What does PayPal account mean
A PayPal account is a free digital wallet that lets you send and receive money online without sharing your card or bank details with the merchants you pay.
PayPal sits between your bank account or card and the seller. You link a funding source to the account once, and PayPal handles the payment at checkout, so the seller does not see your financial details. For a broader PayPal overview, the platform lets individuals and businesses move funds electronically and shop online across more than 200 markets.
There are two types of PayPal account:
- Personal account: Suited to individuals who shop online or buy from stores in other countries.
- Business account: Suited to freelancers, creators and merchants who accept international payments or send digital invoices.
Both account types can send and receive payments. The main features of a PayPal account are:
- Privacy: Your card and bank details stay hidden from sellers when you check out online.
- Global reach: You can make payments and transact in more than 200 markets worldwide.
- Linked funding sources: The account connects to major debit cards, credit cards and bank accounts.
To create a PayPal account, you start with your email address and phone number and then set a password. You can choose a Personal or Business account on the PayPal sign-up page and later manage it by logging in through the PayPal website or app.