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Zelle

Zelle isn't available on Finder right now.

Instant withdrawal fee
0%
Fees to send
No fees
Maximum transfer amount (verified)
Varies

Summary

Send money in under 5 minutes with banks that use Zelle.

Zelle is a mobile payment processing network developed by some of the largest American banks - Bank of America, Chase, Capital One and USAA among them. Zelle is known for transferring money nearly instantly between users who have bank accounts that support Zelle integration. However, Zelle provides no form of fraud protection and transfer limits vary depending on your bank or credit union.

Backed by many major US banks, Zelle can transfer money into your recipient's bank account — typically in minutes. But watch out for unclear limits and much slower transfers for unsupported banks.

Pros

  • Large number of bank partners. Zelle is integrated with more than a thousand banking apps across the US. Chances are that if Zelle is integrated into your bank’s app, you won’t have to download another one.
  • Instant transfers. Transfers between two supported banks typically happen within minutes.
  • No fees. Zelle is free, so sending money to other Zelle users will cost you nothing.
  • Convenience. You just need a phone number or email to send money to other Zelle users.

Cons

  • US only. Both the sending and receiving bank accounts must be in the US to use Zelle.
  • Only supports bank accounts. You can’t pay with a credit card to send money through Zelle.
  • Smartphone required. If your bank supports Zelle, you may be able to access it through the bank’s website. Otherwise, you’re forced to use the mobile app to send money.
  • No fraud protection. Sending money through Zelle is like sending cash; once it’s sent, you can’t get it back - even if you send it to the wrong person.

In this guide

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  • Details
    • Product details
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Details

Product details

Product Name Zelle
Fees to send No fees
Instant withdrawal fee 0%
Free withdrawal speed Up to 3 business days
Payment method Bank account
Ways to receive Bank account
Maximum transfer amount (unverified) Varies
Maximum transfer amount (verified) Varies
Supported devices iOS app, Android app, Browser
Customer support Phone, Email
Supports international transfers? No

How does Zelle work?

Zelle works by moving money directly from one bank account to another. Zelle sends your recipient a text or email once a payment is waiting for them. If the recipient’s bank supports Zelle, they can accept the payment through their mobile banking app. Otherwise, the recipient uses a link provided by Zelle to accept the payment to a debit card.

Unlike Cash App, Google Pay, Venmo and other competitors, there is no escrow or intermediary period where the money is held by Zelle. Instead, money moves directly from your bank account to your recipient’s in as little as a few seconds. Zelle is free to use, but check with your bank to make sure you won’t pay withdrawal or transfer fees when using Zelle.

What banks currently use Zelle?

Zelle is supported by more than a thousand banks or credit unions. Major banks include:

  • Ally Bank
  • Bank of America
  • BMO
  • Capital One
  • Chase
  • Citi
  • Discover Bank
  • Fidelity Bank
  • Fifth Third Bank
  • Morgan Stanley
  • Pinnacle Bank
  • PNC Bank
  • Redwood Capital Bank
  • EverBank
  • TD Bank
  • US Bank
  • USAA
  • Wells Fargo

Can I use Zelle if my bank doesn’t support it?

Yes, but it will take at least a few days and may not be free. Your options include:

  • Sign up with the Zelle app. You may still be able to use Zelle even if your bank isn’t supported by downloading the Zelle mobile app and connecting your debit card. This won’t work for all banks, though, and transfer speeds are slower than when using a Zelle partner bank.
  • Use an alternative service. You could use another service that facilitates sending money in the US. Use our comparison table to compare the likes of Apple Pay, PayPal, Venmo and more.
  • Use a money transfer company. Look to digital money specialists if your recipient doesn’t have a bank account or prefers a cash pickup.
Wise (TransferWise) International Money Transfers

Wise: A solid alternative to Zelle

When you need to send money to a friend or family member in the US, benefit from fast service and low transfer fees with Wise.

  • Wise's multi-currency account allows users to hold and convert 50+ currencies.
  • It's free to send money if your friend also has a Wise account.
  • Next-day delivery to your recipient's bank account and to businesses.
  • Trusted the world over, Wise helps over 15 million people transfer $8.5 billion every month.

    Does Zelle charge a fee?

    The good news is that Zelle doesn’t charge a fee to send or receive money. However, your bank may charge a fee. It’s best to double-check the terms of service on your account or call your bank before using Zelle.

    What is Zelle’s transfer limit?

    The Zelle weekly limit is set to $500 if you don’t have an account with a Zelle participating bank.

    If your bank or credit union does offer Zelle, then you will need to contact them directly to find out their sending limits when using the service.

    How long does an international transfer with Zelle take?

    Transfers between two supported banks typically happen within minutes. However, if you are transferring to an unsupported bank, you may find it takes longer for your funds to arrive.

    Transfers typically takeClock icon for transfer speed

    Instant

    How to send money with Zelle

    Sending money with Zelle can be done in just a few steps, either through your bank’s mobile app, the web or the Zelle mobile app for Android and iOS.

