Best Money Transfer Apps of 2021
Money transfer apps have changed how we pay each other. Also called peer-to-peer (P2P) payment apps, money transfer apps allow users to send and receive money using their smartphones or an online platform, simply by linking their checking account or credit card.
Transferring money via smartphone app is safe, easy and convenient, but not all apps are created equal. The best money transfer apps of 2022 set themselves apart with low (or no) fees to transfer cash, immediate transfers, heightened security measures and strong customer service. You can also rely on ratings in the Apple App Store and Google Play to determine if a money transfer service is up to snuff.
How Money Transfer Apps Work
Money transfer apps are an easy, secure way to exchange money between friends or family. By downloading an app on your phone, or in some cases going to a website, you can send money to people. All you need is their mobile phone number or email address.
The apps are linked to bank accounts, debit cards or credit cards, which is how they access your funds and transfer money with just a few taps. Some payments are free, but others have fees, which often depends on how you fund the transfer.
When someone sends you money through the app, you can get access to the money by initiating a transfer to your bank account. Some apps allow you to store money with their service for easy access.
These types of apps are not the same as the payment-processing apps businesses use for transactions, but some companies do offer both.
All of the apps are available wherever you usually get apps for your phone.
What to Look for With Money Transfer Apps
When looking at the different apps, here are some things to look for.
- Fees: Some apps charge a fee for paying someone by credit card or sending money internationally.
- Transfer time: How long does it take to get your money? Some are instant while some take some time.
- Security: Is the transaction encrypted on both ends?
- Limits: Some apps limit the number of transactions you can do in a set period of time. Others limit the amount of money you can send.
- Customer service: How can you contact someone if there is a mistake with a transfer or a transfer happens that you didn’t authorize?
- Protection: Unlike bank accounts, many balances in money transfer apps are not insured against loss or fraud.
- Correct information: Always double-check the recipient’s information before you confirm a payment. Once you send a payment, is it often impossible to get it back unless the recipient refuses it.
How the Best Money Transfer Apps Stack Up
The best app for you might not be the best for someone else. It all depends how you plan to use them. Chances are, you’ll use different ones for different purposes.
Money Transfer Apps at a Glance
| App | Top Feature | Best For | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PayPal |
Widely used |
Freelancers/biz owners |
GET DETAILS | ||
Venmo |
Social media feel |
Everyday users |
GET DETAILS | ||
Zelle |
Built into bank apps |
Fee-free transfers |
GET DETAILS | ||
Cash App |
Special in-app offers |
Cryptocurrency investors |
GET DETAILS | ||
Facebook Pay |
No fees |
Facebook users |
GET DETAILS | ||
Apple App |
Retail shopping |
Apple users |
GET DETAILS | ||
Google App |
Retail shopping |
Android users |
GET DETAILS |
Zelle
- Free instant transfers
- Built into banking apps
- Strong security measures
In most cases, you’ll need your regular online banking user name and password to enroll and link accounts within Zelle. However, if you want to use the Zelle app — instead of initiating transfers using your bank’s app — you’ll need a separate login.
If you don’t have a smartphone, you can also send money using Zelle at your bank’s website.
Fees: Zelle charges no fees for sending or receiving money. However, individual banks might have a fee.
Pros/Cons: The fact you probably already have the capability of using Zelle within your online or mobile banking app or line is a definite plus. The only thing you need to do is to sign up using an email or mobile phone number and you can start sending and receiving money right away. The fact transfers are also almost immediate is a good thing because you get paid quickly; just make sure you’re sending money to the right person. It is not possible to use a credit card with Zelle, just linked bank accounts.
Cash App
- Special offers
- Cryptocurrency options
- Strong security measures
When you sign up, you’ll need to link at least one bank account to the app. You can also store funds in the app.
Fees: There are no fees to send or receive money between friends if you have a linked bank account or debit card with accepted financial institutions. There is a 3% fee to send money using a credit card.
Like the other apps, Cash App is secure, and transferring your money to your bank account is free but can take a few days. Instant cash outs will cost 1.5% with a $0.25 minimum.
Cash App allows you to use your money to buy stocks or convert dollars to Bitcoin, but there are fees associated with these services.
International transfers: Cash App is mostly used within the United States, but it can also be used to facilitate transfers between the US and the United Kingdom.
Pros/Cons: Cash App markets itself as more than just a money transfer app. The app also has a banking-type feature that allows users to receive their paychecks and other direct deposits earlier than most banks. But be aware, the money you leave in the app isn’t insured. While Cash App is growing in popularity, you won’t find as many users with the app as you would with competitors like Venmo.
PayPal
- Free domestic transfers
- Great tools for freelancers
- Strong security measures
Fees: The fee structure for PayPal can get confusing. You won’t pay any fees if you’re sending money from a linked bank account or through the app. However, if you want to use a credit or debit card, you’ll pay a 2.9% fee (plus a transaction fee if you’re using a currency other than the U.S.). Those transaction fees vary.
Transferring your PayPal balance to a linked bank account is free, but can take a few days. Instant transfers are available for a 1% fee. You can also have PayPal mail a paper check to you for $1.50.
International transfers: You can transfer money internationally, but if you’re sending money to someone outside of the U.S., be aware that you’ll be subject to a different fee structure. PayPal also offers business accounts for different fees.
