Last Updated on October, 2024
Zelle is good. But is it the best mobile payment app to send money internationally?
To know the answer, you need to read this piece fully. However, before that, I’ll tell you what I love about Zelle.
- You can send money, split an expense with others, or request money directly to someone’s bank account for quick access to funds.
- Payments are processed within minutes, ensuring swift transfers.
- You can access the Zelle app through your existing bank’s app or website without extra downloads.
- Zelle doesn’t charge fees when you send or receive money, saving your money.
- Enjoy higher payment limits, making Zelle suitable for various transactions.
However, there is a lot more to know.
Keep reading!
Contents
About Zelle
Zelle is one of the mobile payment services that helps people send and receive money to each other using their phones. It started in 2016 and is based in Scottsdale, Arizona.
The company behind Zelle is Early Warning Services. Zelle lets you send money to anyone using their mobile number or email address. Many banks and credit unions use Zelle, so you can usually find it in your bank’s app.
If your bank doesn’t have it yet, you can still use the Zelle standalone app on your iPhone or Android phone. In the meantime, If your bank or credit union supports Zelle, you’ll need a U.S. checking or savings account to send and receive money.
Do you know? Nearly 1,800+ participating banks and credit unions are part of the Zelle network.
Zelle is becoming increasingly popular. In the second quarter of 2021, businesses and individuals sent $120 billion using Zelle.
How Does Zelle Work?
When you sign up to Zelle, you link your checking account to your Zelle account. Transferring money with Zelle is SUPER EASY!
Once you’re enrolled, all you need is the recipient’s email address or mobile phone number. The money typically reaches them within minutes, making it a fast option compared to some other money transfer apps. (So, receiving money won’t be an issue)
Even if you’re new to Zelle, don’t worry – it’s designed to be user-friendly! Many banks and credit unions collaborate with Zelle, allowing you to send money directly from your mobile banking app. And if your bank doesn’t offer Zelle, you can still use the standalone Zelle app.
Zelle network is widely supported, making it convenient for transferring money to friends, family, or anyone else you need to pay. It’s a secure and efficient way to handle transactions.
How to Send Money With Zelle?
As I told you before, sending money with Zelle is quick and easy.
Here’s how you do it to send money:
Remember! By following these simple methods, you can transfer money securely and quickly using Zelle.
Which Banks Use Zelle?
Zelle is used by many banks and credit unions all over the US. Lots of big and small banks use Zelle in their apps.
Some of the major banks that use Zelle include Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo. But there are many more, too – over a thousand, in fact!
If your participating bank or credit union isn’t on the list, don’t worry! You can still use Zelle. Just get the Zelle app from the App Store or Google Play on your phone. Then, you can make a Zelle account using your debit card information.
Understood?
Zelle Customer Support
This is it; for urgent help, reach out to Zelle’s customer support at 18844288542. Their team is available every day from 10 am to 10 pm ET, except on New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
If you need assistance outside these hours, you can visit their website at ‘Zelle Customer Support’ for further guidance. They are to assist you promptly and ensure your Zelle experience is smooth and stress-free.
Transfer Fees
GUESS WHAT? Using Zelle won’t cost you anything to send and receive money, and it’s unlikely your bank will charge you, either. However, it’s wise to check with your bank app for any additional fees.
Plus, Zelle ensures speedy bank transfers, with money typically arriving within minutes, enabling swift transactions.
Transfer Speed and Limits
Zelle has different limits depending on whether you’re sending or receiving money. If you’re the one sending money using the Zelle app, you can only pay people who also use Zelle, and you’re limited to sending $500 per week.
Is Zelle Safe?
Zelle is safe to use because it has a secure login process to protect your account. When you use the app, all transactions are encrypted.
However, unlike Apple Pay, it doesn’t always need an extra layer of security called two-factor authentication for person-to-person payments. Most of the time, you’ll use Zelle through your bank’s app or website, which means it’s secure enough for banks to trust.
Zelle takes steps to stop fraud when you sign up to use it. They don’t give out all the details about these steps, but they do enough to keep things safe for you and the banks.
However, listen, Zelle shares some of your information with companies that want to show your targeted ads. They use things like where you are (your location) to do this. They also use cookies, which are like little bits of data stored on your device, to show you ads based on what you look at online.
While Zelle has benefits like direct deposit(s) and no fees, it comes with more ads because of this sharing. So, if you’re okay with seeing more ads, Zelle’s benefits might still be worth it.
But there’s a risk too. People have found ways to trick Zelle users into giving away their money through phishing scams. Since Zelle takes money straight from your bank account and only needs your email address to work, scammers can use it to trick you.
