With the rise of digital payments, more and more people are using money transfer apps like Zelle and Cash App to send and receive money instantly. Both Zelle and Cash App allow you to quickly transfer funds to friends and family, pay bills, and shop online or in stores. But which app is better for sending money – Zelle or Cash App?
What is Zelle?
Zelle is a digital payment network that allows you to send and receive money with friends, family and others you trust in minutes. Zelle is built into your existing bank account – no need to download an additional app. With Zelle you can:
- Quickly send money to people you know and trust
- Receive money fast from people you know
- No fees if you are sending money from your personal bank account
- Money goes directly into your bank account – no waiting for checks or cash deliveries
- Accessible within your existing mobile or online banking app
Most major banks and credit unions offer Zelle including Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, PNC Bank, TD Bank and Wells Fargo.
What is Cash App?
Cash App is a popular peer-to-peer payment app developed by Square that allows you to:
- Send and receive money easily
- Make purchases and pay bills with a Cash Card (debit card)
- Invest in stocks and Bitcoin
- Get your paycheck deposited directly
To use Cash App you need to download the app and create an account. Once set up, you can instantly send and receive money from other Cash App users by linking your bank account, debit card or credit card. Cash App also generates a unique $cashtag username to identify your account.
Speed of Transfers
One of the main factors when comparing money transfer apps is how quickly you can send and receive funds. Both Zelle and Cash App allow for near instant money transfers.
With Zelle, money you send will typically appear in the recipient’s bank account in minutes. As long as both parties have an active Zelle profile, money can be sent and received 24/7.
Similarly, Cash App promotes “instant” peer-to-peer money transfers. As soon as you hit send, funds are made available to the recipient and they will get a notification that money was received. Transfers typically appear in the recipient’s account within seconds.
For most transfers, Zelle and Cash App are equally fast when it comes to sending and receiving money. The main difference is that with Zelle, the money goes directly into your bank account, while Cash App maintains a separate balance.
Fees
When it comes to fees, Zelle has the advantage for standard bank account transfers:
| Zelle | Cash App |
|---|---|
| No fee for standard transfers from U.S. bank accounts | No fee for standard transfers from linked debit cards or bank accounts |
| May be fees for instant transfers or transfers from credit cards | 1.5% fee for Instant Deposit bank transfers |
| No fee to receive money | No fee to receive money |
Zelle does not charge any fees when sending money from a linked U.S. bank account to another U.S. bank account. You may encounter fees for instant transfers or transfers from credit cards.
Cash App also does not charge a fee for standard transfers from a bank account or debit card. However, they do charge a 1.5% fee (minimum fee of $0.25) if you want to instantly transfer funds from your Cash App to your bank account using Instant Deposit.
Both apps do not charge fees for receiving money into your account. Overall, Zelle has the edge when it comes to fee structure, particularly for instant transfers to external bank accounts.
Transaction Limits
Transaction limits determine how much money you can send or receive within a certain time period. Here is an overview of limits for each service:
| Zelle | Cash App |
|---|---|
| Varies by bank, typically $500 – $2,500 per day | $7,500 per week for standard accounts |
| $2,500 monthly limit for receiving money | $25,000 per week with upgraded Cash Card account |
Transaction limits on Zelle depend on your bank – some have daily sending limits as low as $500 while others go up to $2,500 per day. Monthly receiving limits are typically capped at $2,500.
Cash App has higher default limits. You can send up to $7,500 per week on a standard account. With an upgraded Cash Card account, your weekly limit goes up to $25,000.
Cash App generally has higher transaction limits compared to Zelle, which can vary dramatically between banks. This makes Cash App better suited for sending or receiving large amounts of money.
Linked Payment Methods
Zelle and Cash App also differ in the payment methods you can link to your account:
| Zelle | Cash App |
|---|---|
| Bank accounts | Bank accounts |
| Debit cards | Debit cards |
| Credit cards (less common) | Credit cards |
| Does not issue debit/cash cards | Cash App debit card available |
As a banking service, Zelle allows you to connect your bank accounts and debit cards to send and receive money. Some banks may allow linking credit cards as well.
Cash App offers similar linking capabilities – you can connect your debit cards and most credit cards. Cash App also issues their own free customizable Cash Card, which works like a debit card.
