How to Get Your PayPal.me Link
PayPal.me is a free personal payment link from PayPal. This guide shows you how to create your PayPal.me link in 5 minutes — plus better alternatives with lower fees.
What is PayPal.me?
PayPal.me is a free feature that gives you a personalized payment link (like paypal.me/yourname). When someone clicks your link, they can send you money instantly through PayPal — without needing your email address or bank details.
Personal Payment Link
Get a unique URL like paypal.me/yourname to share with anyone.
Easy to Share
Send via text, email, or social media — recipients pay with one click.
Works Worldwide
Accept payments from 200+ countries and regions.
No Monthly Fees
Free to create and use. You only pay transaction fees when you receive money.
How to Create Your PayPal.me Link
Log In to PayPal
Go to paypal.com and sign in to your account. You need a verified PayPal account to create a PayPal.me link.
- Visit paypal.com and click 'Log In'
- Enter your email and password
- Complete any verification if prompted
Go to PayPal.me Settings
Navigate to the PayPal.me section in your account settings.
- Click the gear icon (Settings) in the top right
- Select 'PayPal.me' from the menu
- Or go directly to paypal.me/my/settings
Create Your Link
Choose a unique username for your PayPal.me link. This will be your permanent URL.
- Enter your desired username (e.g., 'johnsmith')
- Your link will be paypal.me/johnsmith
- Choose carefully — you can't change it later
Add a Profile Photo (Optional)
Add a photo so people recognize you when they click your link.
- Upload a professional photo
- This builds trust with payers
- Keep it appropriate for business use
Share Your Link
Start sharing your PayPal.me link to receive payments.
- Copy the link and share via text or email
- Add to your social media bio
- Include on invoices or your website
Quick Access Link
Already have a PayPal account? Go directly to your PayPal.me settings:
Open PayPal.me SettingsPayPal.me Limitations
While PayPal.me is convenient for quick personal payments, it has significant limitations for businesses and freelancers:
No Custom Amounts
You can add an amount to the URL (paypal.me/name/50), but customers can change it before paying.
No Product Descriptions
Can't include product details, images, or descriptions — just a bare payment page.
No Payment Tracking
No automatic tracking, reminders, or payment status. You have to manually check PayPal.
No Other Payment Methods
Only PayPal and cards through PayPal. No Apple Pay, Google Pay, iDEAL, SEPA, etc.
No Professional Branding
Limited customization — looks like a generic PayPal page, not your business.
No Subscriptions
Can't set up recurring payments or subscriptions. One-time payments only.
Fee Comparison
| Platform | Fee |
|---|---|
| PayPal.me | 2.9% + €0.35 |
| PayRequest + Stripe | 1.4% + €0.25 |
| PayRequest + Mollie | 1.8% + €0.25 |
* Save up to 1.5% per transaction by using PayRequest with Stripe instead of PayPal.me
Better Alternative: PayRequest
Need more than a basic payment link? PayRequest gives you professional payment links with lower fees, more payment methods, and business features that PayPal.me doesn't offer.
- 20+ payment methods (PayPal, cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, iDEAL, SEPA)
- Lower fees (1.4% vs 2.9% with Stripe)
- Branded payment pages with your logo
- Payment tracking and automatic reminders
- Invoicing, subscriptions, and digital product delivery
Explore PayRequest Features
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my PayPal.me username?
No, once you create your PayPal.me link, you cannot change the username. Choose carefully — it's permanent.
Can I add a specific amount to my PayPal.me link?
Yes, add the amount to the URL like this: paypal.me/yourname/50 for €50. However, the payer can change this amount before completing payment.
Is PayPal.me free?
Yes, creating a PayPal.me link is free. You only pay PayPal's standard transaction fees (2.9% + €0.35) when you receive payments.
Can I use PayPal.me for business?
Yes, but it's limited. For professional use, consider a dedicated payment platform like PayRequest that offers invoicing, payment tracking, multiple payment methods, and lower fees.
Can people pay with credit card through PayPal.me?
Yes, payers can use credit/debit cards through PayPal without creating a PayPal account (in most countries). However, this goes through PayPal's checkout, not direct card processing.
Need More Than PayPal.me?
Create professional payment links with lower fees, more payment methods, and features built for businesses.