Free PayPal alternatives: 10 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 8, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

10 of the 11 PayPal alternatives we track can be used for free (free, open source, or with a free plan). Apple Wallet, Google Wallet and Venmo rank highest, with facts last verified Nov 8, 2026.

Quick comparison

#	App	Pricing	Verified price	Open source	Platforms	Verified facts	Score
1	Apple Wallet	Free	—	No	iOS, macOS	5 of 5	68.8
2	Google Wallet	Free	—	No	Android, Web	5 of 5	64.8
3	Venmo	Free	—	No	iOS, Android, Web	3 of 3	61.8
4	Samsung Wallet	Free	—	No	Android	5 of 5	61.8
5	Cash App	Free	—	No	iOS, Android, Web	5 of 5	59.4
6	Zelle	Free	—	No	iOS, Android, Web	5 of 5	57.5
7	Wise	Free	—	No	Web, iOS, Android	3 of 3	49.0
8	Skrill	Free plan + paid	—	No	Web, iOS, Android	5 of 5	42.3
9	Link by Stripe	Free	—	No	Web	4 of 4	42.3
10	GCash	Free	—	No	iOS, Android	5 of 5	42.3

1. Apple WalletTop pick
Best for: iPhone and Apple Watch owners who want cards, passes and keys in one built-in app
FreeiOS, macOS
68.8
score / 100
Why switch from PayPal
Apple Pay in stores, apps and Safari with no Apple fees, if you're on iPhone.
Pros
Built into iPhone and Apple Watch with no setup beyond adding cards
No Apple fees for paying with Apple Pay
Holds passes, tickets, transit cards, keys and some IDs as well as payment cards
Cons
Only works on Apple devices
IDs, transit and key features are limited to certain countries, states and partners
Bank and card support depends on your issuer joining Apple Pay
Visit Apple Wallet Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.3100
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.15100
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is Apple Wallet a good PayPal alternative?
Verified facts
5 of 5 verified
Fees
No Apple fees for Apple Pay
Checked Nov 8, 2026apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
Driver's license and state ID
Yes, eligible US states
Checked Nov 8, 2026apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
Digital car keys
Yes
Checked Nov 8, 2026apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
Express transit
Yes, select cities
Checked Nov 8, 2026apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
Devices
iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro
Checked Oct 29, 2026support.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
2. Google Wallet
Best for: Android and Wear OS users who want one free app for payments and passes
FreeAndroid, Web
64.8
score / 100
Why switch from PayPal
Tap-to-pay in stores plus checkout online, built into Android.
Pros
Comes on most Android phones and works with Wear OS watches
Holds passes, tickets, loyalty cards and transit cards alongside payment cards
Uses tokenized card numbers instead of your real card number
Cons
Android only; no iPhone app
Needs an NFC phone for tap-to-pay
Supported banks and features vary widely by country
Visit Google Wallet Compare with PayPal Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.387
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.15100
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is Google Wallet a good PayPal alternative?
Verified facts
5 of 5 verified
Platforms
Android only
Checked Nov 8, 2026wallet.google(opens source in a new tab)
Transit and boarding passes
Yes
Checked Nov 8, 2026wallet.google(opens source in a new tab)
Digital car keys
Yes, select cars
Checked Nov 8, 2026wallet.google(opens source in a new tab)
Loyalty and gift cards
Yes
Checked Nov 8, 2026wallet.google(opens source in a new tab)
Card security
Encrypted payment codes
Checked Nov 8, 2026wallet.google(opens source in a new tab)
3. Venmo
Best for: US friends and roommates splitting bills and paying each other back
FreeiOS, Android, Web
61.8
score / 100
Why switch from PayPal
PayPal's own social payments app, quicker for splitting bills and paying friends in the US.
Pros
Free to send money from balance, bank or debit card
Can pay US PayPal accounts as well as Venmo users
Accepted at checkout in many online stores and apps
Cons
3% fee when you pay with a credit card
US only
Public-by-default social feed needs privacy settings changed
Visit Venmo Compare with PayPal Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.377
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.15100
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is Venmo a good PayPal alternative?
Verified facts
3 of 3 verified
Monthly fee
None
Checked Nov 8, 2026venmo.com(opens source in a new tab)
Sending money
Free from balance, bank or debit card
Checked Nov 8, 2026venmo.com(opens source in a new tab)
Credit card fee
3%
Checked Nov 8, 2026venmo.com(opens source in a new tab)
4. Samsung Wallet
