---
title: "PayPal Standard Gateway"
source: "https://docs.nexcess.com/software/learndash/memberdash/paypal-standard-gateway/"
description: "The PayPal Standard Gateway allows you to easily accept PayPal payments for your membership site, except for permanent or one-time membership offerings. This ga…"
vertical: "Software"
area: "MemberDash"
topics: ["Billing and Payments", "MemberDash", "Memberships", "Settings", "Supported Payment Gateways"]
date: "2024-12-05"
last_modified: "2026-07-02"
---

# PayPal Standard Gateway

The **PayPal Standard Gateway** allows you to easily accept PayPal payments for your membership site, except for permanent or one-time membership offerings. This gateway is ideal for recurring memberships and supports features like **Free Trials** and **Signup Fees.**

**NOTE**: PayPal Standard can be used for any recurring Membership payments, including those with a Free Trial or a Signup Fee. This gateway is not suitable for one-time only payments.

## PayPal Standard Payment Gateway

![](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/image-5-8.png)## Overview

PayPal Standard offers a quick and simple checkout experience and can be connected to your site with minimal setup. This guide will walk you through:

- Connecting your PayPal account
- Switching from **Test Mode (Sandbox)** to **Live Mode** when you’re ready to accept real payments
- Configuring PayPal’s Instant Payment Notification (IPN) to ensure membership actions (like cancellations) sync properly

## Important: IPN Setup Required

To ensure proper membership management, especially subscription cancellations, you must configure **Instant Payment Notification (IPN)** in your PayPal account.

If IPN is not set up:

- Membership cancellations **will not sync** back to your site.
- Payment updates may not be accurately reflected.

Follow this guide to configure IPN: [Setting Up IPN Notifications on PayPal](#)

## Default Settings

When you’re ready to process live payments, you’ll need to switch the gateway to **Live Mode.** The PayPal Standard Gateway is set to **Sandbox Mode (Test)** by default.

Once you’ve connected your PayPal account, configured IPN, and switched to Live Mode, you’re ready to securely accept recurring membership payments through PayPal Standard.