Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
User consensusAlternativesIs it worth it?
Better options than

PayPal alternatives

Users often seek PayPal alternatives due to persistent app bugs, poor customer support, and issues with money holds and transfers. Alternatives offer more specialized services like international remittances, buy now pay later options, or simpler peer-to-peer transfers.

Why users look for alternatives to PayPal

The alternatives

Cash App
4.8★ · 8,517,185 ratings · Free

Cash App offers quick and easy money transfers, which users find to be instant and convenient R59R61R63. It also provides a way for younger users to manage money R52.

Better for: Cash App is better for individuals looking for a simple, fast, and instant peer-to-peer money transfer service R59R61. It may also suit younger users who need a way to handle money R52.

Head-to-head: PayPal vs Cash App
Remitly
4.9★ · 2,625,940 ratings · Free

Remitly is praised for making international money transfers easy, fast, and often cheaper than other methods R66R69R74. Users appreciate the convenience of sending money from their homes R66R74.

Better for: Remitly is better for users who frequently send money internationally, especially to family R76. It's valued for its speed, security, and cost-effectiveness for cross-border transactions R69R74.

Head-to-head: PayPal vs Remitly
Klarna
4.9★ · 2,265,578 ratings · Free

Klarna is an app that allows users to pay over time, spreading out payments for purchases R80R89. Users find its interface user-friendly and appreciate the helpful payment reminders R80R89R91.

Better for: Klarna is better for consumers who want to make purchases and spread out the payments over time, especially for more expensive items R80R89R91. It suits those who value a user-friendly app experience and payment reminders R89R91.

Head-to-head: PayPal vs Klarna
Western Union
4.8★ · 1,272,247 ratings · Free

Western Union is a reliable and easy-to-use service for sending money, with users highlighting its speed and security R94R97R100R102.

Better for: Western Union is better for individuals who need to send money quickly and securely, particularly for international transfers R94R97R102. It's favored by those who prioritize a straightforward sending process R100.

Head-to-head: PayPal vs Western Union
Xoom
4.8★ · 1,200,089 ratings · Free

Xoom is a service for international money transfers, with long-time users praising its reliability and convenience R111R113R117R119. It is considered a good option for helping family abroad R113.

Better for: Xoom is better for users who frequently send money internationally and have established a long history with the service, finding it reliable for supporting family in other countries R113R117R119.

Head-to-head: PayPal vs Xoom
Stick with PayPal if

You should stick with PayPal if you value its widespread acceptance for online payments and its security features, especially if you haven't encountered the common app bugs or customer service issues reported by others .

