The best money transfer apps like Venmo – for you personally – will depend on what you try to do with your money.
Are you trying to send money to friends and family?
Make online payments?
How about receiving money without going to a physical location or waiting for them to transfer funds?
In this article, we’ll discuss the following:
- The best money transfer apps – what makes each unique?
- Comparing these payment apps & their features
- Payment apps FAQ section
Yes, bank accounts have many of these issues.
We’ve got a better way…
…And we want to share!
- Venmo is a fantastic money transfer app with many notable features, making it one of the best apps for peer-to-peer transfers.
- There are many excellent alternatives to Venmo, all with unique features and special functionalities.
6 Best Venmo Alternatives (Plus Unique Features)
You probably know of quite a few payment and money transfer apps from just sending money to friends and family in the past.
Other payment apps are better for specific tasks.
If you don’t want to give someone else your bank account details, there are many payment method options out there for peer-to-peer payments that allow you to send money (or receive it) with just a few taps.
Specifically looking for a Venmo alternative?
Here are a few of our favorite apps for secure payments…
Billpin’s Picks for the Best Payment Apps for Digital Payments
- Best peer-to-peer payment app: Venmo
- Best for banking: Zelle
- Best for flexibility: PayPal
- Best for newbie investors: Cash App
- Best international money transfer app: Remitly
- Best for sending quick payments to friends: Facebook Messenger
- Best for Google accounts: Google Pay
Best Peer-to-Peer Payment App: Venmo
Venmo is a free mobile payment platform that allows users to transfer money with one another.
It’s one of the best payment apps available for person-to-person (peer-to-peer) payments.
Your Venmo balance is based on the accounts in your phone and can be used as a payment method at millions of retailers and apps that accept debit card payments. [1]
Notable features:
- Mobile-only bank account: Rather than using a credit or debit card, Venmo deposits directly into your bank account (assuming you link it). This means that payments are immediate — there’s no waiting for transactions to clear like there would be if you were paying with a card. They also can’t ever overdraw your bank account since all transactions go through Venmo’s app first.
- Pay anyone without their financial info: While some apps require the person you’re sending money to have an account with them, Venmo is unique in the sense that you can pay anyone through their app without their financial info. This is handy if you’re paying a coworker, for example.
- This option to send money without using an account is also convenient if you don’t have the person’s bank or routing number on hand, which can be time-consuming to dig up when all you need is quick cash (instead of going through Venmo’s whole signup process).
- There are no fees whatsoever for paying people who don’t use Venmo — they even waive your first cash transfer fee!
- It works anywhere: If you lose your wallet and all of your credit cards in the middle of town, it will take forever to replace them since banks require proof of identification. But with Venmo, you’re good to go!
These reasons are why Venmo tends to work best when you need to pay friends and family or even a coworker.
Whether they have a Venmo account or not, this free app gives you the ability to send or receive funds so easily & quickly (much quicker than banks and other money transfer apps).
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1. Zelle: Best for Banking
- Availability: iOs, Android, and as a feature within many bank sites and apps
- Fees: None
- Limits: Unverified users are limited to $500 withdrawals and $10,000 payments. Verified users are limited to a transaction limit of $60,000.
Zelle is a person-to-person payment app that was launched in 2017 by nine major U.S. financial institutions.
The apps mentioned elsewhere in this article are great for sending money directly to another individual, but what if you need to pay the rent for a house or apartment?
Or what if you want to give your mom and dad some cash for Christmas?
Zelle is where it’s at! [2]
Zelle is linked with bank accounts and allows users to send others money either using their phone number or email address.
You can easily complete bank-to-bank transfers (credit unions too).
The transfer occurs almost instantly; best of all, no fees apply (you’d only be charged when you withdraw from your account).
Using Zelle can also help level the playing field between the unbanked & underbanked, as it’s available for use by anyone with a checking or savings account. It’s a great Venmo alternative for that reason, among others.
But wait! Also…
…This is particularly helpful when buying and selling goods online.
Third-party apps like Venmo can be used to pay for things through various apps & services, but if you want the money right away (instant transfers) or don’t have an app on your phone to do so, Zelle will get you there in a hurry!
Zelle is one of the best money transfer apps available for situations such as those mentioned and anytime you need funds quickly transferred using a bank account.
2. PayPal: Best for Flexibility
- Availability: iOs, Android, and online
- Fees: None for personal accounts; 2.99% for business transactions
- Limits: None
PayPal is one of the largest apps like Venmo and is used to transfer money between people using email or mobile numbers. [3]
It’s quick, easy, and free!
PayPal also has an entire section dedicated to apps that work with them, making it one of the best Venmo alternatives for those who want integrated payment options!
You can use PayPal to save & spend on eBay, purchase things through in-store retailers, etc., making this app extremely versatile.
The best Venmo alternative is PayPal (especially if you’re into instant transfers).
If you’re looking for a different free alternative, you could try Zelle or Cash App. Other great apps like Venmo are Remitly, Facebook Messenger, and Google Pay.
3. Cash App: Best for Newbie Investors
- Availability: iOs, Android, and online
- Fees: None for personal accounts using a debit card, and 3% when using a credit card. Instant withdrawal (up to 1 day) carries a 1.5% fee.
