But competition is fierce, and Samsung’s newly-announced Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra carries a spec sheet and several productivity features that may just be enough to take a bite out of Apple.
Whether you’re a graphics designer, content creator, or mobile gamer, two of your best options for large-screen tablets are Samsung’s latest and Apple’s greatest. While this comparison analyzes the key differences between the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra and iPad Pro (12.9-inch), including display performance, camera quality, and other standout features, it will ultimately serve as a guide to help you make the best buying decision. Let’s begin.
Displays
Starting with the displays, the biggest difference is in screen size. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra measures in at 14.6-inches diagonal, versus the smaller 12.9-inch of the iPad Pro. Both tablets are huge, but the extra real estate on the Galaxy will come in handy if you’re a graphics designer or artist who can use a bigger canvas. It also helps that a stylus comes included with the Tab S8 Ultra. Still, mobile gamers who want a wider field-of-view will find both displays to be quite immersive.
Another factor to weigh in is aspect ratio. It’s not often talked about but the aspect ratio of the Apple iPad Pro (10:7) is actually more squared than it is rectangular, unlike the wider Samsung tablet (16:10). Depending on your use cases, this can be good or bad. With a more squared form factor, the iPad Pro is easier to hold (one- or two-handed) and less finger stretching is required to reach the corners of the screen. The drawback is that cinematic movies and videos that follow a 2.35:1 aspect ratio, or anamorphic scope, will leave thick black bars at the top and bottom of the screen.
Both tablets come with 120Hz refresh rates for ultra smooth animations and the resolutions are as good as they come. Technically, the Tab S8 Ultra’s Super AMOLED offers a higher resolution than the iPad Pro’s Liquid Retina XDR, but the difference in pixels is so miniscule that you’ll have an enjoyable viewing experience no matter which of the two you pick. While Samsung didn’t disclose the nits of brightness that the Tab S8 Ultra holds, our testing of the iPad Pro has shown that its peak of 1,600 nits bolds well for outdoor viewing.
Software and performance
While ZDNet’s review of the Tab S8 Ultra is in progress, enough can be gathered from the spec sheet and our experience with the iPad Pro to advise you of what to look out for. Like choosing between iPhone and Android, you’ll face a similar crossroad with these two tablets.
The iPad Pro runs on iPadOS which, in the simplest terms, is a large scale version of iOS. You still have a dock at the bottom of the home screen which houses your choice of applications, as well as the ones you most frequently use. Apple has also added some notable features to iPadOS for enhanced multitasking, like Split View and Center window, with more to come via software updates. Most importantly, the iPad Pro is powered by Apple’s latest M1 silicon, which has proven to be a top-tier and efficient chipset, capable of pushing its 8 or 16GB of RAM to handle the most power-hungry programs.
The Tab S8 Ultra follows closely with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor and lives on Samsung’s vision of Android: OneUI Tab 4. Making the most of the Tab S8 Ultra’s multitasking quirks will require some learning, but once you do, features like DeX and Companion mode come in handy for your professional and casual needs. You’ll have the support of up to 16GB of RAM to power through such applications, too.
The Tab S8 Ultra can also wirelessly connect to an external monitor or Samsung TV, or serve as a secondary monitor alongside your PC or phone. That’s especially impressive when compared to the iPad Pro, which can only screen mirror its content.
Also: Best portable monitor
Both devices come in base configurations of 128GB, but the iPad Pro can also be purchased with 1TB or 2TB built-in. The Tab S8 Ultra’s highest storage option is 512GB, though it does support MicroSD card expansion up to 1TB. For content creators who plan to video- or photo-edit on the go, having a MicroSD card slot may be enough of a feature to sway you in favor of Samsung.
Camera
Speaking of content creation, how do the cameras fare between the two offerings? While tablets aren’t designed to replace your DSLR, they sport multi-camera configurations that make it easy to capture stills and video. Sometimes, you just want a quick flick.
