Get started with PayPal Developer
APICurrentLast updated: May 18th 2022, @ 4:02:27 pm
The PayPal REST API is organized around transaction workflows, including: orders, payments, subscriptions, invoicing, and disputes.
The API uses standard verbs and returns HTTP response codes and JSON-encoded responses.
To get started with the PayPal REST API, first create a developer account on the Developer Dashboard. From there you can generate your credentials, authentication token and sandbox accounts.
Logging into the Developer Dashboard to get credentials and create sandbox accounts requires a developer, personal, or business account. Each account provides different levels of access to PayPal functionality. If you need to access a capability you don't currently have, you can upgrade your account on the My Account page in the Developer Dashboard.
| Capabilities | Developer Account | Personal Account | Business Account |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access sandbox | x | x | x |
| Send and receive money | x | x | |
| Go live | x |
Note: You can create developer accounts if you are in the US to test US integrations. For those outside the US or those in the US wanting to test integrations outside the US, use your existing PayPal personal or business account or create a new one.
More information
- Learn more about sandbox accounts.
- For definitions of common REST API terms, see the Glossary.
- You must be in the PayPal Partner Program to make calls on behalf of a third party.