What is PayPal?

PayPal is an online payment system that creates a secure environment for transferring money by encrypting the payment information of its users. PayPal is the world's largest digital payment platform, and its user base has reached more than 360 million people in over 200 different countries.

Founded in 1998, PayPal gained popularity among people and organisations that conducted their business online. The emergence of the Internet was a key development that facilitated the payment platform's exponential growth. Shortly after its establishment, the company was acquired by eBay, and with a total market capitalisation of $213.04 billion, as of September 2020, PayPal ranks as the 31st most valuable company.

It is worth noting that this online payment platform does not have a single regulator, but acquires licences and other necessary forms of authorisation from regional financial authorities. The company takes a deposit from customers and places them in commercial banks that have interest, but this interest is not passed on to account holders who deposit or store their funds with PayPal. PayPal is now the fifth most popular payment option after Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.

Creating a PayPal account is free, and all personal transactions are free as well. PayPal does not charge its users for online purchases either, making it the most secure form of online payment.

Pros and Cons of Funding an Account with PayPal

PROS

  • Reputable company: Not surprisingly, this should be the first. It is almost impossible to find another e-payments platform with a reputation like PayPal. With over 20 years in the industry, the company has built its reputation as a reliable payment platform that strives to meet the needs of its customers.
  • Versatility: Registering a PayPal account will give traders several advantages in various aspects. While traders can use the PayPal account to deposit and withdraw funds from the forex broker, it is also possible to use the PayPal account for other online activities, such as shopping.
  • Security: With a cumulative experience of over 2o years, PayPal has invested significant time and resources to ensure that the e-payment platform is secure. Most experts believe that this electronic payment system may indeed be the safest platform to date.
  • Popularity: Due to its global popularity, a user base of 360 million people, a significant number of forex brokers have realised the importance of adding this e-payment system to their funding methods.
  • Usability: PayPal allows users to easily deposit and withdraw with connected credit cards and/or bank accounts. With a PayPal account, traders can easily transfer profits back to the PayPal account, and then to the connected bank account.
  • Bonuses: Some brokers also offer bonuses for traders depositing with PayPal, which can be a great complement to other ongoing promotions, like a welcome bonus.

CONS

  • High charges: One of the main disadvantages of using PayPal to fund a forex trading account is that it has high charges that may affect profits. PayPal imposes different fees and commissions for each funds transfer, which can easily reach 3% of the total amount transferred. In addition, the conversion rates are terrible, compared to other currency exchange providers. This can hurt a trader with a USD trading account and a PayPal Euro account, for example. The total fees due to PayPal when making transactions with the platform are the highest among all other electronic payment processing companies.
  • Lack of chargebacks for forex trading: According to PayPal's policies, only tangible goods qualify for chargebacks but other intangible goods, such as services, do not qualify. This makes it extremely difficult for forex traders to recover their funds if they are defrauded by an unscrupulous forex broker.
  • Rigid rules and regulations: Another downside of using PayPal for forex trading is the strict regulations and policies imposed by the company regarding transactions, and even funds withdrawal. This is the main reason why several forex brokers, and traders, will prefer to use other popular e-wallets, such as Neteller or even Skrill.

Retail Forex Brokers Accepting PayPal

Increasing numbers of new traders look for forex brokers for the first time every day, intensifying the competition between brokers to attract new customers. Choosing the right broker might not be easy, but forex brokers that accept deposits with PayPal, definitely offer some advantages.

Lately, several retail forex brokers have adopted more secure systems, such as PayPal and Neteller, two options considered more technological and modern, alongside the mainstream deposits by credit cards and wire transfers.

Using a payment solution, like PayPal, to make monetary transactions, has an undeniable advantage in terms of security and increases user confidence. Not only that, but some forex brokers accept PayPal, both for deposits and withdrawals, for very good reasons, namely speed and efficiency.

  • Speed: Traders can deposit their funds without having to fill out all the credit card forms. PayPal has already taken care of that.
  • Efficiency: Forex brokers with PayPal accept this method because of all its advantages: it is a fast, secure, and reliable way to transfer money.

Typically, brokers apply a return to source policy for withdrawals. This means the selected deposit method will be used by the broker for withdrawals. Due to anti-laundering regulations, it is not possible to deposit with PayPal and withdraw to a card, for example, or vice-versa.

Still, retail brokers know the importance of offering various deposit and withdrawal methods, including e-payments solutions, or they risk missing out on a significant part of the clientele that prefers to make transactions with e-wallets. Let's check out our recommended 10 best PayPal forex brokers in 2024.

Top 10 PayPal Forex Brokers in 2024

Below you can find an overview of the 10 best forex brokers that accept PayPal as a deposit method, in no particular order:


FxPro broker

Main Features
  • Regulations: UK FCA, Cyprus CySEC, South Africa FSCA, Bahamas SIA
  • Execution Type: No Dealing Desk
  • Minimum Deposit: from $100
  • Retail Clients Leverage: 30:1 in Europe, 200:1 rest of the world
  • Asset Classes: Forex, Indices, Stocks, Futures, Commodities
  • Trading Platforms: MT4, MT5, cTrader, FxPro EDGE

Established in 2006 and with an outstanding track record of profitable growth, FxPro's core business is acting as the primary source in FX trading globally. The broker offers trading accounts in 8 different currencies, maintained via 6 different funding methods (subject to jurisdiction), including cards, bank wires and e-payments such as Neteller, PayPal, Skrill and UnionPay (subject to jurisdiction).