Frequently asked

Why do users look for PayPal alternatives?
Users look for PayPal alternatives primarily due to persistent app issues like freezing or features not working after updates, unhelpful customer service, and problems with money being held or delayed R6R7R12R16.
Which alternative is best for international money transfers?
Remitly and Western Union are highly rated for international money transfers, with Remitly praised for being easy, fast, and cheaper R69R74, and Western Union for its speed and security R94R97R102. Xoom is also a long-standing option for international transfers, particularly for helping family abroad R113R119.
Is there an alternative for 'buy now, pay later' options?
Yes, Klarna is a strong alternative for 'buy now, pay later' services, allowing users to spread out payments for purchases over time with a user-friendly interface and helpful reminders R80R89R91.
Which alternative offers instant peer-to-peer payments?
Cash App is noted for its quick, easy, and instant peer-to-peer money transfer capabilities R59R61R63.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R6] PayPal 3/5 · US Issues since last update: Never had a problem with this app until the latest update. Now I’m rarely able to move money around and it takes forever to get my Cash back points. The app won’t let my husband and I send money to each other and I still have points pending from almost a month ago. I hope this gets fixed soon 😕
  2. [R10] PayPal 1/5 · US STUCK IN PORTRAIT??: This app stays stuck in portrait mode on my iPad. It is 2026, what kind of nonsense is this???
  3. [R12] PayPal 3/5 · US app: since last week i loved my pay pal now everytime i go to open my app it will not open i’ve done everything. I close the account like the account of my Facebook off my phone reinstall it shut my phone off to Noeville PayPal. I cannot get into anymore so I don’t like them.
  4. [R16] PayPal 2/5 · US PayPal Credit Make A Payment Not Working: Will revise when fixed but currently cannot make a payment to my credit account via the app. It just goes to a blank white screen. Tried to report an issue but no resolve.
  5. [R3] PayPal 3/5 · US PayPal: I find PayPal very unhelpful I have moved to another country and need to either change or open a new PayPal account not really sure what to do because no one from PayPal will assist me
  6. [R7] PayPal 1/5 · US Digital company but no online support: Every time I have some issue I have to call as the chatbot and agents from support don’t solve anything. Only in the USA a digital company for online payments still living in the phone age.
  7. [R38] PayPal 5/5 · GB Scams: I had to give it a 5 start review cause this PayPal people won’t let this be posted on the review since I downloaded this and I needed help with customer service that people are so rude disgusting people the waste your time for nothing just so they can’t tell you to wait and they never help you guys don’t trust this app delete this app before the waste and give you false information one of
  8. [R49] PayPal 2/5 · US Be Cautious!!: When everything goes right, it’s GREAT! However, if there is an issue with a seller you’re screwed! Real reviews are based on HOW a company acts when things don’t go right. Good luck contacting a person. PayPal only has an A.I. interface with limited help. Their system is not designed for business that engage in fraudulent practices.
  9. [R4] PayPal 1/5 · US Esa mierda de PayPal no sirves son estafadores él tiene mi dinero tenido esa mierda. Maldito PayPal: Ojalá y se mueran todos por estafadores ladrona, azaroso, no pueden tener mi cuarto retenido quiero mi dinero, pues si mi cuenta está suspendida deme mi dinero, coñazo, maldita, sea, le voy a poner una demanda
  10. [R25] PayPal 1/5 · US PayPal Mastercard: PayPal Mastercard tries to hold your money ransom if you pay your card off in full. I paid my card off 7/2/26 and called today to see why the available balance hasn’t changed. They said they will release the “hold” 7/17/26 because my account was opened less than 6 months ago. When I paid $80 or so for the payment they released the “hold” after a couple days. They clearly just wa
  11. [R27] PayPal 3/5 · GB Ok: Works but everything is slow and clumsy by today’s standards. Often hard to know where your money actually is, as it can disappear for several days. Klarna for example feels streets ahead and safer.
  12. [R40] PayPal 5/5 · GB Rubbish App: The only reason for the 5 stars so it does not get removed. I requested a simple transfer/ Withdrawal to my linked HSBC Account which has been verified a small withdrawal for an instant transfer but ended up taking 5 days starving me and my kids last time will be using paypal rubbish and there AI is stupid no common sense didn’t have any answers for me just repeated the same thing ove
  13. [R19] PayPal 1/5 · US Ad push notifications: Started sending push notification ads today after years of trusting it for financial urgency. Turned off now.
  14. [R28] PayPal 1/5 · US Bad Behavior Notifications: PayPal app has badly behaving notifications. Two categories for notifications under ‘You’re receiving…’ that are unchecked, but are still sending notifications. I assume the category is ‘announcements offers and incentives tailored to you’ but it’s just trash promotions.
