Cash App isn't available in Canada, despite being a very popular peer-to-peer (P2P) money transfer app in the US and UK.
In Canada, the P2P transfer market is dominated by the big-bank-backed Interac e-Transfer. It’s uncertain if Cash App will ever come to the Great North – but luckily, Canadians have plenty of Cash App alternatives.
You'll find these alternatives listed and explained below – so the next time you owe a friend for half a pizza, you’ll know how to pay them.
Key Takeaways
- Cash App doesn't work in Canada, largely because the P2P money transfer service is dominated by Interac e-Transfer.
- In the United States and United Kingdom, Cash App is a popular app to transfer money between friends.
- In Canada, our main alternatives are Interac e-Transfer, PayPal, and Wise.
Does Cash App work in Canada?
Cash App doesn't work in Canada because the money-transferring service industry is dominated by Interac e-Transfer.
For this reason, the Canadian market isn't as profitable, and the company instead chooses to operate exclusively within (and between) the US and UK.
So while there doesn't seem to be any evidence that the powers behind Cash App are planning international expansion, it doesn't mean it won't ever happen. After all, Square is the company behind Cash App, and its payment apps are available here and in many other countries.
It looks like the Cash App is never coming to Canada
Due to the long history of Interac e-Transfer in Canada and its overwhelming popularity, it's quite certain that Cash App will never be available in Canada. The big banks worked together to create a standardized protocol for all of Canada with Interac e-Transfer and effectively established a monopoly for money transfers within our country.
As mentioned in this Reddit post, there have been rumours that Cash App hoped to launch in Canada, but its efforts were blocked:
Further comments on this post agree that this is unsurprising information. Canadian regulations make it nearly impossible for American financial institutions to gain a foothold in our country, even third-party apps.
Plus, Cash App is a paid service while Interac e-Transfer is often free, depending on your chequing account package. It's unlikely that Canadians would want to switch and pay money for a service they can get elsewhere at no charge.
Cash App alternatives in Canada
While you can’t use Cash App in Canada, there are Canadian alternatives. Whatever your needs, there's an app here that can help you out. Take a look at how these top Cash App alternatives compare.
Wise
Wise offers low-cost international money transfers with transparent fees and real exchange rates, making it ideal for sending money abroad.
Why Wise is a good alternative to Cash App:
- Global reach to many countries
- Real exchange rates
- Low-cost international transfers
- Transparent fees
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Here’s our full review of Wise.
Interac e-Transfer
Interac e-Transfer is a secure, convenient, and fast way for Canadians to send money directly from one bank account to another using just an email or phone number.
Why Interac e-Transfer a good alternative to Cash App:
- Canadian-centric and built for domestic transfers
- Bank-level security measures
- Simplest way to transfer
| Pros | Cons |
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Here’s our full review of Interac e-Transfer.
PayPal
PayPal allows for quick and easy domestic and international transfers with buyer and seller protection, making it a popular choice for both personal and business transactions.
Why PayPal is a good alternative to Cash App:
- Protection for buyer and seller
- Widely accepted
- Works for domestic and international transfers
| Pros | Cons |
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Wealthsimple
Wealthsimple Cash enables free, instant peer-to-peer transfers within Canada. It integrates with other Wealthsimple products for a holistic financial experience that includes investing and a high-interest savings account.
Why Wealthsimple is a good alternative to Cash App:
- No fees for transfers
- User-friendly interface
- Integrated with other financial products
| Pros | Cons |
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Here’s our full review of Wealthsimple Cash.
KOHO
KOHO offers free, instant transfers between KOHO users, with the added benefit of being linked to a reloadable prepaid Visa card for easy spending and budgeting.
Why KOHO is a good alternative to Cash App:
- Instant, free transfers
- Transfers to a reloadable prepaid card
- Extra tools for managing your finances
| Pros | Cons |
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Here’s our full review of KOHO.
Remitly
Remitly specializes in international remittances, with multiple payout options and fast transfers to 135+ countries with competitive exchange rates.
Why Remitly is a good alternative to Cash App:
- Fast transfers, even abroad
- Various payout options for recipient
- Competitive exchange rates on international transfers
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FAQ
What is Cash App?
This is a popular app available in the US and the UK used to send, receive, and spend money, including having cheques directly deposited into your account. You can also use it to invest in stocks and Bitcoin.
Is Cash App available in Canada?
Unfortunately, no, Cash App is not available in Canada – only residents in the US and UK can use it to send and receive money. In Canada, Interac e-Transfer is the most popular and convenient method for sending money.
What are Cash App alternatives for Canadians?
There are several Cash App alternatives to choose from in Canada, including PayPal, Interac e-Transfer, Wise, and more. The closest comparison would likely be Wealthsimple Chequing, although Interac e-Transfer is the most popular.
How can I find the Cash App login?
You can download the mobile app for easy use and log in as you open it up. Or, there's a button in the top right corner of the Cash App homepage that takes you to a login page.
Is Cash App still safe to use?
In 2022, there was a data breach that affected users of Cash App’s investing product, not the person-to-person transfer product. It was enacted by a disgruntled former employee. Cash App uses strong security infrastructure, encryption, and fraud-detection technology.
Which payment app works in Canada?
PayPal is a payment app that works in Canada, as well as in many countries outside of Canada. KOHO and Wealthsimple Cash work within Canada. Zelle, Venmo, and Cash App do not work in Canada.
What is the most used payment method in Canada?
Debit cards and credit cards are the most popular methods of payment in Canada. PayPal is the most commonly used payment app, and Interac e-Transfer is a well-established, popular, and easy-to-use person-to-person money transfer service option.
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