SigmaRemote vs PayPal — Designed for Transparent Contractor Payments, Not Merchant Relays
PayPal is built for online sales, customer payments, and consumer transfers—not lean, international contractor payouts. Discover why teams switch to SigmaRemote for flat‑fee USD wallet payouts, minimal FX, and global control.
4.8
5k Satisfied Customers
4.8
5k Satisfied Customers
Side-by-Side on What Really Matters
PayPal
Buyers often pay 2.99%–3.49% + fixed fee; +1.5% for international. Mass Payouts cost 2% of payment.
Buyers often pay 2.99%–3.49% + fixed fee; +1.5% for international. Mass Payouts cost 2% of payment.
PayPal adds 3–4% FX spread on top of mid-market rate; currency conversion fees up to 4.5%
PayPal adds 3–4% FX spread on top of mid-market rate; currency conversion fees up to 4.5%
Receiving USD internationally costs 1.5% + fixed fee, plus conversion if currency differs.
Receiving USD internationally costs 1.5% + fixed fee, plus conversion if currency differs.
Payouts take 1–3 business days depending on region and bank; mass payouts align with batch schedule.
Payouts take 1–3 business days depending on region and bank; mass payouts align with batch schedule.
No contractor-centric wallet flow. Recipients must accept funds and convert—no autonomy.
No contractor-centric wallet flow. Recipients must accept funds and convert—no autonomy.
Designed for merchants. Set up flows center on buyers and compliance, not contractor payouts.
Designed for merchants. Set up flows center on buyers and compliance, not contractor payouts.
Support optimized for conflict resolution in sales and payments—contractor payout issues are deprioritized.
Support optimized for conflict resolution in sales and payments—contractor payout issues are deprioritized.
Sigma
$18/month per active contractor — reduced rates for teams of 20+
$18/month per active contractor — reduced rates for teams of 20+
0% FX with USD wallets; ~1% FX only if converting to local currency
0% FX with USD wallets; ~1% FX only if converting to local currency
$0 with USD wallet (no forced conversions)
$0 with USD wallet (no forced conversions)
1-2 business days, or instant with USDC. Optimized infrastructure
1-2 business days, or instant with USDC. Optimized infrastructure
Contractors hold USD wallet, choose when and how to convert
Contractors hold USD wallet, choose when and how to convert
<15 min mobile onboarding
<15 min mobile onboarding
Fast, human‑first support optimized for contractor payouts
Fast, human‑first support optimized for contractor payouts
Pain Points with PayPal
Pain Points with PayPal
Pain Points with PayPal
Here’s why PayPal costs more than it looks
Here’s why PayPal costs more than it looks
Here’s why PayPal costs more than it looks
High seller fees: International commercial transactions often cost up to ~5%: 3.49% + 1.5% + fixed currency surcharge.
High seller fees: International commercial transactions often cost up to ~5%: 3.49% + 1.5% + fixed currency surcharge.
Steep FX margins: Contractors lose an additional 3–4% to PayPal’s currency conversion spread.
Steep FX margins: Contractors lose an additional 3–4% to PayPal’s currency conversion spread.
Mass Payout costs: Paying multiple contractors via PayPal Payouts costs ~2% per payout, capped per currency.
Mass Payout costs: Paying multiple contractors via PayPal Payouts costs ~2% per payout, capped per currency.
Slow and cumbersome for contractors: Recipients must confirm payments, convert currencies manually, or wait for transfers to local bank accounts.
Slow and cumbersome for contractors: Recipients must confirm payments, convert currencies manually, or wait for transfers to local bank accounts.
Clunky UX for contractor payments: PayPal is optimized for consumer checkout—not repeated contractor payouts or wallet control.
Clunky UX for contractor payments: PayPal is optimized for consumer checkout—not repeated contractor payouts or wallet control.
Limited support for contractor flows: Support is centered on refunds, disputes, and account holds—not global contractor needs.
Limited support for contractor flows: Support is centered on refunds, disputes, and account holds—not global contractor needs.
High seller fees: International commercial transactions often cost up to ~5%: 3.49% + 1.5% + fixed currency surcharge.
