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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

PayPal vs Cash App

PayPal 4.8★ · Free to download 65
Winner Cash App
Cash App 4.8★ · Free to download 70

Cash App generally offers a more modern and user-friendly experience for quick money transfers, while PayPal is better for established online shopping and business features, despite its app's technical issues and customer service complaints.

Full reviews: PayPal · Cash App

Cash App excels in ease of use for quick transfers and offers features like savings and credit, though it faces significant issues with account deactivations and scam resolution. PayPal, while a long-standing platform for online payments, struggles with app functionality, customer support, and unexpected account holds.

Head to head

Features and Functionality edge: Cash AppR43R17R18R15
PayPal PayPal offers features like 'Pay in 4' for breaking down payments, cashback offers, and invoice options for businesses, but users report issues with the app's functionality not matching the website, problems with making credit payments, and difficulties with sending money between accounts after updates R43R17R18R15. Some users also note the app installs an unwanted Honey Safari extension .
Cash App Cash App provides a range of features including direct deposit, savings, investing in stocks and Bitcoin, and even borrowing money. Users appreciate its convenience for managing money and linking to other banks, as well as features for kids' accounts . However, some users report issues with micro-transactions from unknown companies and difficulties receiving their Cash App card .
Ease of Use edge: Cash AppR26R29R41R53
PayPal PayPal users find it generally secure, fast, and convenient for online payments R26R29R41R53. However, many report significant technical issues with the app, such as not being able to log in, the app not opening, being stuck in portrait mode on iPad, and payments not processing . Users also complain about outdated default addresses and difficulties changing account details .
Cash App Cash App is praised for being quick, easy, and instant for sending and receiving money R71R74R77R87. Users find it simple to get back into the app after not using it for years . However, some users experience bug issues, inability to access accounts due to updates requiring newer iOS versions, and problems with phone numbers not working .
Reliability and Trustworthiness tieR26R29R24R25
PayPal PayPal is generally seen as secure and reliable for transactions R26R29. However, many users report issues with money being put on hold for weeks, unexpected account deactivations for inactivity or without notice, and difficulties transferring money to bank accounts R24R25. There are also complaints about hidden currency conversion charges .
Cash App Cash App is generally considered safe for managing money . However, a significant number of users report accounts being unexpectedly deactivated or suspended for vague reasons like 'fraudulent activities' or 'violating terms of service', often without clear explanations or recourse R88R90R94R104. Users also report money being stolen or disappearing from accounts, and issues with frozen money .
Customer Support tieR7R15R56R58
PayPal PayPal's customer support is a major pain point. Users frequently report that the chatbot and online agents are unhelpful, requiring phone calls for resolution R7R15. Many describe customer service as pathetic, not keeping promises, and being unable to assist with issues like adding funds or resolving account holds R56R58.
Cash App Cash App's customer service also receives widespread criticism. Users describe agents as unhelpful, lacking empathy, sending copy-paste responses, and failing to resolve issues like account access or transferring information R61R76. They are also criticized for doing the 'bare minimum' to help with scams and taking too long to investigate .
Notifications and User Experience edge: PayPalR19R28R31R34
PayPal PayPal users are frustrated with persistent push notifications for ads and promotions, even when marketing notifications are turned off in settings R19R28R31R34. Some also complain about the app's age restrictions, preventing younger users from signing in .
Cash App Cash App has some user interface confusion initially regarding stocks and savings rates . There are also complaints about age restrictions for sponsored accounts, with users needing to be 15+ despite the app being advertised as 13+ .
Pick PayPal if

You frequently shop online and need features like 'Pay in 4' or cashback offers R43R17. You need to send invoices for business services, acknowledging that the discount option might be missing R18.

Pick Cash App if

You prioritize quick and easy person-to-person money transfers and appreciate features like direct deposit, savings, or investing in Bitcoin R71R74. You want an app that can help teach children how to manage money .

Evidence note: Both apps have a significant number of negative reviews, particularly concerning customer service and account issues, despite high lifetime ratings. The recent reviews for both apps skew more negative, highlighting ongoing problems.

Frequently asked

Which app is better for sending money quickly?
Cash App is generally considered better for sending money quickly, with users frequently describing it as 'quick and easy' and offering 'instant gratification' for transfers R71R74R77R87.
Do PayPal or Cash App have good customer support?
Neither PayPal nor Cash App are praised for their customer support; users for both apps report unhelpful chatbots, difficulties reaching human agents, and unresolved issues R7R56R61R76.
Which app has more issues with account deactivation?
Cash App appears to have more frequent and severe issues with unexpected account deactivations or suspensions, often without clear explanations, leaving users unable to access their funds R88R90R94R104. PayPal also has reports of account deactivations, but less frequently cited as a primary concern .

