In today’s fast-paced world, being able to send and receive money with the push of a button is a must. Over the past several years, money transfer apps have made it easy to do just that right from your smartphone. They’ve become an integral part of our culture, and you can use them for everything from paying a friend back for a dinner out to paying a contractor at work or even paying your rent.
There are so many different money transfer apps out there, and you might find yourself wondering which one you should have on your phone. You may even want to download more than one to make sure you can pay people back with their preferred app. We’ve rounded up the top money transfer apps available today.
Venmo
Venmo is arguably the most well-known money transfer app available today, especially among young people. This app makes it very easy to send money to friends and family quickly. You can link the app to your bank account or debit card, and then it will use those accounts to make payments. You can also transfer any money paid to you directly to your bank account. When another user pays you, it will show up in your Venmo balance, which you can then use to pay other people. Transfers to your bank are free, but they can take up to three days. However, if you make the transfer using a debit card, you can access your money right away for a small additional fee.
You can find other users on the app with their username, mobile number, or email address. You can also sync up the contacts in your phone or your Facebook account. When you make or receive a payment, you can add a note and even customize it with emojis. These payments are then made public, and they show up on the app in a feed that’s very similar to social media. However, if you don’t want to make your payments public, you can change the settings so that only you and the other party can see them. In addition to making payments, you can also request money from other users. Venmo is currently only available to US users – they do not offer international payments.
PayPal
PayPal is Venmo’s parent company, and it is one of the oldest and most established money transfer apps. PayPal was founded in 1998 and has since become an easy way to pay people, both for business and for personal transactions. You can use PayPal on your computer or on your smartphone, and they offer transactions both in the US and internationally.
You can send money to anyone else that has a PayPal account – all you’ll need is the email address or phone number associated with the account. You can link a bank account to send and receive money with no fees, although processing times can vary. You can also link a credit or debit card to your account for faster processing times, although you’ll incur fees of 2.9% to send money and 1% to withdraw money. If you’re sending money internationally, you’ll incur additional fees depending on which country you are sending money to. PayPal also has a helpful invoice feature that you can use to request money from other users. This is very helpful for freelancers or business owners, as you can easily keep track of your payments. They also offer designated business or merchant accounts that you can use to charge customers for goods and services on a larger scale.
Zelle
Zelle is an app that works directly with your bank to provide instant transfers. Many American banks already have Zelle integrated as part of their app, so you may not even need to download the Zelle app to use it. Sending money with Zelle is easy – all you need is the other party’s phone number or email address. If they are not already signed up with Zelle, they will receive a link to set up their account when you send them the payment. Zelle does not charge any fees for these bank transfers, and they go through in just minutes. This makes it a great way to send money instantly – unlike Venmo or PayPal, you won’t have to make a second transfer from the app to your bank account.
Zelle doesn’t currently accept international payments. You also cannot link a credit card through Zelle. With most banks, you will only be able to link your debit card or link to your account directly. Although Zelle does not charge fees, some banks may charge fees for transfers. Check your bank’s mobile app or website to see if they offer Zelle and what their terms are.
Cash App
The Cash App works somewhat similarly to Venmo in that you can create an account, link your bank account, and send money to friends through your smartphone. However, it has some unique features that make it slightly different from Venmo. When you create your account, you will be required to link at least one bank account to the app. You can use your bank account, debit card, or credit card to send money. Sending money with your bank account or debit card is free, while there is a 3% fee to send money with your credit card. When you’re ready to cash out, you can transfer to your bank account for free, or you can initiate an instant transfer using your debit card for a 1.5% fee.
To send money, the other party will also need to have an account on the Cash App. You can find their account by looking up their phone number, email address, or Cash App ID. One of the things that makes Cash App stand out from other money transfer apps is that you can use your funds to purchase cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. You can also use funds in your Cash App account to buy stocks, so it has an investment component as well. The Cash App also facilitates transfers between the US and the UK, unlike many other options which are only available domestically. The Cash App also offers discounts on local retailers and restaurants that they call “cash boosts”. These discounts can help you save money on your favorite foods.
Apple Pay
Apple Pay allows users to make peer to peer payments to those who have iPhones, iPads, or Apple Watches. It’s also an easy way to store your payment information and manage transactions directly from your phone. Apple Pay allows you to store both credit and debit cards, which you can use to make transactions at local retailers instead of swiping your card. All card information is encrypted to keep your accounts safe. Recently, Apple has upgraded the service, allowing you to send payments to other Apple users in the iMessages app. When someone pays you, the money is added to the new Apple Pay Cash card, which is automatically installed in the wallet app. You can then use this cash for contactless payments at local retailers, or you can transfer the money to your bank using the debit card you have on file. The downside of Apple Pay is that you cannot make payments to users with non-Apple devices.
