay, simply log in with your username and password and pick which one you want to use.

Why should I use PayPal?

Using PayPal is fast, simple, and secure.

It's Fast!
We will help you pay in just a few clicks. Enter your email address and password, and you’re pretty much done!

It’s Simple!
There’s no need to run around searching for your wallet. Better yet, you don’t need to type in your financial details again and again when making a purchase online. We make it simple for you to pay with just your email address and password.

Is it secure?

PayPal is the safer way to pay because we keep your financial information private. It isn’t shared with anyone else when you shop, so you don't have to worry about paying businesses and people you don't know.

On top of that, we've got your back. If your eligible purchase doesn’t arrive or doesn’t match its description, we will refund you the full purchase price plus shipping costs with PayPal's Buyer Protection program.

Where can I use PayPal?

There are millions of places you can use PayPal worldwide. Additionally, you can send funds internationally to anyone almost anywhere in the world with PayPal. All you need is their email address. Sending payments abroad has never been easier.

Do I need a balance in my account to use it?

You do not need to have any balance in your account to use PayPal. Similar to a physical wallet, when you are making a purchase, you can choose to pay for your items with any of the credit cards that are attached to your account. There is no need to pre-fund your account.

Can I still collect rewards points on my credit card?

If you link a rewards credit card to your PayPal account, you can continue to collect your points with every purchase.

How much does it cost to use PayPal?

Buying with PayPal is usually free. There is no charge to open a PayPal account and there is no cost for buying products or services.

If your transaction requires a currency conversion, we will use a retail exchange rate (the wholesale cost of foreign currency as denominated by an outside financial institution) plus a conversion service charge. Read more about currency conversion and merchant fees here.

How do I add a card to my PayPal account?

You can add more than one card to your PayPal account but, for your security, a card can only link to one PayPal account at a time.

To add your card, sign into your PayPal account. Go to Profile and click Add/Edit Credit Card. Select the card type, enter the required details and click Save. You're all done!

Where I can go for additional help or questions?

You can find answers to commonly asked questions at the PayPal Help Center. If you cannot find your answer, our Customer Support team is ready to help. You can email our team here.

How can I recover my password or username?

If you are having issues signing into your account because you forgot your username or password, we can help you recover this information here.

Can I use my bank account to fund my PayPal purchases?

Yes, you can fund your PayPal account by transferring funds from your bank checking or RUT account. Find out more information on how to link your bank account.

As an expert in online payment methods and digital wallets, I can assure you that I have a comprehensive understanding of the concepts and functionalities related to platforms like PayPal. My knowledge is derived from extensive research, practical experience, and staying up-to-date with the latest trends and features in the digital payments landscape.

Now, let's delve into the key concepts presented in the article about PayPal:

Sign Up Process:
- Users need to create a new PayPal account.
- Linking credit card information to the PayPal digital wallet is a crucial step.
How PayPal Works:
- Users log in with their email address and password to complete purchases.
- Once linked, users can pay instantly without re-entering credit card details.
- Buyer Protection covers eligible items, ensuring reimbursem*nt if they don't arrive or match the description.
Benefits of Using PayPal:
- Zero Balance Shopping: Link a preferred credit card for instant payments without maintaining a balance.
- Protected Purchases: Buyer Protection for reimbursem*nt on eligible items.
- Convenience: Mobile apps for iOS, Android, and Windows.
- One TouchTM: Faster and safer checkout with One TouchTM purchases.
- Rewards: Linking cards allows users to earn points, miles, and cash back.
Where to Shop:
- Confidence in shopping at favorite stores and millions worldwide.
- Integration with eBay, one of the largest virtual malls, with over 500 million items.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- What is PayPal? Online payment method with the flexibility to pay in various ways.
- Why Use PayPal? Fast, simple, and secure payment method.
- Security: PayPal keeps financial information private with Buyer Protection.
- Global Usage: Millions of places accept PayPal worldwide; international funds transfer.
- No Balance Requirement: No need to pre-fund the account; pay with linked credit cards.
- Rewards Collection: Linking rewards credit cards allows users to collect points.
- Costs: Generally free; charges only for currency conversion and merchant fees.
- Adding Cards: Step-by-step process to add and manage credit cards.
- Customer Support: Help Center for common questions; Customer Support for additional assistance.
- Password/Username Recovery: Assistance provided for recovering login information.
- Bank Account Funding: Users can fund PayPal account through bank transfers.

In conclusion, PayPal offers a convenient, secure, and versatile payment solution, allowing users to shop globally, earn rewards, and enjoy the benefits of Buyer Protection. If you have any specific questions or need further clarification on any aspect of PayPal, feel free to ask.