When it comes to online payments, PayPal remains one of the most trusted and widely used gateways for eCommerce. If you’re running a WordPress or WooCommerce website, integrating PayPal can help you boost conversions by offering customers a familiar, secure checkout option.
But with several PayPal plugins available, it’s easy to get confused about which one is the right fit for your business. Two popular choices are WooCommerce PayPal Payments, the official solution from WooCommerce and PayPal, and Checkout for PayPal, a lightweight plugin that lets you quickly add PayPal buttons anywhere on your site.
Both plugins let you accept payments, but they serve very different needs.
What Is Checkout for PayPal?
Checkout for PayPal is a free, lightweight WordPress plugin that allows you to add PayPal checkout buttons directly to your site.
Here’s what it offers:
- Accepts PayPal payments via the PayPal Checkout API
- Lets you place buttons anywhere using shortcodes
- Supports dynamic pricing (great for services, donations, or simple products)
- Works with or without WooCommerce
- Compatible with page builders like Elementor
Checkout for PayPal is designed to make adding a PayPal button to your WordPress site as quick and simple as possible. It’s not tied to WooCommerce’s cart or checkout flow, though it can coexist with WooCommerce if you choose.
What Is WooCommerce PayPal Payments?
WooCommerce PayPal Payments is the official WooCommerce extension for PayPal.
It’s a full-stack payment gateway built specifically for WooCommerce stores and includes:
- PayPal Pay Later (BNPL), debit/credit cards, and local payment methods
- Smart Payment Buttons that adapt to your customer’s location and device
- Vaulting & subscriptions support (with correct PayPal account permissions)
- Full WooCommerce order management integration
- Built-in fraud protection, compliance, and webhook handling
This plugin is more complex than Checkout for PayPal, but it’s also more powerful. It is ideal if you’re running a proper WooCommerce shop and need a long-term payment solution.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Checkout for PayPal | WooCommerce PayPal Payments |
|---|---|---|
| WooCommerce Required? | No (works with or without WooCommerce) | Yes |
| Setup | Very simple — add API keys and shortcodes | Guided onboarding, more complex |
| Payment Methods | PayPal, Cards, Pay Later, Venmo via PayPal API + alternative payment methods | PayPal, Cards, Pay Later, local methods |
| Placement | Buttons anywhere (pages, posts, builders) | Product, cart, checkout pages |
| Subscriptions & Vaulting | Not really supported | Yes (with correct PayPal account settings) |
| Customization | High (shortcodes, dynamic prices) | Standard WooCommerce placement options |
| Performance | Lightweight, minimal overhead | Heavier, more moving parts |
| Support | Maintained by individual developer | Official WooCommerce/PayPal support |
| Best For | Small sites, donations, simple sales | Full WooCommerce stores, growth-focused shops |
Pros and Cons
Checkout for PayPal
Pros
- Lightweight and fast
- Doesn’t require WooCommerce
- Flexible button placement
- Easy setup
Cons
- Limited features (no subscriptions, vaulting, advanced local methods)
- Less future-proof if you plan to scale
- Support depends on a smaller developer team
WooCommerce PayPal Payments
Pros
- Full WooCommerce integration
- Supports cards, Pay Later, and local methods
- Recurring payments and vaulting options
- Officially supported and future-focused
Cons
- Heavier plugin with more potential conflicts
- More complex setup
- Mixed reviews due to stability issues in some setups
Real-World Feedback
WooCommerce PayPal Payments has powerful features, but real-world reviews are mixed. Some users report activation issues, checkout failures, or bugs after updates. Others find it stable and appreciate the official support.
On the other hand, Checkout for PayPal is simpler and tends to “just work”, but it lacks advanced features like subscriptions and deeper WooCommerce integration. If your business grows, you may eventually outgrow this plugin.
Best Practices (For Either Plugin)
- Always test in PayPal Sandbox mode before going live
- Keep a fallback payment method active in case PayPal fails
- Ensure your PayPal Business Account has the right permissions (especially for subscriptions/vaulting)
- Keep the plugin updated and check compatibility after WooCommerce or WordPress updates
Which One Should You Use?
It depends on your situation.
Use Checkout for PayPal if you’re running a small site, selling a few products or services, or just need PayPal buttons for donations or one-off payments. It’s simple, fast, and doesn’t require WooCommerce.
Use WooCommerce PayPal Payments if you’re running a full WooCommerce store with a shopping cart, plan to sell subscriptions or recurring products, or want to offer customers multiple PayPal payment options (Pay Later, cards, local methods).