PayPal is one of the most widely known and accepted payment options in the world. It offers a convenient way to check out when online shopping and even peer-to-peer (P2P) payments to friends and family. It also features the PayPal Debit Card that’s linked to your PayPal balance and multiple credit products, such as its PayPal Cashback Mastercard. While PayPal can make international payments and transactions, it has an overwhelming number of other fees around those transactions.
When it comes to alternatives to PayPal, some other apps, like Cash App, Venmo and Apple Pay, may suit your needs better.
One of the most popular P2P apps out there, Cash App has many similar offerings to PayPal. A free app, it is best known for its quick P2P payments to other users. Similar to PayPal, it also offers a prepaid card linked to your Cash App balance, but you also get discounts on select purchases you activate in the app. The card unlocks the savings account that automatically earns 1.5% APY, or 4.5% APY with $300 in monthly direct deposit. You can also file your federal taxes and use its investing platform, and teens can get a teen account with the sponsorship of an adult. However, unlike PayPal, Cash App can only make international payments to the UK, and there's no 24/7 customer support.
Fee
$0 per month
Minimum deposit to open
$0
One of the most popular P2P apps out there, Cash App has many similar offerings to PayPal. A free app, it is best known for its quick P2P payments to other users. Similar to PayPal, it also offers a prepaid card linked to your Cash App balance, but you also get discounts on select purchases you activate in the app. The card unlocks the savings account that automatically earns 1.5% APY, or 4.5% APY with $300 in monthly direct deposit. You can also file your federal taxes and use its investing platform, and teens can get a teen account with the sponsorship of an adult. However, unlike PayPal, Cash App can only make international payments to the UK, and there's no 24/7 customer support.
Pros
Free P2P payments to other users
Free prepaid card linked to balance
Unlock savings with prepaid card
Investing and tax filing
Teen Cash App account
Cons
Numerous customer complaints
No international payments (except UK)
No 24/7 customer support
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
N/A
Rewards
Save money instantly at selected stores by activating personalized discounts in the app. You can add only one offer to your card at a time
Refer a friend to Chime using your referral link, and if they complete a $200 direct deposit within 45 days of opening their new account, you both get $100.
A fintech with banking partners and banking services, Chime is well-known for its free checking and savings accounts. But a lesser-known feature is Pay Anyone, Chime's P2P system that lets you send money to anyone with a debit card. Compared to PayPal or Cash App, which require users to all have the same app to send or receive P2P payments, Chime is more convenient. In addition, Chime's checking has no monthly or overdraft fees, and its savings can earn up to 2% APY. There are tons of extra perks like overdraft services, cash advances and a credit-building card if you set up direct deposit of at least $200 each month. On the downside, Chime doesn't support joint accounts.
Fee
$0 per month
Minimum deposit to open
$0
A fintech with banking partners and banking services, Chime is well-known for its free checking and savings accounts. But a lesser-known feature is Pay Anyone, Chime's P2P system that lets you send money to anyone with a debit card. Compared to PayPal or Cash App, which require users to all have the same app to send or receive P2P payments, Chime is more convenient. In addition, Chime's checking has no monthly or overdraft fees, and its savings can earn up to 2% APY. There are tons of extra perks like overdraft services, cash advances and a credit-building card if you set up direct deposit of at least $200 each month. On the downside, Chime doesn't support joint accounts.
Pros
P2P payments to debit cards
No-fee checking and savings
Cash advances, credit-building and overdraft services
Up to 2% APY on savings
24/7 customer support
Cons
Direct deposit required to unlock many features
No joint accounts
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
N/A
Intro or bonus offer
Refer a friend to Chime using your referral link, and if they complete a $200 direct deposit within 45 days of opening their new account, you both get $100.
Rewards
Cash back offers on everyday purchases through the app
Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. ATMs: Out-of-network ATM withdrawal fees may apply except at MoneyPass ATMs in a 7-Eleven, or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM. Deposit: Once the retailer accepts your cash, the funds will be transferred to your Chime Checking Account. Cash deposit fees may apply if using a retailer other than Walgreens and Duane Reade. Mobile Deposit: Mobile Check Deposit eligibility is determined by Chime in its sole discretion and may be granted based on various factors including, but not limited to, a member's direct deposit enrollment status. Chime Savings Account: Chime Checking Account is required to be eligible for a Savings Account. APY: The Annual Percentage Yield (“APY”) is variable and may change at any time. The disclosed APY is accurate as of May 22, 2023. No minimum balance required. Must have $0.01 in savings to earn interest. Get Paid Early: Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date. Credit Builder: The secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted. Please see the back of your card for its issuing bank. To apply for Credit Builder, you must have received a single qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more to your Checking Account. The qualifying direct deposit must be from your employer, payroll provider, gig economy payer, or benefits payer by Automated Clearing House (ACH) deposit OR Original Credit Transaction (OCT). Bank ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, verification or trial deposits from financial institutions, peer to peer transfers from services such as PayPal, Cash App, or Venmo, mobile check deposits, cash loads or deposits, one-time direct deposits, such as tax refunds and other similar transactions, and any deposit to which Chime deems to not be a qualifying direct deposit are not qualifying direct deposits. SpotMe: Chime SpotMe is an optional, no fee service that requires a single deposit of $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to the Chime Checking Account each at least once every 34 days. All qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their account up to $20 on debit card purchases and cash withdrawals initially, but may be later eligible for a higher limit of up to $200 or more based on member’s Chime Account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. Your limit will be displayed to you within the Chime mobile app. You will receive notice of any changes to your limit. Your limit may change at any time, at Chime’s discretion. Although there are no overdraft fees, there may be out-of-network or third party fees associated with ATM transactions. SpotMe won’t cover non-debit card transactions, including ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, or Chime Checkbook transactions. See Terms and Conditions.
