Paying friends back is always a chore. It’s not because the money matters, it’s because the giving feels icky. You have to open your wallet and extract funds, which is usually a bundle of crumpled bills that you’re reluctant to part with. Then they have to get out their phone, find their app, and make sure they’re actually logged in to accept the payment.
It can be a lot of work for everyone involved.
Thankfully, there are apps for paying friends that streamline the process into an easy-to-use system that can be accessed from anyone’s smartphone. If you’ve been looking for ways to pay friends back without all the hassle, check out these best apps for paying friends!
Best Apps For Paying Friends
Every day, millions of people around the globe have to figure out how to pay for the things they need.
Whether you’re an independent contractor filing an invoice, friends splitting the check or a family looking to divide up household expenses, electronic payments have become the norm for paying for almost anything in a fast, secure way simply by picking up your smart phone.
“I’ll Venmo you,” has nearly replaced the phrase, “Do you take a check?” But of course, not every business likes emojis alongside their invoices, and that’s where apps like PayPal — which has a slightly more sophisticated invoicing set-up — come in.
Factors like cost, transfer speed and international capabilities all come into play when choosing the best method for transferring digital cash.
Ahead, Select reviewed the best five apps for sending money to friends, family and even some small businesses. (Read our methodology for more information on how we choose the best money-sending apps.)
Select’s picks for the top apps to send money
Best between friends: Venmo
Best for bank-to-bank transfers: Zelle
Best for flexible payments: PayPal
Best for budding investors: CashApp
Best for sending money internationally: Remitly
Money transfer apps FAQs
How much do money transfer apps cost?
Are money transfer apps safe?
Best between friends
Venmo
Venmo
LEARN MORE
On Venmo’s secure site
Cost
No charge for sending money from a linked bank account, debit card or your Venmo account; a 3% fee for sending money using a linked credit card
Transfer speed
Instant transfer to Venmo balance; 1 to 3 busines days for direct deposit (free) or instant transfer to your bank account for 1% fee ($10 max)
Standout features
Links to popular apps; social features to interact with your friends’ payments (including stickers and emojis); Venmo debit and credit cards
Links to accounts
Yes, bank and credit cards
Availability
Only available in the U.S. and only compatible with U.S.-based bank accounts and phone numbers; compatible with iOS & Android
Security features
Multi-factor authentication when signing in; QR code readers to make sure you link to the correct user account before you send money
See our methodology, terms apply.
Pros
Widely used and therefore easy when splitting bills with friends
Can link as payment method to popular apps including Uber, Uber Eats and Seamless
Can use to pay at participating online merchants
Users who opt-in can use a free Venmo debit card
Can link to the Venmo Credit Card to earn rewards on most popular spending categories at authorized merchants (subject to 3% credit card fee for person-to-person payments)
Cons
Charges a 3% processing fee when using linked credit card as a payment method
Charges a 1% fee for instant cash-outs (to disperse funds immediately to your bank account with no waiting period)
Not all users can currently link two separate Venmo user accounts to a joint bank account (Venmo is slowly rolling out this feature)
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Best for bank-to-bank transfers
Zelle
Zelle
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On Zelle’s secure site
Cost
Free (but check with your bank to ensure it doesn’t charge an additional fee)
Transfer speed
Instant: transactions typically occur in minutes when the recipient’s email address or U.S. mobile number is already enrolled with Zelle
Standout features
No need to download an extra app; Zelle is already included with most mobile banking apps
Links to accounts
Yes, to U.S. bank accounts
Availability
iOS and Android; must have U.S. bank account linked to an email address or compatible U.S. phone number
Security features
The Zelle app uses authentication and monitoring features to make your payments more secure
See our methodology, terms apply.
