PayPal revolutionized online payments when it launched in 1998, and today it remains the dominant force in digital payments. With nearly half a billion active users and almost $2 trillion in annual payment volume, PayPal processes more online transactions than any other platform.
From peer-to-peer payments to merchant checkout, these statistics reveal why PayPal continues to lead the fintech revolution — and how competitors like Venmo, Stripe, and Zelle are reshaping the landscape.
Key Takeaways
- 438 million active user accounts worldwide
- PayPal generates $33+ billion in annual revenue
- $1.9 trillion in total payment volume processed annually
- 45.5% market share — more than Stripe and Square combined
- 41 million transactions processed every day
- Available in 200+ countries supporting 25 currencies
How Many People Use PayPal?
1. PayPal has 438 million active user accounts worldwide
As of Q2 2025, PayPal maintains 438 million active accounts globally — a 2% year-over-year increase. This includes both personal and business accounts across more than 200 countries and territories.
2. 36 million merchants use PayPal for transactions
PayPal's merchant base has grown 10.76% annually over the past five years. Additionally, 15.4 million business accounts are active globally, making PayPal the most widely accepted online payment method.
3. The average PayPal user makes 59.4 transactions per year
PayPal users are highly engaged, completing nearly 60 transactions annually on average. This translates to roughly one transaction every 6 days per active user.
Fun Fact: PayPal is integrated into 9 out of 10 top global marketplaces, making it the default payment option for most online shopping.
Which Country Uses PayPal the Most?
4. The United States leads with 278 million PayPal users
The US accounts for the largest share of PayPal's user base by far — more than double any other country. This represents roughly 65% of PayPal's total merchant integrations.
| Country | PayPal Users | Adoption Rate |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 278.1 million | 83% |
| Germany | 137.7 million | 93% (highest) |
| United Kingdom | 56.2 million | 91% |
| Italy | 21.9 million | 91% |
| France | 20.5 million | 90% |
5. Germany has the highest PayPal adoption rate at 93%
While the US has more total users, Germany leads in adoption rate — 93% of German online shoppers use PayPal. The UK and Italy follow closely at 91% each.
Did You Know: PayPal operates in 200+ countries and territories, but it's restricted or unavailable in some regions including North Korea, Iran, Russia, and several African nations.
PayPal Transaction Volume
6. PayPal processes 41 million transactions daily
That's approximately 1.7 million transactions per hour, or about 475 transactions every second. During peak shopping periods like Black Friday, these numbers surge significantly higher.
7. PayPal processed 6 billion transactions in Q1 2025
While transaction count declined 7% year-over-year, total payment volume continued growing — indicating users are making fewer but larger transactions. The average transaction size increased 4.33% to $63.84.
8. 22% of PayPal transactions happen on weekends
Weekend transactions are primarily peer-to-peer transfers rather than business payments, reflecting PayPal's dual role as both a commercial and personal payment platform.
How Much Money Does PayPal Process?
9. PayPal processed $1.92 trillion in total payment volume (TPV) in 2025
That's $5.26 billion flowing through PayPal every single day, or approximately $61,000 per second. PayPal's TPV grew 6.1% year-over-year despite economic headwinds.
| Time Period | Payment Volume |
|---|---|
| Per Second | ~$61,000 |
| Per Day | $5.26 billion |
| Per Quarter (Q1 2025) | $417.2 billion |
| Per Year (2025) | $1.92 trillion |
10. PayPal processes $760 billion in mobile payments annually
Mobile commerce represents a growing share of PayPal's volume. With smartphone payments becoming the norm, PayPal's mobile-first approach positions it well for continued growth.
PayPal Revenue Statistics
11. PayPal generated $31.8 billion in revenue in 2024
Full-year 2024 revenue reached $31.8 billion, with Q4 alone contributing $8.4 billion (up 4% year-over-year). Analysts project 2025 revenue to reach $33-34 billion based on 5-6% growth guidance.
12. 90.8% of PayPal's revenue comes from transaction fees
PayPal's business model is straightforward: it takes a cut of every transaction. The remaining ~9% comes from other services including credit products, interest on customer balances, and subscription services.
Fun Fact: PayPal's market capitalization of $70 billion makes it more valuable than major banks like Capital One and Discover Financial.
PayPal Market Share
13. PayPal holds 45.5% of the payment processing market
PayPal dominates online payments with nearly half the market. Its closest competitor, Stripe, holds just 17.2% — meaning PayPal is almost 3x larger than its nearest rival.
| Payment Processor | Market Share | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|
| PayPal | 45.5% | Consumer trust, marketplace integration |
| Stripe | 17.2% | Developer-friendly, SaaS platforms |
| Shopify Pay | 15.7% | E-commerce native |
| Square | ~10% | Small business, POS systems |
14. 74.3% of IT companies integrate PayPal into their systems
While Stripe leads in IT integrations (80.1%), PayPal remains the second-most popular choice. For marketplaces specifically, PayPal is integrated into 9 out of 10 top platforms globally.