With dual front-facing cameras, Samsung hopes that the Tab S8 Ultra will be your go-to device for conducting video calls. The front notch houses a 12MP wide lens and a 12MP ultra-wide, capable of 4K recording and intelligent auto-framing – similar to Apple’s Center Stage. That said, the iPad Pro can do the same with its singular 12MP ultra-wide camera at the front. What’s different is the positioning of the iPad Pro’s front camera. When held in landscape mode, the camera is situated on the left side of the tablet, instead of the center like the Tab S8 Ultra. That can be nuisance if you typically hold your tablet in landscape orientation and unintentionally block the camera from scanning FaceID and other features.
Both tablets are capable of capturing vibrant and crisp imagery thanks to dual-cameras flanking the back. However, the Tab S8 Ultra does have one trick up it’s sleeve: 8K video recording. It’s not for everyone, but if you’re wanting to record sharp-looking video and pull 4K screencaps from it, now you can.
Megapixels and sensors aside, the overall quality of pictures and videos boils down to how well the Tab S8 Ultra and iPad Pro post-processes and what your visual preference is. Stayed tuned for our in-depth breakdown of the Tab S8 Ultra camera in our full review.
Battery and charging
Both tablets have big screens and in turn, need big batteries to keep the lights on. The Tab S8 Ultra comes fitted with a 11,200mAh cell, which Samsung claims will provide up to 13 hours of video playback. The capacity is larger than that of the iPad Pro, which has an estimate of 10,758mAh. However, your mileage will vary depending on how you use your tablet, and further testing is needed to see how efficient the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset plays with Samsung’s operating system. What is clear is the charging speed advantage on the Tab S8 Ultra. Capable of 45-watt fast charging, a full charge takes just 90 minutes plugged in. While also using USB-C, the iPad Pro’s 18-watt charging requires at least three hours for a complete top-up.
Accessories
The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. That’s the philosophy that drives the ultimate tablet experience and should be weighed in when making your purchase decision. Fortunately, both Samsung and Apple have made great strides in curating useful and modular accessories that not only change the way you use your tablet, but amplify the overall experience. Let’s start with stylus support. An S Pen – Samsung’s term for smart stylus – comes bundled with the Tab S8 Ultra and there’s even a magnetic compartment on the back of the tablet to store it. For precision, the S Pen carries a 2.8ms latency, which means inputs and strokes appear on screen the moment the stylus touches it. Samsung has also integrated some neat software features with the S Pen, including Air Command and image capturing. As for the iPad Pro, Apple offers one of the most iconic tablet accessories in the Apple Pencil. What seemed like a gimmick at first has become a fundamental companion to the iPad experience. You’ll have to buy it separately for $129, but with the Apple Pencil, you gain pixel-perfect precision, thanks to a tilt- and pressure-sensitive touchpoint, and a slew of iPadOS shortcuts. Like the S Pen, the Apple Pencil attaches magnetically to side of the iPad Pro, wirelessly charging itself along the way. For improved typing and comfort, both Samsung and Apple offer smart keyboard cases that double as stands. The Samsung Book Cover Keyboard isn’t cheap at $349, but offers backlit keycaps, customizable shortcuts, a glass-coated touchpad, and ultimately transforms the Tab S8 Ultra into a 2-in-1. Better yet, if you preorder the tablet right now, Samsung will bundle in the $349 keyboard for free. To compete, the Apple Magic Keyboard provides a similar physical typing experience and also sells for $349. It offers backlit keys with quiet and responsive inputs, multi-touch gestures for iPadOS, and a unique, floating cantilever design. You can basically attach and detach the iPad Pro from the casing with ease.
Connectivity
The biggest difference between the Tab S8 Ultra and iPad Pro, connectivity-wise, is cellular support. Both tablets can be purchased with support for LTE and 5G data via e-sim, which helps if you plan to use your tablet on the subway, at local parks, or anywhere without Wi-Fi. The added convenience does come at a cost, though, as you will have to pay more for the cellular models of the tablets and your preferred data plan. On the Wi-Fi front, the Tab S8 Ultra outdoes the iPad Pro with the latest Wi-Fi 6E protocol. The new and less-cluttered bandwidth does require you to have a compatible Wi-Fi router, but once you do, expect less connection interference and faster download speeds. As for Bluetooth, Samsung takes another step forward by offering Bluetooth 5.2 instead of 5.0. The improved technology makes it faster at transferring large files and, for wireless audio listeners, means improved audio quality.
