With over 50 million users, the popular money app Cash App lets you send cash to friends and family quickly without any fees. It also has a debit card with no monthly fees, and you can file your taxes, invest in stocks and crypto and even set aside money for savings. However, Cash App gets a bad rep because scammers tend to flock to it. It also doesn’t have physical branches, and its customer support live phone line has limited hours.
Cash App’s top competitors are PayPal, Venmo and Zelle. It’s also common for people to have several peer-to-peer (P2P) payment apps to send money to a variety of folks — most are free, after all. If your friends or family don’t use Cash App, or you want something else entirely, here are other apps like it.
You can't talk about Cash App without talking about Venmo. Owned by PayPal and founded in 2009, Venmo offers almost the exact same things as Cash App, including fee-free money transfers to other Venmo users. Venmo also offers a no-fee debit card and a teen banking option, and you can invest in crypto, just like Cash App. It has an optional instant cash-out for a fee of 1.75%, costing a minimum of $0.25 and a maximum of $25. In comparison, Cash App's instant cash-out fee ranges from 0.5% to 1.75%, also with a minimum of $0.25, but no mention of a max. As an extra perk, there's also the Venmo Credit Card with unlimited cashback rewards of up to 3%, while Cash App doesn't have a credit card.
Fee
$0 per month
Minimum deposit to open
$0
You can't talk about Cash App without talking about Venmo. Owned by PayPal and founded in 2009, Venmo offers almost the exact same things as Cash App, including fee-free money transfers to other Venmo users. Venmo also offers a no-fee debit card and a teen banking option, and you can invest in crypto, just like Cash App. It has an optional instant cash-out for a fee of 1.75%, costing a minimum of $0.25 and a maximum of $25. In comparison, Cash App's instant cash-out fee ranges from 0.5% to 1.75%, also with a minimum of $0.25, but no mention of a max. As an extra perk, there's also the Venmo Credit Card with unlimited cashback rewards of up to 3%, while Cash App doesn't have a credit card.
PayPal is one of the largest and most widely accepted online payment systems in the world. You can send money without any fees to other PayPal users with the Friends and Family tab using your PayPal balance or linked bank account. PayPal also offers a debit card that's linked to your PayPal balance, offering cash back and points with eligible purchases. Unlike most P2P apps, you can make P2P transfers using its revolving line of credit, PayPal Credit. PayPal also lets you send money to Venmo, and you can buy or sell crypto, perform mobile check deposits and deposit cash at Green Dot locations. Unlike Cash App, it allows international transactions and offers 24/7 customer support. However, PayPal has a myriad of fees — such as the 2.9% fixed fee for personal transactions using a card and the PayPal Debit Card's 2.5% foreign transaction fee — so be sure to read the fee schedule thoroughly.
Fee
$0 per month
Minimum deposit to open
$0
PayPal is one of the largest and most widely accepted online payment systems in the world. You can send money without any fees to other PayPal users with the Friends and Family tab using your PayPal balance or linked bank account. PayPal also offers a debit card that's linked to your PayPal balance, offering cash back and points with eligible purchases. Unlike most P2P apps, you can make P2P transfers using its revolving line of credit, PayPal Credit. PayPal also lets you send money to Venmo, and you can buy or sell crypto, perform mobile check deposits and deposit cash at Green Dot locations. Unlike Cash App, it allows international transactions and offers 24/7 customer support. However, PayPal has a myriad of fees — such as the 2.9% fixed fee for personal transactions using a card and the PayPal Debit Card's 2.5% foreign transaction fee — so be sure to read the fee schedule thoroughly.
Chime is a fintech company with banking services backed by its bank partners. Chime's debit card and checking account have no monthly fees, opening deposit or balance requirements, and it has tons of other features like cash advances with MyPay, its overdraft service SpotMe®, a secured card for credit building and a 2.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) savings account. And similar to Cash App, Chime also has P2P money transfers through its feature called Pay Anyone that lets you send money to anyone with a debit card for no fees. Also like Cash App, Chime lets its customers file state and federal taxes in the app. And unlike Cash App, Chime features 24/7 live customer support. However, you'll need to meet direct deposit requirements to access extra perks like SpotMe or cash advances.
