Skip to main content

Processor Comparison

ClickWerxs vs PayPal: Stop Overpaying for Payment Processing

PayPal charges 3.49% + $0.49 per online transaction — one of the highest rates in the industry. Add fund freezes, $2,500 policy violation fines, and support that reads from a script, and it's clear why merchants are leaving. Compare PayPal and ClickWerxs.

  • 3.49% + $0.49 — highest standard online rate
  • $2,500 fines per policy violation
  • Fund holds up to 180 days without warning
  • 2% fee just to access your own money faster

3.49%+49¢

PayPal online rate

$2,500

PayPal policy violation fine

180

Max days PayPal holds funds

2%

PayPal instant transfer fee

ClickWerxs vs PayPal: The Full Comparison

PayPal's name recognition is undeniable. But how does it stack up on the metrics that actually affect your bottom line? Here's the data.

Online Processing Rate

ClickWerxsInterchange-plus
PayPal3.49% + $0.49

In-Person Processing Rate

ClickWerxsInterchange-plus
PayPal2.29% + $0.09

Keyed / Manual Entry Rate

ClickWerxsInterchange-plus
PayPal3.49% + $0.09

Venmo Payments

ClickWerxs
PayPal3.49% + $0.49

Pay Later Rate

ClickWerxs
PayPal4.99% + $0.49

Fund Hold Policy

ClickWerxsConversation first
PayPalUp to 180 days

High-Risk Industry Support

ClickWerxs
PayPal

Policy Violation Fine

ClickWerxsCase-specific
PayPal$2,500 per violation

Next-Day Funding

ClickWerxs
PayPal2% fee for instant

Cash Discount Programs

ClickWerxs
PayPal

Dedicated Account Manager

ClickWerxs
PayPalEnterprise only

International Fee

ClickWerxsCompetitive rates
PayPal+1.5% cross-border

PayPal pricing data from paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/merchant-fees, accessed March 2026. ClickWerxs rates vary by merchant profile.

The Real Cost of Processing Through PayPal

PayPal's standard checkout rate of 3.49% + $0.49 is among the highest in the industry. On a $100 transaction, you pay $3.98 in fees. With ClickWerxs interchange-plus pricing on the same transaction, you'd typically pay $2.50-$3.20. That difference adds up fast: on $50,000/month in online volume, you'd save $390-$740 every single month by switching to ClickWerxs.

  • Interchange-plus pricing saves 25-40% vs PayPal's standard checkout rate
  • Next-day funding included free — no 2% surcharge to access your money
  • Case-specific policy review — no blanket $2,500 fines like PayPal
  • Human support from a dedicated account manager, not a call center script
  • Cash discount programs to eliminate processing costs entirely
See Your Savings
$100 Transaction Breakdown
PayPal Standard Checkout3.49% + $0.49
Percentage fee$3.49
Fixed fee$0.49
Total fee$3.98
ClickWerxs Interchange-PlusVaries by card
Typical range$2.50 – $3.20
Avg. total fee~$2.85
At $50,000/mo online volume
You save$390 – $740/mo
$4,680 – $8,880 per year

Exact savings vary by merchant volume and card mix.

6 Reasons Merchants Choose ClickWerxs Over PayPal

PayPal built its reputation with consumers. ClickWerxs built ours with merchants.

40%

Dramatically Lower Fees

PayPal charges 3.49% + $0.49 for standard checkout — one of the highest rates available. Even PayPal's QR code rate of 2.29% + $0.09 is higher than most interchange-plus effective rates. On $50K/month, you'd save $400-$700 with ClickWerxs.

0

No Frozen Funds

PayPal can hold your money for up to 180 days. They've faced class-action lawsuits over this practice, with some merchants reporting funds were never returned. ClickWerxs never freezes funds without a direct conversation with your account manager first.

24h

Free Next-Day Funding

PayPal's standard payout takes 1-3 business days. Want it faster? That'll cost you 2% per instant transfer. ClickWerxs provides next-day funding as a standard feature — no premium tier, no extra fees.

$0

Case-Specific Policy Review

PayPal can fine your account $2,500 per violation of their Acceptable Use Policy. Their restricted list covers a wide range of legitimate business categories. ClickWerxs works with merchants in specialized categories — any policy matters are handled case-by-case, not with blanket fines.

Dedicated Account Manager

PayPal's standard support is notorious for long wait times, scripted responses, and representatives who can't explain why your account was frozen. ClickWerxs assigns you a named account manager who knows your business and picks up the phone.

Cash Discount Programs

PayPal offers no mechanism for passing processing fees to customers. ClickWerxs offers fully compliant cash discount and surcharge programs that can eliminate your processing costs entirely — a feature that saves merchants thousands per year.

