Zelle
US bank-to-bank payment network built into the apps of thousands of banks and credit unions.
Updated · AppBreakup editorial · iOS, Android, Web
Is Zelle free?
Yes, free to use
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All 5
VenmoCompareFree
Cash AppCompareFree
Apple WalletFree
- Verified facts
- 5 of 5
- Alternatives ranked
- 5
- Approved reviews
- 0
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About Zelle
Zelle is a payment network run by Early Warning Services, a company owned by several large US banks. Instead of holding a balance in a separate wallet, it moves money straight from one US checking or savings account to another, usually within minutes once both people are enrolled. You use it inside your own bank or credit union's mobile app or online banking, and you only need the other person's email address or US mobile number. Most banks don't charge consumers to send or receive money with it, though that is up to each bank. Payments can't be reversed once they reach an enrolled recipient, so it is meant for paying people you know and trust; buyer protection is much thinner than with a card or PayPal. It only works between US bank accounts, so it isn't an option for sending money abroad.
Best for: People in the US paying friends, family or a landlord directly from one bank account to another.
Pros and cons
What works
- 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
Why people leave
- 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
Zelle vs Venmo, Cash App and Apple Wallet
From each app's listing and the prices verified on its own site. A dash means we haven't verified it yet.
| Attribute | Zelle | Venmo | Cash App | Apple Wallet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Verified price | — | — | — | — |
| Free plan | Free app | Free app | Free app | Free app |
| Open source | No | No | No | No |
| Self-hostable | No | No | No | No |
| Platforms | iOS, Android, Web | iOS, Android, Web | iOS, Android, Web | iOS, macOS |
Full Zelle vs Venmo comparisonFull Zelle vs Cash App comparison
Top Zelle alternatives
See all 5- 1Venmo68.8
Works for anyone with a debit card or bank account, with purchase protection on eligible payments to businesses.
- 2Cash App64.8
Holds a balance with a free debit card and adds stocks and bitcoin, not just bank-to-bank transfers.
- 3Apple Wallet61.8
Apple Cash sends money from Messages and Wallet, a simple choice when everyone uses an iPhone.
- 4
PayPal57.5Sends money to friends and pays online stores worldwide, with buyer protection that Zelle doesn't offer on purchases.
- 5
Wise51.2Covers what Zelle can't: sending money to bank accounts in other countries at the mid-market rate.
Why people left Zelle
In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.
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Zelle: common questions
What is Zelle?
Zelle: US bank-to-bank payment network built into the apps of thousands of banks and credit unions. Best for people in the US paying friends, family or a landlord directly from one bank account to another. Available for iOS, Android and Web.
Is Zelle free?
Yes, Zelle is free to use.
Is Zelle open source?
No, Zelle is not open source.
What platforms does Zelle run on?
Zelle is available for iOS, Android and Web.
What are the best alternatives to Zelle?
The highest-ranked Zelle alternatives right now are Venmo, Cash App and Apple Wallet. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.
Zelle vs Venmo: what's the difference?
Both Zelle and Venmo are free to use. Both run on iOS, Android and Web.