# Plan your integration (/payouts/use-payouts/plan-your-integration)

Compare PayPal Payouts integration patterns and payout methods to choose the right approach for your business.



Understand the integration patterns and payout methods available before using PayPal Payouts to efficiently send payouts to your recipients.

## Choose integration pattern [#choose-integration-pattern]

PayPal Payouts provides three integration patterns to send payouts efficiently. Each integration pattern is designed to meet different business needs based on payout volume, automation requirements, and technical capabilities.

|                       | Payouts Web UI file upload                                                                                                              | Large-batch file transfer                                                                                                                                       | Payouts API                                                                                                                               |
| --------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **What it is**        | A manual tool that lets you upload payout files from the PayPal account dashboard.                                                      | A batch processing tool that lets you send payouts by uploading files securely through SFTP to PayPal's DropZone.                                               | A RESTful API that lets you programmatically send payouts to multiple recipients.                                                         |
| **How it works**      | You log in to your PayPal account, go to the Payouts section, and upload the payouts file. PayPal processes the file and sends payouts. | You prepare a payout file in the required format and upload it to DropZone. PayPal processes the file and sends the payouts.                                    | You integrate PayPal's Payouts API into your system to automate payouts.                                                                  |
| **Who should use it** | Businesses that send payouts less frequently and do not require automation. Works well for businesses with limited technical expertise. | Businesses that need to send large-scale payouts and prefer batch processing over real-time API calls. Requires some technical skill to set up and manage SFTP. | Businesses with frequent, high payout volumes that require automation. Works well for businesses with developers and technical expertise. |
| **Key benefits**      | Easy access from the PayPal dashboard. No technical setup required.                                                                     | Handles large numbers of payouts efficiently. Keeps file transfers secure.                                                                                      | Provides scalability, real-time processing, and full control over payouts.                                                                |

## Choose payout method [#choose-payout-method]

You can send payouts to PayPal accounts and Venmo users. Each send money section provides information that enables you to integrate the selected integration pattern and send payouts.