Google Pay
Google Pay works very similarly to Apple Pay. It was originally designed as an alternative for Android devices, but Apple users can also download it and create an account. Google Pay serves as a digital wallet that consumers can use to store their debit and credit cards and make encrypted contactless payments at local retailers. You can make direct payments to other Google Pay users using their phone number or email. As with Apple Pay, money is sent directly to the other user’s account, where they can use it to make purchases as part of their Google Wallet, or withdraw it to one of their linked bank accounts. For several years, Google Pay was only available in the US, but recently, the brand has made it available in India as well.
Facebook Pay
Facebook has also thrown their hat in the ring and created their own peer to peer payment service, Facebook Pay. Facebook Pay allows you to make payments to your friends on Facebook, as well as Instagram and WhatsApp, which are both owned by Facebook. Facebook Pay allows you to make payments on your computer as well as on the Facebook and Messenger apps on your smart devices. Instead of linking to a bank account, you will need to link a debit card or credit card to make and receive payments. You can also link Facebook Pay to your PayPal account.
The advantage of Facebook Pay is that you can quickly send payments to anyone you are already connected with on these social media apps. You can also use it to purchase products on Facebook Marketplace, which is a feature that allows you to buy and sell items to others in your local community. Facebook Pay does not charge any fees to send or receive money. While the service started in the US, Facebook Pay is now available in Canada, Australia, and the European Union.
Azimo
If you’re looking for a service that will allow you to move money internationally, Azimo is a great option. They offer money transfers to accounts in over 80 different countries, and they’re a very reliable option for those who conduct international business. The app is available for both iPhone and Android, and it’s quick and easy to set up an account. To make a money transfer with Azimo, you’ll enter the recipient’s account information as well as how much money you’d like to send. It also offers currency conversion so you can ensure you’re sending the right amount.
Azimo sends secure international transfers in as fast as one hour. 24/7 instant transfers are available in some countries. Your first two transactions are free, and then afterward you will be charged Azimo’s low transfer fees. All transactions are encrypted, and the app is regulated by financial organizations in the UK and EU to ensure safety. Azimo’s fees vary depending on how much money you’re sending and where you’re sending it to. However, their fees are generally much lower than other wire transfer services. Once you initiate a transfer, Azimo will keep you updated throughout the process, so you will get confirmation when the other party has received their money. If you’re trying to transfer money internationally, Azimo offers some of the best flexibility and security on the market.
Remitly
Remitly is another money transfer app that focuses on international transfers. You can link a bank account or a debit or credit card to send money to more than 80 different countries. There are many different ways to have the money sent to your recipient to accommodate for different cultures in countries around the world. For example, you can have the money sent directly to a bank account or to a Remitly mobile money account, but you can also have the money sent to a verified cash pickup site or even delivered to their home. Remitly has very low fees and offer both instant express transfers and transfers within three business days for an even lower fee.
Remitly verifies all user accounts for security and provides completely secure transfers internationally. When sending a transfer, you will provide them with the necessary recipient information, and then you will be able to track your transfer until it arrives. If you need assistance, their team is available 24/7 for help. Remitly works with trusted financial partners to provide cash pickup and delivery options internationally. They also offer special rates for your first transfer to help you save money.
Benefits of Using Money Transfer Apps
Money transfer apps have completely changed the way we send and receive money, and there are so many benefits to using them. Here are some of the reasons why you should download one of these apps if you haven’t already.
– Money transfer apps allow you to send and receive money without giving others your bank account information. Transactions are encrypted to protect your privacy even further. Giving out your bank account information is a hassle and can be dangerous, but money transfer apps streamline the process.
– You can pay friends and family back quickly and directly. This makes it very easy to split a bill at a restaurant or pay people back for other expenses. You don’t have to worry about carrying cash with you, and you can feel confident knowing that your friend or family member will get the money right away.
– You can easily send money to others even if you aren’t in the same location. Transfers go through quickly and you can leave a note letting them know why you’re sending the money. Some apps even provide international money transfer services.
– Some money transfer apps give you the option to request money from other users. This is an easy alternative to sending a formal invoice, and in many cases you’ll receive the money right away. You can also use this feature to request money from friends, family, or coworkers very easily.
When using money transfer apps, the best etiquette is to leave a note explaining what the money transfer is for, so the other user can keep track of it. You will also want to make sure that when another user requests money from you, you respond at your earliest convenience. If you’re sending a money request to someone else, make sure to discuss it with them in advance, so they know why they need to pay you back.
A reliable money transfer app is a must have for your smartphone. There are so many excellent options that make it easier than ever to send money to your friends and family.
