Cash apps are like magic! They’ve transformed the way we handle money. But with a sea of options available, how do you choose the best one? 🌊
In this comprehensive article, we dive deep into the world of cash apps, exploring their unique features, fees, and customer reviews, and trying to find the best cash apps.
Whether you’re looking for a straightforward cash transfer app or an app that offers additional features like budgeting tools or investment options, we’ve got you covered with options to consider.
What are Cash Apps?
Cash apps are mobile applications that allow users to send and receive money electronically. These apps are designed to facilitate the exchange of money between individuals and businesses quickly and securely, without the need for cash or checks.
Cash apps typically link to the user’s bank account or credit/debit card, allowing users to transfer funds instantly to other users with the app. These apps often offer additional features such as the ability to pay bills, split expenses with friends, and purchase items from online and in-store retailers.
Cash apps have become increasingly popular in recent years with more people using technology to manage their finances.
What makes a great Cash App?
Security: A great cash app must prioritize security to protect users’ financial information and prevent fraudulent activities. This includes measures like two-factor authentication, encryption, and fraud protection.
User-friendliness: A great cash app should be easy to use and navigate, with a simple and intuitive interface. The app should also offer features that make it easy to send and receive money, such as the ability to link multiple bank accounts or credit/debit cards.
Availability: A good cash app should offer its services worldwide and in multiple currencies.
Speed: A great cash app should be able to process transactions quickly and efficiently, with minimal delays or downtime.
Low fees: While cash apps often charge fees for certain transactions, a great cash app should keep fees as low as possible to provide users with the best value for their money.
See our article Cash Apps That Don’t Charge A Fee.
Additional features: A cash app should offer additional features beyond basic money transfers, such as the ability to pay bills, split expenses with friends, and make purchases from online and in-store retailers.
Customer support: A reliable and responsive customer support team to address any issues or concerns is important when choosing a cash app.
Top Options
📝 summary
- Wise – best all-rounder, and best for low-cost international transfers
- Revolut – best exchange rates and international debit card
- Instarem – best for fee-free payments in the U.S. and InstaPoints on transfers
- OFX – best exchange rates for large transfers
- WorldRemit – best for payment options and global availability
- CurrencyFair – best for transparent fees and currency exchange marketplace
Wise
Established in 2011, Wise has rapidly gained popularity as a preferred option for sending money across borders, thanks to its affordable fees and competitive exchange rates. The company provides global money transfer services to individuals and businesses in over 80 countries with a multi-currency account that lets you manage over 50 currencies.
Wise has received a rating of 4.5/5 with over 187,100 reviews on Trustpilot. Most customers praise Wise for its competitive exchange rates and speedy transfer times. However, some users have been disappointed with how transfers on weekends can take a little longer.
Pros:
- Low and transparent fees.
- No markup is added to the mid-market exchange rate.
- 40% of transactions are completed instantly, and 80% are completed within 24 hours.
- Provides multilingual support over the phone, in-app, and online.
Cons:
- Cash payments cannot be deposited since there is no branch network.
- Doesn’t offer cryptocurrency, foreign exchange, or CFD trading.
See our review of Wise.
Revolut
Revolut is a fintech company that has been providing a broad range of online financial services since 2015.
Its services include multi-currency accounts, cryptocurrency, money transfers, and currency exchange. Revolut supports 29 currencies and is available in over 200 countries, making it a highly accessible platform for those looking to make international money transfers.
The Revolut card also allows for international spending without incurring foreign transaction fees which are great for travelers.
Revolut is rated 4.3/5 stars on Trustpilot with over 124,000 reviews. The platform is well-regarded for its user-friendly mobile app, fast and secure transactions, and competitive forex exchange rates.
However, some customers have reported issues with blocked accounts due to delayed replacement of expired cards.
Pros:
- Wide global availability.
- Revolut’s Vault feature lets you save money and earn interest.
- Easy signup process.
- User-friendly mobile application.
- Uses competitive inter-bank exchange rates.
- The Revolut debit card is accepted universally by Visa and MasterCard merchants.
Cons:
- Foreign transactions on weekends incur a 1% markup due to market closures.
- The standard plan has a transfer limit of $1,000 per month.
See our review of Revolut.
Instarem
Instarem provides money transfer services for individuals and businesses. The company is based in Singapore and was established in 2014, and it operates in more than 55 countries.
