VaultFlow is the better app overall, scoring 8.4 to 8.1. VaultFlow wins on 2 of the 5 scores, PayPal on 3.
Budgeters who want a free, private app and don't mind importing statements
Online shoppers who want buyer protection and a quick, card-free checkout
Score by score
The details
| Feature | VaultFlow | PayPal |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Money & Investing | Money & Investing |
| Category rank | #7 of 16 | #15 of 16 |
| Developer | The Big Head | PayPal |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Usable for free | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone & iPad | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android | — | ✓ |
| Web | — | ✓ |
Common questions
Is VaultFlow better than PayPal?
VaultFlow is the better app overall, scoring 8.4 to 8.1. VaultFlow wins on 2 of the 5 scores, PayPal on 3.
Which is cheaper, VaultFlow or PayPal?
VaultFlow: Free, no subscription, no ads, no in-app purchases. PayPal: Free to send from balance or bank in the US; cards cost 2.9% plus 30 cents. On value for money, VaultFlow scores higher.
Do VaultFlow and PayPal work on the same devices?
Only PayPal runs on Android, Web.
Which is more private, VaultFlow or PayPal?
VaultFlow scores higher on privacy (9.6/10). No account or bank login; data stays on the iPhone or iPad you use and does not sync yet. Only ticker symbols and currency codes go out for prices. App Store label: financial info, not linked to you.
Strengths and weaknesses
VaultFlow
- No bank login, no subscription and no ads
- Bills, budgets and net worth in one place
- Export everything as a spreadsheet any time
- No automatic bank feeds; you import statement files yourself
- No sync between devices yet, and no Android or web app
VaultFlow covers spending, bills and net worth in four simple places, Home, Spending, Bills and Wealth, and it does it without asking for your bank password. You import your bank's statement file (CSV, OFX or QFX) instead, and duplicates are skipped. Bills remind you one to three days before they are due, budgets sit on each category, and the wealth view tracks accounts, cards, investments, property and loans. It needs more manual effort than Monarch and does not sync between devices yet, but it costs nothing and keeps your data on your device.
Full VaultFlow 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
