Best prepaid debit cards: Top 6 UK picks
Read our essential guide to the best prepaid debit cards in the UK right now, including info on features and fees.
Love a little online shopping? If you’re a fan of buying online, you’ll need to know the best way to pay.
Here in the UK, there are a few different payment options available at checkout (although it depends on the retailer). Two of the most popular are PayPal and credit cards, along with debit cards of course.
In this guide, we’ll be looking at PayPal vs. credit cards, to see which is the best choice to pay for your online purchase. We’ll run through pros and cons, and compare the two on security, fees, buyer protection and much more.
We’ll also show you a great alternative for making online and real-world purchases in multiple countries and currencies - the Wise card from the money services provider Wise.
First up, we have PayPal, the popular online payment service. Let’s dive straight into PayPal pros and cons.
Pros:
Cons:
Now, let’s give credit cards the same treatment. Here are the main pros and cons to consider before using a credit card to shop online.
Pros:
Cons:
Another thing to bear in mind - if you want to shop in a different country or currency, you’ll need to choose the right credit card for spending abroad. Some are great for overseas spending, others not so much.
📚 Read more: Virtual debit cards you can open in the UK |
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To help you make up your mind, here’s a full comparison of Paypal vs. credit cards on things like fees, security, limits and buyer protection:
PayPal | Credit cards | |
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Availability | All users (age 18+) Widely accepted online | All users (age 18+) Widely accepted online |
Fees | - None for UK transactions¹ - 5% fee for international payments¹ - 3% currency conversion charge may also apply¹ | Fees may apply for: - Exceeding your credit limit - Late payments - Retailer processing fees (if applicable) - Monthly or annual card maintenance fee (if applicable) |
Limits | None | Your personal credit limit (i.e. £1,200 or £2,400) |
Security | Uses data encryption and has Buyer Protection policies² | Visa and Mastercard use sophisticated security technology and anti-fraud measures |
Privacy | Protects data with encryption and secure servers⁴ | Uses secure payment gateways to process transactions |
Buyer protection | Buyer and Fraud Protection policies² | Section 75 and chargeback protection³ Visa/Mastercard Zero Liability policies |
Customer support | PayPal Resolution Centre, message and phone support⁵ | Support available through card issuer |
Here are some tips to keep you safe while shopping online:
Want to shop online in your choice of 40+ currencies? And how about spending like a local in 150+ countries? The Wise card could be just what you’re looking for.
Open a Wise account online and you can order your own contactless Wise card or get it as a virtual card.
It’s an international debit card that can be used worldwide, including online. Whenever you spend in a different currency, the card automatically converts the currency at the mid-market exchange rate – with no margin added on top.
You’ll only pay a small fee* for a currency conversion, or it’s free if you already have the currency in your Wise account. There are no commission charges, foreign transaction fees or other hidden costs.
So which is the best choice for shopping online - PayPal or a credit card? It may all depend on what options are available with each particular retailer, and which credit card you have.
But both offer secure payments and buyer protection, which should give you some peace of mind when shopping online.
Just remember to follow our tips for safe online shopping. If unsure of a particular website, it could be safer to steer clear until you can do some further research.
Sources used for this article:
Sources checked on 14-Nov-2023.
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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