The ability to get a dedicated Cash Card for your Cash App balance gives it additional flexibility compared to Zelle.
Account Protection
Security features are another important consideration when comparing money transfer apps. Here is how Zelle and Cash App stack up:
| Zelle | Cash App |
|---|---|
| No special protection – relies on bank’s fraud protection | Optional Cash App Pin and fingerprint/face ID login |
| No transaction reversal capability | Reversals available if reported within 14 days |
| FDIC insured bank accounts | FDIC insured accounts up to $250,000 through Sutton Bank |
Zelle itself does not offer any special account protection or login features – you need to rely on your bank’s standard fraud protection.
Cash App provides optional account security features like requiring a PIN for each login or using fingerprint/face ID. Cash App balances up to $250,000 are FDIC insured through partner Sutton Bank.
A key difference is that Cash App allows you to reverse accidental or fraudulent transfers if reported within 14 days. With Zelle, all transfers are final – there is no way to reverse or cancel a transfer.
Overall, Cash App offers stronger account protection and safety features compared to Zelle.
Ease of Use
For a smooth user experience, Zelle and Cash App both offer:
- Simple account setup
- Intuitive mobile interface
- Search contacts to find recipients
- Notifications when money is sent or received
As a standalone app, Cash App provides a streamlined sending experience all within one app. Everything is designed specifically for peer-to-peer payments.
Zelle has wider banking integration, but requires accessing via your bank’s mobile app which may have a more dated interface. The sending process involves a few extra steps compared to Cash App.
First time users may find Cash App simpler and more intuitive to use versus navigating Zelle within your bank’s mobile app.
Unique Features
In addition to standard money transfers, Zelle and Cash App offer some unique features:
| Zelle | Cash App |
|---|---|
| Request money from others | Personal $Cashtag link |
| Enroll bills for scheduled payments | Boosts for discounts/rewards |
| Split payments with groups | Investing in stocks/Bitcoin |
Zelle allows you to request money from others instead of only sending payments. You can also enroll bill payments for automatic transfers on scheduled due dates.
Cash App generates a personalized $cashtag link to request payments from anyone. It also offers Boosts which are discounts and rewards when using your Cash Card at certain merchants.
Both services offer a few unique features, but Cash App has a more extensive suite with investing and cryptocurrency capabilities.
Supported Locations
Where each money transfer service is available is another point of difference:
| Zelle | Cash App |
|---|---|
| Within U.S. only | U.S. and UK |
Zelle only facilitates transfers to and from U.S. bank accounts. It does not support international money transfers.
Cash App is available for use in both the United States and United Kingdom. This gives it better support if you need to send money internationally.
Business/Commercial Use
Here is a comparison of Zelle and Cash App for business or commercial use:
| Zelle | Cash App |
|---|---|
| Not intended for business use | Business accounts available |
| ID/tax info required above $600 | Optional Cash Card for Business |
| No dedicated customer support | Dedicated customer support |
Zelle is designed for personal payments between friends/family. Business accounts or commercial use is discouraged.
Cash App offers dedicated business accounts with features tailored for companies. These include business profiles, no personal name required, and dedicated support.
For small business use cases like paying gig workers or freelancers, Cash App’s business accounts are better suited than personal Zelle transfers.
Customer Service
There are also differences in customer service and support provided:
| Zelle | Cash App |
|---|---|
| No direct customer service – rely on your bank | In-app + phone support |
| Email bank for inquiries | Cash App community forum |
| Varies by bank | Quick responses |
Since Zelle is offered through your bank, you need to rely on your bank’s customer service channels like calling or emailing.
Cash App provides dedicated in-app support, phone/email support, an online community forum and active social media presence. You can reach their support team directly.
Response times and quality of support can vary dramatically between banks. Cash App generally offers quicker, more responsive customer service.
Conclusion
For quick person-to-person money transfers, both Zelle and Cash App are fast and convenient options. Zelle’s key advantages are no fees for standard bank transfers and wide accessibility through major banks.
Cash App tends to offer a smoother user experience, higher transaction limits, better account security and more features beyond just sending money. Business accounts on Cash App make it more suitable for commercial uses.
In summary:
- Zelle is better if you want direct bank integration and avoid fees on standard transfers.
- Cash App is better for higher limits, security features, extra features, and business usage.
The right option depends on your priorities and specific money transfer needs.