So, to stay safe, only use Zelle with people you know and trust. I’ll tell you what customers say in the following section.
Customer Testimonials
See what people are saying about Zelle! One user found the sending limit inconvenient; another had trouble with app connectivity and third faced delays with their bank.
Find out their experiences and what they recommend.
- Customer Review 01:
Zelle is garbage. If you need to send a relatively large amount of money, you’re out of luck until you’ve sent lots of small amounts. Who wants to pay their rent every month in 4 installments on different days of the month because of the tiny daily limit?
This person says Zelle is bad because there is a low limit on how much money you can send at once. If you need to send a big amount, you might have to send it in many small parts over several days.
He doesn’t like the idea of paying rent in lots of small payments on different days.
- Customer Review 02:
Worst experience. tried to set up an account. it connected to my bank app, and gave me no option to proceed. completely unprofessional and their app is completely out insufficient in doing their job. DO NOT USE THIS APP
This person, Maggie Cousineau, tried to use an app but had a bad experience. She says that she wanted to make an account, but the app connected to her bank account without giving them a choice.
She thinks that the app is unprofessional and doesn’t work properly and advises others not to use it.
- Customer Review 03:
Tried to send payment by Zelle. Payment delayed allegedly “under review” with no explanation given by Truist Bank. When I called fraud line to have review completed, Truist representative asked “mandatory” questions for name of recipient and whether I knew the recipient. No objection; provided answers. And I also would have confirmed phone number and email address. But then the TRUIST person asked “what is the payment for?” THAT IS AN UNLAWFUL BREACH OF PRIVACY and none of TRUIST’s %#*+# business! What does it matter and why is a bank invading my privacy? Totally unreliable.
This customer says that he had a bad experience with TRUIST Bank. He says he tried to send money using Zelle, but TRUIST delayed it without a good reason. When the person called to fix it, TRUIST asked personal finance questions, which he felt was invading his privacy.
He thinks TRUIST could be more reliable and suggests using PayPal or Venmo instead. He wants to make a formal complaint about TRUIST’s behavior.
However, you should understand one thing. You cannot solely depend on customer reviews to understand Zelle because they’re totally based on customer experiences.
Pros and Cons of Zelle
Are you curious about Zelle’s perks and drawbacks?
Check the table below to understand Zelle better. So, it will help you decide whether it’s your cup of tea or not.
Pros
Cons
Alternatives to Zelle
Yes, what you’re thinking is right. You can’t keep money in Zelle – it’s all sent straight to your bank or credit union. This means if you buy something online from a shady company, you might not get your money back if it turns out to be a scam.
But don’t worry! There are lots of other bank app(s) you can use instead.
Wise
One popular option is Wise. It’s always been my favorite choice and one of the best alternatives to Zelle for sending money, focusing on international transfers. It offers cheaper rates compared to banks by using the real exchange rate. Sending money through Wise is simple via their website or app.
You sign up, input the recipient’s bank account details and transfer funds. However, it might take longer than Zelle, especially transactions for international bank accounts. Wise is IDEAL for those needing to send money abroad or seeking a cost-effective alternative to traditional banks.
Sounds like a good alternative? Read more about it here.
Apple Pay
Next is Apple Pay. If you have an iPhone, you might like Apple Pay. It’s a digital wallet connected to your card. You can use Apple Pay to pay for things in stores or online. To use Apple Pay, you add your credit or debit card to the Wallet app on your device.
It’s a fast and secure way to make purchases without needing to carry physical cards. When making a payment, you simply hold your device near a compatible contactless reader and authenticate the transaction using Face ID, Touch ID, or your device’s passcode.
The best part? Apple Pay is accepted at various stores, restaurants, apps, and websites that display the Apple Pay or contactless payment symbols.
Apple Pay offers features like person-to-person payments through Messages and the ability to store boarding passes, tickets, and loyalty cards in the Wallet app. It’s secure because it doesn’t store your debit card details on your phone.
Note: These apps work similarly to Zelle, but they offer more flexibility and protection.
Other online bank reviews:
Zelle Review: The Final Verdict
So yes, Zelle offers an easy and reliable way to send money directly to someone’s bank account. While it may lack some features that other payment apps offer, its simplicity and integration with banking apps make it a convenient choice for users.
With Zelle, you can forget about waiting for funds to transfer or dealing with extra fees—it’s all about quick, easy, and stress-free transactions. So, if you’re tired of complicated processes, try Zelle!
However, if you’re looking for different features and services, please keep an eye on the alternatives I’ve discussed in this piece.
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