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Where Can You Send Money Online?


Written by Katie Ziraldo | Edited by Rebecca Stropoli | Published on 01/29/2025

With online money transfers, sending cash to friends, family members and businesses across the globe has never been easier. You can choose from many payment platforms, yet finding the best option for your needs can feel overwhelming.

Here we break down everything you need to know to confidently send money online — including the cash transfer services to consider for your transaction.

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What is an online money transfer?

An online money transfer is an electronic payment method that allows you to send funds to another individual directly from your bank account. Some examples of online money transfer services, or money transmitters, include peer-to-peer (P2P) payment platforms such as Venmo, PayPal and Zelle.

But these are not the only options for transferring money online. You can set up a bank transfer, also known as an Automated Clearing House (ACH) transfer, or you can complete a wire transfer.

Wire transfers can be costly, and ACH transfers are cheaper but may not be as fast. Online transfers are typically affordable.

The exact cost and speed of your transfer will depend on the service you select.

Options to send money online

Not all money transfer platforms are created equal. Let’s explore some well-known options for sending money online, including the major advantages and drawbacks of each.

Zelle

Ideal for: Transferring money without downloading another app

Pros

  • Allows you to send or receive money instantly, usually with no fees
  • Helps you avoid the need for another app if your bank offers the service
  • Lets you transfer funds with only your recipient’s phone number or email

Cons

  • Does not allow for credit card payments
  • Restricts transfers to U.S. accounts
  • Leaves users vulnerable to fraud

Zelle is a way to send money directly from your banking app — even if your recipient banks elsewhere. The digital payment service is embedded in more than 2,200 banking apps in the U.S., allowing users to transfer money between bank accounts. (It won’t link up with a credit card.)

If you and your recipient are using Zelle, you will be able to send and receive money instantly without downloading another app or signing up for another service. Note that Zelle limits transactions to the U.S., like many payment platforms.

Zelle does not charge fees, but some banks may impose fees on these transactions. Check before using the service.

To send money, you’ll need your recipient’s phone number or email address. Double-check these details before sending your payment because there’s no guarantee you’ll get your money back if you make a mistake.

Never use Zelle to transfer money to someone you don’t know. Scammers can exploit Zelle to trick people into sharing personal information, such as account numbers, or to take your money for attractive deals or products that don’t exist.

Venmo

Ideal for: Paying friends on a social network-like platform

Pros

  • Provides the ability to split payments between people with Venmo Groups
  • Ensures you transfer money to the correct person with Venmo personal QR codes
  • Allows you to make free standard transfers

Cons

  • Charges a 3% fee to send money with a credit card
  • Includes wait of one to three business days for a standard transfer
  • Increases risk of stalking, fraud and cyberattack incidents

Venmo adds a social component to the money-sending process. When you log in, you’ll find yourself on a news feed much like what you would see on a social media app. This shows a record of your and your friends’ transactions, but you can adjust your settings if you prefer privacy or worry about being a target for scammers or stalkers.

To send money, you’ll need your recipient’s contact information. Or, to be certain you’re sending funds to the right person, you can also scan their personal QR code.

You can send up to $299.99 weekly if you have an unverified Venmo account, and verified users can send up to $60,000.

If you need to split a payment between multiple people, Venmo makes it easy to create groups and add expenses as they occur. This can be a solution for friends, roommates and others to settle shared costs.

Venmo charges a 3% fee for money sent with a credit card and a 1.75% fee to instantly transfer your Venmo balance to a linked account. Instant transfers take about 30 minutes. Standard transfers are free and typically take one to three business days to reach your bank account.

Cash App

Ideal for: Investing for beginners

Pros

  • Allows users to invest in stocks and buy and sell bitcoin
  • Comes with free debit card to transfer funds without connecting a separate account
  • Offers discounts at select shops and restaurants

Cons

  • Limits transfers to up to $1,000 within 30 days
  • Charges a 3% fee to send money with a credit card
  • Adds a 0.5% to 1.75% fee for instant money transfers

Cash App is similar to Venmo, making it easy to send money to friends and family members through the mobile app. But Cash App also allows users to buy and sell stocks and bitcoin, making this platform ideal for those interested in investing.

Cash App provides a free debit card to send and receive money without connecting a separate bank account. The card comes with bonus offers that can save you money at select shops and restaurants.

Money transfers typically take one to three business days, though instant transfers are available for a fee, typically between 0.5% and 1.75%. The app also charges a 3% fee to send money with a credit card.

