The 8 Best Money-Sending Apps of 2021

Fast, Easy, & Everyone's Doing It: Venmo

Venmo is one of the most popular money-sending apps available. The app belongs to PayPal, a company that's long been able to spot trends in personal finance, and it works well. The Venmo app is intuitive and features great security to protect your financial information.

For those who want something a little socially rewarding, Venmo lets users see, share, and interact with others' purchases (though you can make your payments private if you prefer).

Transfer fees are also very affordable: debit card and bank transfers are free, credit card transfers are 3 percent of the balance, while instant transfers from your Venmo account to your bank account cost 1 percent of the amount transferred (with a $10 cap). There's also a Venmo debit card and credit card that allow you to earn rewards and interact easily with your Venmo balance.

Venmo also introduced the ability to create a business Venmo profile, allowing business owners and casual sellers to conduct business transactions with Venmo.

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For Anyone Not Using Venmo: Square's Cash App

Almost everyone who isn't using Venmo is using Cash App, and some people use both. Cash App is as easy to use as Venmo, and it offers additional discounts when you use the Cash App debit card to make purchases.

The other benefit of Cash App is that it's free to make transfers, even instant transfers, to other Cash App users. If you're moving money out of your account, the transaction will cost you a 1.5 percent fee. Cash App also allows you to trade in stocks or Bitcoin in a secure way.

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The App Backed By Your Bank: Zelle

It's no secret that the banking industry is a bit behind the times when it comes to electronically managing finances, and cash-sending is no different. That's where Zelle comes in to help these institutions keep up with modern times. It's a simple-to-use app that integrates with your bank account.

If your bank is a Zelle partner, there's no need to download a separate Zelle app; use Zelle in your bank's mobile app. If your bank isn't yet a Zelle partner, download the Zelle app to get started.

The good thing is you can use Zelle to send cash to others who don't have a Zelle account, as long as their bank is on board.

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The Digital Wallet That's Been Around the Longest: PayPal

PayPal has been around since 1998. Originally a payment provider for eBay, PayPal is all grown up now and has added payment-sending capabilities via the PayPal: Mobile Cash app, which serves as both a money app and a mobile wallet.

With domestic and international capabilities, PayPal offers what you would expect from a long-standing name in online payments, including sending money, splitting bills, getting instant spend notifications, buying Bitcoin, and more.

Linked bank accounts and PayPal cash transactions are free, but you're charged a fee for the use of debit and credit cards, and it might be worth reading PayPal's fee schedule, as it can be confusing. Transfers also take a bit longer with PayPal.

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A Better Way to Send Money Internationally: WorldRemit

If you send a lot of money to international destinations, WorldRemit is your first, best choice. There are no minimums for how much you can send, and the fees, while unpredictable, tend to be lower than with other apps with international capabilities. One of the most appreciated features of WorldRemit is the speed with which transactions are processed.

Recipients can pick up their money from banks, receive it digitally, or have it delivered to their homes.

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 that come with the other apps.

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A Money-Sending Mainstay: Western Union

Western Union has long been a leading name in money transfers. With hundreds of thousands of locations in hundreds of countries around the globe, it's a fast, secure way to get money from one point to another. It's also one of the most flexible ways to send money. Use the app the send money from a credit or debit card, transfer money from your bank account, or take cash to a local agent to send it.

Your recipient can pick up their money 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. But you'll be paying for the peace of mind that comes along with having the ability to track your money all the way from sending to receipt.

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Best for iPhone Users: Apple Cash

If you use Apple Pay, then Apple Cash is a no-thought-required option for sending and receiving payments on your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch. Sending money to someone is as easy as sending a text message. There's nothing to download to your device because Apple Pay is already installed, and Apple Cash is part of that app.

The main drawback to Apple Cash, however, is that it works only with other Apple users. You can't send money to anyone who isn't using an Apple device.