The best apps to send money make it easy to start reimbursing and receiving payments.
Here are our picks for the top money-sending apps this year.
Fast, Easy, & Everyone’s Doing It: Venmo
Mobile first; primarily for smartphones.
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Send money to friends, family, and some businesses.
Free to send money with a linked debit card.
Can only send money to other Venmo users.
Venmo is one of the most popular money-sending apps available.
The Venmo app is intuitive and features excellent security to protect your financial information.
Venmo debit and credit cards allow you to earn rewards and interact easily with your Venmo balance.
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For Anyone Not Using Venmo: Square’s Cash App
Simple, easy-to-use interface.
Includes other personal finance options, like stock trading and Bitcoin trades or conversions.
Available debit card also has money-saving offers.
Not as socially oriented as Venmo.
Can only send payments to other Cash App users.
Almost everyone who isn’t using Venmo uses Cash App, and some people use both.
Cash App also lets you buy and sell stocks and Bitcoin.
Best for iPhone Users: Apple Cash
Send money through messages, no additional app needed.
Tied to your Apple Pay account.
Works with iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and using Siri.
Account security checks could delay funds availability.
Users must be 18 years old or have Apple Cash set up by the family organizer.
Only Apple users can use Apple Cash.
Sending money to someone is as easy as sending a text message.
The main drawback to Apple Cash is that it works only with other Apple users.
you’re able to’t send money to anyone who isn’t using an Apple machine.
The Digital Wallet That’s Been Around the Longest: PayPal
Well-known name in internet-based personal finance.
More liberal spending limits than most services.
Buy Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency.
Charges for debit transfers.
Charges for currency conversions.
PayPal has been around since 1998.
It might be worth readingPayPal’s fee schedule, as it can be confusing.
Transfers also take a bit longer with PayPal.
A Money-Sending Mainstay: Western Union
Simple touch and scanning features make sending money easy.
Provides tracking number to keep up with your money.
Payment methods include card, cash, and bank account.
Fees are higher than some apps.
Some transfers can take several days to complete.
Western Union has long been a leading name in money transfers.
It’s also one of the most flexible ways to send money.
Your recipient can pick up their cash at a bank or a Western Union location or receive it digitally.
However, you’ll likely pay higher fees to use the Western Union service, even through the app.
A Better Way to Send Money Internationally: WorldRemit
International transactions to more than 130 countries.
Dozens of currencies to choose from.
Fast, secure, and easy to use.
Fees vary by location and currency.
If you send a lot of money to international destinations, WorldRemit is your first, best choice.
One of the most appreciated features of WorldRemit is the speed with which transactions are processed.
WorldRemit claims transfers can be made as quickly as text messages are delivered.
For that speed, however, you give up some of the fancier features of other apps.
