Have you ever needed to pay someone back who prefers Cash App, but had money stuck in your PayPal account? Or wanted to take advantage of Cash App‘s investing features but lacked funds in there to get started? As a technology specialist, I often get questions from friends about the easiest way to move money from PayPal to Cash App.
While there is unfortunately no direct transfer method between the two platforms right now, by linking your bank account, we can get your PayPal funds moved over to Cash App within a few days.
In this guide, we‘ll explore exactly how to complete this process in three simple steps. I‘ll also share some key reasons you may want funds in Cash App instead of PayPal, as Cash App‘s flexibility and peer-to-peer popularity can be incredibly useful.
An Overview of PayPal and Cash App
First, some background. PayPal pioneered online money transfers when it launched services in 1998. Today, it has over 426 million active user accounts globally and allows sending funds online via email or mobile numbers connected to its system. PayPal facilitates ecommerce checkouts, online auctions, and peer-to-peer transfers.
Cash App entered the money transfer space more recently in 2013. With its trademark bright green iconography, Cash App focuses specifically on mobile peer-to-peer transactions. Its simplicity and features like shareable payment links helped skyrocket its popularity – Cash App now has over 70 million annual active users.
Below is a comparison of some of the key features available.
| Feature | PayPal | Cash App |
|---|---|---|
| P2P payments | ✅ | ✅ |
| Physical debit card | ❌ | ✅ |
| ATM withdrawals | ❌ | ✅ |
| Investing | ❌ | Stocks & Bitcoin |
| eCommerce payments | ✅ | ❌ |
Why Transfer Money from PayPal to Cash App?
So why would you want to go through the trouble of moving funds? Here are some great reasons to use Cash App if the other features interest you:
Investing – You can buy and sell bitcoin and stocks quickly within Cash App. PayPal does not offer investing or bitcoin.
ATM Access – Cash App‘s free debit card lets you withdraw your balance from ATMs for cash needs.
eCommerce Alternatives – Services like PayPal remain better for online shopping. But for sending money to friends, Cash App is often preferred.
Popularity – Especially when splitting bills or paying individuals back, the majority of younger demographics seem to use Cash App as their top choice.
Basically, while you can leave money in PayPal, getting it into Cash App allows you to access investments and withdrawals more consumers expect for personal transactions.
Now let‘s get into the step-by-step process…
Step 1: Getting Funds Ready in Your PayPal Account
First, we of course need to verify sufficient funds available in your PayPal balance. Log into your PayPal account via a web browser or the mobile app and check your balance and transaction history details.
If you need to add money first, you can do so via linked payment sources before proceeding. These could include:
- Bank account
- Debit/credit card
- PayPal Cash or Cash Plus account
Once added, give it at least 30 minutes for money to clear before initiating a withdrawal to be safe.
Step 2: Transferring Money from PayPal to Your Bank
Next, we can move funds from PayPal to your linked bank account:
- In PayPal, click the "Transfer Money" button at the top right of the dashboard.
- Enter the amount you want to transfer. Note funds must be in available balance.
- Select the bank account to receive the PayPal transfer.
- Review and confirm transfer details.
Most transfers take 30 minutes to 3 business days depending on the bank. I‘d check your bank account transaction history regularly to see when funds clear.
For example, here is what a PayPal bank transfer confirmation looks like:
Step 3: Depositing the Funds into Cash App
Once PayPal money arrives in your linked bank account, we‘re ready to deposit into Cash App:
- In Cash App, tap the "Banking" tab on bottom menu.
- Select "Add Cash" then connect to your debit card.
- Enter the transfer amount from bank to Cash App.
- Transferred total should now be in Cash App balance!
Now you have full access to other Cash App features like its Cash Card, investments, and peer-to-peer payments.
And we‘re all set! Let me know if any other questions come up during the process – I‘m happy to provide technical guidance to ensure the transfer works smoothly. While not as instant as we‘d prefer, this approach lets you integrate the useful perks of Cash App into your financial ecosystem.