Deposited funds are available, usually, within 10 minutes. FxPro does not charge any fees for deposits. For more information, please visit the FxPro deposit and withdrawals web page.



IC Markets broker

Main Features
  • Regulations: Australia ASIC, Cyprus CySEC, Seychelles FSA
  • Execution Type: ECN
  • Minimum Deposit: from $200
  • Retail Clients Leverage: 30:1 in Australia, 30:1 in Europe, 500:1 rest of the world
  • Asset Classes: Forex, Indices, Stocks, Futures, Bonds, Commodities, Cryptocurrencies
  • Trading Platforms: MT4, MT5, cTrader

Established and incorporated in Sydney in 2007, by a team of professionals in the financial services industry, IC Markets is, currently, Australia's largest CFDs broker. Trading accounts can be opened in 10 different currencies and maintained via 15 different funding methods, including cards, bank wires and several e-payments systems, like PayPal, Neteller and Skrill.

Deposited funds are available almost instantly and IC Markets does not charge any fees for deposits with PayPal. For a complete view of the accepted payment methods, please visit the IC Markets deposit and withdrawals page.



RoboForex broker

Main Features
  • Regulations: Cyprus CySEC, Belize ISFC
  • Execution Type: MM, STP
  • Minimum Deposit: from $0
  • Retail Clients Leverage: 30:1 in Europe, 1000:1 rest of the world
  • Asset Classes: Forex, Indices, Stocks, Commodities, Cryptocurrencies
  • Trading Platforms: MT4, MT5, cTrader, R Trader

Established in 2009, RoboForex is a fast expanding broker, and according to their corporate website, the broker reached the milestone of more than 2,000,000 trading accounts opened in the year 2018. RoboForex has trading accounts in 3 different currencies, with 20 different funding methods, including cards, bank wires and e-payments such as Neteller, PayPal, Skrill, FasaPay and WebMoney.

RoboForex does not charge any fees for deposits and withdrawals. For more information, check out RoboForex’s deposit and withdrawals web page.



Admirals broker

Main Features
  • Regulations: UK FCA, Cyprus CySEC, Australia ASIC
  • Execution Type: MM
  • Minimum Deposit: from $100
  • Retail Clients Leverage: 30:1 in Europe, 30: in Australia
  • Asset Classes: Forex, Indices, Stocks, Futures, ETFs, Bonds, Commodities, Cryptocurrencies
  • Trading Platforms: MT4, MT5, Finexware

Established in 2001, Admiral Markets, now rebranded Admirals, is a leading online trading services provider, offering investment services and CFDs trading on several asset classes. Trading accounts with Admirals are available in 10 different currencies and maintained via different funding methods, including bank wires, cards and e-payments, such as PayPal, Klarna and Skrill (depending on the jurisdiction).

Deposited funds are available almost instantly and Admirals does not charge any fees for PayPal deposits. For a complete view of the available funding methods, please visit the Admirals deposit and withdrawals dedicated page.



Axi broker

Main Features
  • Regulations: UK FCA, Dubai DFSA, Australia ASIC, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines FSA
  • Execution Type: STP
  • Minimum Deposit: from $0
  • Retail Clients Leverage: 30:1 in Europe, 30:1 Australia, 50:1 UAE, 500:1 rest of the world
  • Asset Classes: Forex, Indices, Commodities, Cryptocurrencies
  • Trading Platforms: MT4, AxiOne

Founded in 2007, and with headquarters in Australia, Axi (formerly AxiTrader) offers services in leveraged trading, giving clients the potential to generate financial returns on both rising and falling prices across several financial instruments. Axi has trading accounts available in 10 different currencies, and accepts 9 different funding methods

With the traditional bank wires, cards, Axi also accepts payments with popular e-wallets, such as PayPal, Neteller, Skrill and FasaPay. Deposited funds are available almost instantly. Axi does not charge any fees for deposits. For more information, please visit Axi's deposit and withdrawals website page.



FP Markets broker

Main Features
  • Regulations: Cyprus CySEC, Australia ASIC, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines FSA
  • Execution Type: ECN, STP
  • Minimum Deposit: from AU$100
  • Retail Clients Leverage: 30:1 in Europe, 30:1 Australia, 500:1 rest of the world
  • Asset Classes: Forex, Indices, Stocks, Commodities, Cryptocurrencies
  • Trading Platforms: MT4, MT5, IRESS

Founded in 2005, First Prudential Markets Pty Ltd (FP Markets) is an Australian-based broker offering traders global access to a full suite of CFDs across forex, equities, indices, metals, commodities and cryptocurrencies. Trading accounts with FP Markets can be opened in 10 different currencies and funded via 10 different options, including cards, bank wires and popular e-payments solutions such as Neteller, Skrill and PayPal.

