PayPal vs Visa (PYPL vs V)
PayPal (PYPL) vs Visa (V) in plain English: P/E, growth, margins, debt and dividend side by side, key differences and which fits each investor profile.
PayPal (PYPL) and Visa (V) compete in financial services and payments. Here are PayPal and Visa side by side with their real figures as of November 4, 2026: what sets them apart, which fits each kind of investor and the most common questions, without telling you whether to buy PayPal or Visa.
PayPal vs Visa: the figures
| Figure | PayPal | Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $60.20 (November 4, 2026) | $436.57 (November 4, 2026) |
| Market cap | $50.0 billion | $816.0 billion |
| P/E (TTM) | 11.5x | 35.4x |
| Forward P/E | 10.2x | 25.5x |
| Revenue growth (quarter) | +2.0% | +13.2% |
| Net margin (TTM) | 13.8% | 51.2% |
| Net debt / EBITDA | 0.6x | 0.3x |
| Dividend yield | 0.96% | 0.64% |
| Beta | 1.32 | 0.79 |
PayPal and Visa figures from Yahoo Finance, the same source the Fintols analysis uses, retrieved on November 4, 2026; N/A means that PayPal or Visa figure is not available, and we never estimate it.
3 key differences between PayPal and Visa
- Valuation: Visa trades at 35.4x its annual earnings and PayPal at 11.5x; the market pays more for each dollar of Visa profit, usually because it expects more growth.
- Profitability: for every 100 of sales, Visa keeps 51.2 as net profit and PayPal keeps 13.8.
- Size: Visa is worth $816.0 billion on the stock market, about 16.3 times PayPal ($50.0 billion).
PayPal or Visa: which fits your profile
- If you want growth: Visa is growing faster today, so it fits better with investors who put business growth first, usually accepting a higher P/E and a bumpier ride.
- If you want income (dividends): PayPal pays the higher dividend relative to its price.
- If you prefer caution: Visa has less debt relative to its profit, which usually gives more room in a bad year.
- If price is what matters most to you: PayPal trades on the lower P/E; check first whether that is an opportunity or a sign of a business that grows less.
Neither PayPal nor Visa wins on everything, and owning both is also an option: spreading money across several companies or an index fund reduces what rides on each one.
How PayPal and Visa make money
PayPal (PYPL)
PayPal earns transaction fees on online and in-store payments, its largest revenue source, through PayPal checkout, the Venmo app, the Braintree processing platform and Xoom remittances. It also earns other value-added revenue from interest, partnerships and PayPal Credit loans. The United States is its biggest market. Full PayPal analysis.
Visa (V)
Visa runs the VisaNet payments network and charges card-issuing and acquiring banks fees on each transaction, without taking on cardholder credit risk. It reports service revenue, data processing revenue, its largest line, international transaction revenue, and other revenue, including value-added services. It operates worldwide. Full Visa analysis.
Frequently asked questions: PayPal vs Visa
Is PayPal or Visa the better stock?
Choosing between PayPal and Visa depends on what you are looking for. Visa is growing faster right now, and PayPal trades on the lower P/E. Fintols does not tell you whether to buy PayPal or Visa: it shows you the differences so you can decide.
Which pays a higher dividend, PayPal or Visa?
As of November 4, 2026, PayPal yields 0.96% and Visa yields 0.64%. Also check how much of their profit PayPal and Visa pay out: if it is more than they earn, it cannot last.
Which is more expensive, PayPal or Visa?
On P/E, Visa (35.4x) is more expensive than PayPal (11.5x) as of November 4, 2026. A higher P/E can be justified if earnings grow faster, so compare it with each company's growth in the table.
Can I own both PayPal and Visa?
Yes. Many people spread their money across several companies, such as PayPal and Visa, or use index funds so they do not depend on just one. If you are starting out, decide how much you want to invest and for how long before buying PayPal or Visa.
More comparisons with PayPal or Visa
More companies like PayPal and Visa: financial services and payments stocks. Educational content about PayPal and Visa, not investment advice.