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PayPal Business Account: What It Is, Fees, and How to Open One

PayPal Business accounts have no opening or monthly maintenance fee, but payment processing fees apply. Learn about signup requirements, LLC rules, and ways to accept payments.
From TheFinanceBase Team5 min to read

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A PayPal Business account is a US PayPal account for merchants who sell under a business or group name. PayPal says it costs nothing to open and has no monthly maintenance fee, but payment processing fees generally apply when you accept payments for goods or services. You do not need to form an LLC: sole proprietors can sign up using their own name and Social Security number, according to PayPal’s US signup page.

What a PayPal Business account is—and who it suits

PayPal recommends a Business account for merchants operating under a company or group name. It offers business-oriented selling and administration tools, including limited access for up to 200 employees and a customer-service email alias. PayPal says both Personal and Business accounts can send and receive payments; the distinction is the extra business tools. A Personal account is aimed at individual shopping, personal payments, casual sellers, and non-business use. PayPal’s account page describes these differences.

A Business account may fit a sole proprietor, freelancer, consultant, or established company. It is not a substitute for a separate legal business entity, and opening one does not itself create an LLC or change your tax obligations.

Do you need an LLC, EIN, or business bank account?

No LLC or other formal legal entity is required to open a US PayPal Business account, according to PayPal. Its signup page says sole proprietors can use their own name as the business name and an SSN instead of an EIN. PayPal may request additional verification depending on the account; follow the requirements presented during signup.

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Square Reader for contactless and chip (2nd Generation)
  • Use the, easy-to-use, and customizable POS to get started.
  • Accept contactless payments, chip cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay from anywhere, with improved connectivity, extended battery life, and enhanced security. Pay one low rate for every tap or dip.
  • No long-term commitments or contracts, no monthly fees- and with offline payments, keep taking payments for up to 24 hours.
  • Safely and securely accepts payments anywhere. Plus, get data security, 24/7 fraud prevention, and payment-dispute management at no extra cost.
  • Use the, easy-to-use, and customizable POS to get started.

PayPal lists these details for signup:

  • Full legal name
  • Email address and password
  • Tax ID or Social Security number
  • Business description
  • Business bank account details

After opening the account, PayPal recommends confirming your signup email and linking and confirming a business bank account or card. See PayPal’s US account-opening information.

What does a PayPal Business account cost?

PayPal says there is no fee to open a US Business account and no monthly maintenance fee. That does not mean accepting payments is free: processing fees generally apply, and the rate depends on the payment method, transaction, and service.

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Square Reader for magstripe (USB-C)
  • Get your money as soon as the next business day.
  • Get set up quickly with no long-term commitments. Download the Square Point of Sale app for free, create an account, and start taking payments anywhere.
  • Run your business all in one place with the free Square Point of Sale app. Track your sales, manage inventory, accept tips, send receipts digitally, and more.
  • Works with Apple devices with a Lightning connector.

Examples displayed on PayPal’s US product pages and reviewed October 8, 2026, include the following. These are product-specific examples, not a complete or universal rate card:

Payment type Displayed US fee Source and qualification
Standard PayPal Checkout 3.49% + $0.49 PayPal checkout page; standard domestic transactions.
Credit and debit cards through PayPal Checkout 2.99% + $0.49 PayPal checkout page.
Card processing through Expanded Checkout 2.89% + $0.29 PayPal checkout page.
Invoice paid with PayPal or Venmo 3.49% + $0.49 PayPal invoicing page.
Invoice paid by card or Apple Pay 2.99% + $0.49 PayPal invoicing page.
Invoice paid by Pay by Bank (ACH) 1%, capped at $10 PayPal invoicing page.

Rates can differ for other products, international transactions, and account circumstances, and PayPal may change them. Its US merchant fee schedule says it was last updated October 1, 2026. Check the current US merchant fee schedule and the terms for the specific service before choosing a payment setup.

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Square Terminal - Credit Card Machine to Accept All Payments | Mobile POS
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How you can accept payments

Choose a payment workflow based on where customers buy and how you bill them. PayPal’s US small-business materials describe these options; the methods available can depend on the market, account, and customer.

  • Online store: PayPal Checkout can accept PayPal and other supported payment methods. PayPal’s page also lists cards, Venmo, and Pay Later. Expanded Checkout offers more customization and payment options but requires additional coding.
  • Invoices: Create and send invoices, share an invoice link or QR code, track status, send reminders, and manage recurring invoices. PayPal says customers can pay an invoice without a PayPal account, subject to the payment methods available to them.
  • In person: PayPal promotes point-of-sale (POS), QR codes, and Tap to Pay through a compatible phone. PayPal says Tap to Pay requires no extra hardware; check device and market availability.
  • No website: Invoicing and virtual terminal payments are among the options PayPal lists for businesses without a website. A virtual terminal is a way to enter a payment rather than route a customer through an online store.

