PayPal is an Internet-based payment service for individuals and business owners. PayPal allows its users to send and receive money in a variety of ways and for a variety of purposes. The features and options PayPal offers differ for business and personal account users.

Personal Account Features

The primary function of PayPal is the secure transfer of money. Users can receive money from other PayPal users through their registered email account. The money is transferred to the account and then can be either transferred to their bank account or withdrawn from a PayPal debit card, or they can receive a paper check days later.

Users can also pay bills or send money to friends and family using money in their PayPal account or with either a debit or credit card that is linked to their account.

Personal Account Extras

PayPal offers users international money transfers, the option of receiving a PayPal credit card and online shopping through the PayPal store. Users can also open up a student account for their kids and budget and monitor the money that is put into the account.

PayPal offers also offers the ability to accept credit cards through the eBay auction service. This gives buyers several options to pay for goods and services.

Business Account Features

PayPal Business gives its users the ability to accept credit card payments through a variety of means. The free option allows users to purchase goods and services provided they have a PayPal account. For $19.99 per month—as of 2010—consumers can buy products from a PayPal-enabled website without needing a PayPal account.

The Pro feature is an all-inclusive merchant account that allows consumers to purchase goods and services without having to exit to the PayPal website to complete the purchase. This service costs $30 per month—as of 2010—and can be linked with several different online shopping carts for consumers to complete their purchase.

Business Account Extras

PayPal Business also allows customers to complete purchases over the phone or by emailing an invoice to PayPal.

PayPal Business can be used to accept donations to a nonprofit organization, to collect money for educational needs or as a fundraising tool for governmental campaigns.

Considerations

Users should note that PayPal is not a bank and does not adhere to the rules and regulations that banks do. PayPal has the right to freeze a user’s account for any number of reasons. Also, there have been reports of difficulty reaching customer service for account problems.