PayPal vs Wave: Pricing Comparison (2026)
PayPal starts at Free. Wave starts at $19/mo. PayPal is $19/mo cheaper on the entry tier than Wave.
The consumer + business payments network with 400M+ active accounts globally. Positioned as the trusted-name alternative to Stripe for merchants selling to buyers who want the PayPal 'Buy Now' checkout familiarity. Distinctive for its 20+ year buyer/seller protection reputation and cross-border reach (200+ markets, 100+ currencies). Priced as pure transaction fees (no monthly subscription for Standard/Checkout); PayPal Advanced at $30/mo unlocks virtual terminal + customization. Owns Braintree (developer-focused payments) and Venmo (consumer P2P) — sold as separate products. Publicly traded (NASDAQ: PYPL). Global market share behind Stripe on developer-first SaaS but ahead in mainstream e-commerce brand recognition.
Free accounting software from Canada, acquired by H&R Block for $537M in 2019. Positioned as the alternative to QuickBooks for freelancers and micro-businesses that can't justify a paid accounting subscription. Distinctive for its genuine forever-free accounting/invoicing (competitors moved everything to paid). Monetizes through payments (2.9% + 60¢), payroll ($20-$40/mo), and advisor services. Popular with side hustlers, freelancers, and micro-businesses under $50K annual revenue.
All plans compared
| # | Plan | PayPal monthly | PayPal annual | Wave monthly | Wave annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PayPal Standard / Starter | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | PayPal Checkout / Pro | 0 | 0 | 19 | 15.83 |
| 3 | PayPal Advanced (Pro) | 30 | 30 | — | — |
What each is best for
The consumer + business payments network with 400M+ active accounts globally. Positioned as the trusted-name alternative to Stripe for merchants selling to buyers who want the PayPal 'Buy Now' checkout familiarity. Distinctive for its 20+ year buyer/seller protection reputation and cross-border reach (200+ markets, 100+ currencies). Priced as pure transaction fees (no monthly subscription for Standard/Checkout); PayPal Advanced at $30/mo unlocks virtual terminal + customization. Owns Braintree (developer-focused payments) and Venmo (consumer P2P) — sold as separate products. Publicly traded (NASDAQ: PYPL). Global market share behind Stripe on developer-first SaaS but ahead in mainstream e-commerce brand recognition.
Free accounting software from Canada, acquired by H&R Block for $537M in 2019. Positioned as the alternative to QuickBooks for freelancers and micro-businesses that can't justify a paid accounting subscription. Distinctive for its genuine forever-free accounting/invoicing (competitors moved everything to paid). Monetizes through payments (2.9% + 60¢), payroll ($20-$40/mo), and advisor services. Popular with side hustlers, freelancers, and micro-businesses under $50K annual revenue.
At a glance
| PayPal | Wave | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Entry price | Free | $19/mo |
| Enterprise available | Yes | — |
| Pricing model | — | Freemium |
| Last verified | August 21, 2026 | August 22, 2026 |
| Full pricing | View full pricing | View full pricing |
Pricing last verified August 22, 2026. Tracked daily.