Revolut is a borderless account full of international perks and a great alternative to PayPal if you frequently make international transactions. Its free Standard plan has a debit card and the ability to spend in over 150 currencies. You'll get up to $1,000 allowance for free currency exchanges — a grace you won't get with PayPal. Revolut users can send free P2P payments to each other in 15 different currencies and use its split bill feature with friends. You can earn up to 3.25% APY on savings balances with its free account, unlock its kids' banking option Revolut <18 and use the investing platform. However, Revolut's ATM withdrawals and fees are unnecessarily complicated, and there's a $10 fee for receiving domestic wires. To get more free currency exchange allowances and higher savings APYs, you'll need a paid plan.
APY
Up to 4.25%
Fee
From $0 per month
Minimum deposit to open
$0
Revolut is a borderless account full of international perks and a great alternative to PayPal if you frequently make international transactions. Its free Standard plan has a debit card and the ability to spend in over 150 currencies. You'll get up to $1,000 allowance for free currency exchanges — a grace you won't get with PayPal. Revolut users can send free P2P payments to each other in 15 different currencies and use its split bill feature with friends. You can earn up to 3.25% APY on savings balances with its free account, unlock its kids' banking option Revolut <18 and use the investing platform. However, Revolut's ATM withdrawals and fees are unnecessarily complicated, and there's a $10 fee for receiving domestic wires. To get more free currency exchange allowances and higher savings APYs, you'll need a paid plan.
Pros
$0 Standard plan
Free P2P payments in 15 currencies
$1,000 in monthly fee-free currency conversions
Spend in over 150 currencies
Investing, saving and kids' banking
Cons
High ATM and wire fees
Best perks require paid plan
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
4.25% on balances of $0+ 3.25% on balances of $0+
Intro or bonus offer
Get a $10 cash reward when you first use you card on a qualifying $1+ transaction. Terms & Conditions apply.
Fee
From $0 per month
To waive the fee
Open a Standard plan with $0 monthly fee. Paid plans: • $9.99 monthly fee for Premium plan • $16.99 monthly fee for Metal plan
Money loaded on your prepaid card is held at Metropolitan Commercial Bank and money in your Savings Vaults is held at Sutton Bank. Money at each bank is FDIC insured up to $250,000 in the event of Metropolitan Commercial Bank's or Sutton Bank's failure. Securities products are not FDIC Insured, not bank guaranteed and may lose value.
*The Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is a variable rate and may change at any time. These APYs are accurate as of 16 March 2023. Monthly fees apply for Premium and Metal plans. Terms and Conditions Apply. Standard customers can earn up to 3.25%, while Premium and Metal customers can earn up to 4.25%. No minimum amount required. Savings Vault services provided by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC.
Unlike PayPal or Cash App, which require senders and receivers to download the same app, there's a good chance you already have access to Zelle if you bank with a major or large bank. Zelle is a P2P money app integrated with over 2,000 financial institutions, including big players like Chase, Discover and Wells Fargo. Zelle requires only a US bank account to send or receive payments. Its transfers are nearly instant, with the recipient typically receiving their money within minutes if they also have Zelle. But because the transfers are so fast, you can't cancel a payment once sent if the recipient is enrolled in Zelle. However, unlike PayPal, Zelle doesn't support international payments or offer its own card or any other extra perks like you'd find with PayPal, like lending or investing services.
Fee
$0 per month
Unlike PayPal or Cash App, which require senders and receivers to download the same app, there's a good chance you already have access to Zelle if you bank with a major or large bank. Zelle is a P2P money app integrated with over 2,000 financial institutions, including big players like Chase, Discover and Wells Fargo. Zelle requires only a US bank account to send or receive payments. Its transfers are nearly instant, with the recipient typically receiving their money within minutes if they also have Zelle. But because the transfers are so fast, you can't cancel a payment once sent if the recipient is enrolled in Zelle. However, unlike PayPal, Zelle doesn't support international payments or offer its own card or any other extra perks like you'd find with PayPal, like lending or investing services.
