There are tons of ways to give money to a friend or family member. You could mail a check, hand them a stack of cash, or send it digitally. With the Cash App, sending money to someone is as easy as entering an amount, dropping in their $cashtag, and hitting send. While this is very similar to Apple Pay Cash, the Cash App packs a few extra perks that make it awesome.
What is Cash App?
Cash App is a peer-to-peer payment app that sprouted from the Square Cash payment system founded by Jack Dorsey of Twitter. Using the Cash App, simply link your bank account, debit card or credit card, and add funds to your Cash account. Once money is in the Cash App, you can use it to pay a friend for your half of lunch, send it to a family member on their birthday, or use it at your favorite stores and vendors.
Why the Cash App is great
With Cash App, you can move beyond peer-to-peer payment by enabling your Cash Card. The Cash Card allows you to use money in your Cash account at stores online and in the real world. Your Cash Card can be added to Apple Pay, allowing you to buy groceries, coffee, gas or anything at stores that accept Apple Pay.
Screenshots: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac
To help Cash Card stand out from Apple Pay Cash, Cash took its payment system a step further. Instead of your card being for Apple Pay or online shopping only, you can request a physical Cash Card, allowing you to use it anywhere that accepts credit cards.
Another huge perk of the app is the “Boosts” you get for using your Cash Card at various places. Buying your daily coffee with your Cash Card, for example, will earn you $1 credit back to your Cash account, effectively dropping the price of your cup by $1. Boosts can be used once per day, and swapped out after a 24-hour period since the previous use. If done right, you could save $10 or more every week by using Cash Card and Boosts.
Who it’s for
Anybody that finds themselves splitting a check with friends or co-workers will find Cash App extremely useful. If you enjoy saving money with little tricks, Cash App and the Cash Card is perfect for you, too.
Bottom line: Cash App is the best peer-to-peer payment app
Cash App has been around for a while now, and continues to get better and add more perks along the way. It offers convenience and flexibility that most other payment apps don’t, making it truly essential.
Price: Free (Get $5 free by signing up here)
Download from: App Store
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