By Paul Martinez
/ September 27, 2022 March 16, 2023
Table of Contents
The advancement of payment systems has led to the introduction of online payment services, digital wallets, and website purchases. Due to digitization, it’s easy to send money, receive payments, and reserve funds online. PayPal and Apple Pay are two of the most popular and efficient payment services. Both platforms allow users to transfer funds and make online payments. Additionally, you can keep your cash in a mobile wallet for free.
Our Pick
Though both payment services are reliable with similar characteristics, PayPal is objectively a clear winner. PayPal payments are secure, the site reaches multiple users worldwide, plus the app has a user-friendly interface. The business company offers convenient payment solutions and has grown exponentially since its launch in 1998. Despite its bestselling features, PayPal has worthy market competition with Apple Pay. This article will tackle the Apple Pay vs. PayPal debate by discussing the similarities and differences between the two payment apps.
About PayPal
With over two hundred million users worldwide, PayPal offers a secure site for individuals, merchants, and businesses. You only need an email address to sign up for a PayPal account to accept payments successfully. Once you have created an account, you can use it to buy from participating stores online, where the service is accepted. For payments, you need to enter the recipient’s email address and select the fund source — your linked bank account.
Subsequently, you must choose the currency and click ‘Send.’ Once you’ve verified the transaction, the platform will notify the recipient that the cash is awaiting approval in their account. Think of PayPal as a safe mobile payment app you can use for online transactions. You must add your credit or debit card to process PayPal payments. Most transactions you can perform on the website are free, including bank transfers.
You may incur charges on your balance if the trade requires a currency conversion or business tools. The mobile payment app also has enterprise tools to promote seamless transactions for merchants. It works in over two hundred countries and supports more than twenty-five currencies. You can use it wherever, on any device, as long as you have your login details.
Features
PayPal Credit for credit card payments
Account options include individual, merchant, or business
Multiple free and widely supported transactions
PayPal Payments Pro option for merchants and business transactions
End-to-end data encryption and two-factor authentication
Option to request money
Pros
Telephonic support
Encrypted credit transactions
Easy to transfer money
Adequate protection of personal information
Free to use
No display of debit card or bank information
Cons
No in-person transactions
Limited terms and conditions of use
About Apple Pay
Apple Pay is an online payment platform that acts as a replacement for bank cards. The app allows customers to pay in person at contact-free terminals and online via the Apple Wallet app. If the merchant’s sales platform accepts tap payments, you can pay with your iPhone, Apple Watch, or iPad. Apple Pay can house up to sixteen cards, including reward cards, at no extra cost. Also, all transactions with the app are free. The app is available in seventy-four countries worldwide, and various card schemes are accepted.
Unfortunately, Apple Pay only works with supported Apple devices. Consequently, Android users have opted for Android Pay or Google Pay as alternatives. Apple Pay is easy to set up; you only need a compatible device, a supported bank card, and your Apple ID. Apple Pay users must authenticate in-store purchases with a pin, passcode, touch, or face ID.
Once you’ve entered the passcode, you’ll need to hold your phone above the contactless terminal. Due to Near-Field Communication, the seller will immediately process the purchase. Subsequently, the ‘Done’ prompt will appear to indicate that you have paid.
Features
Keeps between eight and sixteen debit, credit, or reward cards
Tap to pay with your Apple device
Allows you to pay multiple merchants at once
Apple Pay Later for installment-type payments
Detailed order tracking for transactions within the Apple ecosystem
Apple Pay Cash for friend-to-friend transfers
Pros
Friendly app interface
Efficient customer care
Easy checkout in stores
Secure web payments
No charges or hidden fees
Contact free paying option
Cons
Not ideal for business-related payments
Works on Apple devices only
Similarities Between PayPal and Apple Pay
Besides the noticeable differences between the two platforms, PayPal and Apple Pay have notable similarities. These similarities make the two apps viable options when performing digitized transactions. Additionally, they may help you decide which features to prioritize when searching for a credible payment company.
Trusted by Multiple Business Outlets and Websites
Due to the progression of technology, online payment systems are growing in popularity and efficiency. As a result, PayPal and Apple Pay are available as avenues of payment in the majority of online stores. Payments are reliable and easy to use for both merchant and buyer. Thus, they have garnered immense popularity worldwide.
Digital Wallet Services
The pair offer the option to store your cash in the app. You can choose to keep your credit or debit cards in either service platform and use your money whenever you please. Both outlets are payment processors, meaning you can use them to sign off on bank card transactions. So, they can act as an agent between merchants and customers, prioritizing safety over customer information. This feature also allows you to perform any bank transfer with ease.
Security and Privacy
Apple Pay has a secure element chip, which keeps your identification and authentication information safe from fraudulent activities. Moreover, the platform servers do not store your purchasing information. Thus, you can safely use your phone and pin, passcode, touch, or face ID to perform transactions. Both apps have two-factor authentication protocols in place for when you want to complete transactions online. The apps also require you to enter your password before authorized payment.
Differences Between PayPal and Apple Pay
As mentioned before, the two finance facilities have multiple distinguishing features. Though both companies help you send money, they offer diverse value to occasional users, business owners, and consumers. Let’s get into the details that set these two payment systems apart and how they impact your experience.
User Coverage
PayPal is available to more users worldwide compared to Apple Pay. Due to Apple Pay requiring an Apple ID and device, access to the payment service is limited. Moreover, you need an iPad, Apple Watch, MacBook, or iPhone 6 or newer to use Apple Pay, which further narrows accessibility. The Apple company promotes exclusivity as opposed to the alternative company promoting availability.
Pricing Options
PayPal Payments Pro allows users and merchants to perform entire transactions without being redirected to the platform’s website. This option is ideal for merchants because they get complete control over sales, plus customers have a hassle-free shopping experience. PayPal Payments Pro is $30 a month, plus every transaction is accompanied by $0.30 and a 2.9% fee. As opposed to Apple Pay, which is 100% free to use with no subscription plans.
Security Features
Apple Pay is connected to your Apple Wallet, which contains vulnerable financial information. Therefore, you need to implement additional security measures, like face recognition, a touch ID, a pin, or a passcode. PayPal only requires your app password and username to grant access to your account.
Near Field Communication Technology
Apple Pay uses Near Field Communications (NFC) technology to perform transactions. This technology allows customers to tap their devices on the sale point terminal, where you’d typically tap your bank card. You can do this in stores that accept contactless payments. Contrastingly, PayPal is only available as a payment option for online and not in-person transactions.
Conclusion
Both companies are reliable and efficient payment service platforms. Moreover, they provide safe avenues for performing transactions online and in person. Due to expansive availability and security, PayPal is the better service, especially for online money transfers. For most people, Apple Pay is easier to use and ideal for in-person purchases because it doesn’t require a physical card. It can be your online debit or credit wallet, plus the website has good security features to protect your information.
Both platforms have benefits like Apple Pay Cash and PayPal Payments Pro to entice clients. As mentioned above, PayPal Payments Pro is a gateway option for merchants, and Apple Pay Cash is one of the many Apple services designed for your convenience. Such benefits place the two ahead of various competitive alternatives, such as Google Pay and Google wallet.
Dig deeper into the various types of payments in our knowledge center.
Paul Martinez is the founder of EcomSidekick.com. He is an expert in the areas of finance, real estate, eCommerce, traffic and conversion.
Join him on EcomSidekick.com to learn how to improve your financial life and excel in these areas. Before starting this media site, Paul built from scratch and managed two multi-million dollar companies. One in the real estate sector and one in the eCommerce sector.