Pros
No fees
Instantly send money to US bank accounts
Integrated with thousands of banks and credit unions
Cons
No international or credit card payments
Not as many features as PayPal
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
N/A
Fee
$0 per month
Fee
$0 per month
Alternative for Facebook users
Meta Pay
Meta Pay lets you send money through the Messenger app and Instagram. It's already integrated with these apps, only requiring you to enter card or account information to make donations or purchases or send payments to other users. Similar to Apple Pay, you can add a PIN and use the fingerprint or face ID to make the payment go through for some extra security. Like PayPal, Meta Pay has 24/7 chat support. However, unlike PayPal, Meta Pay is only available in the US and can only send payments within the US. It only accepts Visa or Mastercard debit cards, not credit cards, and reloadable prepaid cards can only send funds and not receive them. But it can synergize with PayPal, as Meta Pay lets you add PayPal accounts.
Fee
$0 per month
Meta Pay lets you send money through the Messenger app and Instagram. It's already integrated with these apps, only requiring you to enter card or account information to make donations or purchases or send payments to other users. Similar to Apple Pay, you can add a PIN and use the fingerprint or face ID to make the payment go through for some extra security. Like PayPal, Meta Pay has 24/7 chat support. However, unlike PayPal, Meta Pay is only available in the US and can only send payments within the US. It only accepts Visa or Mastercard debit cards, not credit cards, and reloadable prepaid cards can only send funds and not receive them. But it can synergize with PayPal, as Meta Pay lets you add PayPal accounts.
Pros
Accepts PayPal accounts
Integrated with Messenger and Instagram
No fees to send or receive payments
Cons
Limitations with prepaid cards
No international payments
Payments may take 3 to 5 business days
No credit cards
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
N/A
Fee
$0 per month
Fee
$0 per month
Apple Pay
Already familiar to most Apple users, Apple Pay is a top option for shopping and P2P payments. Apple Pay and Apple Wallet are already on most modern Apple devices. You just need to add your accounts or cards to use them. Apple accepts most card types, including credit, debit, prepaid and some gift cards. Using the Messages app, you can send money to others using accounts added to your Apple Wallet without fees. On top of that, you get a free prepaid Apple Cash Card automatically in your wallet, linked to your Apple Cash balance. And using Family Sharing, families can give kids their own Apple Cash cards to send or receive payments. Apple Wallets also accept PayPal cards. However, unlike PayPal, you can't fund your Apple Cash card with a credit card, whereas PayPal lets you fund its prepaid card with its line of credit.
Fee
$0 per month
Already familiar to most Apple users, Apple Pay is a top option for shopping and P2P payments. Apple Pay and Apple Wallet are already on most modern Apple devices. You just need to add your accounts or cards to use them. Apple accepts most card types, including credit, debit, prepaid and some gift cards. Using the Messages app, you can send money to others using accounts added to your Apple Wallet without fees. On top of that, you get a free prepaid Apple Cash Card automatically in your wallet, linked to your Apple Cash balance. And using Family Sharing, families can give kids their own Apple Cash cards to send or receive payments. Apple Wallets also accept PayPal cards. However, unlike PayPal, you can't fund your Apple Cash card with a credit card, whereas PayPal lets you fund its prepaid card with its line of credit.
Pros
Included on Apple devices
P2P payments with Messages
Apple Cash cards for kids with Family Sharing
Apple Pay widely accepted
Accepts most card types and PayPal cards
Cons
Can't fund Apple Cash card with credit cards
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
N/A
Fee
$0 per month
Fee
$0 per month
How PayPal compares
PayPal is a great option for P2P payments, online shopping and domestic and international transactions. Unlike most P2P apps, PayPal offers international payments and has an investing platform to buy or sell crypto. Using PayPal’s Friends and Family tab, you can send cash to other users using your linked accounts and cards. It also owns Venmo, another popular P2P app that’s very similar to Cash App, allowing you to send money to Venmo users using your PayPal account. You can link PayPal’s no-fee debit card to your PayPal balance, very similar to Apple’s Cash card and Cash App’s Cash Card. PayPal also accepts mobile check deposits and cash deposits at Green Dot locations and offers 24/7 customer support.
However, PayPal has several fees to watch out for, such as the 2.5% foreign transaction fee with the PayPal Debit Card, a 5% international payment transaction fee and a 2.9% fixed fee for P2P payments using a card.
Bethany Hickey is the banking editor and personal finance expert at Finder, specializing in banking, lending, insurance, and crypto.
Bethany’s expertise in personal finance has garnered recognition from esteemed media outlets, such as Nasdaq, MSN, Yahoo Finance, GOBankingRates, SuperMoney, AOL and Newsweek. Her articles offer practical financial strategies to Americans, empowering them to make decisions that meet their financial goals. Her past work includes articles on generational spending and saving habits, lending, budgeting and managing debt.
Before joining Finder, she was a content manager where she wrote hundreds of articles and news pieces on auto financing and credit repair for CarsDirect, Auto Credit Express and The Car Connection, among others.
Bethany holds a BA in English from the University of Michigan-Flint, and was poetry editor for the university’s Qua Literary and Fine Arts Magazine. See full bio
Bethany's expertise
Bethany has written 435 Finder guides across topics including:
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