Check out this Cash App vs Paypal article and see which platform suits your requirements better.
On March 20, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. This pandemic had a terrible effect on every aspect of human life due to the virus’s rapid spread. The outbreak affected the manner of life of the world’s population. With the advent of mobile cell phones, digital technologies have made accessing services more accessible and convenient. The increased usage of mobile devices has revolutionized how consumers and clients conduct ordinary transactions.
Smartphones will ultimately become pervasive and indispensable in this environment, and we will rely on them extensively. People have adapted to the new norm, which includes life-altering changes that are likely to last long after the pandemic has passed. Due to the effect of the internet on the populace, e-wallets, including mobile banking, became more widespread during the pandemic.
To slow down the transmission of COVID-19 and thus save lives, safety and preventative steps to digitize banking services were implemented. In addition, the pandemic drove customers from conventional payment ways to digital or mobile payment tools. Numerous mobile payment platforms, including PayPal, GCash, Payoneer, and CashApp became prevalent.
What is Cash App?
CashApp is a financial application that allows users to send, acquire, and even make investments quickly. Previously, it was known as Square Cash, a reference to CashApp’s parent firm, Square Inc. Moreover, Jack Dorsey of Twitter co-founded Square Inc. CashApp was introduced in 2013, and it competes with Venmo, Payoneer, and PayPal, among other mobile payment apps.
CashApp’s bank partners provide banking services, as well as debit cards. Through partner institutions, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insures your account balance. It is also a part of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and offers CashApp investment services with its investing LLC, which is regulated as a broker-dealer by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
How Does Cash App Function?
Cash App does have a mobile app for both android and IOS, but you may also create an account online. The application has sections for banking, debit cards, payments, investment, and bitcoin, among other things.
Transfer Funds Using Cash App
Users should first create a Cash App account and connect it to a bank account to send and receive money. You may send money using the mobile app when setting up your payment source. Consumers may make a payment by putting an amount into the green payment column and clicking Request or Pay.
In addition, each CashApp user will create a username termed as “$Cashtag,” which they can use to find individuals or organizations to send or request money. Cash App enables you, the customer, to deposit funds into a bank account or a debit card associated with it. The money is quickly sent to your debit card. However, the cash may take several days to appear in your account. Deposits are free. If you wish to deposit money into your account immediately, you’ll have to pay a 1.5 percent fee, with a minimum charge of $0.25.
Do Cash App Cash Limits Exist?
In CashApp, you may transfer up to $250 over seven days and receive $1,000 over thirty days. For example, if you wish to increase your transmit and receive limits, you will be required to provide identification. Cash App will need your full name, date of birth, and the final digit of your Social Security number to validate your identification.
You may establish an account in Cash App with no minimum amount. The lowest amount that may be sent or received is $1—having a balance in your Cash App account does not incur any service fees or monthly fees, and that’s a plus.
Is Cash App a secure application?
It is secure because it employs the most recent encryption and fraud prevention technologies to safeguard its users. When you log in to your account, the app will email you a one-time login code in line with its security protocols. Additionally, it provides various security options for your account.
What is Paypal?
PayPal is a web-based payment service that accepts payments from all around the world. It was among the first web payment services, and eBay acquired it in 2002. PayPal was separated from eBay in 2015, and it is still distinct from the corporation today. Furthermore, PayPal is straightforward to use, as it is free to sign up for and connect to a bank account, debit card, or credit card to send money to others.
PayPal also rewards consumers with $5 when they utilize the service. Any money you get will be deposited into your PayPal account and may be used to make purchases, with the balance being replenished by your card or bank account. On the other hand, you can move the funds to one of your connected bank accounts or credit cards. When money is deposited into your PayPal account, you may be charged a fee.
PayPal Accounts Types
PayPal accounts are classified as either personal or business. The most common is the personal PayPal account. This is used to send and receive money, as well as to make online purchases. You can see your purchase history, join additional bank accounts, and add credit cards to this account. On the other hand, business PayPal accounts provide funds that enable businesses to accept PayPal payments and credit and debit cards online and in person. Service-based enterprises and professionals may securely make payments to clients and receive payments using PayPal.
Credit through PayPal
PayPal also offers its very own credit service. If the business accepts PayPal credit, you can select it as a payment option during the checkout process. Your transaction should go through if you have sufficient credit in your account. PayPal credit can be used to send money as well.
Similarities between the two platforms
While both digital payment platforms offer services that authorize a user to send and receive money, they are payment platforms that simplify connecting to several-third party apps with and without the inclusion of fees. CashApp and PayPal offer payment and security services, which include:
- Sending and receiving money – Sending money is typical in financing. It allows you to borrow, pay, and donate money to anyone. To send money, you need to provide the receiver’s details (which commonly include the receiver’s email address, username, and phone number). The address you’re sending to will be verified. Afterward, a notification will pop up in your application’s activity section or notification bar.