Pros
Fastest money-sending method (when both sender and recipient are signed up)
Compatible with hundreds of U.S. banks and credit unions
Cons
You can’t link your account to credit card to use as payment method
You can’t send money to international bank accounts
Recipients must sign up for Zelle to receive money (if the recipient doesn’t enroll within 14 days, the payment will expire, and the funds will be returned to your account)
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Best for flexible payments
PayPal
PayPal
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On PayPal’s secure site
Cost
Free to download the app; $0 to make purchases using a bank account or your PayPal balance; $0 to transfer money to friends and family; 2.9% + $0.30 transaction fee to pay business/contractor invoices
Transfer speed
1 business day or instant transfer with 1% fee
Standout features
PayPal Credit lets qualifying users pay for purchases over $99 over six months interest-free
Links to accounts
Yes, bank accounts and credit cards
Availability
iOS and Android; available in more than 200 countries and regions
Security features
Two-step authentication, data encryption, email confirmations for every transaction
See our methodology, terms apply.
Pros
Widely used by individuals and businesses alike
Flexible payment options with the ability to finance large purchases over six months interest-free with PayPal Credit (APRs vary)
High transfer limits: send up to $60,000 in a single transaction (depending on eligibility)
Cons
International transfers can get pricey ($2.99 to $4.99, plus 2.9% of the transaction amount and an additional fee based on location)
Fee structure is more complex than other money transfer apps
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Best for budding investors
Cash App
Cash App
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On Cash App’s secure site
Cost
Free to download and use basic services
Transfer speed
1 to 3 business days or instant cash-out deposits for a 1.5% fee (25 cent minimum)
Standout features
App allows users to invest money in individual stocks as well as buy and sell bitcoin
Links to accounts
Yes, bank accounts and credit cards
Availability
iOS or Androis
Security features
Data encryption and fraud detection technology; unique, one-time login codes, two-factor authentication
See our methodology, terms apply.
Pros
Free debit card for users who opt in
Free ATM withdrawals if you set up direct deposit (otherwise $2 per withdrawal)
“Cash boosts” offer discounts with certain retailers that are automatically applied to a purchase to help users save money (only one boost may be active at a time)
App includes features to let users invest in stocks and buy and sell bitcoin
Cons
Charges a 3% processing fee when using linked credit card as a payment method
Charges a 1.5% fee for instant cash-outs (to disperse funds immediately to your bank account with no waiting period)
Cash App is not FDIC-insured, despite its more sophisticated investing features
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Best for sending money internationally
Remitly
Remitly
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On Remitly’s secure site
Cost
Free to download; transfer costs vary by country and amount (economy are often $0, express transfers start at $3.99)
Transfer speed
3 to 5 business days
Standout features
Convenient delivery options, including sending money directly to trusted banks, cash pick-up locations, mobile wallets or via home delivery
Links to accounts
Yes, links to debit cards, credit cards and bank accounts
Availability
iOS and Android; for U.S. users sending to other countries only
Security features
Secure server with data encryption; two-factor authentication
See our methodology, terms apply.
Pros
Straightforward fee structure based on country and amount
Affordable economy transfers (3 to 5 business days)
High user approval rating in Google Play and Apple Store
Large network of financial partners to send money for cash pick-up
Cons
Extra charges for linking credit card as payment methods
Express transfer fees as high as $93.99 (for transfers of $9,000 or more)
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Money-sending app FAQs
How much do money transfer apps cost?
The best money transfer apps are free to download, but costs vary depending on how you use them. Most services offer free bank transfers at a standard speed of 1 to 3 business days, but charge fees if you want to pay with a credit card and/or speed up the delivery to your bank account. International money transfers vary based on the country’s exchange rates and bank fees, but you may still be able to choose a standard or economy delivery versus a more expensive express delivery. Be sure to check fees before assuming that all money transfers are free.
Are money transfer apps safe?
Money apps are arguably safer than cash since most require you to create an account with a password and two-factor login methods (such as sending verification codes) to verify your identity and the person you are sending money to.
Likewise, using a money app is safer than writing a check because it will not expose your bank account number and routing number to the person who receives it. By signing up for a money transfer app, you are, in essence, making it possible for anyone to send you a digital payment without viewing any of your secure account information, just your user ID or email address/phone number. And unlike cash, digital payments cannot be lost.
Because digital money apps allow you to send money to anyone with an account, the one caveat is that it can be easy to send money to the wrong person if you’re not careful. Some apps offer additional protections, like QR-code scanning, text or email verification, unique user IDs and profile pictures to ensure the right person is on the receiving end of your payment.