  15. [R31] PayPal 1/5 · US Sends you junk push notifications: The app sends you advertisements for PayPal garbage. There’s a setting to turn these notifications off, but it ignores that setting.
  16. [R33] PayPal 1/5 · US Spam push notifications: It’s important to get transactional notifications from an app like this, but you should not abuse that by spamming me with credit card offers.
  17. [R15] PayPal 3/5 · US Lacks full functionality: The app lacks the functionality of the website. I can’t use the app to recover a chat with customer service. Must use the website. I have one huge beef that’s with PayPal rather than the app: For “security” PayPal randomly automatically unlinks bank accounts from a PayPal account without notice if the bank account was initially connected a long time ago. This is done by t
  18. [R18] PayPal 3/5 · US One thing: App is great! Finally got invoice options to send via mobile…. But we’re missing the discount option. I have discounts I apply for services and I would like to apply them. Please include in next update?
  19. [R35] PayPal 1/5 · US These jerks won’t accept my card: So I was setting up my PayPal account they asked for my card so I put all my card information it and they couldn’t accept it so I tried again again. They won’t accept it and I can’t use PayPal anymore like this is a scam. These are a
  20. [R42] PayPal 4/5 · GB Great app Great Card: I use the PayPal debit card everyday, works perfectly and I am also earning points which I am saving up to buy something nice on eBay. The only issue with the app is it keeps telling me to apply for a PayPal Credit virtual card and then when I do it says we are having a hard time verifying it’s you! Needs fixing!!
  21. [R43] PayPal 1/5 · US Massive Waste of Time: I redownloaded PayPal after having not used them for years. I had to reset my password because I had forgotten it. Sent a verification to my email and gave PayPal the code. That wasn’t enough. Scanned my driver’s license and let PayPal look at my face. Did this twice and PayPal claimed it “didn’t work”. Lastly, I inputted my debit card information to match what they had on f
  22. [R52] Cash App 5/5 · US Child benefits: It's I good way for kids with money
  23. [R59] Cash App 5/5 · US Jah: Quick and easy
  24. [R61] Cash App 5/5 · US The service is great: I’m impressed with how instant gratification is on this app
  25. [R63] Cash App 5/5 · US Fácil y rápido: 5
  26. [R66] Remitly 5/5 · US BEST APP EVER!: Listen, I’m not the type to be posting reviews. But this is one of the best apps that I’ve ever tried. I’ve never had a problem whatsoever. I used to send money through a store and now I could just send money through my fingertips.
  27. [R69] Remitly 5/5 · US Transfer to Mexico: It was very easy, fast and cheaper than every other way I have used for international transfers!! Thank you Remitly!
  28. [R74] Remitly 5/5 · US Excepcional: Llevo años usando este método para mandar dinero y es un proceso seguro ,rápido y responsable el mejor método, no lo cambiaría por nada fácil y desde mi casa.
  29. [R76] Remitly 5/5 · US Una buena alternativa: Puedes fácilmente encontrar muchas opciones de envío rápido y económico para muchos de los que necesitamos ayudar a la familia🫶🏻
  30. [R80] Klarna 5/5 · US Klarna is a fantastic App!!: Great customer service, intuitive and user friendly interface and an amazing product to obtain what you want and pay over time- highly recommended !!
  31. [R89] Klarna 5/5 · US Great!: I’ve had a great experience using Klarna. The app is extremely user-friendly, easy to navigate, and makes the checkout process simple. I really like how it helps spread out payments, which makes it much easier to make necessary purchases when my budget is tight. Everything is clearly laid out, payment reminders are helpful, and I’ve found it to be a convenient way to manage my spending wit
  32. [R91] Klarna 5/5 · US Me encanta: Me encanta esta aplicación porque no tengo que estar pendiente de mis pagos ella lo hace por mí la Super recomiendo
  33. [R94] Western Union 5/5 · US Excelente app: Me encanta la facilidad que proporciona esta app para hacer mis envíos de dinero
  34. [R97] Western Union 5/5 · US A+++: Es el mejor servio de envío fácil y seguro.
  35. [R100] Western Union 5/5 · US Muy bueno: Es una aplicación súper útil y me gusta porque es fácil de usar
  36. [R102] Western Union 5/5 · US Mis chelitos: Fast and secure as not others
  37. [R111] Xoom 5/5 · US Great service: I love it. A great service you can rely on.
  38. [R113] Xoom 5/5 · US El mejor: Tengo años usando Xoom y nunca eh tenido quejas doy fe de un excelente servicio aumento si por lo que está pasando actualmente pero aún así lo necesito muy cómodo muy rápido gracias por hacer la vida más fácil para mí y así seguir ayudando a mi seres queridos allá en mi México gracias son los mejores
  39. [R117] Xoom 5/5 · US Excelente servicio: Tengo 15 años de ser cliente y nunca e tenido problemas
  40. [R119] Xoom 5/5 · US Excelente: Muy bien servicio llevo muchos años con la aplicación y me es de mucha ayuda

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store