PlaytoPayPal alternative · Sao Tome and Principe · 2026
PayPal alternative in Sao Tome and Principe: fees on $10,000, side by side
PayPal's standard published price, for a client in the United States paying a business in Nigeria, comes to at least $490.30 on a $10,000 card payment. Some of its fees are not published. For a business in Sao Tome and Principe, Playto takes $250.30 and adds zero markup, so you keep $9,749.70. The table also shows Dodo Payments, Paddle and 2Checkout, checked for a business in Sao Tome and Principe.
No monthly fees. No setup fees. Lowest price guarantee.
Fees on $10,000 by card
- PayPalStandard published price, another country≥ $490.30
- PlaytoYou receive $9,749.70$250.30
The numbers
What lands in your bank
Example payments from a client in the United States to a business in Sao Tome and Principe. All fees included. Taxes not included. PayPal's numbers here are its standard published price, for a client in the United States paying a business in Nigeria. We don't have a separate PayPal price for a business in Sao Tome and Principe on file.
- With Playto you receive
- $9,749.70
- On a $10,000 card payment.
- PayPal all in
- 4.9%+
- Standard published price, business in Nigeria.
- Playto all in
- 2.5%
- Of a $10,000 card payment.
- Ways to pay
- 30+
- From 170+ countries.
| Provider | $1,000 | $5,000 | $10,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Playto | $974.70 | $4,874.70 | $9,749.70 |
| PayPal1,2Standard published price: client in the United States, business in Nigeria | ≤ $950.70 | ≤ $4,754.70 | ≤ $9,509.70 |
| Dodo Payments3 | ≤ $959.60 | ≤ $4,799.60 | ≤ $9,599.60 |
| Paddle4,5 | ≤ $934.50 | ≤ $4,734.50 | ≤ $9,484.50 |
| 2Checkout7,8,9 | ≤ $929.65 | ≤ $4,709.65 | ≤ $9,434.65 |
| Provider | $1,000 | $5,000 | $10,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Playto | $995.00 | $4,995.00 | $9,995.00 |
| PayPal1,2Standard published price: client in the United States, business in Nigeria | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| Dodo Payments3 | ≤ $985.00 | ≤ $4,985.00 | ≤ $9,985.00 |
| Paddle5,6 | ≤ $950.00 | ≤ $4,810.00 | ≤ $9,635.00 |
| 2Checkout8,9,10 | ≤ $929.65 | ≤ $4,709.65 | ≤ $9,434.65 |
- 1.PayPal: Payment fee for a client outside Nigeria. www.paypal.com/ng/business/paypal-business-fees, checked 17 Oct 2026.
- 2.PayPal: Conversion to NGN by PayPal's local partner (not published). www.paypal.com/ng/cshelp/article/what-is-the-third-party-partner-service--help1010, checked 17 Oct 2026.
- 3.Dodo Payments: Card or wallet fee; Dodo Payments: ACH Direct Debit fee (charged instead of the card fee). dodopayments.com/pricing, checked 17 Oct 2026.
- 4.Paddle: Paddle Checkout fee. www.paddle.com/pricing, checked 17 Oct 2026.
- 5.Paddle: SWIFT transfer fee for USD to your bank (one a month). www.paddle.com/help/manage/get-paid/is-there-a-fee-taken-for-payouts, checked 17 Oct 2026.
- 6.Paddle: Fee on a Paddle invoice paid by bank transfer. www.paddle.com/legal/terms, checked 17 Oct 2026.
- 7.2Checkout: 2Sell fee per sale. www.2checkout.com/pricing/, checked 17 Oct 2026.
- 8.2Checkout: Cross-border fee (Sao Tome and Principe is not exempt). docs.2checkout.com/product-catalog/product-catalog/pricing-and-charge-scenarios/cross-border-payments-fee-charges, checked 17 Oct 2026.
- 9.2Checkout: Wire transfer fee for USD to your bank (one a month). docs.2checkout.com/get-started/getting-started/payouts, checked 17 Oct 2026.
- 10.2Checkout: 2Sell fee per sale (also on wire-paid orders). docs.2checkout.com/payments/payments/payment-methods, checked 17 Oct 2026.
Where the money goes
$10,000 by card, line by line
PayPal: standard published price (business in Nigeria, paid out in NGN)
- Payment fee for a client outside Nigeria1$490.30
- Conversion to NGN by PayPal's local partner2Not published
- Total (at least)$490.30
- You receive (at most)$9,509.70
Some fees on this route aren't published, so this is the least it can cost.
Playto
- Card fee$250.30
- Total$250.30
- You receive$9,749.70
Prices from playto.so/pricing. Playto adds zero markup.
Getting paid in Sao Tome and Principe
The basics, with sources
Public facts from official sources, each with its date. Not advice: check with your bank.
Local bank payments
Rede Dobra 24 is an automatic payment network that links all the banks in Sao Tome and Principe. With a Dobra 24 card you can use any ATM in the network, whatever your bank, including to transfer money to other accounts.
Source: bcstp.st, checked 17 Oct 2026.
Money rules
Under the central bank's 2024 foreign exchange rules, all export earnings must be brought into Sao Tome and Principe through the financial system within 180 days. For services, the 180 days start when the resident receives the payment.
Source: bcstp.st, checked 17 Oct 2026.
Export earnings account
Export earnings come in by bank transfer to a special earnings account in the exporter's name. The money can stay fully in foreign currency in that account.
Source: bcstp.st, checked 17 Oct 2026.
Share held by the central bank
Banks that handle export deals must pass 25% of the foreign currency from export earnings to the central bank (BCSTP). The BCSTP then pays the same value in dobras into the exporter's account.
Source: bcstp.st, checked 17 Oct 2026.
Exchange rate, for scale
1 USD = 21.576 STN (US Treasury reference rate, 30 Sept 2026). The rate on the day of a payment will differ.
Source: fiscaldata.treasury.gov.
Calculator
Try your own amount
From $1,000 to $50,000, by card or bank transfer, for a client in the United States paying a business in Sao Tome and Principe.
Fees charged
- PayPal (standard price)You receive $9,509.70 at most≥ $490.30
- PlaytoYou receive $9,749.70$250.30
Side by side
PayPal and Playto, in plain numbers
What adds to the cost with PayPal
- All in, PayPal takes $490.30 or more (4.9%) of a $10,000 card payment (standard published price, business in Nigeria). Playto takes $250.30.
- Some PayPal fees for card payments are not published, so the real cost can be higher.
When PayPal is still the right choice
- Your clients pay you inside your own country. A local payment method can cost less there. Playto is built for clients abroad.
- You want to keep the money in US dollars and not change it. An account that holds foreign money may suit you better.
Switching
Move from PayPal in three steps
- 1
Request an invite
Tell us about your business. Playto checks every business before it gets in.
- 2
Send a payment link
Share a link or an invoice. Your client can pay 30+ ways, from 170+ countries.
- 3
Get paid
Cards cost 2.5% + $0.30. Bank transfers are never more than $5. Playto adds zero markup.
FAQ
PayPal alternative in Sao Tome and Principe: questions
Is Playto cheaper than PayPal in Sao Tome and Principe?
What are the alternatives to PayPal for a business in Sao Tome and Principe?
How does a business in Sao Tome and Principe get paid from abroad?
How much does PayPal charge on a $10,000 payment from the United States?
How much does Playto cost?
How do I move from PayPal to Playto?
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Get paid by global clients
Get paid by clients abroad with zero markup
Cards cost 2.5% + $0.30. Bank transfers are never more than $5. Your client can pay 30+ ways, from 170+ countries.
No monthly fees. No setup fees. Lowest price guarantee.