- Limits: Unverified users are limited to $250 every 7 days and $1,000 every 30 days. Verified users can send $7,500 every 7 days, with no receiving limit.
Cash App is a great payment app to use, especially if you’re just starting to get interested in investing. [4]
It’s a great way to make and accept payments quickly with the app and debit card.
How does Cash App work?
Cash App works just like Venmo in that you can instantly send money to or request it from another person.
You can also purchase things via the app.
In addition, it lets you request a cash card, which is basically a debit card with a linked bank account (your Cash App account).
It’s pretty fantastic!
It’s considered one of the apps like Venmo because of its instant transfer feature.
It’s also great for newbie investors because it allows you to invest in stocks and Bitcoin, all right through their app.
The Cash App Bitcoins features are great!
If this sounds like your style, but you want more options, check out our guide to Cash App alternative options.
4. Remitly: Best International Money Transfer App
- Availability: iOs, Android, and online
- Fees: None
- Limits: Varies based on where you’re sending from and where you’re sending to. Check out their site for more info about sending limits.
Remitly is at the top of our list of the best money transfer apps when it comes to international money transfers. [5]
It’s the new kid on the block, and it’s a great alternative to Venmo and the others because it is efficient, secure, and convenient.
If you need to make international payments or bank transfers, this is the best of all the payment apps for you.
Remitly won’t cost you an arm and a leg either.
They have extremely competitive fees for both receiving and sending cash internationally:
- Send up to $2,999.99 = 1% flat fee
- Transfer amounts between $3,000-$9,999.99 = 0.5% + $5 flat transfer fee (which can be paid in installments)
- Transfer amounts over $10k = free
The only downside of Remitly is that they are not available worldwide, so be sure to check for its availability if you’re considering using it to send money or receive money.
5. Facebook Pay: Best for Sending Quick Payments to Friends
- Availability: iOs, Android, desktop Facebook Messenger app, and online
- Fees: None
- Limits: $10,000 per transaction when sending from a debit card, and up to $3,000 per transaction when sending from PayPal.
If you’re transferring money between friends and family, Facebook Pay is a seriously convenient & quick option in lieu of a bank or credit union. [6]
Other money transfer apps typically require having an account (some just an email address, but still), or you need to process personal data to get set up with your digital wallet.
Is the person you need to send or receive money to/from on Facebook?
The odds are pretty good, right?
You can easily link your debit card or bank accounts for super quick payment options. If you’re looking for convenient alternatives to Venmo, this one is right up your alley.
6. Google Pay: Best for Google Accounts
- Availability: iOs, Android, and online
- Fees: None for transfers and 1.5% for withdrawals
- Limits: Unverified users are limited to $300 per transaction. Verified users are limited to $10,000 weekly and per payment.
Google Pay is super convenient and easy to use. [7]
It’s the best payment app for those who spend a good deal of time online.
That’s a lot of us, am I right?
Whether using mobile apps or visiting websites, you’ll never be far from your Google wallet.
You can link it up with any major credit or debit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express), and you only need an email account.
It takes just seconds, and you’re set to go!
Google Pay works in apps that already accept Google Wallet payments, so there is zero effort on your part.
Similarly, when checking out at places like Walmart or Kohl’s online, many will automatically offer Google Pay as another option for payment.
You can use your digital wallet and don’t need to find your real one!
Comparing the Best Cash Apps & Their Features
Want to send and receive money with an app that offers other cool features too?
Yep, we hear you.
Let’s dive a little deeper into this.
List of Payment Apps That Offer a Linked Card
Payment apps that offer a card with the account include:
- Venmo
- PayPal
- Cash App
If this is a dealbreaker for you, you’ll want to look at one of these payment apps to send and receive money without using your bank account.
Apps Like Venmo That Work Internationally
If you’re looking for payment apps that work internationally, your best bet is really to stick with Remitly.
Regarding international transfers, you need to watch out for those who charge fees, and you know you’re in good hands with Remitly.
Some apps work internationally…
…but only through their own apps.
For example, you can use Google Pay for online purchases in apps (but not on websites).
And PayPal is known to work internationally, so that is a sound alternative, especially if you need domestic digital payment options.
Payment Apps Like Venmo – FAQs
Can I make credit card payments through my PayPal account?
You can send money, request money, and, yes, make credit card payments (or other one-time or recurring payments) using your PayPal balance, PayPal credit, or by using your PayPal account as a link to your bank or credit union to pay through that account with PayPal as the middle man. It’s super flexible!
How do I get an app?
You usually have to download apps like Venmo and PayPal (and other apps like Venmo) from the store where they are based – not from one store – and then install them on your device. Try the app’s website if you don’t see it in your device’s app store.
Which app is best if I want to do money transfers & send money to others but also want investment opportunities like stocks and Bitcoin?
You’re definitely going to want to look at Cash App for this type of capability! They don’t charge fees and keep your financial data safe while offering investment and spending options just like a bank account.
What’s the deal with Cash App bonuses?
Check out our Cash App referral code guide for the full gamut of info on Cash App welcome bonuses. There are rumors of an elusive Cash App bonus of $1000 or so, but if you see that anywhere, it’s a scam. Our guide covers everything you need to know to earn a legitimate bonus.
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