10 Best Apps Like Cash App in Australia (Alternatives in 2023)

Digitally sending money to friends and family has become increasingly simple and efficient, largely thanks to apps such as Cash App. However, Cash App currently remains unavailable in Australia. In this guide, we explain why Cash App is unavailable and what the eligibility requirements are to open an account.

Then, we list ten outstanding alternatives in Australia with similar features and functions to Cash App. Apps like Revolut offer peer-to-peer transfers along with debit cards, travel perks, and investment platforms. We cover international money transfer solutions like Remitly and Currencyfair too. We even offer business alternatives like Payoneer and PayPal.

Is Cash App in Australia? 

Despite enjoying soaring popularity in the US, Cash App, which is an offering from Block, Inc., is not available in Australia. Cash App is primarily an American-based application that concentrates its services on the United States and the United Kingdom. Account holders must be 18 or older and legal residents of the US or UK, and must verify their identity.

For Australian residents seeking similar services, several noteworthy Cash App alternatives exist. Let's walk through their main feature sets to see how they can serve you in the absence of Cash App in Australia:

1. Revolut — Most Versatile Money App in Australia

Revolut stands out as the top overall alternative to Cash App in Australia, thanks to its impressive range of features. Like Cash App, it works as a mobile wallet for peer-to-peer AUD transfers to friends in Australia. This service is free and the transactions occur in real time. It extends its functionalities beyond money transfers too. It also allows you to invest in the stock market, offering 3 commission-free trades per month on the free plan. 

• International money transfers: With Revolut, you can send money across borders. Not only does it facilitate these transactions, but it also boasts some of the best rates globally.
• Multi-currency accounts: This feature allows users to maintain balances in multiple currencies, making it a handy tool for those travelling abroad or making international payments.
• Travel perks: Are you a frequent traveller? Revolut's got you covered with perks such as lounge access and allowances for fee-free ATM withdrawals.
• No foreign transaction fee card: Revolut provides a physical debit card to its users, free of foreign transaction fees. Perfect for travel, the card details can even be accessed virtually within the app.
• Spending insight and analysis: Revolut is also a great money management tool as it offers insights and analyses into your spending habits. You can also set personal budget goals.

The extensive capabilities of Revolut make it a leading contender in the digital finance industry and a worthy alternative to Cash App.

Learn more: Read our in-depth Revolut review or visit their website.

2. Wise Multi-Currency Account — Best for Multi-Currency and International Transfers

When it comes to multi-currency, one platform stands head and shoulders above the rest in Australia: the Wise Multi-Currency Account. The platform also lets you instantly send AUD transfers to other Wise users in Australia too. 

• 40 Currencies: With Wise, you have the power to hold up to 40 different currencies in one account. The account comes with AUD account details and its own debit card, allowing you to spend your foreign currency while abroad.
• Real Mid-Market Rate: In the world of currency exchange, the mid-market rate is the fairest deal you can get. Wise uses this rate for all their transactions, ensuring you the most transparency. Some financial institutions inflate the exchange rate to make a profit at your expense. However, Wise does things differently. There are no FX markups, what you see is what you get.
• Receive Money From Abroad: According to Monito's comparison engine, Wise was the best way to receive remittances into Australia from abroad. If you have friends and family abroad who need to send you international money transfers, consider recommending Wise to them. Run a search on Monito's comparison engine to see if Wise is the best option for your transfer.

In a nutshell, the convenience and financial savings offered by the Wise Multi-Currency Account are hard to beat. It isn't just about diverse currency support and favourable rates, but also about the user-friendly experience and instant transfers that make it an ideal Cash App alternative.

Learn more:Read our in-depth Wise Account review or visit their website.

3. Remitly — Best for Sending Remittances Abroad

If you're on the lookout for the cheapest online international money transfer service in Australia, look no further than Remitly. Remitly was recognised as offering the best rates overall for transfers made from Australia. On Monito's comparison platform from October 2022 to October 2023, Remitly came out as the cheapest option 37% of the time.

These destinations have all experienced a consistent record of competitive rates when sending money from Australia through Remitly:

• to the Philippines;
• to Nepal;
• to Pakistan;
• to India;
• to Ghana.

However, as exchange rates fluctuate, it is good practice to check before making a transfer. To find the best services that match your specific needs, run a search on Monito's comparison engine. This tool provides real-time updates on service rates and helps you to make an informed decision on your international money transfer needs.

Learn more: Read our in-depth Remitly review or visit their website.