    1. Set up your account. Log in to your current bank’s online system and register your email address/phone number with Zelle OR download the Zelle app and create an account.
    2. Send your payment. Choose your recipient, the amount you’re transferring and your payment method. Review your information and send.
    3. Zelle notifies your recipient. Your recipient receives an email or text with instructions on how to receive the transfer. If your recipient is not registered with Zelle, they’ll be prompted with a one-time setup.
    4. Zelle deposits your money. Your transfer is deposited into your recipient’s bank account, typically in minutes.

    How to receive money with Zelle

    Receiving money with Zelle shouldn’t take long after receiving your payment notification, but payments through a debit card may take a few days or more.

    1. Confirm payment. You’ll receive a text message or email when you’ve been paid through Zelle. Select the link inside of this payment notification.
    2. Connect your bank. If your bank is a Zelle partner, select it from the list or download the Zelle app and enroll using a Visa or Mastercard debit card.
    3. Confirm your account. After connecting Zelle to your bank or debit card and confirming it, you’ll be given a timeline for payment.
    4. Access your money. Zelle banks will often receive payments instantly, while payments to a debit card can take a few business days.

    Is Zelle safe to use?

    Zelle is used by hundreds of US banks and transfers money directly between bank accounts. However, just because your money should be safe in Zelle’s hands doesn’t prevent user error while transferring money through the app.

    Here are some key tips to increase the safety of your Zelle transfer.

    • Do you know the recipient? Only send Zelle transfers to people you know and trust. Zelle should be used to pay friends, family, coworkers and the like — Zelle should not be used to pay strangers.
    • Are you being scammed? If the item you are about to buy online and pay for with a Zelle transfer seems too good to be true, chances are it is. Zelle offers no buyer protection, so if you get scammed, you probably won’t get your money back. Use a service that offers buyer protection, like PayPal, when making purchases online from strangers.
    • Would you send cash? Treating a Zelle transfer like you’d treat cash is a great way to make sure you stay safe. You wouldn’t send an envelope of cash without double-checking the address, so always look twice at the mobile phone number or email before confirming your transfer.

    How does Zelle compare to other services that send money in the US?

    If you want to see how Zelle stacks up against other services that support domestic transfers in the US, take a look at our comparison table.

    1 - 3 of 3
    Name Product Fees Fastest available transfer speed Maximum transfer amount (verified)
    PayPal
    To send:

    By bank account: No fee
    By credit/debit card: 2.9% + fixed fee


    To receive:

    1% for instant withdrawal

    Instant
    $10,000
    Friends and Family is a free way to send and request money in the US, with fee-based options for international transfers.
    Cash App
    To send:

    No fees


    To receive:

    1.5% for instant withdrawal

    Instant
    $2,500
    Split the bill, pay your friends, buy and sell cryptocurrency and even spend money through a connected debit card.
    Apple Pay
    Apple Pay
    To send:

    No fees


    To receive:

    1% for instant withdrawal

    Instant
    $10,000
    Pay and get paid directly through iMessage, but you’ll need an iOS device to use this payment service.
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    Whether products shown are available to you is subject to individual provider sole approval and discretion in accordance with the eligibility criteria and T&Cs on the provider website.

