PayPal vs Wise
Business model, scale, and a side-by-side Litmus framework score — which model wins, and for whom.
PayPal is a global payments giant but pricey on FX; Wise is the specialist that beats it on cross-border cost and transparency.
At a glance
| Metric | PayPal | Wise |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | ~$33B (Q1'26 annualized run-rate; $8.35B in Q1 2026) | £1.36B underlying income (FY25) |
| Profit | GAAP EPS $1.21 in Q1 2026 | £282M underlying PBT (FY25) |
| Active users | 439M active accounts (225M monthly active) | 10.9M active customers (Q3 FY26) |
| Employees | ~24,400 | 6,000+ |
| Founded | 1998 | 2011 |
| HQ | San Jose, USA | London, UK |
LLitmus Framework Score
Overall: PayPal 83 · Wise 90
Customer Segment
90
92
Value Proposition
82
95
Marketing Channel
78
90
Engagement
75
85
Income Source
85
94
Asset Validation
88
91
Core Operations
80
88
Strategic Alliance
82
85
Expense Validation
83
93
PayPal leads 0 modules, Wise leads 9. Overall edge: Wise.
Head to head
| Dimension | PayPal | Wise |
|---|---|---|
| Core business | Online payments + wallet | Cross-border transfers + accounts |
| FX pricing | Wide FX spread on top of fees | Mid-market + small visible fee |
| Scale | $1.6T+ total payment volume | £145B+ cross-border volume |
| Customers | 430M+ active accounts | 10.9M+ active |
FAQ
Is PayPal or Wise a better business?
PayPal is a global payments giant but pricey on FX; Wise is the specialist that beats it on cross-border cost and transparency. It depends on what you optimise for — see the module-by-module breakdown above.
What is the difference between PayPal and Wise's business model?
PayPal operates in Fintech (The safer, easier way to pay), while Wise is Fintech (Money without borders). Their revenue, scale and Litmus scores are compared in detail above.
Which is more profitable, PayPal or Wise?
PayPal: GAAP EPS $1.21 in Q1 2026. Wise: £282M underlying PBT (FY25).