PayPal Subscription Link Guide
Create shareable links for recurring PayPal payments. Bill customers monthly, quarterly, or yearly without building a website or writing code.
Why Use PayPal for Subscriptions?
400M+ Potential Customers
PayPal is the most recognized online payment method. Customers already have accounts and trust it.
Global Reach
Accept recurring payments from 200+ countries. No need for separate payment setups per region.
Buyer Protection
Customers feel safe knowing PayPal's buyer protection backs their subscription payments.
Automatic Billing
Once subscribed, payments happen automatically. No chasing invoices or manual reminders.
3 Ways to Create PayPal Subscription Links
Choose the approach that matches your technical comfort and business needs.
PayPal Subscriptions (Native)
Best for PayPal-only businessesUse PayPal's built-in subscription system directly from your PayPal Business account.
How it works:
- 1Log into PayPal Business
- 2Go to Pay & Get Paid → Subscriptions
- 3Create a subscription plan
- 4Get your subscribe button/link
Benefits:
- No third-party needed
- Direct PayPal integration
- Subscriber management built-in
- PayPal Checkout experience
PayRequest + PayPal
Best for multiple payment methodsCreate subscription links with PayRequest using PayPal as your payment provider.
How it works:
- 1Connect PayPal to PayRequest
- 2Create a subscription product
- 3Set billing frequency and amount
- 4Share your subscription link anywhere
Benefits:
- PayPal + cards + more
- Beautiful checkout pages
- Customer portal included
- Dunning automation
Stripe + PayPal
Best for maximum flexibilityUse Stripe as your primary processor with PayPal as an additional payment option.
How it works:
- 1Set up Stripe subscriptions
- 2Enable PayPal in Stripe settings
- 3Customers choose at checkout
- 4Manage everything in Stripe
Benefits:
- Unified dashboard
- Better analytics
- More payment options
- Lower combined fees
How to Create a PayPal Subscription Link
Upgrade to Business Account
You need a PayPal Business account to create subscriptions. Upgrade for free at paypal.com/business.
Access Subscription Tools
Go to Pay & Get Paid → Subscriptions in your PayPal dashboard. Click 'Create Plan'.
Configure Your Plan
Set plan name, billing cycle (monthly/yearly), price, and trial period if desired.
Get Your Link or Button
Copy the subscription link or grab the embed code for a Subscribe button.
Share Everywhere
Use the link in emails, social media, or embed the button on your website.
Who Uses PayPal Subscription Links?
SaaS & Software
Bill customers monthly for software access, apps, or online tools.
Membership Sites
Collect recurring fees for exclusive content, communities, or member benefits.
Content Creators
Patreon-style subscriptions for YouTube, podcast, or blog supporters.
Coaches & Consultants
Monthly retainers, coaching programs, or ongoing consulting arrangements.
Nonprofits
Monthly giving programs for sustained donor support.
Gyms & Studios
Recurring membership fees for fitness, yoga, or dance studios.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create a PayPal subscription link without a website?
Yes! Once you create a subscription plan in PayPal, you get a shareable link. Send it via email, text, or social media — no website required.
What's the difference between PayPal subscriptions and recurring invoices?
Subscriptions charge automatically on a schedule. Recurring invoices send a payment request that customers must manually pay each time. Subscriptions have much higher collection rates.
Can customers cancel their subscription?
Yes, subscribers can cancel anytime from their PayPal account. You can also cancel subscriptions from your PayPal Business dashboard.
Can I offer free trials?
Yes, PayPal subscriptions support free trial periods. You can offer 7, 14, 30 days or any custom trial length before billing starts.
What happens if a payment fails?
PayPal automatically retries failed payments. If they continue to fail, the subscription is eventually suspended. PayRequest adds smart dunning to recover more failed payments.
Can I change the subscription price later?
You can create new plans with different prices, but existing subscribers stay on their original plan. To change prices for existing subscribers, you'll need to cancel and re-subscribe them.
Related Guides
Create Your First Subscription Link
Start accepting recurring payments today. PayRequest makes subscription management easy with PayPal, Stripe, and more.