The 5 best payment apps of 2022

• Platforms: Android, iOS
• Cost: Free with additional fee for currency conversion

PayPal has been a popular pick for many years, and it remains the best payment app today. Over 400 million users today use the service with easy QR codes to both pay and receive payments. If you have trouble paying your bill in full, there is the option to buy and now then pay over four interest-free payments. Simply choose the Pay in 4 option at checkout to proceed. Another unique option is the ability to pay with cryptocurrency. Instead of needing a crypto credit card, you can use PayPal as a taxable transaction at millions of stores, giving you one more option. PayPal is free to use, although there is an additional fee when you need currency conversion. Available via mobile app, PayPal also offers online access. Plus, when you sign up, there is a $5 reward when you spend $10 or more. 

• Platforms: Android, iOS
• Cost: Free

With Cash App, it is free to both send and receive money, saving you tons of money in transfer fees. Simply create a $cashtag and use it to make payments anywhere. The Cash Card bears the Visa® logo and enables you to make both in-person and online purchases using your Cash App balance. It is compatible with both Apple Pay and Google Pay for easier use. Getting cash is also simple. When you deposit $300 each month, you get three free ATM withdrawals per month. One of the best parts about Cash App is that you can receive your paycheck up to two days earlier when you open an account. You can also buy bitcoin starting at just $1 in a format that is user-friendly to both novice and experienced investors. There are built-in security measures to help keep your information private, such as verification locks and data encryption. 

• Platforms: Android, iOS
• Cost: 2.9% + 30¢ per successful charge. Customized packages are also available.  

Stripe boasts some pretty impressive stats – 90% of American adults have purchases from a business that uses Stripe. It is easy to see why – it is available in more than 35 countries and supports over 135 currencies. It is also used by millions of companies, both small and large, including Instacart, Google, Shopify, and Amazon. The app is used not only for sending payments but also receiving them. There are also integrations for several systems, including Shopify, NetSuite, and WooCommerce. You can embed your own custom checkout using JavaScript with a custom UI toolkit for complete personalization. With extreme care built into its systems, customers can enjoy over 99.99% uptime with additional compliance procedures. 

• Platforms: Android, iOS
• Cost: 3% when sending money from a linked bank account, debit card, or Venmo account

Venmo is popular for sending money between family and friends, thanks to its over 83 million users. Whether it is paying for the family groceries or splitting the rent with a friend, Venmo is super popular for sending and receiving money among acquaintances. You can also invest in crypto directly through the app since it supports multiple types of cryptocurrency. For businesses, there is the ability to create a profile so you can receive greater exposure to both existing and new clientele. You also have the option to get a Venmo Credit Card with up to 3% back and a personalized QR code to make receiving and sending payments easy. Rewards categories change on a rotating basis. 

• Platforms: Android, iOS
• Cost: There are no fees to use Zelle, although your bank or credit union may assess their own fees.

Zelle is an easy way to send money using your bank account. You must use a U.S. bank account, thereby excluding an international clientele. However, for U.S. accounts, Zelle is one of the best payment apps for bank transfers. You simply set up your account using your email address or phone number, then link your bank account. There are no restrictions on the exact bank you have to use as long as you use a U.S. account. The Zelle app is available via the Zelle app, or you can send transfers directly through most banking apps. It is compatible with more than 1,000 bank apps. All you need is the email address or the phone number of the recipient, and then you enter the amount you want to send. It could not be simpler.