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Venmo alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 8, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rankAll digital wallet apps

Top picks

Common reasons people leave Venmo: 3% fee when you pay with a credit card, and US only. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Venmo, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Cash App currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingVerified priceOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Cash App logoCash AppFree—NoiOS, Android, Web5 of 568.8
2Apple Wallet logoApple WalletFree—NoiOS, macOS5 of 564.8
3Wise logoWiseFree—NoWeb, iOS, Android3 of 352.6
4Zelle logoZelleFree—NoiOS, Android, Web5 of 542.3
5Splitwise logoSplitwiseFree plan + paid—NoiOS, Android, Web5 of 540.9
  1. Cash App logo

    1. Cash AppTop pick

    Best for: People in the US who want peer-to-peer payments, a debit card, stocks and bitcoin in one app

    FreeiOS, Android, Web

    68.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Venmo

    Adds stock and bitcoin investing, free tax filing and a debit card with no monthly fee.

    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 VenmoDetails 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 Cash App a good Venmo 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)
  2. Apple Wallet logo

    2. Apple Wallet

    Best for: iPhone and Apple Watch owners who want cards, passes and keys in one built-in app

    FreeiOS, macOS

    64.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Venmo

    Apple Cash pays friends from Messages without a separate app, if everyone uses an 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 ×0.387
    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 Apple Wallet a good Venmo 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)
  3. Wise logo

    3. Wise

    Best for: Expats, freelancers and travellers who send, receive or spend money in several currencies

    FreeWeb, iOS, Android

    52.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Venmo

    For paying people in other countries, with mid-market exchange rates instead of marked-up ones.

    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 ×0.346
    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 Venmo 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)
  4. Zelle logo

    4. Zelle

    Best for: People in the US paying friends, family or a landlord directly from one bank account to another

    FreeiOS, Android, Web

    42.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Venmo

    Sends money straight between US bank accounts from your bank's own app, with no separate balance.

    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 Compare with VenmoDetails 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 Zelle a good Venmo 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)
  5. Splitwise logo

    5. Splitwise

    Best for: Housemates, couples and travel groups who share costs regularly and want a clear running balance

    Free plan + paidiOS, Android, Web

    40.9

    score / 100

    Why switch from Venmo

    Tracks running group balances over weeks or trips, not just one-off payments.

    Pros

    • Flexible splits by share, percentage or exact amount
    • Simplifies group debts into fewer paybacks
    • Works on the web as well as iOS and Android

    Cons

    • Free version caps daily expenses and shows ads
    • Receipt scanning and currency conversion need Pro
    • Card transaction import only works in the US
    Visit Splitwise Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.37
    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 Splitwise a good Venmo alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Platforms
    iPhone, Android, web
    Checked Nov 8, 2026splitwise.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Currencies
    100+
    Checked Nov 8, 2026splitwise.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Pro features
    Unlimited expenses, no ads, receipt scanning
    Checked Nov 8, 2026splitwise.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Transaction import
    US only
    Checked Nov 8, 2026splitwise.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Headquarters
    Providence, RI, USA
    Checked Nov 8, 2026splitwise.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Venmo alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Cash App logo

Best Venmo alternative for most people

Cash App

Adds stock and bitcoin investing, free tax filing and a debit card with no monthly fee.

Apple Wallet logo

Best Venmo alternative for a free option

Apple Wallet

Apple Cash pays friends from Messages without a separate app, if everyone uses an iPhone.

Splitwise logo

Best Venmo alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Splitwise

Tracks running group balances over weeks or trips, not just one-off payments.

Apple Wallet logo

Best Venmo alternative for Mac

Apple Wallet

Apple Cash pays friends from Messages without a separate app, if everyone uses an iPhone.

Wise logo

Best Venmo alternative for iPhone and Android

Wise

For paying people in other countries, with mid-market exchange rates instead of marked-up ones.

Zelle logo

Best Venmo alternative for working in the browser

Zelle

Sends money straight between US bank accounts from your bank's own app, with no separate balance.

Venmo alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Venmo?

Cash App ranks first right now. Adds stock and bitcoin investing, free tax filing and a debit card with no monthly fee. Apple Wallet and Wise follow it in our ranking.

Venmo vs Cash App: what's the difference?

Both Venmo and Cash App are free to use. Both run on iOS, Android and Web.

Is Venmo free?

Venmo is free to use.

Is there a free alternative to Venmo?

Yes. Cash App (free), Apple Wallet (free), Wise (free) and Zelle (free) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Venmo?

None of the 5 alternatives in this list is open source.

Why do people switch from Venmo?

The complaints we hear most: 3% fee when you pay with a credit card; US only; public-by-default social feed needs privacy settings changed.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Venmo, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.