Looking for an alternative to Cash App? I’ll assume you’ve already considered Venmo, and explore other apps like Cash App, prioritizing security, affordability, and user-friendliness.
Whether you’re sending money overseas, splitting bills with friends, or simply looking for quick and secure transactions, these Cash App alternatives have got you covered.
What is Cash App and why people might want to look for Cash App alternatives?
Cash App has grown in popularity over the years due to its simplicity, speed, and convenience. Users can link their bank accounts, debit cards, or credit cards to their Cash App account to easily send and receive money.
See our review of Cash App.
Additionally, Cash App offers the ability to buy and sell Bitcoin, invest in stocks, and receive direct deposits.
However, there are several reasons why people might want to look for Cash App alternatives. For example, Cash App is currently only supported in the US and doesn’t offer international money transfers.
Additionally, the fees for some services can be quite high and there are limits on how much you can send.
See our article Can I Use Cash App Card Internationally?
Apps like Cash App
📝 summary
- Venmo – best for fee-free payments in the U.S. and transfer speed
- Xoom – best for availability
- Wise – best all-rounder, and best for low-cost international transfers
- Instarem – best for new-user discounts and payment options
- WorldRemit – best for availability and cash pick-up locations
- OFX – best for currency exchange rate for large transactions
- CurrencyFair – best for currency exchange marketplace
Venmo
Possibly the most similar Cash App alternative. It’s an app people use to split food bills, pay utility bills, or shop online from participating merchants.
The account setup is free with no monthly fees either. The app doesn’t charge any fee if you use your debit card, Venmo cash balance, or simple bank transfer to make your payment.
However, it charges a 3% fee for credit card payments and 1%-5% on its check cashing feature, depending on the type of check.
Pros:
- Convenient and cheap payment option
- Payments are free using your debit card, bank transfer, and Venmo balance.
- Quick transfers
Cons:
- Only available in the US.
- No seller and buyer protection programs.
See our review of Venmo.
Xoom
Xoom was bought by Paypal in 2015 and now works as a subsidiary of Paypal. Xoom is regulated and compliant with anti-money laundering laws, so you can be sure your money is safe and secure.
Currently, Xoom provides its services in more than 130 countries around the globe.
Pros:
- Multiple payment options are available.
- Regulated by the US treasury department and FinCEN.
- Low minimum transfer limit.
- Bank transfers are cheap.
Cons:
- No live chat support.
- Markups on exchange rate.
See our review of Xoom.
Instarem
Instarem is a cross-border payment platform that was established in 2014 by Michael Bermingham, a serial entrepreneur with a passion for fintech. Instarem leverages new technologies such as machine learning to create an easy-to-use payment platform for businesses and individuals.
The platform is designed to help users save money, save time, and ensure certainty of delivery. It is currently available in 55 countries and supports over 80 currencies.
Instarem has established partnerships with major banks and global payment networks, allowing customers to easily access the services they need at low costs.
Pros:
- Low fee with no hidden charges.
- Rewards on money transfers.
- Fast transfer times.
- Multiple payment options.
Cons:
- High markup on exchange rate.
- The card is available only for Singapore users.
See our review of Instarem.
Wise
Wise lets you send money worldwide to over 80 countries with no hidden fees. It also allows you to send money directly from your bank account, or a debit/credit card. Wise is fast and secure and often transfers money within one day.
It is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and is protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).
Pros:
- No exchange rate markup.
- Low transparent fee.
- Fast transfers.
- Offers business accounts.
- Provides multicurrency accounts.
Cons:
- Cash deposits and withdrawals are not supported.
- Forex and cryptocurrency businesses are not supported.
See our review of Wise.
OFX
OFX is an Australian-based global foreign exchange and money transfer company. It was founded in 1998 by Matthew Gilmour. OFX has since expanded to become a leading global provider of online international payment services with offices in Australia, New Zealand, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Hong Kong.
OFX offers a range of services, including spot contracts, forward contracts, limit orders, and recurring transfers.
The company is regulated by financial authorities in each of the countries where they operate, including the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the United Kingdom.
OFX has won several awards over the years for its services, including the Canstar 5-Star Rating for Outstanding Value in International Money Transfers in 2021.
Pros:
- Provides both one-time and recurring transfers.
- Excellent exchange rates.
- Free transfers over $5,000
- 24/7 customer care service.
Cons:
- The app is available only in English.
- Can be costly for small transfers.
See our review of OFX.
WorldRemit
WorldRemit is a UK-based online money transfer service that enables individuals to send money to friends and family around the world. It was founded in 2010 by Ismail Ahmed, a former compliance advisor to the United Nations, who saw a need for a more affordable and accessible way to transfer money globally.
WorldRemit provides a range of services, including bank transfers, cash pickups, mobile money transfers, and airtime top-ups, to over 130 countries worldwide.
Pros:
- Multi-language support.
- Various payment options.
- Competitive exchange rates.
Cons:
- Low transfer limits.
- Lengthy verification process.
See our review of WorldRemit.
CurrencyFair
CurrencyFair is an online peer-to-peer foreign currency exchange and money transfer company. It was founded in 2010 by Brett Meyers, a former currency trader, and Sean Barrett, an experienced technologist. The company’s headquarters are located in Ireland, and it operates in over 150 countries worldwide.
CurrencyFair’s peer-to-peer platform allows individuals and businesses to exchange currencies with each other directly, avoiding the high fees typically charged by traditional banks and currency exchange services.
The company offers a range of services, including spot contracts, forward contracts, and limit orders.
Pros:
- Business dashboard to manage international transactions.
- Low transfer fees.
- Currency marketplace to transfer money at your set rate.
Cons:
- Mobile wallets, cash transfers, and credit cards are not supported.
- In-person service is not available.
- Not available in some areas, including the Middle East.
See our review of CurrencyFair.
Things to keep in mind when choosing an alternative
- Security: It’s important to choose a money transfer app that prioritizes security and protects your financial information. Look for apps that use encryption and two-factor authentication to secure your data
- Fees: Choose an app that offers a transparent fee. Also, look for apps that offer low or zero exchange rate markups.
- Availability: Check to see if the money transfer app is available in your region and if it supports the currencies you need.
- User Experience: A user-friendly interface and intuitive navigation are important for making sure that you can send and receive money with minimal hassle.
- Customer Support: Ensure that the selected service has a reliable customer support team that can assist you with any problems you may have. This can give you peace of mind in knowing that if anything goes wrong with your money, you can rely on customer support to help.