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. [R43] PayPal 5/5 · US Honest review after 6+ years: Business account. Use it to purchase supplies and stock. I take advantage of the pay in 4 and it has honestly saved me so much trouble and stress with breaking down some payments so I dont get hit all at once.
  2. [R17] PayPal 4/5 · US Offers expanded?: I like that PayPal gives cash back offers within the app but I feel like they could expand it and provide more in store offers. I feel like that would make me as a consumer that likes to go into stores more than online be able to take advantage of the offers more.
  3. [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?
  4. [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
  5. [R26] PayPal 5/5 · US PayPal: PayPal is secure, fast, and makes online payments incredibly convenient.
  6. [R29] PayPal 5/5 · US Best money app ever: Love PayPal absolutely safe to use easy to navigate instant payments amazing love it
  7. [R41] PayPal 5/5 · US I have been: With PayPal now as far as I can remember now. I love ❤️ shopping 🛍 with PayPal. I 🤔 it’s a great app to collect your games money with because whenever they you cash out now even a minute you’re monies is there. And if you thinks something is wrong in your transactions just let them know and I promise they will take care of it in a matter of time. Yes great app and I appreciate ever
  8. [R53] PayPal 5/5 · GB Mrs Sandra Roche: Great way to pay online and in shops
  9. [R24] PayPal 3/5 · US It’s good: PayPal is great but sometimes they put my money on hold which is very annoying. I get it’s for security purposes but at times it’s annoying because they keep my money for weeks. And also, I use euro and my friend uses usd and when I send I get a fee but when see sends she doesn’t. But overall the app is good
  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. [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.
  12. [R56] PayPal 1/5 · US Worst experience: The customer service is so pathetic, they promise something any they don’t keep their promises, it happened with me 3 times. Very disappointed with PayPal customer service.
  13. [R58] PayPal 1/5 · US Worst App Ever: This app is horrible and customer service sucked was put on hold for over an hour and half and when able to get a hold of a customer service they couldn’t help me at all with adding funds into account. Please just use Venmo or Cashapp as their apps actually work and better customer service.
  14. [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.
  15. [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.
  16. [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.
  17. [R34] 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.
  18. [R71] Cash App 5/5 · US Jah: Quick and easy
  19. [R74] Cash App 5/5 · US The service is great: I’m impressed with how instant gratification is on this app
  20. [R77] Cash App 5/5 · US Fácil y rápido: 5
  21. [R87] Cash App 5/5 · US Makes life easier: Easy to transfer money to and from people.
  22. [R61] Cash App 1/5 · US scummy practices: response to developer response: no thanks, i will not be reaching out for “help”. you people literally will just tell me the same thing. i went through four different support agents, and NONE of them had empathy, or even attempted to understand the situation, sending the same exact copy and paste responses. thanks for stabbing me in the back, though. :) will take my business else
  23. [R76] Cash App 1/5 · US Account issue: I was not able to access my old account and was ensured by customer service workers of fixing my account and transferring the information to the new account that they had me create but failed to do so. The technician specialist told to call in an hour was not available to fix this problem. Poor customer service support. Rate: 0 stars
  24. [R88] Cash App 1/5 · US Deactivated account: I am extremely disappointed with Cash App. My account was unexpectedly activated after more than five years of using the service with no prior warning or explanation on a vague statement that my account was suspected of fraud, gambling or other prohibited activities. I do not gamble and I have never committed fraud. My personal bank account has been linked to my Cash App accou
  25. [R90] Cash App 1/5 · US False deactivation: My account got deactivated for literally no reason while I was asleep and I’m still confused until this day
  26. [R94] Cash App 1/5 · US Deactivate: Cash App deactivated my account saying I went against their policy but didn’t tell me what I did to go against their policy
  27. [R104] Cash App 1/5 · US How did I get suspended even if I can’t UPDATE THE DAMN APP ON MY PHONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!: I got suspended for “fraudulent actions”, what fraudulent action have I done on cash app cause I just buy things. Also I can’t access the damn app since I gotta update it but it would let me cause it’s iOS 17 and you know that any old IPhone like an IPhone 7 that I have can’t update past 15 or more. Cashapp, ple

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