How PayPal works

It’s a smart, secure, flexible way to pay.

Speed through checkout online and in stores. Earn cash back with everyday offers. Send money across the table or across the globe. And manage it all with one account.

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Woman standing outside in the sun holding her phone

Get started with PayPal. Here’s how:

Create your account

Start with your email and phone number. Then create a password. We’ll walk you through it.

Sign Up

Set up your PayPal Debit Card1

Pick your monthly cash back category. Pay online and in stores. Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,000 spent in your cash back category per month.2

Request the Card

Link your bank

Add money to your PayPal balance3 so you’re ready to shop, send, and save.

Add a Bank

Make sure you’ve got the app

Pay, send, and save smarter on the go. And stay in control of your money with tracking, alerts, security features, and more.

Get the App

Get even more out of PayPal

Earn cash back on purchases

Discover online offers from brands you love in the app.4 If it’s in your monthly category, check out with PayPal and use your PayPal Debit Card1 and add 5% cash back2 on top.

Check Out the OffersLearn About the Debit Card

Check out with more choices

Load your PayPal app with your cards and banks, and skip entering your info every time you pay. Or pay right from your PayPal balance with the PayPal Debit Card.1 Need some extra time? Choose one of our Pay Later options.

Paying with PayPalBuy Now, Pay Later

Send and receive

money with confidence

  • Join the millions who trust PayPal to send money across the globe.5

  • Send money fast to just about anyone in 110+ countries. All you need is their name, email, or phone number.

  • Your money is available as soon as it hits your PayPal balance.3 Use it to shop, pay bills, donate, transfer to your bank, and more.

  • Split any bill among multiple people—or pool money for group gifts, experiences, and more.6

Get the App

Pay it safe with built-in security

Your transactions are encrypted. Plus, we've got your back on eligible purchases with PayPal Purchase Protection.7

Learn About PayPal Security

Frequently asked questions

All in the

PayPal app

It’s your do-it-all digital wallet. Load up on offers before you shop. Track your packages. And manage it all on the go.

1
The PayPal Debit Mastercard® is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. (“Bancorp”) pursuant to a license by Mastercard International Incorporated and may be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated. Bancorp is issuer of the Card only and not responsible for the associated accounts or other products, services, or offers from PayPal.
PayPal is a financial technology company, not a bank. The Card is linked to your PayPal Balance Account. See PayPal Balance Terms and Conditions.
If you have opened a PayPal Debit Card Mastercard® account, enrolled in Direct Deposit, or bought or received cryptocurrency with your personal PayPal Balance account, we will place your U.S. dollar PayPal Balance funds in one or more Program Banks, where they will, subject to certain conditions, be eligible for pass-through FDIC insurance, up to applicable limits. FDIC insurance protects you against the failure of a Program Bank, not the failure of PayPal. PayPal is not a bank, does not take deposits and is not FDIC insured. Any other balance funds and all cryptocurrencies are not held in FDIC-insured bank deposits. Cryptocurrencies may lose value. See PayPal Balance Terms and Conditions.
2
5% cash back earned on up to $1000 of selected category spend per month. Cash back awarded as points that can be redeemed for cash or other options. Terms apply.
3
A PayPal Balance account is required to maintain and use a balance.
4
Check offer for details. Redeem points for cash or other options. Offer terms, PayPal Rewards terms and exclusions apply.
5
An account with PayPal is required to send and receive money, and use PayPal.Me.
6
A PayPal Balance account is required to create a pool.
7
PayPal Purchase Protection is available on eligible transactions. Terms and limitations apply.
8
Early fraud alerts are limited to unusual activity detected in PayPal accounts and within PayPal's online merchant network. Early fraud alerts are not yet eligible for PayPal branded cards.
9
Purchases are subject to credit approval, and the PayPal Cashback Mastercard must be used for payment. See Rewards Program Terms for details and eligibility criteria. The PayPal Cashback Mastercard is issued by Synchrony Bank pursuant to a license by Mastercard International Incorporated.
10
As of June 3, 2025, the annual percentage yield (APY) for PayPal Savings is 3.80%. This is a variable rate and can change at any time, including after the account is opened.
PayPal is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Synchrony Bank, Member FDIC.
All screen images are for illustrative purposes only.