Best for: Samsung Galaxy owners who want payments, passes and keys in Samsung's ecosystem
FreeAndroid
61.8
score / 100
Why switch from PayPal
In-store tap-to-pay plus passes and keys on Galaxy phones.
Pros
Combines payments, passwords (Samsung Pass) and passes in one app
Digital car keys over NFC and UWB
Protected by Samsung Knox with on-device storage
Cons
Only for Samsung Galaxy devices
ID and key features vary by country, model and partner
Overlaps with Google Wallet on the same phone, which can confuse
Visit Samsung Wallet Compare with PayPal Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.377
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.15100
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is Samsung Wallet a good PayPal alternative?
Verified facts
5 of 5 verified
Includes
Samsung Pay and Samsung Pass
Checked Nov 8, 2026samsung.com(opens source in a new tab)
Digital car keys
NFC and UWB
Checked Nov 8, 2026samsung.com(opens source in a new tab)
Security
Samsung Knox
Checked Nov 8, 2026samsung.com(opens source in a new tab)
Digital ID
Student, company ID, driver's license (select)
Checked Nov 8, 2026samsung.com(opens source in a new tab)
Smartwatch
Galaxy Watch6 or later
Checked Nov 8, 2026samsung.com(opens source in a new tab)
5. Cash App
Best for: People in the US who want peer-to-peer payments, a debit card, stocks and bitcoin in one app
FreeiOS, Android, Web
59.4
score / 100
Why switch from PayPal
Free instant transfers between US users, plus a debit card, direct deposit and stock and bitcoin buying in one app.
Pros
Free peer-to-peer payments and no monthly card fee
Commission-free stock and bitcoin buying in the same app
Free tax filing and early direct deposit
Cons
Not a bank itself; services run through partner banks
Available in the US only
Investing and bitcoin balances are not FDIC insured
Visit Cash App Compare with PayPal Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.369
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.15100
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is Cash App a good PayPal alternative?
Verified facts
5 of 5 verified
Owner
Block, Inc.
Checked Nov 8, 2026cash.app(opens source in a new tab)
Stock trading
No commission fees
Checked Nov 8, 2026cash.app(opens source in a new tab)
Card fees
No monthly fees
Checked Nov 8, 2026cash.app(opens source in a new tab)
Bank status
Not a bank
Checked Nov 8, 2026cash.app(opens source in a new tab)
Active accounts
59 million+
Checked Nov 8, 2026cash.app(opens source in a new tab)
6. Zelle
Best for: People in the US paying friends, family or a landlord directly from one bank account to another
FreeiOS, Android, Web
57.5
score / 100
Why switch from PayPal
Sends money straight between US bank accounts from your banking app, usually within minutes and without fees.
Pros
Already built into thousands of US bank and credit union apps
Money lands in the recipient's bank account, usually within minutes
Typically free for consumers, with no separate balance to cash out
Cons
Payments to enrolled users can't be reversed or cancelled
Both people need US bank accounts, so no international transfers
Fees and limits depend on each bank rather than on Zelle itself
Visit Zelle Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.363
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.15100
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is Zelle a good PayPal alternative?
Verified facts
5 of 5 verified
Availability
2,400+ bank and credit union apps
Checked Nov 8, 2026zellepay.com(opens source in a new tab)
Fees
Typically none for consumers
Checked Nov 8, 2026zellepay.com(opens source in a new tab)
International use
US bank accounts only
Checked Nov 8, 2026zellepay.com(opens source in a new tab)
Reversals
Not possible
Checked Nov 8, 2026zellepay.com(opens source in a new tab)
Owner
Early Warning Services, LLC
Checked Nov 8, 2026zellepay.com(opens source in a new tab)
7. Wise
Best for: Expats, freelancers and travellers who send, receive or spend money in several currencies
FreeWeb, iOS, Android
49.0
score / 100
Why switch from PayPal
Much cheaper for sending money abroad, using the mid-market exchange rate with an upfront fee instead of PayPal's currency markup.
Pros
Mid-market exchange rate with fees shown upfront
Holds and converts 40+ currencies in one account
Local account details for receiving payments abroad
Cons
Not a full bank in most countries, so no overdrafts or loans
Per-transfer fees still apply, especially for small amounts
Funds are safeguarded rather than covered by deposit insurance in many regions
Visit Wise Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.334
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.15100