PayPal froze $22,000 the week before Christmas. No explanation, no timeline, and customer service couldn't tell me why. ClickWerxs got us approved in 24 hours, and the interchange-plus pricing saves us over $500 a month compared to what we were paying PayPal.

Diana R.

E-Commerce Brand, Miami FL

$6,000+

Annual savings

Who Should Stay With PayPal

PayPal isn't the right choice for most merchants, but it has genuine strengths in specific scenarios. Stay with PayPal if these apply.

  • Your customers specifically expect and prefer the PayPal checkout button
  • You sell primarily to consumers who value PayPal's buyer protection reputation
  • You want to accept Venmo payments as a checkout option
  • You run a small side business with low volume where simplicity matters more than rates
  • You need PayPal's Pay Later / Pay in 4 installment feature for your product
  • Your business is already integrated with PayPal Commerce Platform (Braintree) at enterprise level
  • You sell internationally and PayPal's buyer-side brand recognition drives conversions
  • You process under $5K/month and the higher rate isn't meaningful at your volume

The Math: PayPal vs ClickWerxs Savings

Let's run the numbers on a real-world example. A merchant processing $50,000/month in online transactions through PayPal pays approximately $1,995 in fees (3.49% + $0.49 per transaction, assuming 500 transactions). With ClickWerxs interchange-plus pricing, the same volume typically costs $1,300-$1,550. That's $445-$695 in monthly savings — or $5,340-$8,340 per year.

  • $50K/month at PayPal: ~$1,995/month in fees
  • $50K/month at ClickWerxs: ~$1,300-$1,550/month in fees
  • Monthly savings: $445-$695
  • Annual savings: $5,340-$8,340
  • Add cash discount programs and savings can reach $0 in net processing costs
Monthly Fee Comparison$50K/mo volume
PayPal$1,995
3.49% + $0.49
ClickWerxs$1,300 – $1,550
Interchange+
Monthly savings$445 – $695
Annual savings$5,340 – $8,340
With cash discountUp to $0 net cost

Based on 500 transactions at $100 avg. ticket. Actual savings vary by card mix.

How to Move from PayPal to ClickWerxs

The switch is straightforward. You can even keep PayPal as a secondary checkout option if your customers prefer it.

01

Apply for Your Merchant Account

Complete a quick application — takes about 5 minutes. Your dedicated account manager handles the rest of the underwriting and approval process.

Most merchants are approved within 24-48 hours, even for high-risk industries.

02

Integrate Your Payment Gateway

We connect your website or e-commerce platform to your new ClickWerxs payment gateway. Works with Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, custom sites, and more.

03

Start Processing — Keep PayPal as Backup

Begin routing transactions through ClickWerxs immediately. If you want, keep the PayPal checkout button as a secondary option for customers who prefer it.

Many merchants keep PayPal available for 30-60 days, then remove it once they see the savings from their primary processor.

04

Review Your First Statement

Your account manager walks through your first ClickWerxs statement to show you exactly what you're saving vs. your old PayPal rates.

You Don't Have to Delete PayPal

Switching your primary processor doesn't mean abandoning PayPal entirely. Many merchants keep PayPal as a secondary checkout option while processing the majority of transactions through ClickWerxs at lower interchange-plus rates. This gives customers the choice they want while keeping your costs down.

  • Keep PayPal as a checkout option for customers who prefer it
  • Process 80-90% of volume through ClickWerxs at lower rates
  • Your PayPal account and transaction history stay fully accessible
  • Transition at your own pace with zero downtime
Checkout Payment Options
Credit / Debit Card
Primary
Powered byClickWerxs
Interchange-plus rates · 80-90% of volume
PayPal
Secondary
Available for customers who prefer it · 10-20% of volume
Transaction volume split
85%
15%
ClickWerxsPayPal
Lower rates on most volume·PayPal still available

We thought PayPal was our only option for online sales. ClickWerxs showed us we were overpaying by $600 a month. The switching process took two days. Wish we'd done it a year ago.

Sarah W.

Online Boutique, Nashville TN

PayPal hit us with a $2,500 fine for selling products they decided violated their policy — products we'd been selling for months. ClickWerxs doesn't play those games. They support our industry and treat us like partners.

Kevin J.

Specialty Retailer, Las Vegas NV

Frequently Asked Questions: ClickWerxs vs PayPal

Stop Overpaying PayPal. Get a Free Rate Comparison.

Send us your PayPal processing volume and we'll show you exactly what you'd save with interchange-plus pricing. No commitment, no pressure — just math.