In recent years, the way that we handle our money and use it has been totally transformed. Physical cash is quickly becoming a thing of the past, with many people opting for quick, secure and easy to use digital payments.
There are a number of options for digital payments users to choose from. The tried and tested Apple Pay and Google Pay tend to dominate for in-person payments replacing cash, such as buying food from the store or settling a bill at a restaurant.
To find out the answers to those questions and more, read on…
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The Rise of PayPal and Cash App
In terms of age and experience, PayPal, which was first launched in 1998, is old enough to be married with kids, whereas Cash App is still in Middle School after having started up in 2013.
The elder statesmen of the apps were first created with online auctions in mind. Back in 1998, there was a serious lack of online payment options, so PayPal was created to streamline the online buying experience.
Since then it has become the most trusted digital platform on the planet and is not only still used for online auctions, but a range of other functions as well including as a mobile payment terminal for small businesses.
Cash App, on the other hand, was launched in 2013 as a peer-to-peer payment system. After establishing itself in that domain, the app went on to diversify, with users now able to invest in stocks and purchase cryptocurrency.
Which is Better?
As you will see, the answer of which is the best app between PayPal and Cash App is less to do with the various pros and cons of each platform and more to do with the individual. When PayPal was set up in 1998, the internet was a fairly novel and new concept and as such, online security was absolutely paramount.
Customers had to be assured that they would experience the same level of safety when shopping online as they would when making card payments in person. As such PayPal not only prioritised safety features such as encryption, but also developed their site and their processes with these security reassurances in mind.
Logging in then, even in 2025, can often feel like a laborious and time consuming affair, similar to the experience of online banking. There are a myriad of security checks to navigate, endless user agreements and constant warnings about scams and fraud.
All good features if you are primarily concerned with your online safety. All bad features, however, if you want a quick, easy, and seamless digital payment experience. If that’s what you want, then Cash App is the platform for you.
Initially designed as a way to send money between friends and settle bills etc., Cash App is a far more modern digital payment platform. It is easy to navigate and whilst security is also a primary concern, it has not been overly engineered into the UI like PayPal’s has.
Am I a PayPal Person or a Cash App Person?
Still not sure which digital wallet best suits your needs? Let’s wrap things up by taking a look at a couple of different examples:
The Online Seller
Buying and selling online is a risky business. The type of person partaking in this wants guarantees of safety and security, and for that reason, they use PayPal.
The Online Gambler
When wagering online you put your trust in the provider and simply want a quick and easy way to make deposits and withdrawals. For that you’d be foolish to use anything other than Cash App. Trusted comparison sites like Casino.org have a designated sub section on Cash App Casinos, they mention the 0% fees and high-level payment encryption as the highlights.
The Business Owner
Small to medium business owners use PayPal for taking payments as the platform offers all the security of a traditional bank, but much lower usage costs.
The Shopper
Whether buying online or person, the retail enthusiast opts for PayPal as it is accepted in far more places than Cash App.
The Friend
It’s hard to keep track of money on a night out or at a restaurant, which is where Cash App comes in. You can easily send or request money from your friends to make sure you’re all squared up, even before you get home.
The Investor
Looking to get into crypto stocks? It’s all built-in and easy to use on Cash App.
