The best alternatives to PayPal
PayPal’s US-based infrastructure and aggressive fee scaling push many EU businesses to look for alternatives. Adyen and Mollie offer EU-hosted payments with transparent pricing and stronger GDPR alignment. Others, like GoCardless, specialize in direct debit, avoiding PayPal’s currency conversion markups entirely.
European alternatives
Frequently asked questions
Why do businesses switch from PayPal to a European alternative?
The main triggers are high fees for international transactions and currency conversions, US-based data hosting, and account freezes. European providers like Adyen or Mollie address these with EU server locations, GDPR compliance, and clearer pricing structures.
Which European PayPal alternatives are GDPR-compliant?
Adyen, Mollie, and GoCardless process and store payment data within the EU and offer DPAs to meet GDPR requirements. Payrexx also provides EU hosting and compliance tools for merchants handling customer data.
Can I migrate existing PayPal customers to a new provider?
Yes, but the process depends on the alternative. Adyen supports direct integrations with many e-commerce platforms, making migration smoother. Mollie and GoCardless require re-onboarding customers, as they don’t inherit PayPal’s stored payment methods.
Are European PayPal alternatives cheaper?
Generally, yes for EU-based transactions. Adyen and Mollie offer competitive, volume-based pricing without PayPal’s currency conversion fees. GoCardless avoids card network fees entirely by using direct debit, which can be cheaper for recurring payments.
What is the best European alternative to PayPal for online stores?
Adyen is the most comprehensive option for online stores, supporting over 100 payment methods, EU hosting, and strong GDPR compliance. Mollie is a close second, with a simpler setup and broad e-commerce integrations.