Deposited funds are available almost instantly and FP Markets does not charge any fees for PayPal deposits. To compare the complete range of FP Markets funding methods, please visit the FP Markets deposit and withdrawals web page.



Pepperstone broker

Main Features
  • Regulations: UK FCA, Australia ASIC, Dubai DFSA, Bahamas SIA
  • Execution Type: ECN, STP
  • Minimum Deposit: from AU$200
  • Retail Clients Leverage: 30:1 in Europe, 30:1 Australia, 50:1 UAE, 500:1 rest of the world
  • Asset Classes: Forex, Indices, Stocks, Commodities, Cryptocurrencies
  • Trading Platforms: MT4, MT5, cTrader

Based in Melbourne, Australia, Pepperstone was founded in 2010 by a veteran management team with years of experience in the forex market and technology industry. Pepperstone's trading accounts can be opened in 9 different currencies and maintained via 9 funding methods, including bank wires, cards and e-payments such as Neteller, PayPal and FasaPay.

Deposited funds are available almost instantly. Pepperstone does not charge any fees for e-payments deposits.



BDSwiss broker

Main Features
  • Regulations: Cyprus CySEC, Mauritius FSC, Seychelles FSA
  • Execution Type: MM, STP
  • Minimum Deposit: from $100
  • Retail Clients Leverage: 30:1 in Europe, 500:1 rest of the world
  • Asset Classes: Forex, Indices, Stocks, ETFs, Commodities, Cryptocurrencies
  • Trading Platforms: MT4, MT5, BDSwiss

Established in 2012, BDSwiss is a leading financial institution, offering forex and other CFDs investment services to more than a million clients worldwide. BDSwiss offers award-winning trading conditions, world-leading platforms, competitive pricing and optimal execution on more than 250 underlying CFD instruments. BDSwiss has trading accounts available in 8 different currencies, maintained via 12 different funding methods; cards, bank wires and e-payments, including Skrill, Dotpay, PayPal and Neteller.

Deposits are available almost instantly and BDSwiss does not charge any fees for deposits. For more information, please visit the BDSwiss Mauritius deposit and withdrawals web page and the BDSwiss (EU) deposit and withdrawals web page.



AvaTrade broker

Main Features
  • Regulations: Ireland Central Bank, Australia ASIC, South Africa FSCA, Abu Dhabi FRSA, Japan FSA, British Virgin Islands FSC
  • Execution Type: MM
  • Minimum Deposit: from $100
  • Retail Clients Leverage: 30:1 in Europe, Australia, South Africa, Abu Dhabi, 25:1 in Japan, 400:1 rest of the world
  • Asset Classes: Forex, Indices, Stocks, Futures, ETFs, Bonds, Commodities, Cryptocurrencies
  • Trading Platforms: MT4, MT5, AvaTradeGo

Founded in 2006, AvaTrade was created as a combined effort of financial professionals and experts in web-commerce to perfect the online experience for retail traders. Trading accounts with AvaTrade can be opened in 5 different currencies and the broker accepts 5 different funding methods; cards, bank wires and e-payments, including PayPal, Webmoney, Neteller and Skrill. Deposited funds are available almost instantly (with credit and debit cards).

AvaTrade does not charge any fees for deposits. To compare all the available funding methods, please visit the AvaTrade deposit and withdrawals page.



Global Prime broker

Main Features
  • Regulations: Australia ASIC, Vanuatu VFSC
  • Execution Type: ECN
  • Minimum Deposit: from AU$200
  • Retail Clients Leverage: 30:1 in Australia, 100:1 rest of the world
  • Asset Classes: Forex, Indices, Commodities, Cryptocurrencies
  • Trading Platforms: MT4, TraderEvolution

Founded in 2010, Global Prime is an Australian-based CFDs broker, with a twist. Providing CFDs on forex and other financial instruments, the broker specialises in low latency connectivity to tier-1 bank liquidity for an unrivalled trading experience. Trading accounts with Global Prime can be opened in 6 different currencies and maintained via a great range of 15 different funding methods; bank wires, cards, and several e-payments, including Neteller, Skrill, PayPal and Fasapay.

Deposited funds are available almost instantly on the trading account and Global Prime does not charge any fees for deposits. To compare the whole range of Global Prime's available funding methods, please visit the Global Prime deposit and withdrawals dedicated page.


Final Considerations

To wrap up, PayPal is an extremely safe e-payment processor, as the company has no access to clients' data and takes it upon itself to ensure that no one else can hack usernames, passwords, bank accounts and cards details. PayPal acts solely as an intermediary between the sender and the recipient of the funds, like an impartial broker who moves the money around.

Traditional payment methods are often slow, and cumbersome, meaning that traders will have to wait several days to get their withdrawals or see the deposit on their trading accounts. Today, however, everyone wants to get their cash ASAP or be able to have the trading funds available in record time.

This is why the services offered by PayPal can be considered efficient and state-of-the-art regarding money transfers. And the fact that the top 10 forex brokers analysed on this guide do offer PayPal, and/or Neteller, payments, is just one more reason to believe in its credibility as a payment gateway.