PayPal says its invoicing service is available in over 200 markets and 24 currencies. This is a PayPal-reported service scope, not a guarantee that every payment method is available in every location. Its invoicing page also describes syncing invoices with QuickBooks or Xero to reduce manual bookkeeping. Read PayPal’s invoicing details.

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Square Reader for magstripe (with Lightning connector)
  • Pay one transparent rate per swipe for Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express.
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  • Accepts magstripe credit card payments, including those from Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express (fees apply).
  • App sends deposits to your bank account within 1 to 2 business days, or enjoy instant deposits (fees apply).
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Standard Checkout or Expanded Checkout?

Both options support online payments, but they differ in implementation and the level of customization and control. PayPal describes Standard Checkout as the simpler, PayPal-managed setup and Expanded Checkout as the more customizable option, with more coding and merchant control over payment and risk operations.

Consideration Standard Checkout Expanded Checkout
Setup Simpler integration. More coding and customization.
Payment options Core PayPal checkout flow. Broader card and alternative payment options, subject to availability.
Operations and risk PayPal supplies management features with the standard service. Offers more merchant control and responsibility.
Fees Rates depend on the service and payment type; the cited standard domestic checkout example is 3.49% + $0.49. Rates depend on the service and payment type; the cited Expanded Checkout card example is 2.89% + $0.29.

The examples are displayed on PayPal’s US checkout page, reviewed October 8, 2026, and should not be treated as the rate for every transaction. Compare the live schedule against the payment methods your customers are likely to use. PayPal says eligible transactions may qualify for Seller Protection, but eligibility conditions apply; it is not universal coverage or a guarantee against every loss or chargeback. See PayPal’s checkout options.

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Best Value
Protective Bumper Case for PayPal Card Reader (Black)
  • COMPATIBILITY: Custom-designed protective case specifically made to fit PayPal card reader devices securely
  • PROTECTION: Durable bumper design shields against drops, scratches, and daily wear while maintaining full device functionality
  • ACCESS: Precisely cut openings ensure unrestricted access to all ports, buttons, and card slot without removing the case
  • GRIP ENHANCEMENT: Textured exterior surface provides improved handling and prevents slipping during transactions
  • PORTABLE DESIGN: Lightweight and slim profile allows for easy storage in pockets or bags while maintaining complete protection

Is payment hardware required?

No. PayPal lists a card reader and terminal as optional in-person equipment, while its Tap to Pay offer accepts contactless payments using a phone without extra hardware. PayPal’s US pricing page displayed $29 for the first card reader and $199 for a terminal when reviewed October 8, 2026; prices and availability may change. Check compatibility and current terms before buying equipment. PayPal’s POS page has its current product information.

How to open and set up the account

  1. Go to PayPal’s US Business account signup page and begin creating an account.
  2. Enter the requested legal name, email, password, tax ID or SSN, business description, and business bank details. If you are a sole proprietor, PayPal says you may use your own name and SSN.
  3. Complete any account-specific verification PayPal requests, then confirm your signup email.
  4. Link and confirm a business bank account or card as appropriate for your payment workflow.
  5. Choose how you will take payments—such as checkout, invoices, POS, Tap to Pay, or virtual terminal—and review the fees and availability for that service.

PayPal says signup takes a few minutes, but that is not a promise about account approval or verification timing. Requirements and available features can vary by account and market.

Quick Recap

SaleBestseller No. 1
Square Reader for contactless and chip (2nd Generation)
Square Reader for contactless and chip (2nd Generation)
Use the, easy-to-use, and customizable POS to get started.; Use the, easy-to-use, and customizable POS to get started.
$47.20
Bestseller No. 2
Square Reader for magstripe (USB-C)
Square Reader for magstripe (USB-C)
Get your money as soon as the next business day.; Works with Apple devices with a Lightning connector.
$9.88
Bestseller No. 3
Square Terminal - Credit Card Machine to Accept All Payments | Mobile POS
Square Terminal - Credit Card Machine to Accept All Payments | Mobile POS
Process chip cards in just two seconds.; Get your money as soon as the next business day.; Use it cordlessly with the built-in battery, designed to last all day.
$298.99
SaleBestseller No. 4
Square Reader for magstripe (with Lightning connector)
Square Reader for magstripe (with Lightning connector)
Pay one transparent rate per swipe for Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express.
$9.40

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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