PayPal Payment Links are shareable links, or QR codes, that open a PayPal-hosted checkout page for whatever you're selling, so you can get paid without a website or any coding. There's no setup cost or monthly fee: PayPal's Payment Links page lists 2.99% + $0.10 for cards and Apple Pay, 3.49% + $0.10 for PayPal and Venmo, and 4.99% + $0.10 for Pay Later, as of October 2026.
Look closely at the fixed part of that fee. The Payment Links page shows $0.10, while PayPal's general merchant fees page, last updated October 1, 2026, lists $0.49 as the US dollar fixed fee for commercial transactions. The two PayPal pages differ, and on a small payment the fixed part matters more than the percentage, so check the fee shown in your own account before you price a low-cost item. These are PayPal's US fees; UK, Australian and Canadian sellers will see their own numbers on their local PayPal site.
The Payment Links fee box
| How the customer pays | Fee on PayPal's Payment Links page |
|---|---|
| Debit cards, credit cards and Apple Pay | 2.99% + $0.10 per transaction |
| PayPal and Venmo | 3.49% + $0.10 per transaction |
| Pay Later | 4.99% + $0.10 per transaction |
PayPal adds three notes underneath. The fixed fee varies by the currency you receive, fees are subject to change, and Apple Pay doesn't charge any extra fee of its own. Venmo payments are only available in the US. For comparison, PayPal's general merchant fees page lists PayPal Checkout at 3.49% + a fixed fee, QR code transactions at 2.29% + a fixed fee, Pay Later at 4.99% + a fixed fee and standard card payments at 2.99% + a fixed fee. For every other PayPal charge, read this full guide to PayPal's fees rather than piecing it together from product pages.
What a PayPal Payment Link does
PayPal is keen to stress that a Payment Link is more than a pay-me URL. It opens a checkout page where the customer can see what they're buying, with your business name and logo, product names, images, prices and descriptions, and then pay with the method they prefer. Customers can pay with PayPal, Venmo, Pay Later, Apple Pay or a card, and for services or deposits you can let the buyer set the amount.
You can sell products, services, deposits, appointments, event fees, custom goods, digital items or one-off offers. One link can be shared with as many customers as you like and reused as often as you need, and anyone who has the link can pay through it.
Features that make it more than a link
- Edit without resharing. Change prices, discounts or page details at any time and the link stays the same.
- A mini shopping cart. Promote related products on the checkout page so a buyer can add more.
- Shipping and tax. Set shipping options, rates and taxes to match how you sell.
- A thank-you page of your choice. After checkout you can send customers to any landing page.
- Payment method switches. Turn PayPal, Venmo, Pay Later, Apple Pay and cards on or off.
- Customer notes on the checkout page.
PayPal says every transaction is encrypted and eligible sales include Seller Protection. Its footnote narrows that: Seller Protection only covers eligible unauthorised transaction and item not received claims for PayPal Checkout merchants, and other limitations and exclusions apply. So don't treat every sale through a link as protected.
Who PayPal built Payment Links for
PayPal names three groups. Freelancers, consultants and professional services can make a checkout page for a service, deposit or booking. Creators, social sellers and small-batch retailers can drop links into social posts, emails and texts so customers pay where the conversation is happening. Vendors, event sellers, tradespeople and tutors can show the QR code at a market stall, job site or appointment so the customer scans and pays.
Creating your first Payment Link
- Log in to your PayPal business account.
- Add your product or service details, price, shipping and tax.
- Click build it to generate the link and its QR code.
- Share it by message, email or social, or print the QR code.
- Edit the page later if anything changes. The link stays the same.
PayPal says that, coming soon, you'll be able to create and share Payment Links from the PayPal app too.
Selling abroad, at scale or from a website
Customers can pay from 200+ markets in 130+ currencies, while you settle in 23 currencies. Extra fees for cross-border transactions and currency conversion may apply, so check those before you sell overseas. If you're a platform or a bigger seller, PayPal offers a Payment Links API that creates hosted checkout pages programmatically, for example from a CRM or booking tool. And if you already have a website, PayPal points you to Payment Buttons instead, which add checkout to any page.
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My verdict
Payment Links are the quickest way I know of for a freelancer, tutor or small seller to get paid without building a website, and being able to edit the page without changing the link is a nice touch. Before you send your first one, read the fee box and compare it with the general merchant fees page, because the fixed part is what eats into small payments. If you're choosing between processors, my Stripe vs PayPal comparison is a useful next read.
Frequently asked questions
What are PayPal Payment Links?
Shareable links or QR codes that open a PayPal-hosted checkout page, so customers can pay you without you needing a website or any coding.
How much does a PayPal Payment Link cost?
There's no setup cost or monthly fee. PayPal's Payment Links page lists 2.99% + $0.10 for cards and Apple Pay, 3.49% + $0.10 for PayPal and Venmo and 4.99% + $0.10 for Pay Later, as of October 2026.
Do I need a website to use PayPal Payment Links?
No. PayPal hosts the checkout page, and you share the link or QR code wherever you sell.
Can customers pay a Payment Link with Venmo or a card?
Yes. Customers can pay with PayPal, Venmo, Pay Later, Apple Pay or a debit or credit card. Venmo is only available in the US.
Can I change a Payment Link after sharing it?
Yes. You can update the checkout page, including prices and discounts, without having to reshare the link.
Do PayPal Payment Links work internationally?
Yes. Customers can pay from 200+ markets in 130+ currencies and you settle in 23 currencies, though cross-border and currency conversion fees may apply.