- Debit cards for payments, credit card readers for small merchants – As per regulations on Data Privacy in each country, there are numerous applications requiring identity verification to avoid scams in online financing. PayPal and CashApp offer Credit And Debit Card linking for payment transactions whenever you’re pulling out money from another account. It allows the application to charge you for unpaid fees detected in your previous transactions. The amount will be deducted from your credit or debit card after depleting your wallet balance.
- Online Payments – The user can purchase online or in local groceries and shops. Several shops support payment methods for each e-wallet, allowing users to have fast and easy transactions by scanning a QR code dedicated to each merchant. The payment gateway securely sends the transaction to the processor. After this, the app verifies the transaction and deducts the payment from your balance in real-time. Processing of payment transactions online may vary per transaction.
- Bank transfers – Bank transfers on e-wallets take hours or days to complete. Similar to express send, these payment platforms allow you to transfer your remaining balance into a local and international bank account. Banking Regulations in each country regulate these e-wallets. You can be sure that bank transfers are secure and safe!
- Bitcoin (BTC) purchases – Through a peer-to-peer transaction to confirm purchases directly between users, e-wallets allow purchase of bitcoins through the local application. Like buying digital goods, bitcoins and cryptocurrency can also be purchased by accessing a dashboard (if available) in the app. The wallet protects the cryptographic information needed to access Bitcoin addresses and send transactions whenever needed.
- Purchase Protection – With data encryption, real-time transaction monitoring and buyer and seller would be legitimized to avoid fraud. There are numerous privacy verifications for each user, including birth date verification, password, PIN, facial and fingerprint verifications, and more.
These digital payment platforms earn income by charging fees for each transaction.
| Payment Platforms | Transfers | Sending Funds |
| PayPal | No fee if using a PayPal balance or a bank account | 2.90% + 0.30¢ for sending funds using a credit card |
| CashApp | No fee if using a debit card or bank account 1.5% for instant transfers | 3% for sending funds using a credit card |
They allow each user to use this app as an electronic wallet where they can easily access their money by using only their phone. However, its wallet limits only allow you to keep small amounts for personal use. One downside of these payment platforms is not being able to make international payments. CashApp is only available in the United States and the United Kingdom. However, PayPal allows you to make payments internationally by linking and sending money to local e-wallets.
What makes one better than the other?
CashApp and PayPal are both online financing applications used by many. With its numerous similarities when compared to each other, both have their strengths and weaknesses when it comes to offering services.
| Categories | PayPal | Cashapp |
| Fees | Each transaction has a fee depending on the activity: 2.9% + £0.30 for debit and credit card payments5% for international transfers.5% for cross border transfers | Free service transaction (No fees); 1.5% fee for cash-out transactions and 3% for transfer transactions with credit card |
| Exchange Rates | 3% – 5% for exchange rates depending on each transaction; includes international exchanges | Exchange rates rely on conversion rates for each transaction |
| Accessibility | Service offers for mass international payments, cards, and deposits from one account to another account and is accessible internationally | App service specifically for US and UK only |
| Transaction Processes | Instant transfer and 3-5 business days wait time for linked bank account transactions | 1-3 Business Days Transfer |
| Payment Methods | Numerous payment options for transactions can transfer to international bank accounts. Includes Credit and Debit Card. | More partnerships for payments including Apple Pay, Bank Account, Credit and Debit Card, and Google Pay |
Pricing depends on in and out transactions for payment, send money, and exchange rates.
Both online payment parties have a wide array of services for their customers. Each of them can complete a transaction created by a customer in a matter of clicks. However, CashApp is specifically designed for citizens of the United States and the United Kingdom. It works the same as PayPal as it does not cover any fees for money express. It can benefit local transactions in each state, making it the best option for people who transact for personal and business purposes in the US and UK.
On the other hand, PayPal is developed for international purposes. With its specified processes for making overseas transactions, it is the best option to send money to your loved ones with minimal fees and fast transaction processes. Compared to CashApp, PayPal offers more payment methods for merchants, making it best for global transactions with PayPal Protection guaranteed.
Summary
Peer-to-peer payment apps have surged through the pandemic, where businesses shut down, and consumers stay at home. With the gradual transition through the pandemic, money has been a primal necessity for people. People had been looking for applications to be able to easily send and receive money from friends and family, that led them to these digital platforms.
The ease of transacting is attractive to users, thereby attaining more users each year. According to a report by Apptopia, the use of the most popular money transfer apps has risen by nearly 11% since March 1, 2022. The outlook for digital payment platforms in the coming years is bright.
PayPal and CashApp are among the many e-wallet applications available today. These e-wallets allow users to be more connected with other people. Whether locally or overseas, these payment applications support various payment methods. The growing community of users registered in these payment applications helped develop these applications for social and economic security. Thus, online sellers and buyers can benefit from payment methods supported by these companies.
Varying transaction fees and numerous exchange rates help contribute to the companies’ revenue. It allows each application to be improved for a better user experience. However, with the gradual development of technology in the modern community, one question remains unanswered: Are e-wallets the future of secured payment transactions?
