Alternatives to PayPal: the best tips
If you don't want to share your data with the market leader PayPal, you can choose from many alternatives from the USA and Germany. We will introduce you to the best alternative options.
GiroPay: Good alternative to PayPal
GiroPay is a widespread and often used online payment service of the German banking industry.
- Registration: You do not have to register for this service. However, you need an account with one of the following banks. This account must also be activated for online banking. Cooperating banks are Postbanken, Sparkassen, Volks- und Raiffeisenbanken, as well as PSD and DKB banks.
- Procedure: If you select payment via GiroPay in the online shop, you will be asked to enter your bank code. You will then be taken to your bank's online banking, where you must log in. The transfer form is already filled out in this form. You only have to confirm this with a TAN.
- Security: Since you will be forwarded directly from the shop to your bank, there are no security risks.
- Advantage: This service can also be used by people under the age of 18.
SofortÜberweisung.de instead of PayPal
This service is very similar to the GiroPay model, but can be used by anyone, regardless of their own bank.
- Registration: You do not have to register with this service either. In contrast to GiroPay, all German banks are supported here.
- Procedure: If you select this service in the shop, you will be redirected to its website. Here you also have to enter your bank code so that your bank is determined. You will then need to provide your account number and password for online banking. In contrast to GiroPay, you will not be forwarded directly to your bank's website. Only a secure connection to it is established. By entering the TAN, the transfer is completed for you here too.
- Security: In the past there were protests against SofortÜberweisung.de: the service not only carries out the transfer for you, but also checks your account movements over the past three days. This is generally not a problem for you, but data protection experts consider this step to be superfluous. However, the service can be recommended due to its simplicity.
- Advantage: In contrast to PayPal, minors can also use this service.
Credit card: Visa, MasterCard, American Express
Around 25 million credit cards are in circulation in Germany. They are also a popular means of payment on the Internet.
- Registration: You can request a credit card from your bank. You often get this when you open a new account. You must ask your bank about any costs for a credit card.
- Procedure: All you have to do is enter your name, card number, expiry date and card verification number.
- Security: The "3-D secure process", which requires an additional password, is not yet mandatory for all users. If you lose your credit card, strangers can pay with the data online and on site.
- Disadvantages: Credit cards are usually chargeable and cannot be used by minors.
BitCoin & LiteCoin: New alternatives to PayPal
Bitcoins and LiteCoins are a digital currency that is traded similar to real currency. Bit and LiteCoins have now become an emerging alternative currency.
- The coins are generated by the computing power of computers and can be converted into real currencies such as the euro. You can find out exactly how bitcoins are created and work in this article.
- The big advantage of bitcoins is anonymity, since no government organization monitors trade. However, this is also a major disadvantage. The stability of the currency cannot be guaranteed. Incorrectly executed transfers cannot be canceled.
- Very few, especially small online shops, accept Bitcoins as currency. Some shops in trendy districts of large cities also offer payment. Bitcoins are therefore more suitable for payment transactions between two private people.
PaysafeCard & Co: Alternatives to PayPal
- PaysafeCard: The PaysafeCard is a suitable online payment service especially for minors without a bank account. The credit cards can be bought in the supermarket or at petrol stations and redeemed online using a code. Age and identity play no role in this form of payment.
- PostPay: PostPay is also being offered for payment in an increasing number of online shops. This is a Deutsche Post payment service. Delivery address and payment method are recorded once when registering. When paying in the online shop, all you have to do is log in with your password.
- Amazon Payments: If you generally buy a lot from Amazon, Amazon Payments can become a welcome service for you. Even if you shop at an Amazon partner shop, you can still make the purchase using your Amazon account. So you can be sure that you have bought from a reputable shop and that in case of doubt you will simply get your money back.
- Klarna: If you prefer classic, you can also pay by invoice. Klarna is a regular supplier, especially when it comes to buying clothes. This handles the purchase on account between you and the dealer. Transferring the amount yourself is not convenient, but in case of doubt it is always safer than any other payment method that records your data electronically.
In the next practical tip, we will show you how secure PayPal really is.