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is Wise a good PayPal alternative?
Verified facts
3 of 3 verified
Currencies
40+
Checked Nov 8, 2026wise.com(opens source in a new tab)
Account fee
Free to open
Checked Nov 8, 2026wise.com(opens source in a new tab)
Fund protection
Safeguarded accounts
Checked Nov 8, 2026wise.com(opens source in a new tab)
8. Skrill
Best for: People paying betting, forex or gaming sites that accept e-wallet deposits and withdrawals
Free plan + paidWeb, iOS, Android
42.3
score / 100
Why switch from PayPal
E-wallet widely accepted by betting, forex and gaming sites, with crypto buying built in.
Pros
Pay merchants and receive money with no transaction fee
Widely accepted by betting, forex and gaming sites
Built-in crypto buying and selling
Fees for each action are listed on one public page
Cons
Currency conversion fee is high compared with Wise or Revolut
Monthly fee if the account is inactive for six months
Wallet-to-wallet sends and withdrawals carry fees
Visit Skrill Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.312
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.15100
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is Skrill a good PayPal alternative?
Verified facts
5 of 5 verified
Merchant payments and receiving
No transaction fee
Checked Nov 8, 2026skrill.com(opens source in a new tab)
Skrill to Skrill send fee
2.99% (min EUR 0.50)
Checked Nov 8, 2026skrill.com(opens source in a new tab)
Currency conversion fee
4.49%
Checked Nov 6, 2026skrill.com(opens source in a new tab)
Inactivity fee
EUR 5 per month after 6 months idle
Checked Nov 8, 2026skrill.com(opens source in a new tab)
Crypto
40+ cryptocurrencies
Checked Nov 6, 2026skrill.com(opens source in a new tab)
9. Link by Stripe
Best for: Online shoppers who buy from many Stripe-powered stores and want faster checkout
FreeWeb
42.3
score / 100
Why switch from PayPal
Free one-click checkout at Stripe-powered stores that saves cards, banks and addresses.
Pros
Free for shoppers and works at a very large number of online stores
Stores cards, bank accounts, BNPL and crypto wallets in one place
Lets you manage subscriptions paid through Link
Cons
Only works at merchants that accept Link through Stripe
No in-store tap-to-pay like Apple Wallet or Google Wallet
Saved bank connections share account data with Stripe
Visit Link by Stripe Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.312
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.15100
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is Link by Stripe a good PayPal alternative?
Verified facts
4 of 4 verified
Users
300M+ consumers
Checked Nov 8, 2026link.com(opens source in a new tab)
Merchants
1M+ businesses
Checked Nov 8, 2026link.com(opens source in a new tab)
Payment methods
Cards, banks, crypto wallets, BNPL
Checked Nov 8, 2026link.com(opens source in a new tab)
Owner
Stripe
Checked Nov 8, 2026link.com(opens source in a new tab)
10. GCash
Best for: People in the Philippines who want one app for QR payments, transfers, bills and small loans
FreeiOS, Android
42.3
score / 100
Why switch from PayPal
For people in the Philippines, the local wallet most shops, billers and friends accept.
Pros
Accepted by millions of merchants and social sellers across the Philippines
Pays bills, buys mobile load and sends money to banks from one app
Savings, loans, insurance and investments sit in the same account
Regulated by the Philippine central bank
Cons
Designed around Philippine phone numbers and residents
Some cash-in, cash-out and bank transfer routes carry fees
The app is crowded with promos and add-on products
Visit GCash Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.312
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.15100
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is GCash a good PayPal alternative?
Verified facts
5 of 5 verified
Launched
2004
Checked Nov 8, 2026gcash.com(opens source in a new tab)
Users
94M Filipinos have used it
Checked Nov 8, 2026gcash.com(opens source in a new tab)
Merchants
6M merchants and social sellers
Checked Nov 8, 2026gcash.com(opens source in a new tab)
Operator
Mynt (G-Xchange, Inc.)
Checked Nov 8, 2026gcash.com(opens source in a new tab)
Regulator
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
Checked Nov 8, 2026gcash.com(opens source in a new tab)

Quick comparison

1. Apple WalletTop pick

Pros

Cons

Verified facts

2. Google Wallet

Pros

Cons

Verified facts

3. Venmo

Pros

Cons

Verified facts

4. Samsung Wallet

Pros

Cons

Verified facts

5. Cash App

Pros

Cons

Verified facts

6. Zelle

Pros

Cons

Verified facts

7. Wise

Pros

Cons

Verified facts

8. Skrill

Pros

Cons

Verified facts

9. Link by Stripe

Pros

Cons

Verified facts

10. GCash

Pros

Cons

Verified facts