Our methodology
To determine the best money-sending apps, Select analyzed over a dozen options offered by the top companies in this market and narrowed down our ranking by only including apps that meet the following criteria:
Pricing: Each app on our list offers low-cost (or free) standard checking account transfers and only charge higher fees when linking to credit cards as a payment method and/or requesting express money transfers.
Features: The apps on this list offer a variety of perks, including quick transfer speed of under five business days and the ease with which you can connect the app with your bank account.
Security: We chose apps that have at least two security features, including two-factor authentication and fraud detection.
User reviews and ratings: All of the apps in our round-up have a sizable number of user reviews and high user ratings. Each app on this list has at least 1,000 reviews in both the App Store (for iOS) and on Google Play (for Android), as well as a rating over 4 stars (out of 5) on both platforms.
In addition to these baseline requirements, some of the above apps offer additional standout features like social sharing, investing capabilities and flexible payment options (such as the ability to pay over time). We noted these features with a brief explanation, and you can learn more by visiting the respective app’s website.
apps to send money with credit card
Whether you were at a recent celebration or had to borrow money for an emergency, you’ve probably found yourself needing to pay your friends back at some point. If you don’t have enough cash on hand, don’t fret: You can pay a friend with a credit card, though it may cost you in fees.
In this article
3 ways to pay a friend with a credit card
If you’re looking for ways to pay back friends or family without pulling out your wallet, hitting up an ATM, or paying cash advance fees, just look at your phone.
There are a few apps to try out, and don’t be afraid to use more than one. Sometimes different friends have different apps, so if you want to make it easier on them, be versatile with the ways you can transfer funds.
- Cash App
The Cash App, formerly known as Square Cash, is free to download and accepts credit and debit cards. It’s the No. 1 money app in the App Store, with more than 35 million downloads.
You can send or request money using a $Cashtag, which is a unique identifier so you can make private and secure payments. You can use a credit card to send money, but there’s a 3% transaction fee. The app is free to use otherwise.
After downloading the app and creating an account, enter the dollar amount you want to send and set up who it goes to. The person you’re sending money to also needs the app, and you’ll have to enter their phone number, email, or $Cashtag to make sure your money gets to the right person. Read our Cash App review.
Try Cash App now – You’ll get $5 when you send $5.
- Venmo
Venmo requires you to sign up for an account through Facebook or your email. But it’s free to use, and there’s no charge for transferring money with a debit card. There’s a 3% fee for sending money with a credit card, though, so it’s a good idea to use one of the best credit cards for Venmo to help recoup this fee.
Both you and the friend you’re sending money to need to have the Venmo app in order for you to send the payment.
One big differentiator is that Venmo allows you to view public transactions via a newsfeed. You can check up on what your friends and family are paying for, if they allow it to be public (there’s a private option on the transaction, if you choose).
- PayPal
PayPal is one of the oldest services for electronically sending and requesting money. You’ll need to sign up for a free account and link a credit card to send money. Paying with a credit card will cost you 2.9% plus 30 cents for each transaction (or more, if there’s a currency conversion).
The friend you’re sending money to will also need a PayPal account. It’s a little less user-friendly compared to your other options, especially since PayPal offers so much more than sending electronic payments to friends. Most of its services are geared toward business.
Related: 8 Clever Moves When You Have $1000 in the Bank
3 ways to pay a friend with a debit card or bank account
While Cash App, Venmo, and PayPal all offer debit card transactions at no extra cost, they are the few that allow credit card payments as well.
If you don’t have a credit card or want to save on transaction fees, you have the option of adding a debit card or bank account to send money to friends.
- Apple Pay
Earlier this year, Apple discontinued person-to-person credit card payments, but you can use debit cards to transfer money to someone else.
If you have an iPhone, you have a fairly instant way of sending money online. In Messages, you can tap the Apple Pay button in a text conversation with the friend you want to send money to. Enter the amount, then approve the transaction using Touch ID or Face ID.
As long as your friend also has an eligible Apple device with a linked debit card or Apple Cash, the payment is seamless. Your debit card is added to your Apple Wallet so you can avoid manually entering card information when it comes time to send a payment.
