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A PayPal Business account is PayPal’s account option for accepting payments for commercial activity and using merchant-focused tools. In the US, PayPal says it is free to open and has no monthly maintenance fee, but processing payments can incur transaction fees. You do not need to form an LLC to apply as a sole proprietor, according to PayPal’s US signup guidance.
What is a PayPal Business account?
It is an account for people and organizations receiving payments for goods or services. PayPal distinguishes commercial use from personal account use and identifies PayPal Checkout as one of its business products. Its signup page recommends a Business account for merchants operating under a company or group name, and describes features such as limited employee access and a customer-service email alias.
Those are PayPal’s descriptions of its account and services, not a statement that every business feature is enabled automatically for every account. Product availability and terms can depend on the tool and the account.
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Accept payments online
PayPal Checkout provides a hosted payment flow for PayPal payments and major cards. Other payment methods may depend on the product and eligibility. PayPal also describes Expanded Checkout as a more merchant-managed setup, with different card pricing from PayPal Checkout. See PayPal’s US Checkout page for the product details and current pricing.
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Send invoices
You can send invoices through PayPal. PayPal says customers can pay an invoice using their preferred payment method even if they do not have a PayPal account.
Take in-person or manually entered payments
PayPal’s small-business overview lists point-of-sale options for in-person payments and a virtual terminal for manually entered payments. These are separate offerings, not requirements for opening an account; confirm their current availability and terms for your use case on PayPal’s US small-business page.
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Upgrade a Personal account
PayPal says an existing Personal account can be upgraded through account settings. Its signup page says users can provide business information and retain account history. Follow the prompts shown in your account, since available options may vary.
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Personal vs. Business account
PayPal describes Personal accounts as intended for personal use and Business accounts as suited to commercial activity and merchant tools. This comparison covers the distinctions established in PayPal’s US account comparison and signup information; it does not determine tax treatment, legal obligations, or every account limit.
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| Area | Personal account | Business account |
|---|---|---|
| Intended activity | Personal account use, as described by PayPal | Commercial activity and merchant tools, as described by PayPal |
| Business payment products | Access to business products is not established by the cited comparison | PayPal identifies Checkout among its business products |
| Business identity and team use | Not addressed in the cited Business signup description | PayPal describes a customer-service email alias and limited employee access |
| Opening and ongoing account cost | Not stated in the cited sources | PayPal says US accounts are free to open with no monthly maintenance fee; transaction fees may apply |
Can a sole proprietor use PayPal Business without an LLC?
Yes. PayPal’s US signup guidance says a sole proprietor does not need an LLC or another formal business entity to open a Business account. It says a sole proprietor may use their own name and Social Security number instead of an EIN. That does not mean every applicant has identical verification requirements or that PayPal’s account guidance replaces legal or tax advice.
What information do you need to sign up?
PayPal’s US signup page lists these details for opening a Business account:
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- Full legal name
- Email address and password
- Tax ID or Social Security number
- Business description
- Business bank account details
PayPal also recommends confirming your email address and linking and confirming a bank account or card after opening the account. Those onboarding steps do not guarantee immediate access to every feature.
- Go to PayPal’s US Business account signup page and start the application.
- Provide the personal and business information requested in the signup flow.
- Confirm your email address, then follow PayPal’s instructions to link and confirm a bank account or card.
How much does a PayPal Business account cost?
For the US, PayPal says there is no fee to open a Business account and no monthly maintenance fee. That refers to the account itself—not to accepting payments. PayPal’s US fee schedule, last updated October 1, 2026, lists transaction charges that vary by payment type and service. The listed standard commercial and invoicing rates show a fixed fee of $0.49 for US-dollar transactions.
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| US transaction category | PayPal fee schedule figure |
|---|---|
| Standard domestic PayPal Checkout and Guest Checkout | 3.49% plus $0.49 fixed fee |
| Standard credit and debit card payments | 2.99% plus $0.49 fixed fee |
| PayPal Pay Later options | 4.99% plus $0.49 fixed fee |
| International commercial transactions | An additional 1.50% percentage-based fee on top of the applicable domestic fee, subject to PayPal’s definitions and terms |
These are US schedule figures for the named transaction categories, not one universal fee for every Business account payment. Product setup, payment type, and other circumstances can change the applicable charge. Check PayPal’s current US merchant and business fee schedule before choosing a checkout setup or quoting a rate, and review the details for your specific transaction.
When is a Business account the better fit?
- You receive money for goods or services and want an account intended for commercial activity.
- You want to use merchant-focused tools such as Checkout or invoicing.
- You operate under a company or group name, or need the employee-access and customer-service-email features PayPal describes.
- You are a sole proprietor who wants to accept business payments without forming an LLC, subject to PayPal’s application and verification requirements.
A Personal account may be the more appropriate choice for personal account use. If you are deciding based on fees, compare the precise payment method and product you expect to use—not just the absence of an account-opening or monthly fee.
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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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