Steep FX margins: Contractors lose an additional 3–4% to PayPal’s currency conversion spread.
Mass Payout costs: Paying multiple contractors via PayPal Payouts costs ~2% per payout, capped per currency.
Slow and cumbersome for contractors: Recipients must confirm payments, convert currencies manually, or wait for transfers to local bank accounts.
Clunky UX for contractor payments: PayPal is optimized for consumer checkout—not repeated contractor payouts or wallet control.
Limited support for contractor flows: Support is centered on refunds, disputes, and account holds—not global contractor needs.
High seller fees: International commercial transactions often cost up to ~5%: 3.49% + 1.5% + fixed currency surcharge.
Steep FX margins: Contractors lose an additional 3–4% to PayPal’s currency conversion spread.
Mass Payout costs: Paying multiple contractors via PayPal Payouts costs ~2% per payout, capped per currency.
Slow and cumbersome for contractors: Recipients must confirm payments, convert currencies manually, or wait for transfers to local bank accounts.
Clunky UX for contractor payments: PayPal is optimized for consumer checkout—not repeated contractor payouts or wallet control.
Limited support for contractor flows: Support is centered on refunds, disputes, and account holds—not global contractor needs.
Why SigmaRemote Wins
Why SigmaRemote Wins
Why SigmaRemote Wins
A better approach for paying international contractors:
A better approach for paying international contractors:
A better approach for paying international contractors:
Flat Fees, No Surprises: $18/month per active contractor — reduced rates for teams of 20+. 0% FX on USD wallet payments; ~1% FX when currency conversion is required.
Flat Fees, No Surprises: $18/month per active contractor — reduced rates for teams of 20+. 0% FX on USD wallet payments; ~1% FX when currency conversion is required.
USD Wallets Built In: Contractors keep 100% of what you send — no forced conversion.
USD Wallets Built In: Contractors keep 100% of what you send — no forced conversion.
Faster Payouts, Globally: 1–2 business day transfers or instant stablecoin delivery via USDC/USDT.
Faster Payouts, Globally: 1–2 business day transfers or instant stablecoin delivery via USDC/USDT.
Better for LATAM, Africa, Asia: Mobile-first onboarding, crypto-native infrastructure, and wallet support.
Better for LATAM, Africa, Asia: Mobile-first onboarding, crypto-native infrastructure, and wallet support.
No Shutdown Surprises: Real human support helps your team stay paid — fast.
No Shutdown Surprises: Real human support helps your team stay paid — fast.
Flat Fees, No Surprises: $18/month per active contractor — reduced rates for teams of 20+. 0% FX on USD wallet payments; ~1% FX when currency conversion is required.
USD Wallets Built In: Contractors keep 100% of what you send — no forced conversion.
Faster Payouts, Globally: 1–2 business day transfers or instant stablecoin delivery via USDC/USDT.
Better for LATAM, Africa, Asia: Mobile-first onboarding, crypto-native infrastructure, and wallet support.
No Shutdown Surprises: Real human support helps your team stay paid — fast.
Flat Fees, No Surprises: $18/month per active contractor — reduced rates for teams of 20+. 0% FX on USD wallet payments; ~1% FX when currency conversion is required.
USD Wallets Built In: Contractors keep 100% of what you send — no forced conversion.
Faster Payouts, Globally: 1–2 business day transfers or instant stablecoin delivery via USDC/USDT.
Better for LATAM, Africa, Asia: Mobile-first onboarding, crypto-native infrastructure, and wallet support.
No Shutdown Surprises: Real human support helps your team stay paid — fast.
See Common Question and Answer
See Common Question and Answer
See Common Question and Answer
What sets Sigma apart from other payroll platforms?
Unlike existing payroll services, Sigma is designed with the worker in mind. We provide unique financial tools, such as USD savings wallets and flexible payment options, ensuring that contractors not only get paid but also have the resources to thrive, empowering you to attract and retain the talent that drives your company's success.
How does Sigma ensure that workers receive local-like benefits?
Is it easy to switch to Sigma?
What sets Sigma apart from other payroll platforms?
