Zelle vs Venmo
Sending money to family — explained.
Zelle
Free. Built into most bank apps. Instant. Best for trusted family.
Venmo
Free. Owned by PayPal. Popular with younger family. Free between bank accounts.
Cash App
Free. Simple. Has a debit card option.
PayPal
Free for friends/family. Buyer protection for purchases.
SAFETY RULE
Only send money to people you know. Zelle and Venmo do NOT refund scams.
Verify recipient
Always confirm the phone number or username with a phone call before sending.
Quick Tip: A small $1 test transfer is smart for first-time sends. Then send the full amount.