The best PayPal alternatives in 2026

1. 1

   Cash App

   Send money, bank, and buy stocks or bitcoin in one app 8.4 +0.4 vs PayPal
   • More private +1.2
   • Better design +1.0

   Best for: People who want payments, a debit card and simple investing in one free app

   PayPal vs Cash App Read review
2. 2

   Venmo

   Split bills and pay friends, with a social feed 8.3 +0.2 vs PayPal
   • Better design +0.8
   • Fewer features -0.4
   • Faster +0.4
   • Better value +0.4

   Best for: Friends and roommates in the US who split dinners, rent and trips

   PayPal vs Venmo Read review
3. 3

   Wise

   Send, spend and hold money in many currencies 8.6 +0.6 vs PayPal
   • More private +1.8
   • Better design +0.8
   • Faster +0.6
   • Better value +0.6

   Best for: Travelers, expats and freelancers who send or receive money across borders

   PayPal vs Wise Read review
4. 4

   Revolut

   Spending, saving and investing in one global money app 8.4 +0.4 vs PayPal
   • More private +1.4
   • Better design +0.5

   Best for: Frequent travelers who want one app for spending, saving and currency exchange

   PayPal vs Revolut Read review
5. 5

   Tricount

   Split group costs for free, with no ads or limits 8.4 +0.4 vs PayPal
   • More private +2.0
   • Better value +1.2
   • Fewer features -1.0
   • Better design +0.6

   Best for: Friends, roommates and couples who share costs and want it simple

   PayPal vs Tricount Read review
6. 6

   SmartFolio

   Track stocks, ETFs, crypto and dividend income privately 8.5 +0.5 vs PayPal
   • More private +4.2
   • Better value +1.2
   • Fewer features -1.1

   Best for: Dividend and long-term investors who want a private, free portfolio view

   PayPal vs SmartFolio Read review
7. 7

   VaultFlow

   Budget, bills and net worth without a bank login 8.4 +0.4 vs PayPal
   • More private +4.2
   • Fewer features -1.2
   • Better value +1.2

   Best for: Budgeters who want a free, private app and don't mind importing statements

   PayPal vs VaultFlow Read review
8. 8

   Robinhood

   Commission-free investing in stocks, ETFs and crypto 8.4 +0.3 vs PayPal
   • Better design +1.1
   • More private +0.4

   Best for: Self-directed investors who want a fast, simple brokerage app

   PayPal vs Robinhood Read review
9. 9

   Monarch Money

   Budgets, net worth and investments in one clean dashboard 9.1 +1.0 vs PayPal
   • More private +3.2
   • Better design +1.4
   • More features +0.6
   • Faster +0.6

   Best for: Couples and families who want one shared view of all their money

   PayPal vs Monarch Money Read review
10. 10

    YNAB

    Zero-based budgeting that gives every dollar a job 8.9 +0.9 vs PayPal
    • More private +3.4
    • Better design +0.9
    • Faster +0.7

    Best for: People who want to break the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle with a hands-on method

    PayPal vs YNAB Read review
11. 11

    Copilot Money

    Polished budgeting and spending insights for Apple users 8.9 +0.9 vs PayPal
    • More private +3.4
    • Better design +1.6
    • Worse value -0.6
    • Faster +0.5

    Best for: iPhone and Mac users who want a polished, low-effort spending tracker

    PayPal vs Copilot Money Read review
12. 12

    Actual Budget

    Open-source envelope budgeting you can host yourself 8.9 +0.8 vs PayPal
    • More private +4.2
    • Better value +1.4
    • Fewer features -0.4
    • Faster +0.4

    Best for: Hands-on budgeters who want YNAB-style envelopes without a subscription

    PayPal vs Actual Budget Read review
13. 13

    Webull

    Commission-free stocks, options and futures with pro charts 8.4 +0.4 vs PayPal
    • More private +2.0
    • Better value +0.4

    Best for: Active traders who want detailed charts and $0 commissions on phone and desktop

    PayPal vs Webull Read review
14. 14

    Empower Personal Dashboard

    Free net worth and retirement tracking across accounts 8.2 +0.1 vs PayPal
    • More private +1.0
    • Better value +0.8
    • Fewer features -0.4
    • Better design +0.4

    Best for: Investors who want a free big-picture view of their net worth and retirement

    PayPal vs Empower Personal Dashboard Read review
15. 15

    Rocket Money

    Find subscriptions, cut bills and track spending 7.8 -0.2 vs PayPal
    • Worse value -1.2
    • More private +0.8
    • Fewer features -0.5
    • Better design +0.4

    Best for: People who think they're paying for subscriptions they don't use anymore

    PayPal vs Rocket Money Read review

Guides with these apps

2 1 3 Money & Investing The 6 Best Expense Tracker Apps in 2026 You know roughly where the money went. Roughly. Somewhere between the grocery run and the third food… Read the guide 2 1 3 Money & Investing The 6 Best Mint Alternatives in 2026 Mint shut down, and your monthly money check-in lost its home. Here's where to move it, free and paid. Read the guide 2 1 3 Money & Investing The 5 Best Bill Tracker Apps in 2026 You had the money, you just forgot the date. Now there's a late fee for the crime of being a busy human. Read the guide

Still deciding on PayPal?Read our full review, pros and cons.