Mobile payments are changing how we shop and manage money day-to-day. From big tech brands like Apple to agile fintech disruptors like Square‘s Cash App, companies are racing to offer the top tap-and-go payment experience.
But with so many options now, how do you decide what‘s best for your needs? Here, we‘ll compare two of the most popular choices—Apple Pay and Cash App. We‘ll break down their key differences, unique strengths, ideal use cases, and more to help you determine the right mobile payment service for you.
Overview of Apple Pay vs Cash App
At a high level, Apple Pay and Cash App serve different primary functions:
- Apple Pay enables contactless payments using supported Apple devices like iPhones, Apple Watches, and newer Macs. It offers a mobile wallet to store your debit/credit cards and pay in stores that accept tap-and-go payments.
- Cash App focuses on peer-to-peer (P2P) money transfers. You can conveniently send and request funds to friends and family. Cash App also now provides a debit card, stock/bitcoin investing, and more financial services.
While both are mobile-first payment platforms, Apple Pay facilitates purchases while Cash App moves money between individuals. So the ideal use case differs.
But they also share similarities that can make the decision confusing. Both leverage mobile technology for speed and convenience. They aim to replace physical credit cards and cash. And they‘re very popular—Apple Pay boasts nearly 50 million users while over 51 million people actively use Cash App.
To help decipher which option may serve you better, let‘s explore some of the key differences in detail.
How Apple Pay and Cash App Compare
Apple Pay launched in 2014 as an extension of the Apple Wallet, while Square‘s Cash App arrived in 2013. Here’s an overview of how the two services stack up across several categories:
| Category | Apple Pay | Cash App |
|---|---|---|
| Founding Company | Apple | Square/Block |
| Launch year | 2014 | 2013 |
| Platforms supported | iOS, WatchOS, MacOS | Android, iOS |
| Reported user base | 48.7 million (Q2 2022) | Over 51 million (Q2 2022) |
| Maximum cards stored | Up to 12-16 per device | Links to 1 debit card |
| Purchase limit | $10,000 per transaction; $20,000 weekly | $250 standard; $7,500 with ID verification |
| Transfer/payment speed | Instant | Instant |
| Acceptance | Over 90% of US retailers | Only supports P2P payments |
| Fees | None | Between 0.5% – 2.75% for Instant Deposit and bitcoin |
| Security | Tokenization, Face ID/Touch ID, NFC | PINs, biometrics, standard encryption |
Ease of use
Both platforms aim for quick, hassle-free payments, but Apple Pay‘s seamless integration into the Apple ecosystem gives it an edge in user experience. On an iPhone, authenticating via Face ID and paying takes seconds.
Cash App may involve a few extra steps like transferring money into your Cash Account before using the Cash Card. However, Cash App‘s wide availability across Android and iOS makes it easily accessible to more consumers.
According to TechRadar‘s 2022 mobile payment satisfaction survey, 76% of users found Apple Pay "highly convenient" compared to 68% for Cash App.
Payment limits
If you need to transfer large amounts of money, Apple Pay accommodates higher transactions. Its $10,000 individual purchase limit dwarfs Cash App‘s standard $250 ceiling for peer-to-peer payments. However, Cash App users willing to verify their identity can send up to $7,500 – still $2,500 below Apple Pay‘s maximum.
Supported devices
One of Cash App‘s biggest advantages is its cross-platform accessibility. It‘s available on both iOS and Android devices, while Apple Pay only works on Apple products like iPhones, Apple Watches, newer Macs and iPads.
So Android users have access to Cash App but not Apple Pay. This gives Cash App an edge in market availability.
Transactions and fees
When it comes to fees, Apple Pay has a decided advantage. It does not charge any transaction fees to consumers or merchants. All payments happen free of charge.
Cash App also no fees for standard peer-to-peer instant transfers funded through your bank account or debit card balance. But certain transactions do incur fees:
- Instant Deposit transfers to debit cards cost 1.5% of the total (minimum fee of $0.25)
- Cash Card transactions incur a 2.75% fee
- Buying bitcoin within Cash App costs 0.5% to 2% based on purchase amount
So you‘ll encounter more fees when using Cash App for payments, especially when accessing your Cash Account balance via Instant Deposit or Cash Card.
Main Use Cases
Based on their distinct features, Apple Pay and Cash App each excel in certain common payment scenarios:
When Apple Pay performs best
- In-store contactless payments at supported retailers
- Transit and transportation purchases like subway tickets
- Online checkout when shopping on mobile
- Apple ecosystem convenience across iPhone, iPad, MacBook, Apple Watch
When Cash App performs best
- Peer-to-peer money transfers like paying a friend back
- Instant bank withdrawals when you need cash fast
- Cross-platform accessibility on both iOS and Android
- Buying bitcoin or stocks easily right in the app
So while both facilitate digital money movement, Apple Pay excels at contactless consumer payments while Cash App offers versatile P2P financial features.
Apple Pay vs. Cash App Security Compared
Consumers rightly have security concerns when paying digitally. How do Apple Pay and Cash App protect user information and prevent fraud?