You can send up to $1,000 within a 30-day period. All you need is the recipient’s phone number, email address or username — called a $cashtag.

If recipients haven’t installed Cash App, they’ll be prompted to create an account to accept the payment. If they don’t create an account within two weeks, your payment will be returned to you.

PayPal

Ideal for: Moving large amounts of cash

Pros

  • Provides high transaction limits for unverified and verified accounts
  • Offers money transfers to recipients in more than 160 countries with Xoom service
  • Transfers funds with your recipient’s name, email, phone number or PayPal username

Cons

  • Charges a 2.9% transaction fee plus 30-cent flat fee on debit and credit card transfers
  • Adds a 1.75% fee for instant money transfers
  • Includes cross-border fees for international payments made through Xoom

With high transaction limits, PayPal may be a good choice if you need to send large amounts of money. Unverified users can send a one-time payment of up to $4,000.

Transfer limits can vary for verified users. Some have no limits; others can send up to $60,000 per transaction, and still others can send up to $10,000. Limits can also depend on your currency.

You can also send money to recipients in more than 160 countries using Xoom, which is a PayPal service. International payments are subject to cross-border fees.

PayPal charges a fee to send money with a credit or debit card. This fee is equal to 2.9% of the transaction amount plus 30 cents. Sending money is free only when the funds are pulled directly from your PayPal balance or a linked bank account.

To send money, you’ll need your recipient’s name, email, phone number or PayPal username. Once they receive the money, they will have the option to pay a fee of 1.75% to transfer their funds instantly to their bank account. Otherwise, a standard transfer will take one to three business days.

Western Union

Ideal for: Shipping funds overseas

Pros

  • Moves money internationally to more than 200 countries and territories
  • Transfers money in multiple ways, including in person
  • Allows you to send large amounts to certain countries

Cons

  • Applies a transfer fee for sending money with a credit card
  • Uses a marked-up exchange rate
  • Takes up to four business days in some cases for funds to reach recipient

With locations across more than 200 countries and territories, Western Union is a viable option if you need to send money internationally.

You can send money online, through the app or in person through one of Western Union’s physical locations. Transfers made online are typically available within minutes, but your recipient may need to visit a location to collect the cash.

Sending money directly from your bank account is free, but it can take up to four business days to reach your recipient.

To send money with a credit card, Western Union charges a fee that varies depending on the amount. (For example, you might pay a $2.50 fee to transfer $100.) There are no fees to send money instantly with a debit card, though foreign exchange rates will apply when sending funds internationally.

You can typically send up to $5,000 or $50,000, depending on the payment method and the recipient’s location. If you’re sending money directly to someone’s bank account, you’ll need to provide their name and bank account details. If they’re picking up the cash from a Western Union location, you’ll only need to provide a name and address.

How to choose the right money transfer service

To choose the best payment platform for your needs, consider the following factors:

  • Cost: Money-sending fees can vary substantially between services. Compare fees before choosing a service to find a service that fits your budget. Fees for sending money with a credit card are common, but you may also encounter these fees with debit cards.
  • Speed: Standard online money transfers typically take one to three business days to process. Many payment platforms offer the option to transfer money instantly, usually for an additional fee.
  • Transfer amount: Every money transfer service sets a limit on the amount of money you can send daily, weekly or monthly. These limits can vary significantly between payment platforms.
  • Recipient’s location: If you’re sending money internationally, some of the most popular payment platforms, such as Zelle and Venmo, are not an option.
  • Convenience: Which applications do you and your recipient already use? If convenience is a priority, using a service such as Zelle may be ideal if your banking app offers it.

Frequently asked questions

Are online money transfers safe?

Online money transfers are generally considered safe, as reputable transfer services have robust security measures in place to protect your money and sensitive information. Still, only send money to people you know and trust, and double-check the recipient’s information because if you make an error, you may not be able to get your money back.

How long does it take to send money online?

The amount of time it takes to send money online can depend on several factors, including the transfer amount, the recipient’s location and the money-transfer service you choose. Some services may offer instant transfers for a fee.

How much does it cost to send money online?

Online transfer fees vary significantly between service providers. While some charge flat fees, others charge a percentage of the transfer amount. Read the terms and conditions, and be sure to compare fees between money transfer services to find the most affordable option.

What if I need to cancel a money transfer?

Most peer-to-peer payment apps will not allow you to cancel a money transfer, so it’s important to make sure you’re sending the right amount to the right person before you click send.



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