4. SingX — Best for Sending Money to the US and the UK

SingX is an excellent option if you need to send money to the US, the UK, and other major destinations. According to our data from October 2022 to October 2023, SingX was the most economical choice in 31% of the cases, coming second only to Remitly for the best rates for transfers originating from Australia. 

SingX has maintained a steady history of competitive rates for money transfers from Australia to these destinations: 

• to the United States;
• to the United Kingdom;
• to India;
• to Canada;
• to the Eurozone.

More info: read our in-depth SingX review or visit their website.

5. Global66 — Best for Receiving Money From Latin America

Global66 was the second-best way to receive money to Australia from abroad, just behind Wise. For transfers to Australia, the online service offered the best rates on 15% of comparisons made on Monito between October 2022 to October 2023.

Global66 specialises in international money transfers throughout Latin America, offering great rates to Australia:

• from Colombia;
• from Chile;
• from Mexico.

More info: read our in-depth Global66 review or visit their website.

6. Currencyfair — Best for Receiving From the US and South Africa

Currencyfair is a good option if you need to receive money from friends and family living abroad. According to our data from October 2022 to October 2023, Currencyfair was the third best choice for remittances to Australia — offering the cheapest rates in over 12% of the cases on Monito. Specifically for transfers originating from the USA, South Africa, and the UAE, Currencyfair has been the number one option in 2023.

Currencyfair has historically offered competitive rates for remittances:

• from the United States;
• from South Africa;
• from the United Arab Emirates;
• from the Eurozone.

More info: read our in-depth Currencyfair review or visit their website.

7. Payoneer — Best Business Alternative to Cash App

Payoneer is a robust business solution for international transactions, offering payment capabilities in seven different currencies: AUD, USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, JPY and CNH. With Payoneer, you can freely transfer funds from your balance to another Payoneer account, though fees may apply for just a few regions.

This platform excels for global businesses and e-commerce, thanks to integrations with big-name platforms such as Amazon and Airbnb. Currency conversion is also just 0.5% between currencies, making it a cost-effective option when you need to exchange your foreign-earned revenue into AUD balances.

Like competitors such as Stripe, Square, and Cash App, Payoneer does impose payment processing fees: 3% for credit card transactions in all currencies, and 1% for ACH bank debit transactions. This is slightly higher than Cash App Business's 2.75%, but something we recommend for the impressive global reach that Payoneer gives you.

Learn more: Read our in-depth Payoneer review or visit their website.

8. Google Pay — Mobile Wallet for Android and iOS

Google Pay is a user-friendly, free peer-to-peer payment network for sending money to friends and family. It's compatible with both iOS and Android devices, making it a widely used across Australia. Like Cash App, Google Pay does not charge fees to send money or deposit to your primary bank account.

As a digital wallet, it does not issue a debit card nor does it give you an Australian checking account. Instead, you can link a separate card to the app to make contactless payments. Just take note that Google Pay will charge you a processing fee of 2.9% if you send money to friends using a linked credit card (debit cards are not charged). It also does not have international transfer capabilities.

Learn more: Visit their website.

9. Apple Pay — Mobile Wallet Compatible Across Apple Devices

Apple Pay is another mobile wallet, like Google Pay, that is compatible with your iPhone, Apple watch, and other Apple devices. You can send money to friends and family instantly from within the app, or even from iMessages.

To do so, you can simply link a debit card or credit card to the wallet to make contactless payments. The Apple Pay mobile wallet, itself, does not issue a card or an Australian checking account (the Apple Card is a separate product). It also lacks international money transfer capabilities, and will charge you a 3% processing fee if you send money to friends with a linked credit card.

Learn more: Visit their website.

10. Paypal — Largest Global Peer-to-Peer Network

PayPal, the global pioneer in online payment networks, is well-known for its quality fraud detection technology. With the largest user base on this list, PayPal makes sending payments, requesting money, and spending at vendors easy across the world.

PayPal offers other perks, like pay-later features, rewards, and the ability to buy Bitcoin (like Cash App). However, it lacks a stock investing feature.

Although PayPal serves customers worldwide, it's crucial to notice its high hidden exchange rate margin fee for international money transfers, which can result in costly transactions. To avoid these surcharges, read our guide on PayPal's conversion fees. We highly recommend using multi-currency accounts like Revolut and the Wise Multi-Currency Account for sending money to friends instead.

Learn more: Read our in-depth PayPal review or visit their website.