Zelle is a peer-to-peer (P2P) mobile payment service that lets you give and receive money quickly, in just minutes. In the U.S., Cash App, Venmo, Wise, and PayPal are some other options.
Like Cash App, all you need to send money to someone with Zelle is their email address or phone number.
Can I get Zelle in Canada? What other types of payment tools are there that let you send money for free almost instantly?
Can I Get Zelle in Canada?
No. Zelle is not yet offered in Canada. Zelle’s website says that both “the sender’s bank account and the recipient’s bank account must be based in the U.S.” to use the service.
For Zelle to send money to a cell phone number, the number must be registered in the U.S.
The Best Alternatives to Zelle in Canada
These Zelle options make it easy to send money to family and friends. A lot of them are also free.
- Neo Money
- Wise
- Pay with PayPal
- Simple Cash for Wealth
- Access Interac
1. Neo Money
Neo Money is a good option for Zelle, especially if you want to get cash back every time you buy something.
A free Neo Money account comes with a prepaid card that can be loaded with more money and a mobile app that can be used to make a budget and save money. The company also has things that cost money.
What makes it great are:
Card with cashback: The Neo Money prepaid Mastercard lets you pay for things in stores or online and get up to 5% cashback. Even better, you can always use your bank account to add money to the card.
Free money transfers: You can give as much money as you want to anyone with an email address, Neo users or not.
CDIC protection: The CDIC will not lose the money in your Neo Money account if the company goes bankrupt.
You can get a $20 bonus when you sign up, deposit at least $50 into your account, and make your first buy.
2. Wise
One of the most famous apps for sending money around the world is Wise, which is also a good Zelle alternative.
You can send money to more than 80 countries for a low fee and the best mid-market exchange rates. It’s not just useful in Canada.
There is also a multi-currency account and debit card from Wise that lets you carry up to 53 different currencies and quickly spend them in 200 different countries.
3. Pay with PayPal
PayPal is not free, but in the US and Canada, it is seen as one of the best Zelle alternatives.
It’s free to send money as a gift to people in Canada, but it costs money to send money for business or to another country.
4. Cash cards for wealthy people
Wealthsimple Cash is a peer-to-peer payment app that works like Cash App and does what Zelle does at its core.
People on your friend’s list can send and receive money right away through the app.
To give money to someone who doesn’t have a Wealthsimple Cash account, you can use Interac e-Transfers, which are free.
5. e-Transfer to Interac
A common way to send money from your bank account to someone in Canada is through Interac e-Transfers.
A lot of banks and credit unions offer this way to pay. You might not have to pay a transfer fee if your account comes with a certain deal.
How Zelle Does It
The banks of Bank of America, Capital One, JP Morgan Chase, PNC Bank, Wells Fargo, Truist, and U.S. Bank all own shares in Early Warning Services, LLC, which owns Zelle.
It’s easy to send money with Zelle.
First, open the bank app on your phone and look for Zelle. The Zelle app can be used instead of Zelle if your bank does not offer it.
Type in their email address or U.S. cell phone number, along with the amount you want to give.
The money will be in the recipient’s bank account right away if they have a Zelle account. If not, they will get an email telling them how to pay their money.
Some Canadian banks that do business in the U.S., like TD Bank, offer Zelle on their U.S. sites.
Zelle Canada Frequently Asked Questions
1. What country is Zelle in?
No, you can only get Zelle in the US here. Neo Money, KOHO, Wise, and PayPal are the best Zelle apps that you can use instead in Canada.
2. Does TD Bank Canada work with Zelle?
Not at all. Zelle does not work with TD Bank Canada. People with a TD Bank U.S. account can use it to send money to people in the U.S.
3. Where can I find the Venmo or Cash App in Canada?
Canada doesn’t have either Venmo or Cash App.
4. What apps can I use to send money to Canada?
To send money to Canada, you can use Wise, KOHO, PayPal, Xe, Remitly, or WorldRemit.
5. Can I get Zelle at BMO Canada?
Not at all, BMO Canada does not back Zelle. You can use Zelle to send money if you have a BMO Harris account in the U.S.
6. Which bank in Canada uses Zelle?
No bank in Canada works with Zelle.