Pros/Cons: PayPal has protections in place to keep you from losing money. If either the sender or recipient has an issue, PayPal will put a hold on funds. PayPal’s fees are on the higher end, especially for business users.
Venmo
- Free domestic transfers
- Widely used service
- Strong security measures
Fees: Venmo is secure and is free to send money using a balance within the Venmo app, linked bank account, debit card or prepaid card. You’ll pay a 3% fee when you use a credit card to send money.
Transferring money from Venmo to your linked bank account is free with a standard transfer. This could take some time, usually 1-3 business days.
If you’re short on time, you can initiate instant transfers, which carry a 1.5% fee or a minimum of $0.25 and a maximum of $15. Venmo users can also buy or sell cryptocurrencies with fees attached.
International transfers: Both sender and receiver need to have US bank accounts, so sending money abroad isn’t possible.
Pros/Cons: The fact that Venmo feels like social media can be good or bad, depending how you look at it. Others you are connected to will know who you’re conducting business with and when. For those of us who are bad at math, a function of the app will help you split bills. It’s also easy to request money from people within the app.
Facebook Pay
- Built into Facebook (Meta) properties
- No fees
- Good customer service
- Messenger
- Portal
You can first set things up on Facebook or Messenger and then connect the payment info through the Instagram app, or you can set it up directly in the Instagram app.
You can connect your Facebook Pay information to Messenger or set it up in the Messenger app. Once everything is working, you just attach a payment like you attach a photo.
Just connect your existing Facebook Pay information to Portal or you can do it separately.
Facebook Pay is secure, but if you want added security, you can create a PIN or use your device’s biometrics security every time you make a payment.
Fees: There is no fee to send or receive money through Facebook Pay.
International transfers: Facebook Pay is expanding to other countries outside of the United States.
Pros/Cons: It’s super-convenient to be able to send money, donate money, and buy from whatever app you might be using and familiar with. You might want to set up extra security features just in case someone gets a hold of your accounts. Customer support is available 24/7 via chat or email. Facebook’s parent company, Meta, continues to face controversy for how it handles private information; carefully consider adding banking information to your account.
Google Pay and Apple Pay
- Designed for your phone’s OS
- Widely accepted at retailers
- Strong security measures
Google makes peer-peer-payment using debit card information. The app has a rewards program where you can earn cashback rewards if you activate certain offers. Some offers might include cash back with a minimum spend at places like REI, Target or Warby Parker.
Apple goes a step further and allows you to pay someone in the iMessages messaging app. Apple Pay is built into devices, so there is no separate app to download. Apple says more than 85% of retailers in the United States accept it.
Fees: No fees for transfer of money to family or friends and also no payment when you use the app to pay for purchases.
Pros and Cons: The apps are easy to set up and use and they keep a good record of what you’ve spent and where. Security is top-notch with either option. Some users say the communication about platform changes along with terms and conditions could be better.
Transferring Money Internationally
While some of the above money transfer apps can be used to transfer internationally, other apps and websites focus primarily on transferring large sums of money internationally. Check exchange rates in each app when you send money internationally.
Beware: Fees for international money transfers can be high. However, popular apps for international money transfers are:
- WorldRemit: People in more than 50 countries can send money to people in more than 130 countries using a phone or computer. Many of the transfers happen instantly. Fees vary. One recent change is WorldRemit no longer accepts Google Pay.
- Western Union: Has been around for years and works in more than 200 countries and territories.
- OFX: Competitive rates compared to banks and has a minimum of $1,000.
- Azimo Money Transfer: The first two transfers are free. Instant or one-hour transfers are possible to many countries.
- Remitly: This app adds the possibility of physically delivering the money to the recipient’s home instead of just a cash pickup or depositing it into a bank account. The rates vary by country.
Money Transfer Etiquette
In today’s world of instant gratification and constant connections, what is proper money transfer etiquette?
In July 2019, Venmo surveyed 1,000 users and then partnered with an etiquette expert to help create some modern money manners.
Here are a few of the survey’s findings:
- 75% said it’s appropriate to wait 24 hours before issuing a request for payment.
- 24 hours is the longest you should wait before paying someone.
- 42% said the person who pays for dinner when the check comes back for the entire group should be paid immediately — before anyone leaves the table.
- 24% said no amount is too small to ask for, even $1 to $5.
As for advice from the etiquette expert, Venmo suggests:
- Practice social awareness: When using apps that have a social component, be careful of emojis and inside jokes that could embarrass someone. You never know who might see it.
- Respond quickly: If you can’t pay someone within 24 hours, send the person a text or email saying why you can’t pay them back.
- Stay in contact: Don’t just ghost someone and make your friends and family track you down. It isn’t fun.
- Discuss: If you’re going to split payments, discuss this plan before an event. Don’t surprise someone with a money request. Also, if you pick up the check and say something like “I got this,” don’t expect people to pay you back.
- Correct mistakes: If a money request has the wrong amount, politely point out the discrepancy, and decline the transaction. Send back money if someone sends you more than you were expecting.
The survey also found 65% of people say it’s more stressful to owe someone money than to be owed money. The money transfer apps make it easy to relieve that stress — by paying up.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Money Transfer Apps
We’ve rounded up answers to some of the most popular questions about money transfer apps so that you can decide which one is right for you.
Tiffani Sherman is a Florida-based freelance reporter with more than 25 years of experience writing about finance, health, travel and other topics. Timothy Moore covers banking and investing topics for The Penny Hoarder.
This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
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