Do you know that you can transfer money internationally using your smartphone? Whether you have an Android, iOS, or a Windows phone, there are applications that can help you to transfer money to other people online. Paypal is said to be the best international money transfer app that is secure and faster. However, there are many other apps which I shall also discuss in this article.
With the growing money transfer technology, there are always new ways of sending money that arise to help you send and receive money from different parts of the world. People were used to earlier methods of international money transfer such as wire transfers and MoneyGram. Although these methods are still used today, they are a bit slower as compared to mobile apps.
Unlike in wire transfer where you have to know how to transfer money using the routing number and account number, mobile apps mainly require you to have the recipient’s account ID. This is normally an email address that the recipient has registered with the mobile money transfer app. Others may need your phone number to use as your ID. A good example of such an app is Zelle.
Are money transfer apps owned by specific banks?
Most of these money sending apps are independent meaning that they operate on their own. However, they have a provision where you can link your app account with your bank for easy transfer of money from your bank account to your mobile app.
One of the easiest ways of linking your bank account to a mobile app is by adding your credit card or your debit card to your app account. This makes it easy to make payments of goods and services using the app upon recharging.
Can I use a money transfer app to send money to a debit card? The use of money transfer apps is one of the ways on how to transfer money from a debit card to another debit card. If you have linked your debit card to your mobile money app, you can easily transfer money from the debit card account to your app account and then send it to a debit card account.
Do I need an internet connection to operate a money transfer app?
Mobile transfer apps require the internet to operate. This means that you have to use an internet compatible gadget such as a smartphone or a tablet. Some mobile apps have elaborate websites that allow you to access your account with a laptop or a desktop.
However, it is good to note that it is risky to access your money transfer app account using browsers as this may be an easy avenue for your account to be hacked. Fraudsters get your details easily when you use a browser than your app. Mobile apps are difficult to hack since the data is encrypted.
How long does it take to transfer money via an app?
Money transfer via apps is instant. Sometimes it may take a few minutes in case of some technical errors. However, if you initiate a withdrawal to your bank account, it may take between 1-5 business days to reflect in your bank account.
Which are the 7 best international money transfer apps?
If you are looking for some of the best ways to transfer money internationally, then these mobile money apps will be of great help. See how they operate and chose the one which suits you.
1) Paypal
PayPal is a worldwide online payment system that serves as an electronic alternative to traditional ways of sending money such as MoneyGram and wire transfers. The company was founded in 1998 and has subsidiaries such as Braintree, Paydiant Honey, Venmo, PayPal Credit, Xoom Corporation, TIO Networks card.io, and iZettleTradera.
PayPal allows its customers to send and receive money. The company supports over 25 currencies. Also, individuals can conduct electronic money transfer transactions with businesses as they purchase commodities.
To register with PayPal, you must have an active email address. Also, you will require your government ID. Once your account is operational, you can link it with your bank account. See more.
2) Payoneer
As a financial services company, Payoneer provides digital payment services and online money transfer and provides customers with working capital to run their businesses. You can open a business or a personal account to receive and send money.
Just like Paypal, Payoneer allows you to link your bank account to your app for easy transfer of funds between your bank and app. Payoneer requires you to have an active email address and a government ID when opening your account.
Once your registration is successful, you can also request the Payoneer Prepaid Mastercard debit card to make payments online or transfer money to other debit cards just as you can transfer money from a credit card to a prepaid card online. The card requires you to pay a $29.95 annual fee. See more.
3) Google Pay
Google Pay is a digital wallet and an online payment platform that was developed by Google to enable in-app and tap-to-pay purchases on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Some smartwatches support Google Pay as well. Google Pay is normally stylized as G Pay. Initially, the company was called Google Wallet and Android Pay.
On January 8, 2018, Google Pay came into existence after merging Google Wallet and Android Pay. The app supports boarding passes, coupons, event tickets, student ID cards, movie tickets, store cards, loyalty cards, and public transportation tickets. See more
4) WorldRemit
The company was founded in 2010 by Ismail Ahmed, Catherine Wines, and Richard Igoe. It provides money transfer services in more than 50 countries. With WorldRemit, you can send money from one country to another. The headquarter of the company is in London, United Kingdom.
WorldRemit has been 100% cashless and was one of the first online money transfer services to focus entirely on mobile-to-mobile money transfer.
Users can withdraw money directly to mobile money services. The company’s transactions are fast and 90% of their transactions are authorized in minutes. See more.
5) OFX
OFX was previously known as OzForex. It is an Australian online foreign exchange and payments company that is headquartered in Sydney, Australia. OFX offers money transfer services to MoneyGram, ING Direct, Travelex, Xero, and Macquarie International Money Transfers. The company also offers money transfer services to individuals such as migrants and expatriates. Small businesses are also not left behind.
The company is regulated by the United States Department of the Treasury Financial Crimes Enforcement Network and this makes it secure to use. Also, the company has experienced support teams across the world. The company offers great rates and has attracted a lot of customers since 1998. See more.
6) TransferWise
TransferWise is one of the companies with no minimum transfer amount. You can send money to different parts of the world in minutes. The company boasts of 8 million people and businesses that rely on their financial services. Furthermore, the company has no hidden fees and all charges are well indicated.
You can sign up online or in their app for free. You need an email address or a Google account. A Facebook account will also work for you if you so wish. You also need a photo of your ID and more so for large amounts of money. You can easily add the recipient’s bank details so that money goes to their accounts directly. See more.
7) Skrill
Skrill is a UK-based company registered as a Money Service Business. It was founded on 27 July 2001 and was formally called Moneybookers. It is an eCommerce business that allows online money transfers. The company has a focus on low-cost international money transfers. Skrill supports over 40 currencies and users can register with any of the currencies and add others.
Also, customers can get Skrill-branded prepaid cards which are linked to the account in one of the four currencies such as EUR, USD, PLN, and GBP. If you become a high-turnover customer you are offered a premium membership called “Skrill VIP” that includes more features, such as a multi-currency account, security token, and loyalty points. See more.
Can I link a second chance bank account to a money transfer app?
If you got a second chance bank account and a second chance credit card with no security deposit, you can link it to money apps so long as your bank does not restrict you,
Are money transfer apps safe?
Money transfer apps are safe as they encrypt your data to ensure that fraudsters do not have access to it. This is why you should prefer mobile apps to browsers. Furthermore, mobile apps are easy to use since they are a bit organized.
How do you withdraw money from a mobile app?
If you have linked your mobile money app account with a bank account, you can easily withdraw money to your bank account. You can then withdraw the money using an ATM card or over the counter.
You can as well send the money online to a friend with a local bank to withdraw for you. It’s a clever trick on how to withdraw money with the account and routing number of someone else.
Bottom line
Money transfer apps have led to the growth of small businesses due to the ability to send and receive money faster internationally. It is easy to order for an item from another country and pay with PayPal or any other relevant app instantly instead of using methods such as wire transfer or check payments that may take longer to complete. Money transfer apps are safe for use.
