How to integrate PayPal in Bubble

The simplest reliable way to integrate PayPal in Bubble is to use PayPal’s REST API through Bubble’s API Connector. You create a PayPal app, get a temporary access token using PayPal’s OAuth endpoint, then call the “Create Order” API, redirect the user to PayPal to approve the payment, and finally call the “Capture Order” API from a backend workflow.

What You Need to Set Up

You need a PayPal Developer account and a Bubble API Connector setup. PayPal works by giving you a Client ID and Secret, which you exchange for an access token. That token is required for all payment calls. Because tokens expire, Bubble’s backend workflow is useful for capturing orders securely.

• Create a PayPal sandbox app at developer.paypal.com
• Copy your Client ID and Secret
• Install Bubble’s API Connector plugin

API Connector Setup

First endpoint: get an access token. This uses Basic Auth with your Client ID and Secret.

// POST https://api-m.sandbox.paypal.com/v1/oauth2/token
// Headers: Authorization: Basic <base64(client:secret)>
// Body: grant_type=client_credentials

Second endpoint: create an order.

// POST https://api-m.sandbox.paypal.com/v2/checkout/orders
{
  "intent": "CAPTURE",
  "purchase_units": [{
    "amount": { "currency_code": "USD", "value": "10.00" }
  }],
  "application_context": {
    "return_url": "https://yourapp.com/return",
    "cancel_url": "https://yourapp.com/cancel"
  }
}

The response contains an approve link. In Bubble, send the user to this link using “Navigate to external website”.

Capturing the Payment

After the user approves, PayPal redirects them to your return\_url with a parameter called token. Trigger a backend workflow that receives this token and calls the “Capture Order” endpoint.

// POST https://api-m.sandbox.paypal.com/v2/checkout/orders/{order_id}/capture

If successful, PayPal returns the final payment details. Save them in your Bubble DB inside the backend workflow so nothing sensitive happens on the client.

Key Bubble Tips

• Use backend workflows for order capture to keep secrets safe.
• Use PayPal’s sandbox for testing until everything works.
• Switch URLs from sandbox to live when ready.