Colors and pricing
Lastly, how much will you be spending for either the Tab S8 Ultra or iPad Pro? It all depends on your storage configuration and whether or not you want support for cellular data. The Tab S8 Ultra starts at $1,099 for the 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage model, and comes in just one color: Graphite. Being that the tablet is still in its preordering period, you can take advantage of Samsung’s current promotions, which include trade-ins and free accessories. If you’re seeking the cellular model, the company says it will be available in AT&T and T-Mobile stores very soon. The 12.9-inch iPad Pro also starts at $1,099 for the 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage model, and comes in Space Gray and Silver finishes. You’ll have to pay an extra $200 for the added benefit of cellular connectivity. But with a little digging, some slick deals can save you a buck or two. Whether you end up shopping Samsung’s latest or find greater use in Apple’s tried-and-true, you can expect a portable, dependable, and large-screen tablet experience.
Alternatives
If you’re still on the fence, here are some worthy tablet alternatives for your consideration:
Microsoft Surface Pro 8: A large-display 2-in-1 that’s powered by Microsoft’s timeless Windows operating system. It has a replaceable solid-state storage, an included Typer Cover, up to 16 hours of battery life, and a gorgeous 13-inch display. Apple iPad (ninth generation): Perhaps what you need is something with a little less power but a similar feature set as the iPad Pro. The regular Apple iPad has a large 10.2-inch Retina display, is powered by the same iPadOS 15 software, and comes in at a fraction of the cost of the Pro. Google Pixel Slate: A simple and user-friendly interface is what ChromeOS is all about. Surround that with a premium 2-in-1 body and a 12.3-inch display, and you get an excellent Google-made alternative.
title: “Samsung Galaxy S22 And S22 Vs Iphone 13 By The Numbers” ShowToc: true date: “2023-04-12” author: “Monique Hokula”
This time around, the company is offering some of its best cameras ever, reduced camera bumps, and faster charging, among other improvements. While the most logical comparison for the new Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22+ might be an apples-to-apples lineup against other Android flagships, we’re going to do something a little different here and compare these apples to, well, Apple. Specifically, the iPhone 13. This side-by-side comparison will help those shoppers still on the fence about whether they want to join team Blue Bubble or team Green Bubble by laying out the specs for Samsung’s Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22+ alongside their closest iOS-based counterpart. Of course, differences in platform, hardware configurations, and even just basic priorities will make it hard to draw precisely direct comparisons. But, our coverage of each device’s respective spec sheet and our analysis of how they stack up should be invaluable in your quest to decide whether Apple or Samsung is more deserving of your hard-earned cash this time around.
Unpacked 2022: Galaxy S22, Tab S8 and everything else Samsung just announced
We’re going to break the analysis up into individual components to make it easier to compare the factors that matter most to you. First up:
Displays
This one’s a bit of a mixed bag between the Samsung and Apple entrants. Apple’s resolution and pixel density are clearly on top, with the iPhone 13 edging out the Galaxy S22, and soundly defeating the S22+, which includes the same number of pixels as its smaller sibling stretched over a larger amount of screen real estate. Of course, it could be argued that all three displays have pixels so small most users would need a magnifying glass to see them, but we’re big on the fine details here. There’s a clearer winner when it comes to refresh rate, however. Apple’s decision to reserve its 120Hz ProMotion technology for the iPhone 13 Pro doesn’t help its more budget-friendly iPhone 13 stack up well against the competition. Meanwhile, Samsung has included its own 120Hz displays into all three of its Galaxy S entries this year, including its base model once again. While that refresh rate can produce buttery smooth visuals at 120Hz, it can also drop as low as 10Hz to preserve battery life when the on-screen imagery is mostly static. Lastly, Samsung’s entrants can also double the iPhone 13’s touch sampling rate, meaning they should feel more responsive for the most demanding use cases, like intense mobile gaming.
