Before you download, check out this side-by-side comparison of these popular financial apps to make sure your money is safe.

Venmo

Uses: Send/request money from people you know
Security: Same as debit card, low
Extra perks: Cashback with card, no sign up fees, QR code
Downside: Stolen phone = access to app
Needs a bank? Yes, usually
Fees: With credit cards, instant bank transfers
Business use? Sometimes, can use physical card
Affiliation: Paypal

Cash App

Uses: Send/receive money, donate, invest in stocks, bitcoin
Security: PIN entry, Face ID, Touch ID, encryption, account alerts, pause card, fraud protection
Extra perks: Routing number, account number
Downside: Instant discounts online and in stores through app
Needs a bank? No, but you can link it
Fees: With credit cards,  
Business use? With physical cashcard
Affiliation: Square

PayPal

Uses: Send/receive money, donate, invest in stocks, bitcoin, installment pay
Security: Encryption, dispute resolution, confidential information protection, fraud prevention, 24/7 monitoring, "paypal purchase" protection
Extra perks: Pay later, pay in four feature, partnerships with companies like  hulu, spotify, ulta
Downside: Pay later feature needs approval and only available for purchases $30-$600, funds you hold in a paypal cash plus account are not insured by the FDIC unless you have successfully requested a paypal cash card.
Needs a bank? No, but you can link it, does not claim to be a bank
Fees: With cryptocurrencies, using any card, international transactions, transfers
Business use? Yes, and with physical card
Affiliation: Mastercard

Zelle

Uses: Send/receive money
Security: Zelle doesn’t offer a protection program for authorized payments, so only use zelle to pay people you know and trust.
Extra perks: Simple
Downside: Really only works like cash
Needs a bank? Yes, must link to bank account/card
Fees: No
Business use? Rare
Affiliation: Partnerships with Visa, Mastercard, co-op financial services

Google Pay

Uses: Send/ receive money, make online purchases, use in stores
Security: Touch ID, PIN
Extra perks: Autofill info in online payment forms
Downside: Linked to Google
Needs a bank? Essentially acts like a wallet
Fees: With credit card
Business use? Common
Affiliation: Google

Apple Pay

Uses: Send/receive money, apple card credit card (2% cashback), online purchases
Security: Touch ID, Face ID, PIN
Extra perks: Autofill forms on an apple product linked to account
Downside: Only works on apple devices
Needs a bank? Wallet, credit card
Fees: With credit card
Business use? Common
Affiliation: Apple

Ally Bank

Uses: Handle all banking needs digitally. Send/receive money, invest, get loans, manage portfolio
Security: FDIC insured, fraud/identity theft prevention, 2-step authentication
Extra perks: Functions exactly like a bank
Downside: No physical location
Needs a bank? Is a bank, just online
Fees: Returned deposit item - $7.50 Overdraft item paid - $25 Excessive transactions fee - $10 per transaction Expedited delivery - $15 Outgoing domestic wires - $20 Account research fee - $25 per hour
Business use? Debit card
Affiliation: Ally Financial

Varo

Uses: Handle all banking needs digitally. Send/receive money, invest, get loans, manage portfolio
Security: FDIC insured, fraud/identity theft prevention, 2-step authentication
Extra perks: Functions exactly like a bank
Downside: No physical location
Needs a bank? Is a bank, just online
Fees: No fees
Business use? Debit card with real cash back rewards
Affiliation: Varo Bank

GO2Bank

Uses: Manage money, establish credit, make deposits
Security: Lock/unlock account, text alerts, chip card, FDIC insured
Extra perks: High-yield savings accounts, 7% cashback with egiftcards, credit card eligibility w/o credit check
Downside: Must find location to deposit checks
Needs a bank? Is a bank, just online
Fees: $15 fee per overdraft, $100 deposit to establish credit card
Business use? Credit, debit card
Affiliation: Green Dot

GoHenry

Uses: Debit card for allowance, monitor children's financial behavior, limited to ages 6-18
Security: Chip security PIN protected No risk of overspending Easily block/unblock card 256 bit encryption  FDIC insured up to $250,000
Extra perks: Teaches children how to save, spend, and earn
Downside: No longer eligible after 18, controlled by your parents, essentially works like cash
Needs a bank? Connects to parents' bank account
Fees: $3.99 a month/child
Business use? Debit card
Affiliation: Community federal saving bank

Or better yet, keep it local (and secure) and bank with one of our favorite Arkansas banks, most of which have FANTASTIC mobile platforms!