Fee
$0 per month
Minimum deposit to open
$0
Chime is a fintech company with banking services backed by its bank partners. Chime's debit card and checking account have no monthly fees, opening deposit or balance requirements, and it has tons of other features like cash advances with MyPay, its overdraft service SpotMe®, a secured card for credit building and a 2.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) savings account. And similar to Cash App, Chime also has P2P money transfers through its feature called Pay Anyone that lets you send money to anyone with a debit card for no fees. Also like Cash App, Chime lets its customers file state and federal taxes in the app. And unlike Cash App, Chime features 24/7 live customer support. However, you'll need to meet direct deposit requirements to access extra perks like SpotMe or cash advances.
Pros
$0 monthly fees and deposit
Send money to anyone with a debit card
Credit-building secured card
2.00% APY savings
Cash advances and overdraft services
24/7 live support
Cons
Direct deposit requirments for MyPay and SpotMe
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
N/A
Rewards
Cash back offers on everyday purchases through the app
Fee
$0 per month
Nonsufficient funds fee
$0
ATM transaction fee
$0
Foreign transaction fee
0%
Overdraft fee
$0
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. 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 September 20, 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: To apply for Credit Builder, you must have an active Chime® Checking Account. SpotMe: SpotMe® for Credit Builder is an optional, no interest/no fee overdraft line of credit tied to the Secured Deposit Account; SpotMe on Debit is an optional, no fee service attached to your Chime Checking Account (individually or collectively, “SpotMe”). Eligibility for SpotMe requires $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to your Chime Checking Account each month. Qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their Chime Checking Account and/or their Secured Deposit Account up to $20 in total, but may be later eligible for a higher combined 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 SpotMe Limit will be displayed to you within the Chime mobile app. You will receive notice of any changes to your SpotMe Limit. SpotMe for Credit Builder and SpotMe on Debit share a single SpotMe limit. Your SpotMe Limit may change at any time, at Chime or its banking partners’ discretion. Although there are no overdraft fees, there may be out-of-network or third party fees associated with ATM transactions or OTC cash withdrawal fees at retailers. SpotMe won't cover non card transactions, including ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, or Chime Checkbook transactions. SpotMe Terms and Conditions. Federal Tax Return Direct Deposit: Chime members may choose to direct deposit their state and/or federal tax refunds with Chime. They may choose to direct deposit no matter what tax preparer they choose. They do not need to file through Chime in order to direct deposit their refund. If a member does direct deposit their federal refund they may receive the refund up to 6 days early. This only applies to federal refunds, not state. When marketing the speed of the tax refund it must always include the following elements: federal tax refund, up to 6 days early, with direct deposit. MyPay®: MyPay® is only offered in select states
It pretty much does one thing and one thing only: Zelle lets you send money to friends or families instantly with no fees and to other US bank accounts. Zelle is integrated with over 2,000 banking apps, banks and credit unions. There's a good chance you already have Zelle integrated with your mobile bank app if you use a major institution like Chase, Discover or Wells Fargo. If your bank isn't automatically integrated with Zelle, it's available on the App Store and Google Play. The payments are free, and the recipient can typically access the money you send within minutes. To use Zelle, you must have a US checking or savings account, and you can't cancel a payment if the recipient is enrolled in Zelle because of how fast the transfers are. However, Zelle also doesn't offer a debit card, investing platform or other bells and whistles like Cash App does.
Fee
$0 per month
It pretty much does one thing and one thing only: Zelle lets you send money to friends or families instantly with no fees and to other US bank accounts. Zelle is integrated with over 2,000 banking apps, banks and credit unions. There's a good chance you already have Zelle integrated with your mobile bank app if you use a major institution like Chase, Discover or Wells Fargo. If your bank isn't automatically integrated with Zelle, it's available on the App Store and Google Play. The payments are free, and the recipient can typically access the money you send within minutes. To use Zelle, you must have a US checking or savings account, and you can't cancel a payment if the recipient is enrolled in Zelle because of how fast the transfers are. However, Zelle also doesn't offer a debit card, investing platform or other bells and whistles like Cash App does.