15. 64% of US-based side hustlers use PayPal as their primary payment method
For freelancers and solo entrepreneurs, PayPal remains the go-to option for receiving payments — thanks to its buyer protection, instant transfers, and widespread recognition.
Venmo Statistics (PayPal Subsidiary)
16. Venmo has 97 million users in 2025
PayPal's peer-to-peer payment app continues rapid growth, with projections to exceed 100 million users by 2026. Monthly active users reached 68.3 million in 2024, up 24% year-over-year.
17. Venmo processed $325 billion in payment volume in 2025
Venmo's total payment volume grew 10% year-over-year, driven by expanded merchant acceptance and the introduction of business profiles. Revenue growth topped 20% in Q2 2025 — the fastest pace since 2023.
PayPal vs Competitors
18. Zelle processes more P2P volume than Venmo ($1 trillion vs $325 billion)
In the US peer-to-peer market, Zelle dominates with 54.6% of total mobile P2P value, compared to Venmo's 20.5% and Cash App's 10.6%. However, Venmo leads in user engagement, surpassing Zelle by 17% in monthly active usage.
| Platform | Users (2025) | 2024 Revenue |
|---|---|---|
| PayPal | 438 million | $31.8 billion |
| Zelle | 151 million | N/A (bank-backed) |
| Venmo | 97 million | $1.15 billion |
| Cash App | 57 million | $16.25 billion |
19. Stripe processes $1.14 trillion annually — growing faster than PayPal
While PayPal's TPV ($1.92T) exceeds Stripe's ($1.14T), Stripe is growing at 12.3% year-over-year compared to PayPal's 6.1%. Stripe powers 92% of Y Combinator startups and 58% of SaaS platforms with ARR above $5 million.
Cash App Note: Despite having fewer users (57M) than Venmo (97M), Cash App generated $16.25 billion in 2024 revenue vs Venmo's $1.15 billion — largely due to Bitcoin trading, which accounts for 62% of Cash App's revenue.
PayPal Employee Statistics
20. PayPal employs approximately 24,400 people worldwide
As of late 2024, PayPal's workforce stands at about 24,400 employees globally, with roughly 8,900-10,000 based in the United States. This represents an 18.4% reduction from 29,900 employees in 2022.
21. PayPal cut approximately 4,500 jobs between 2023-2024
In early 2023, PayPal laid off ~2,000 employees (7% of workforce), followed by another 9% cut (~2,500 roles) in late 2023. The company continues restructuring in 2025, with up to $300 million allocated for workforce optimization.
PayPal Growth Statistics
22. PayPal's merchant base grew 10.76% annually over the past five years
While user growth has slowed to ~2% annually, merchant adoption continues at double-digit rates. This reflects PayPal's strategic shift toward B2B and enterprise solutions.
23. PayPal's average transaction size increased 4.33% to $63.84
Users are making fewer but larger purchases through PayPal. This trend, combined with growing merchant acceptance, helps maintain revenue growth despite flat user numbers.
Fun Fact: PayPal was one of the first major payment platforms to accept cryptocurrency. In 2024, PayPal launched its own stablecoin (PYUSD), furthering its fintech innovation legacy.
Summary: PayPal by the Numbers (2026)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Active User Accounts | 438 million |
| Merchant Accounts | 36 million |
| Countries Supported | 200+ |
| Daily Transactions | 41 million |
| Annual Transaction Volume | ~24 billion |
| Total Payment Volume (2025) | $1.92 trillion |
| Annual Revenue (2024) | $31.8 billion |
| Market Share | 45.5% |
| Employees | ~24,400 |
| Market Capitalization | $70 billion |
| Venmo Users | 97 million |
| Venmo Payment Volume | $325 billion |
| Top Country (Users) | United States (278M) |
| Top Country (Adoption) | Germany (93%) |
Sources
- DemandSage - PayPal Statistics 2025
- Capital One Shopping - PayPal Statistics
- CoinLaw - PayPal Statistics 2025
- Business of Apps - PayPal Revenue & Usage
- Statista - PayPal Users by Quarter
- World Population Review - PayPal Users by Country
- CoinLaw - Zelle vs Venmo Statistics 2025
- Datanyze - PayPal Market Share
- Helplama - Venmo Revenue & Usage Stats
Last updated: January 2026. Statistics are updated quarterly as new data becomes available.