Cameras
Going purely by the raw numbers here, Samsung’s duo seems to be the clear winner. Both the S22 and S22+ (which share identical camera arrays), include an extra camera that the iPhone 13 does not: a telephoto lens with 3X optical zoom. This, of course, puts them ahead of the iPhone 13 in terms of long-distance photography. On top of that, the newly enlarged “Nightography” sensors in the S22 and S22+ are designed to gather more light to improve photography in low light conditions, and better capture crisp imagery in fast motion situations. Of course anyone that’s been around smartphones for a few years knows that the bare specs of the camera hardware is only part of the tale. A lot of the performance of smartphone shooters happens behind the scenes when the device’s software gets ahold of the captured image. To that end, Samsung has introduced new AI-based technology designed to improve the digital blurring of its portrait mode for both humans and pets, while also allowing the photographer to automatically track up to 10 participants in a group photo to enhance framing and focus. That said, Apple’s own post-processing technology is no slouch either. Not only is its own digital portrait processing considered to be among the best, if not the best, but one of the signature additions to the 13th generation of the iPhone is Apple’s new Cinematic Mode, which allows the user to add rack focus to their videos, smoothly switching the depth of field from one subject to another using software algorithms.
Memory and storage
Ahh, memory. A much simpler category to compare…or so you might think. Sure, Samsung’s RAM double’s Apple’s, and Apple counters by offering a top-end storage option that doubles Samsung’s own for both devices. So, it would seem like a wash, a 1-1 tie. While Apple’s 512GB iPhone 13 is clearly the storage winner, the champ is a bit murkier when it comes to RAM. Apple is the king of making seemingly lower-end hardware perform better than numerically superior offerings. Take its M1 chip, for instance. The unit integrates a processor, storage, and RAM into a single package. Because of this tight integration and the coordinating optimization it provides, an M1-equipped MacBook Air could trounce a lot of much more expensive systems, despite the fact that its base model is only packing 8GB of RAM while most of its competitors used 16GB or more. Apple’s walled-garden approach to its iOS platform and App Store also mean that all of the apps running on the iPhone 13’s 4GB of RAM have been verified to be optimized for Apple hardware. Meanwhile, Samsung’s reliance on the much more diverse, far less controlled Android ecosystem means that 8GB may or may not actually be able to deliver twice the performance, once the relative lack of optimization is taken into account. Even benchmarks can sometimes be inconclusive because of the vastly different ways iOS and Android handle their respective processing tasks. Thankfully, all three devices are more than powerful enough to handle all but the most demanding tasks without skipping a beat. For the kinds of power users that frequently find themselves pursuing exactly those kinds of tasks, we’ve covered the even-more-powerful iPhone 13 Pro and Galaxy S22 Ultra in a separate piece.
Battery and charging
As with the memory battle above, the battery size competition isn’t as clear cut as it might first seem. Optimizations in things like background app usage, standby power consumption, network management, your device’s age, and a slew of other factors can impact a battery’s longevity far more than a few extra mAh. However, all three devices should be able to last you throughout the day thanks to factors like Apple’s tight control of background app power consumption and Samsung’s new, more efficient 4nm processor. Things are a bit more varied on the charging front. Samsung looks like the clear winner here. Not only does the S22 support faster 25 W wired charging, but its larger cousin bumps that up to an impressive 45 W to juice up its larger power pack. Things are a bit closer on the wireless side of things, with Apple iPhone 13 matching the S22 siblings at 15 W of maximum input. However, it’s worth noting that reaching that speed requires the wireless charger in question to be of the MagSafe variety. MagSafe units are either made by Apple or third parties, with their approval. That usually introduces a pricing premium over the Qi-based units that can provide the same 15 W of power delivery for Samsung’s devices, but are limited to just 7 W on the iPhone 13.
Connectivity
The standout here for Wi-Fi connectivity is the S22+, which adds the newest Wi-Fi 6E protocol. Of course, you’ll still need to have a Wi-Fi 6E router or other device to truly take advantage of this. Although those are relatively few and far between right now, it makes the S22+ just a little more future-proof. Both Samsung devices just beat out Apple’s Bluetooth support, upgrading its version 5.0 to the slightly new Bluetooth 5.2 Cellular connectivity is one of the areas where Samsung’s two offerings differ the most. While the S22+ can go toe-to-toe with the iPhone 13 for its range of 5G coverage, the standard S22 skips the ultrawide-band (UWB), just like its predecessor the Galaxy S21 did. Although this isn’t a great omission for the lucky few that live within the dense urban markets where UWB coverage is available from Verizon Wireless or AT&T, it’s less important for those living in the majority of the country. This is even more true now that the C-Band spectrum that all three devices support is beginning to roll out, offering speeds that can match all but the fastest UWB installations across a much wider service area.