Pros
No-fee money transfers to US bank accounts
Integrated with thousands of banks
Money available within minutes
Cons
No international payments
No debit card
Lacks extra features that Cash App offers
Can't send money with a credit card
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
N/A
Fee
$0 per month
Fee
$0 per month
Alternative for Apple users
Apple Pay
Available on most Apple devices, Apple Pay is a convenient way to pay for things and send money to other Apple users. Your Apple Wallet stores your payment methods, and you can use Apple Pay to make purchases online and in stores where accepted. The virtual wallet accepts multiple payment methods, including credit, debit, prepaid and gift cards, and you can even add your PayPal card. Apple has a feature called Apple Cash that lets you send or receive money from friends and family through the Messages app on your iPhone, Apple Watch or Apple Vision Pro. The digital, no-fee Apple Cash card is automatically in your Apple Wallet and is very similar to the Cash App Debit Card. You can use the Apple Cash card to send money to Apple users or make purchases, and you can give kids their own Apple Cash cards with Family Sharing. However, you can only fund your Apple Cash using linked debit or prepaid cards, not credit cards.
Fee
$0 per month
Available on most Apple devices, Apple Pay is a convenient way to pay for things and send money to other Apple users. Your Apple Wallet stores your payment methods, and you can use Apple Pay to make purchases online and in stores where accepted. The virtual wallet accepts multiple payment methods, including credit, debit, prepaid and gift cards, and you can even add your PayPal card. Apple has a feature called Apple Cash that lets you send or receive money from friends and family through the Messages app on your iPhone, Apple Watch or Apple Vision Pro. The digital, no-fee Apple Cash card is automatically in your Apple Wallet and is very similar to the Cash App Debit Card. You can use the Apple Cash card to send money to Apple users or make purchases, and you can give kids their own Apple Cash cards with Family Sharing. However, you can only fund your Apple Cash using linked debit or prepaid cards, not credit cards.
Pros
Send money through Messages
No fees and automatically on Apple devices
Apple Cash card
Family Sharing to give Apple Cash cards
Widely accepted
Cons
Can't fund Apple Cash card with credit cards
Compatible Apple devices only
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
N/A
Fee
$0 per month
Fee
$0 per month
How Cash App compares
Cash App is one of the most popular P2P apps available — for good reason. It’s free to download and send money to other users, offers a free prepaid card that’s linked to your Cash App balance, has an investing platform, get discounts on select purchases with your Cash App Card using its Boost feature and so much more. Cash App also supports debit and credit cards from Visa, Mastercard, Amex and Discover, and some prepaid cards are also accepted.
However, it doesn’t support ATM cards, PayPal or business debit cards, and Cash App can’t really do international payments. You can send money to UK Cash App users and vice versa, but nowhere else. It also doesn’t have 24/7 customer support, and its reviews are riddled with stories about users attempting to recover their funds after falling victim to a scam.
Pros
Free to download and use
Prepaid card linked to balance
Discounts on purchases with Boost
Stock and crypto trading
Cons
Limited customer support hours
No international payments, except UK
Thousands of customer complaints
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Cash App with a credit card?
Yes, you can link your credit card to Cash App as a funding source. Cash App supports debit and credit cards, as well as bank accounts and some prepaid cards.
Can you send money from Venmo to a credit card?
No, you can’t send money directly in the Venmo app to someone using a credit card. You can, however, add a credit card to your Venmo account to send or add funds to your Venmo balance.
Are there cash advance apps that work with Cash App?
Yes, many cash advance apps work directly with Cash App. A few include Chime, Brigit and EarnIn.
Why is Cash App shutting down accounts?
Cash App is still very much an active and popular P2P money app and is not shutting down at the time of writing. Cash App may cancel transactions if it deems them suspicious or fraudulent, and it may ask you to confirm or deny suspicious activity.
In the past, users have shared experiences with Cash App closing accounts due to being flagged for suspicious activity or for violating Cash App’s guidelines. Other users have also claimed that various scams, with fake Cash App “representatives” asking them to confirm their identity to keep their account open, which is a common money transfer phishing scam. Contact Cash App directly if you receive suspicious emails or communications from someone claiming to be from Cash App. 18>
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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