Instarem’s platform is supported by NIUM, which enables its users to take greater control over their money, irrespective of where they are located. US users can also make transfers for free.
Instarem has earned a solid reputation among its customers, garnering a Trustpilot rating of 4.4 with over 7,500 customer reviews.
Pros:
- Free for U.S. customers.
- Competitive rates and transparent fees.
- Verifies all users and transactions for safety.
- Fast transfers.
- Can earn reward points for transferring money.
Cons:
- Lacks physical branch locations.
- The card is only available to customers based in Singapore.
See our review of Instarem.
OFX
OFX, previously known as OzForex, is a reputable provider of international money transfer services with an established presence in the market. They offer a wide array of services, including spot contracts, forward contracts, limit orders, and more, to meet the needs of individuals and businesses looking to transfer funds overseas.
One of the features that distinguish OFX from other foreign exchange companies is its emphasis on providing competitive exchange rates. The company achieves this by establishing direct connections with banks and financial institutions, bypassing intermediaries, and enabling its customers to save on costs.
It also offers free transfers depending on your location and transfer amount. The limitless transfer amount is another significant factor that makes OFX a cash app worth considering.
On Trustpilot OFX currently hold a rating of 4.2/5, with around 5,500 reviews. Most customers commend the exchange rate and fast transfer times.
Pros:
- Competitive exchange rates.
- Zero fees and no transfer limits.
- Offers the choice of recurring and one-time transfer options.
Cons:
- Minimum transfer of $1,000.
- Only allows bank-to-bank transfers, with no cash or credit card options available.
See our review of OFX.
WorldRemit
WorldRemit is a London-based company that was established in 2010. The company provides a quick and convenient means for users to send money overseas to over 150 countries. It offers various payment methods which include direct bank transfers, cash collection, mobile money, and maritime top-ups.
You can access WorldRemit via their website or mobile app, which can be used on both iOS and Android devices.
The company has received positive feedback from customers with a 4/5 star rating on Trustpilot.
Customers have commended the platform for its convenience, speed, and user-friendly interface. Additionally, users appreciate the wide range of payment options available and the ability to send money to multiple countries.
Pros:
- Fast transfers.
- Competitive exchange rates.
- Several payment options.
- Accessible worldwide.
- Responsive customer service with multilingual support.
Cons:
- Low daily and monthly transfer limits.
- The verification process can be tedious.
See our review of WorldRemit.
CurrencyFair
CurrencyFair is an international money transfer service based in Dublin, Ireland that offers a more cost-effective solution compared to banks. Their services can transfer money within 1-2 business days and are eight times cheaper than traditional banks.
CurrencyFair’s services are not just beneficial for individuals, but also for businesses of all sizes. They offer a user-friendly mobile app available on both Apple and Android devices, an easy-to-use dashboard to manage overseas transactions, and better exchange rates than banks.
On Trustpilot, CurrencyFair has a rating of 4.4/5 stars, with many users calling it their go-to app for international money transfers.
Pros:
- Competitive exchange rates.
- Low fees.
- Allows users to wait for the best exchange rate before transferring money.
- Financial dashboard for business owners.
- Wide reach in over 150 countries.
Cons:
- Accounts cannot be opened in certain regions, including the Middle East and Africa.
See our review of CurrencyFair.
Verdict
Cash apps have revolutionized the way we handle our finances, offering a hassle-free way to manage our money on the go. With so many options available, it can be difficult to decide which cash app to choose.
We’ve explored some of the best cash apps on the market, each with its own unique features, fees, and benefits.
Based on customer reviews we can conclude that Wise is the most liked cash app among customers. It has received a 4.4/ 5 rating on Trustpilot. However, it has a smaller reach than some other services (such as Revolut and CurrencyFair). This is something worth considering if you need a wide global reach as it’s important to choose a cash app that meets your individual needs.
Be sure to consider countries, currencies, transfer amounts, fees, and transfer times when choosing a cash app.
Hopefully, the details above have given you some insight into what some of the best cash apps have to offer.
FAQ
How We Chose the Best Money Transfer App?
We chose the best money transfer app according to the following criteria:
– Costs – How low are the fees?
– Exchange rates – Does it use the mid-market exchange rate and what markups does it add to this rate?
– Availability – How many countries and currencies is the app available in?
– Transfer speeds – How fast are the transfer speeds?
– Payment methods – How many payment methods are available?
