The Cheapest Ways to Send Money

Updated on December 10, 2021

Reviewed by

An illustration of kids at a lemonade stand, representing affordable ways to send money to another person including "PayPal," "Venmo," "Checks," "Google Play," "SquareCash," and "Facebook Messenger." — Photo:
The Balance / Britney Willson

It's easier than ever to send money to friends, family, or businesses.

Checks and cash have their advantages, especially because most people already know how to use them. However, there are other ways to transfer funds that are safer, faster, and easier to manage.

If cost and speed are priorities, person-to-person payment apps are some of the cheapest ways to send money.

Venmo

Venmo, owned by PayPal, pulls funds from your bank account or debit card for free. You also can pay for free out of any balance stored at Venmo. If you fund a payment with a credit card, however, there is a 3% fee.

The app is designed to make it easy to split expenses like meals, rent, and entertainment costs. You can also have paychecks directly deposited to your Venmo account.

In addition to the payment feature, Venmo includes a social element. You can include a message explaining what each payment is for, and you can comment on friends' transactions.

Because of this social element, Venmo is best used with people you know and trust. You can use Venmo's privacy settings to change who can and cannot see your transactions.

Cash App

Cash App, owned by Square Inc, is another person-to-person (P2P) payment service that allows users to send funds instantly via a mobile app. There is no cost to use the service.

To use the service, the sender and receiver both need to set up a Cash App account. You can link it to your own checking account or debit card or have funds like a paycheck directly deposited in your Cash App account.

Note

You can also have government payments, such as a tax refund, deposited to your Cash App account.

You can also get a Cash Card, a Visa debit card that links to whatever money is in your Cash App account. You can then use it to make payments anywhere that accepts debit cards.

Cash App has attempted to separate itself from other competitors by allowing users to make stock purchases, buy Bitcoin, and make cash withdrawals at ATMs, among other features.

PayPal

PayPal is popular for buying from online merchants, but you also can send money to individuals. Both parties must have a PayPal account to transfer money.

When making personal payments out of your PayPal balance or linked checking account, PayPal is free. You’ll need to pay a fee if you send from a debit or credit card. You will also need to pay a fee if you receive a business payment via PayPal.

PayPal can be used to send money internationally. You will have to pay a fee for each international transfer; the fee varies among countries.

Xoom

PayPal offers a second app, Xoom, specifically for sending money internationally. It is particularly useful if you have family overseas who you regularly send money to or support financially.

Xoom can be used to:

Pay international bills
Transfer money between bank accounts in different countries
Send cash for pickup or delivery in select countries
Reload mobile phones overseas

Recipients do not need a PayPal account to receive a Xoom payment.

Facebook Messenger

If you spend a lot of time on Facebook, Messenger payments are a convenient and free way to pay friends. To send or request a payment, you and the other party will need to be friends on Facebook, and payments can be made using your browser or the Messenger app.

Set up your payment account by adding debit card, prepaid card, or PayPal account information. Once you're ready to send, start a conversation, and select the dollar sign icon ("$").

Funds can be sent through Facebook Messenger only in the U.S.

Mobile Pay

Whether you have an iPhone or an Android, your phone probably has a built-in app for transferring money.

Google Pay

Google Pay is a free option for personal payments. There’s no charge to send money from your Google Pay account balance, linked checking account, or debit card.

For Gmail users, sending money is especially easy. Once the money comes into your Google Pay account, you can send it elsewhere, transfer it to your bank, or use a Google Pay Mastercard for purchases and ATM withdrawals.

Apple Pay

Similarly, Apple Pay works directly on your phone, allowing you to make payments in apps like Messenger with the credit or debit card you have already added to your Apple account.

Both parties must have Apple accounts. To use, you can select the "App" icon in messenger, then choose Apple Pay from the available apps.

The app will show a toggle that lets you select the amount, then choose either "Request" or "Pay." The payment is sent instantly from your Apple wallet app.

Any payment you receive is added to your Apple Pay Cash card in your wallet app. You can either use this balance to make payments or have it deposited into your checking account.

Online Bill Pay

If your bank offers online bill payment, you often can make payments for free.

In your online bank portal, add a payee using the name and address of the person you want to send money to. It doesn’t have to be a business. Banks generally print and mail checks for you, so you won’t have to pay for postage or dip into your supply of checks.

This is only free if you can avoid paying monthly fees for your checking account, and if your bank truly sends those payments at no charge. Check with your bank or credit union to see what types of features it offers.

Bank P2P Payments

There’s a good chance your bank offers a P2P payment service. Many consumers already have access to Zelle in their bank accounts, but check with your bank or credit union to be sure.

In many cases, those payments are free, and funds are available almost instantly once you're up and running. If your bank doesn't offer Zelle, you can use the service on your own or see what's available with your bank.

Look for an option to “send money to a friend” or similar. Some institutions use Popmoney, which also offers inexpensive transfers.

TransferWise

If you're sending money internationally, TransferWise is one of the least expensive options. It tries to match the best exchange rate possible, and fees are usually 1% of the payment or less.

Payments sent with a debit or credit card usually happen instantly. Transfers from one bank account to another may take one or two business days.

Note

Fees increase with the size of your payment. Larger payments will also take longer, as TransferWise will verify your identity before transferring funds.

Things to Consider

Most P2P services require both the sender and recipient to have an account. Even if they don't, it's usually easier if both people do. It might not be worth saving $1 if the recipient has to figure out how to create an account and get everything linked, just for a one-time payment.

Such services often limit how much you can send, at least initially. Be aware of daily or monthly maximums, and find out what it takes to increase those limits. Some services allow you to send more after you request an increase and provide additional information about yourself.

Note

If you are hesitant to use an app for a specific transaction, you can always write a check. The total cost of the stamp and envelope is likely less than a dollar, and there’s no need to fiddle with a new online service. If you don’t plan to send money regularly, a check might be an easy one-time solution.

If you’d like to send money overseas, be sure to research whether that’s an option and how much it will cost. If you are unsure about using an app for international transfers, wire transfers (which cost more) or money orders are also options.

No matter how you send money, be sure to watch for scams. You should only send money to people or businesses that you know and trust.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can you send someone money without a bank account?

There are several ways to send and receive money without a bank account. Services like Western Union or bank money orders are two easy ways. You can also use digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay to hold and transfer money. Prepaid debit cards are another option.

How do I send money to someone online?

Apps like the ones discussed in this article are some of the easiest and most affordable ways to send money online. Whichever service you choose, you'll need to create an account and, in some cases, link a bank account, debit card, or credit card. You'll then need your recipient's account information or user name to send them a payment.

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Sources

The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.