Apple Pay vs. PayPal: Which Payment Solution is Right for Your Business in 2025?
As digital payments become the norm, choosing the right payment gateway is more critical than ever. Among the top contenders in the mobile and online payment world are Apple Pay or PayPal — both widely recognized for their security, ease of use, and market reach. But which one should your business rely on in 2025?
In this post, we break down the key differences and help you decide which solution best fits your business needs.
- Overview: Apple Pay and PayPal
Apple Pay is a mobile payment and digital wallet service by Apple, allowing users to make payments using their iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or Mac. It’s fast, secure, and heavily integrated into Apple’s ecosystem.
PayPal, on the other hand, is a widely used online payment platform that supports payments via debit/credit cards, bank accounts, and even PayPal balance. It caters to a broader user base beyond Apple devices.
- Security Features
Apple Pay uses biometric authentication (Face ID or Touch ID) and tokenization. Each transaction is verified with a unique dynamic security code, making it very difficult to compromise.
PayPal also offers secure transactions with advanced encryption and buyer/seller protection. However, it relies on email/password or 2FA for login, which can be less secure than biometric methods.
✅ Winner: Apple Pay — due to its hardware-level security and tokenization.
- Ease of Integration
Apple Pay can be easily integrated into websites and mobile apps but works best within the Apple ecosystem.
PayPal offers greater flexibility for developers and can be integrated into almost any eCommerce platform or custom website, including cross-platform compatibility.
✅ Winner: PayPal — more versatile integration options across all devices and platforms.
- Global Reach and Availability
PayPal is available in 200+ countries and supports 25+ currencies, making it ideal for international businesses.
Apple Pay is growing globally but is still limited in some regions and only available on Apple devices.
✅ Winner: PayPal — better suited for global, cross-platform reach.
- Transaction Fees
Apple Pay charges no fees to users and passes merchant processing to the bank/payment processor (usually standard credit card fees apply).
PayPal charges merchant fees, typically around 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction for domestic payments, and higher for international transactions.
✅ Winner: Apple Pay — lower cost for merchants in many cases.
- User Experience
Apple Pay offers an incredibly seamless checkout process with just a tap or a glance.
PayPal requires logging in, reviewing the transaction, and sometimes redirecting to external pages.
✅ Winner: Apple Pay — frictionless and fast checkout.
- Which One Is Best for You?
Choose Apple Pay if you target mobile-savvy Apple users, prioritize speed and security, and already accept credit cards via an integrated gateway.
Choose PayPal if you want wider reach, need buyer/seller protections, or operate in international markets with mixed device users.
Final Thoughts
In 2025, both Apple Pay and PayPal offer strong, reliable payment solutions. The key is to evaluate your audience, geographic reach, and business model before making a decision.
If you're looking for a subscription management platform that supports both options seamlessly, SubscriptionFlow can be your perfect partner. Its robust payment integration and automation tools empower you to manage billing, payments, and renewals effortlessly.