- Google Pay
The Google Pay app allows you to send money to anyone with a phone number or email address. If you’re sending money to another person, Google Pay only allows using a debit card or bank account.
The friend you’re sending money to doesn’t need the Google Pay app, but they’ll need a Google account. Your friend will get an email or text once the money is sent and will have to use their Google account to log in and claim their cash.
- Zelle
To start using Zelle, you may not even need the app. If your bank or credit union allows you to send money with Zelle, you can use your bank’s app to do it. If your financial institution doesn’t offer Zelle, you can download the app to send money. (Check out Zelle’s full list of partners to see if your bank is eligible.)
The friend you’re sending money to doesn’t need to belong to the same bank as you for you to initiate the payment. If your friend already has Zelle (or their bank partners with Zelle), they can get their money within minutes. If they don’t have Zelle, they can download the app, sign up, and enter the banking information where they want the money to go.
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Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
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Intro Offer
Earn a $200 statement credit after spending $2,000 in the first 6 months
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
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Benefits and Drawbacks
Card Details
Are the fees worth it?
The apps listed above all charge fees to use a credit card. Before paying your friend with a credit card, consider how much extra you’re paying to do so.
For example, the Cash App charges a 3% transaction fee to use a credit card. That means on a $100 payment to a friend, you’ll pay $3 in fees.
Should you use the app fairly often, those fees can add up: Just $6 in fees every month is $72 a year. That’s a decent chunk of change for the courtesy of paying with a credit card — especially since using a debit card is typically free.
If you prefer to pay a friend with your credit card because you can earn rewards and points, do the math to make sure you’re not spending more than you’re earning by using this payment method. If you pay 3% in transaction fees but only earn 1.5% back in rewards from your credit card company, you’re coming out behind. Even more so if you don’t pay off your balance and what you paid your friend becomes subject to a high interest rate charges. In that case, it might make more sense to use a debit card to pay friends back for free.
Related: 8 Brilliant Moves If You Make More Than $5,000 a Month
FAQs about how to pay someone with a credit card
Can I send money with a credit card?
Yes. There are several platforms you can use to send money with a credit card, from PayPal to Venmo. However, these apps and services charge a fee that is typically a percentage of the amount transacted. For example, Venmo charges 3% when you use your credit card to send money to people. You’ll also need to make sure you have enough available credit to send the money.
Can you pay someone on Venmo with a credit card?
Yes. It’s easy and fast to pay someone using a credit card through Venmo. However, keep in mind that while you’ll pay no fees to send money from your debit card or bank account, Venmo will charge a 3% fee on any amount you send with a credit card. If you want to avoid fees, use one of the other options.
Can you pay a friend with a credit card on PayPal?
Yes. You can easily pay a friend with your credit card through PayPal, but you’ll be charged a 2.9% fee per transaction. If you want to send money for free, you’ll need to link a bank account to your PayPal account.
Can you use a credit card with the Cash app?
Yes. You can use a credit card to send money to someone with the Cash app. However, keep in mind that Square charges a 3% fee per transaction when you send money with a credit card. To avoid paying fees, use your debit card to add money to your Cash account.
How can I send money instantly?
Many mobile apps and services allow you to send money instantly, but most charge a fee for instant transactions. That isn’t the case with Zelle, however. You can use Zelle to send money directly from your bank account to any enrolled recipient in just minutes.
If you want to go old school, you could do a wire transfer. While initiating a wire transfer is very fast, sometimes it can take a couple business days for the recipient to see the money especially with international transfers. There are, of course, also wire transfer fees associated with this payment method.
Bottom line on paying a friend with a credit card
While using a credit card to pay friends may sound like a good idea, the fees can add up and put a dent in your personal finances. Instead, offer to pay for outings with your credit card and ask your friends to pay you back instead. Then you can earn credit card points on your group’s entire bill — and you won’t be stuck with costly transaction fees.
If you find yourself owing friends — instead of them owing you — look into using debit cards instead of credit cards. That way, you won’t get hit with high fees just for the sake of using a credit card.
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Conclusion
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