Cash App is the better app overall, scoring 8.4 to 8.1. Cash App wins on 4 of the 5 scores, PayPal on 1.
People who want payments, a debit card and simple investing in one free app
Online shoppers who want buyer protection and a quick, card-free checkout
Score by score
The details
| Feature | Cash App | PayPal |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Money & Investing | Money & Investing |
| Category rank | #11 of 16 | #15 of 16 |
| Developer | Block, Inc. | PayPal |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Usable for free | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone & iPad | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android | ✓ | ✓ |
| Web | — | ✓ |
Common questions
Is Cash App better than PayPal?
Cash App is the better app overall, scoring 8.4 to 8.1. Cash App wins on 4 of the 5 scores, PayPal on 1.
Which is cheaper, Cash App or PayPal?
Cash App: No monthly fee; credit card sends cost 3%, instant transfers 0.5% to 2.5%. PayPal: Free to send from balance or bank in the US; cards cost 2.9% plus 30 cents. On value for money, Cash App scores higher.
Do Cash App and PayPal work on the same devices?
Only PayPal runs on Web.
Which is more private, Cash App or PayPal?
Cash App scores higher on privacy (6.6/10). App Store label: no tracking. Purchases, financial info, contact info, contacts, your content, identifiers, usage and diagnostics may be linked to you.
Strengths and weaknesses
Cash App
- No monthly fee and free standard transfers
- Payments, banking and investing in one app
- No tracking on its App Store privacy label
- Instant transfers cost 0.5% to 2.5%
- ATM withdrawals cost $2.50 unless you qualify for Green
- Pay-over-time and Borrow fees add up fast
Cash App started as a simple way to pay friends and has grown into a full money app. You get a free debit card, direct deposit, savings, stock and bitcoin investing, and small loans through Borrow in most states. Spend $500 a month or get $300 in deposits and Cash App Green waives in-network ATM fees and adds perks. Watch the fees: instant transfers cost up to 2.5%, and credit card sends cost 3%.
Full Cash App review
PayPal
- Accepted at a huge number of online stores
- Purchase Protection when eligible orders go wrong
- Free to send to US friends from balance or bank
- Sending with a card costs 2.9% plus 30 cents
- Sending abroad costs 5% (up to $4.99) plus currency fees
- App Store label lists usage data used for tracking
PayPal is still one of the easiest ways to pay online without typing your card number, and Purchase Protection helps if an eligible order never shows up. Sending money to friends in the US is free from your balance or bank, while cards cost 2.9% plus 30 cents. The app also covers Pay in 4, savings, crypto and cash back offers. It tracks a lot, and sending abroad or converting currency gets pricey.
Full PayPal review