    Name Product Filter Values Fastest Transfer Speed Fees (Pay by Bank Transfer)
    OFX International Money Transfers (Business)
    24 hours
    $0
    Business customers: Send safe, no-limit transfers with no fees and competitive exchange rates.
    Xe
    Within minutes
    $4
    Xe has fast transfers with low fees and a range of foreign currency tools.
    MoneyGram
    Within minutes
    From $0
    First online transfer is free.
    MoneyGram has fast cash pick-up transfers to more than 350,000 agent locations worldwide.
    Instarem
    24 hours
    From 0%
    New Instarem customers will get a special FX rate and zero-fees on their first transfer.
    Instarem offers offers rewards on every transaction.
    Xe Money Transfer for Business
    24 hours
    $0
    Save your time and money with Xe Money Transfer for business.
    Remitly
    Within minutes
    From $0
    Remitly has quick, affordable transfers around the world, with both express and economy options.
    CurrencyTransfer
    24 hours
    $0
    CurrencyTransfer lets you shop around for the best exchange rate on its online marketplace.
    WorldRemit - 4free
    Within minutes
    From $0.99
    Use promo code 3FREE and pay no fees on your first 3 transfers. Conditions apply.
    WorldRemit sends money to 110+ countries for bank-to-bank deposits, cash pick-ups or mobile top-ups.
    OFX
    24 hours
    $0
    OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 45+ currencies.
    PayPal (business)
    Within minutes
    $0
    Provides business solutions for small business owners in over 24 currencies worldwide. Try 3 months free of Spotify Premium when you sign up with PayPal.
    Wise (TransferWise) International Money Transfers Business
    Within minutes
    From $8.16
    Enjoy high maximum transfers into more than 20 currencies, while saving up to 90% over local banks.
    Wise (TransferWise)
    Within minutes
    From 0.41%
    Wise uses the mid-market rate and transparent fees to help you send money in 45+ currencies.
    Wise (TransferWise)
    Within minutes
    From 0.41%
    Wise uses the mid-market rate and transparent fees to help you send money in 45+ currencies.
    CurrencyTransfer for Business
    24 hours
    $0
    Increase business efficiency with zero transaction fees and same-day transfers.
    WorldRemit
    Within minutes
    From $0.99
    Use promo code 3FREE and pay no fees on your first 3 transfers. Conditions apply.
    WorldRemit sends money to 110+ countries for bank-to-bank deposits, cash pick-ups or mobile top-ups.
    CurrencyFair
    24 hours
    €3
    CurrencyFair has bank-beating exchange rates and fast transfer times on 15+ popular currencies.
    OFX
    24 hours
    $0
    OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 45+ currencies.
    CurrencyFair
    24 hours
    €3
    CurrencyFair has bank-beating exchange rates and fast transfer times on 15+ popular currencies.
    Remitly
    Within minutes
    From $0
    Special offers like free transfers and better exchange rates available for new customers.
    Remitly has quick, affordable transfers around the world, with both express and economy options.
    Remitly
    Within minutes
    From $0
    Special offers like free transfers and better exchange rates available for new customers.
    Remitly has quick, affordable transfers around the world, with both express and economy options.
    Remitly
    Within minutes
    From $0
    Special offers like free transfers and better exchange rates available for new customers.
    Remitly has quick, affordable transfers around the world, with both express and economy options.
    PayPal
    Within minutes
    From $0
    Use PayPal to safely send money and receive payments from around the world in over 25 currencies with just an email address or mobile number. Try 3 months free of Spotify Premium when you sign up with PayPal.
    Xe
    Within minutes
    $3
    Xe has fast transfers with low fees and a range of foreign currency tools.
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    Frequently asked questions

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    Zak Finder

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    Avatar

    Cj

    March 16, 2020

    I have zelle at 2 different banks and why does the money only go into one bank and not the other?


    Avatar

    nikkiangco

    March 17, 2020

    Hi CJ,


    Thanks for your comment and I hope you are well.


    When setting up your Zelle account, you are asked to log into your current bank’s online system and register your email address or phone number to establish a connection with your bank account. It’s helpful to know that you can only connect one bank account to your Zelle profile at any given time. Given this, your money will only go to the registered bank account.


    Please check the terms and conditions of your account or contact Zelle directly in regards to your Zelle account/profile.


    Hope this helps and feel free to reach out to us again for further assistance.


    Best,

    Nikki


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    Chris

    November 18, 2019

    Does the receiver have to have a bank account?


    Avatar

    Ash

    November 18, 2019

    Hi Chris,


    Thank you for contacting Finder.


    Yes, your receiver must have a bank account as Zelle is a money transfer service that helps you deposit the money directly to the recipient’s bank account.


    I hope this helps.


    Cheers,

    Ash


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    Avatar

    Marian

    June 25, 2019

    I sent money to my friend she let the country before she collect the money, my bank already processed and sent how would I get my money back?


    Avatar

    nikkiangco

    June 25, 2019

    Hi Marian,


    Thanks for your inquiry.


    Sorry to hear your friend wasn’t able to collect the money you transferred. As stated in Zelle’s website, you can only cancel a payment if the recipient hasn’t yet enrolled with Zelle. You can go to your activity page within the Zelle experience, either within your mobile banking app or the Zelle app, choose the payment you want to cancel, and then select “Cancel This Payment.” If your recipient has already enrolled with Zelle, the money is sent directly to your recipient’s bank account and cannot be canceled.


    At this point, your friend can send the money back to you. Hope you find a resolve on this soon!


    For any further questions, feel free to reach out to us again, we’re here to help.


    Best,

    Nikki


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    Avatar

    Blu

    June 11, 2019

    This is the worst transfer service EVER! They were Popmoney and they renamed themselves…they still SUCK! Avoid these thieves!


    Avatar

    Bella Finder

    June 11, 2019

    Hi Blu,


    Thanks for your inquiry.


    I’m sorry to hear about the service you’re experiencing. You may send your feedbacks on Zelle contact support page to help them improve their service.


    I hope this helps.


    Kind regards,

    Bella


    Avatar

    Me

    May 24, 2019

    Can you schedule a payment with Zelle for a later date ? I have still not received the scheduled payment my friend sent me. Didn’t get an email or text either. What should I do?


    Avatar

    Bella Finder

    May 25, 2019

    Hi Me,


    Thanks for your inquiry.


    As I checked, Zelle doesn’t have a scheduled transfer. If another Zelle user sends you money, you’ll be notified at the email address or phone number your sender used. If this email or number isn’t registered, simply register it to receive your funds.


    I hope this helps.


    Kind regards,

    Bella


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