You’re standing at the digital checkout. Your cart is full of things you probably don’t need, but definitely want. You reach for your wallet, realize it's in the other room, and think, "Please let them take PayPal."
It’s the ultimate convenience. No typing in sixteen-digit card numbers. No hunt for the CVV. Just a login and a click. But honestly, the question of what online shops accept PayPal isn't as simple as a "yes" or "no" anymore. The landscape has shifted. By early 2026, over 36 million merchants worldwide have integrated this button into their stores, yet some of the biggest giants still play hard to get.
Most people assume if a store is big, they take it. Wrong.
The Heavy Hitters: Where You Can Definitely Click the Blue Button
If you’re shopping at the massive retailers, you’re usually in luck. eBay is the obvious one—they’re basically siblings, even after the corporate breakup years ago. It’s the home of PayPal. You can buy anything from a vintage 1980s calculator watch to a high-end drone there using your balance.
Then you’ve got Target and Best Buy. These two have been rock-solid partners for a long time. Whether you’re snagging a new OLED TV or just stocking up on laundry detergent, the PayPal option is right there.
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Electronics and Tech
- Microsoft Store: Buying a Surface or an Xbox game? They've got you.
- Dell: Good for laptops, though their checkout feels a bit like a 1990s office building.
- Newegg: A staple for the PC building crowd.
- Bose and Sonos: For when you need to spend way too much money on audio equipment.
Fashion and Apparel
The fashion world loves digital wallets. It makes impulse buying way too easy. You’ll find PayPal accepted at Adidas, Nike, Puma, and Under Armour. On the higher end or trendy side, Coach, Michael Kors, Zara, and Abercrombie & Fitch are all on board. Even Alo Yoga and Uniqlo make it easy to grab leggings or Heattech with a quick tap.
The "It's Complicated" Relationship with Amazon and Walmart
Here is where people get confused. Does Amazon accept PayPal? Directly? No. They want you to use their own ecosystem. They want you to use Amazon Pay or their branded credit cards.
But you've got workarounds. In 2026, many shoppers use the PayPal Debit Card. Since it’s backed by Mastercard, Amazon sees it as just another debit card. You just enter the numbers like a normal card, and it pulls from your PayPal balance.
Walmart is a bit friendlier. While they pushed Walmart Pay hard for a while, you can use PayPal on their website and app. In-store is a different story—usually involving QR codes or that same debit card trick— but for online shopping, Walmart is a "yes."
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Food, Travel, and the Gig Economy
If you’re hungry, you’re basically covered. DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub all accept PayPal. It’s great because you can link your account once and forget about it.
Travel Booking
Planning a trip? Expedia, Hotels.com, and Priceline are huge fans of the blue button. Even some airlines like Southwest and United have integrated it into their mobile apps. It’s a lifesaver when you’re trying to book a flight on a public Wi-Fi and don't want to whip out your physical credit card.
Gaming
Gamers were the early adopters. Steam, the PlayStation Store, and Nintendo eShop all take it. It’s basically the gold standard for buying digital skins or the latest DLC without having to explain to your bank why you're making fourteen $5 transactions in one hour.
Why Some Stores Still Say No
You’d think everyone would want to make it easy for you to give them money. But fees are a beast. PayPal charges merchants a percentage—often around 2.9% plus a fixed fee—and for small businesses with thin margins, that hurts.
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Also, data. When you use PayPal, the merchant doesn't always get the same level of granular data they’d get if you used their proprietary payment system. They want to know everything about you. PayPal acts as a bit of a shield.
Using "Pay in 4" and "Pay Monthly"
One of the biggest reasons people search for what online shops accept PayPal these days isn't just for the balance—it’s for the credit. PayPal’s "Pay Later" options have exploded.
You can split a $200 purchase at Best Buy into four interest-free payments. Or, if you’re buying a $3,000 gaming rig from GameStop, you might opt for "Pay Monthly" over 24 months. These options appear at checkout only if the merchant has the specific "Pay Later" integration enabled.
Pro-Tips for the PayPal Power User
If you're ever unsure if a site takes it, don't wait until the final checkout screen. Scroll to the bottom of the homepage. Usually, in the footer next to the Visa and Mastercard logos, you’ll see the PayPal icon.
If it's not there, and you really want to use your balance:
- Buy a Gift Card: Use PayPal on a site like eGifter or even Walmart to buy an Amazon gift card.
- The Virtual Card: Check if you have access to "PayPal Key" or a similar virtual card feature in your app. It gives you a temporary 16-digit number that works anywhere.
- Check the App: The PayPal app has its own "Shop" tab. If you search for a brand inside their app and it pops up, they definitely take it.
Actionable Insight:
Before your next big purchase, log into your PayPal account and check the "Offers" or "Rewards" tab. Often, retailers like Ulta Beauty or Sephora offer 5% cash back or specific $10-off coupons specifically if you use PayPal at checkout. It’s literally free money sitting there because most people are too lazy to check the rewards section before they buy.