Apple Pay leverages near-field communication (NFC) which allows encrypted communication between two nearby devices (like your iPhone and a payment terminal).
It also tokenizes your debit/credit card information so your actual card numbers are never shared with merchants. Instead, one-time unique tokens authorize each transaction.
Cash App uses standard SSL/TLS encryption to secure payment data in transit and PINs, biometrics (Face ID, fingerprint) for user authentication. Its security practices follow industry standards for data protection.
Both Apple Pay and Cash App insure users against unauthorized transactions or fraud under certain conditions. But some experts argue Apple Pay has an edge when it comes to seamless security from leveraging Apple‘s tightly integrated software, hardware and services like Face ID across devices.
Apple Pay vs. Cash App: User Sentiment and Reviews
When evaluating payment apps, user experiences and reviews provide helpful insight.
Apple Pay earns consistently positive feedback on its convenience for iPhone owners. Contactless transactions delight users once they‘re all set up. However, some users find setup confusing and lack of universal retailer acceptance disappointing.
Here are examples of real Apple Pay user reviews:
"It‘s amazing how quickly I‘ve incorporated Apple Pay into my daily purchases. It‘s so fast and easy that I don‘t even think about it!"
"Takes a bit of work to get it fully set up with your cards but once it‘s going it‘s great. Sometimes it doesn‘t work for no reason but mostly it‘s awesome for not having to carry my wallet!"
Cash App draws more mixed reviews. Users appreciate its accessibility but report frustrations around delayed transfers, poor complaint resolution, scams and bitcoin inflation.
"Easy to send and receive money instantly. The investment features are nice since I‘m new to stocks. But watch out for sketchy links people send!"
"Customer service is useless with delayed transfers and other problems. Got scammed by a fake buyer because the app doesn‘t protect you enough."
When it comes to reputation, Apple Pay benefits from Apple‘s trusted brand name in user experience and security. Cash App still has to work to resolve issues around scams and improve customer service.
Apple Pay Overview and History
Apple Pay emerged in 2014 as a breakthrough technology for contactless payments, soon supported across all major Apple devices. But how did Apple Pay get its start?
Apple began developing its mobile wallet in late 2012/early 2013. They brought together an internal team of experts in hardware, software, security, payments industry and retail partnerships.
To accelerate Apple Pay‘s capabilities, they also acquired startups with technology in wireless payments, security, and NFC systems. These provided the foundational components for Apple Pay.
In September 2014, Apple announced Apple Pay alongside its new iPhone 6 and Apple Watch. The iPhone 6 crucially included NFC chips to enable tap-and-go contactless transactions, a first for iPhones.
Apple Pay arrived in retail stores in October 2014. It quickly gained traction for its seamless integration with iPhones and Apple Watches.
Today, Apple Pay facilitates 5 billion transactions yearly across nearly 90% of US retailers, over 80 countries and in apps and websites accepting Apple Pay. It has played a defining role in popularizing mobile wallets and contactless payments.
History of Cash App and Key Milestones
Cash App emerged from Square, the payments company started in 2009 by Jack Dorsey who also co-founded Twitter.
In 2013, Square launched Square Cash (later rebranded to Cash App) to enable peer-to-peer money transfers between friends. This complemented Square‘s business payment solutions like Square card readers.
Here are some notable milestones in Cash App‘s growth:
- 2015: Cash Card launches, letting users spend their Cash App balance like a debit card
- 2018: Square Cash is rebranded to Cash App, reflecting expanded features
- 2019: Cash App enables buying/selling bitcoin easily right in the app
- 2020: Investing features roll out, allowing stock and ETF trading
- 2021: Cash App generates over $1.8 billion in bitcoin revenue
- 2022: Cash App hits #1 finance app with over 10 million monthly active users
Today, Cash App strives to be an all-in-one financial app for mobile-first consumers. Peer-to-peer payments still anchor the platform, but additional functionality like bitcoin and equities trading position Cash App more broadly as a hub for personal finance. Its easy accessibility and viral adoption has fueled growth, especially among younger demographics.
Key Takeaways: Choosing Your Best Mobile Payment Option
- Apple Pay dominates for contactless in-store, online or in-app payments using Apple devices. Its seamless integration and user experience on Apple products make it unmatched for tap-and-go transactions.
- Cash App shines for quick peer-to-peer money transfers, trading bitcoin/stocks, and cashing out your balance instantly. Its wider device support provides accessibility, especially for Android owners.
- When it comes to fees, limits and card support, Apple Pay generally wins out over Cash App by charging no fees and accommodating larger transfers.
- Both platforms deliver adequate security for payments, although Apple may have an edge in leveraging Face ID, Touch ID and other Apple hardware/software security integration.
- If you own Apple devices already, Apple Pay offers the simplest contactless payment experience built specifically for that ecosystem.
- For a versatile financial app accessible beyond just iOS, Cash App provides excellent utility – just beware scam risks and fees.
The bottom line? Apple Pay outperforms for contactless payments while Cash App brings more flexibility across platforms. Evaluate your needs and devices to pick the best fit. But either way, both services present excellent options for leaving old payment methods behind and embracing the speed, ease and innovation of fintech‘s mobile payment revolution.