Unlike existing payroll services, Sigma is designed with the worker in mind. We provide unique financial tools, such as USD savings wallets and flexible payment options, ensuring that contractors not only get paid but also have the resources to thrive, empowering you to attract and retain the talent that drives your company's success.
How does Sigma ensure that workers receive local-like benefits?
Is it easy to switch to Sigma?
What sets Sigma apart from other payroll platforms?
Unlike existing payroll services, Sigma is designed with the worker in mind. We provide unique financial tools, such as USD savings wallets and flexible payment options, ensuring that contractors not only get paid but also have the resources to thrive, empowering you to attract and retain the talent that drives your company's success.
How does Sigma ensure that workers receive local-like benefits?
Is it easy to switch to Sigma?
What sets Sigma apart from other payroll platforms?
Unlike existing payroll services, Sigma is designed with the worker in mind. We provide unique financial tools, such as USD savings wallets and flexible payment options, ensuring that contractors not only get paid but also have the resources to thrive, empowering you to attract and retain the talent that drives your company's success.
How does Sigma ensure that workers receive local-like benefits?
Is it easy to switch to Sigma?
Can I customize the categories for my expenses and income?
Are there any hidden fees in your pricing plans?
How secure is my financial data within the platform?
Can I customize the categories for my expenses and income?
Are there any hidden fees in your pricing plans?
How secure is my financial data within the platform?
Can I customize the categories for my expenses and income?
Are there any hidden fees in your pricing plans?
How secure is my financial data within the platform?
Can I customize the categories for my expenses and income?
Are there any hidden fees in your pricing plans?
How secure is my financial data within the platform?
We get you to every country
We get you to every country
We get you to every country
From Buenos Aires to Manila, hire contractors and employees anywhere with Sigma.
From Buenos Aires to Manila, hire contractors and employees anywhere with Sigma.
From Buenos Aires to Manila, hire contractors and employees anywhere with Sigma.
160+ countries
Argentina
Guinea
Scotland
Ecuador
Argentina
Guinea
Scotland
Ecuador
Argentina
Guinea
Scotland
Ecuador
Argentina
Guinea
Scotland
Ecuador
Europe
Brazil
Romania
Vietnam
Europe
Brazil
Romania
Vietnam
Europe
Brazil
Romania
Vietnam
Europe
Brazil
Romania
Vietnam
Canada
Belgium
Paraguay
Argentina
Canada
Belgium
Paraguay
Argentina
Canada
Belgium
Paraguay
Argentina
Canada
Belgium
Paraguay
Argentina
Myanmar
Cayman
Qatar
Honduras
Myanmar
Cayman
Qatar
Honduras
Myanmar
Cayman
Qatar
Honduras
Myanmar
Cayman
Qatar
Honduras
To hire from.
Incorporated outside of the U.S.?
International companies can also use Sigma. Book a demo to learn more.
Analytics and Reporting
Grow Your Team, Grow Your Business
Grow Your Team, Grow Your Business
Grow Your Team, Grow Your Business
Streamline HR processes and empower your team with our products. Facilitate manage employee data, and more in one platform.
Streamline HR processes and empower your team with our products. Facilitate manage employee data, and more in one platform.
Streamline HR processes and empower your team with our products. Facilitate manage employee data, and more in one platform.
The payroll platform for businesses powered by global emerging talent.
© 2025 SigmaRemote. All rights reserved.
🏢 Company
🏢 Why Remote Teams choose us
🏢 Why Gig Platforms choose us
📚 Resources
🛡 Trust
The payroll platform for businesses powered by global emerging talent.
© 2025 SigmaRemote. All rights reserved.
🏢 Company
🏢 Why Remote Teams choose us
🏢 Why Gig Platforms choose us
📚 Resources
🛡 Trust
The payroll platform for businesses powered by global emerging talent.
© 2025 SigmaRemote. All rights reserved.
🏢 Company
🏢 Why Remote Teams choose us
🏢 Why Gig Platforms choose us
📚 Resources
🛡 Trust
The payroll platform for businesses powered by global emerging talent.
© 2025 SigmaRemote. All rights reserved.
🏢 Company
🏢 Why Remote Teams choose us
🏢 Why Gig Platforms choose us
📚 Resources
🛡 Trust