Software
Obviously, it’s pretty pointless to compare Android to iOS in the relatively short amount of space we’ve got here. However, it is worth taking a look at the promised number of updates offered by each model. Apple’s iOS has pretty much been the gold standard for long-term OS updates. Its five-version promise means that you’re guaranteed to be able to download the latest version of iOS for at least five years. The recent launch of iOS 15 is supported all the way back to the iPhone 6S, which launched in 2015. Sure, some newer features that require newer hardware to work might leave this model behind, but the same can be said for any smartphone. Meanwhile, Samsung is promising a slightly shorter four-version guarantee. This is one fewer major update than iOS, and also a much less reliable proposition in general. While iOS updates are generally available to all compatible devices from day one, Android models often take much longer for a new update to proliferate across the daunting number of models made by the various manufacturers and customized for various carriers. The associated approval processes can often mean a new version of Android released in the fall won’t reach even the latest generation of devices until the next spring. Companies like Google and Samsung have worked to shorten these wait times, but they still can’t beat the monolithic surety offered by iOS.
Colors and pricing
Cost is going to be the single most important factor for a lot of shoppers. After all, what good are all of those cutting-edge improvements if you can’t afford them? This year, it’s clearer than ever that Samsung is positioning its base model, the Galaxy S22 as a direct competitor to Apple’s corresponding base-model flagship, the iPhone 13. Their identical pricing, while still premium, puts them towards the bottom of the current fleet of flagships in terms of cost. Meanwhile, the S22+ with its slightly upgraded hardware and larger screen was, as usual, designed to be something of a happy medium between the more expensive, bleeding-edge S22 Ultra and the cheaper base model S22. It being priced exactly at the starting cost of Apple’s iPhone 13 Pro means Samsung sees it as being able to directly compete with Apple’s best, and its spec sheet seems to bear that out. Of course, being brand new, Samsung and the carriers will be offering a slew of promotional credits, free add-ins, and other offers that might make Samsung’s options a cheaper alternative in the short term. Whether Samsung’s options remain the more desirable ones, or Apple’s iPhone 13 reigns supreme among mid-market iPhones in 2022…Well, that’s up to you.
Preorder info
The Samsung Galaxy S22 and S22+ are both available for preorder now from Samsung, the major US carriers, and other major retailers. Units are expected to arrive in stores on February 25. If either the Samsung Galaxy S22 or S22+ look like its the phone for you, we’ve got all the best preorder deals in one place for your perusal, no research required.
title: “Samsung Galaxy S22 And S22 Vs Iphone 13 By The Numbers” ShowToc: true date: “2023-02-26” author: “Thomas Adams”
Whether you’re covering a friend’s coffee or starting an e-commerce storefront, PayPal and Venmo are the preliminary choices for transactional services. While PayPal is the parent company of Venmo, there are some notable differences between the two that you should be aware of before deciding on one. Read on for a breakdown of their features, fees, transfer policies, and more.
At a glance
Platforms and availability
From a platform standpoint, PayPal and Venmo are free to use through iOS and Android apps, with near five-star ratings for both. That means you can conveniently make transactions, transfer money, and trade cryptocurrency right from your mobile device.
The main difference, however, is on the web. Built for businesses, PayPal’s website provides a more flexible and detailed outlook on your sales and transactions, and most importantly, allows you to send and receive money on the platform. Venmo’s website lets you sign in to view and edit your profile, but you can’t make any transactions. All of that must be done through the mobile app.
Another key difference is availability. Venmo’s services are limited to US-based customers only, while PayPal can be used in over 200 countries – including those in the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia. If you travel often or operate an international business, then PayPal is the clear winner here.
Peer-to-peer use
For personal use and P2P transactions, both PayPal and Venmo offer casual, user-friendly methods to exchange money.
On the PayPal app or website, you can send or request money through the Family and Friends service, which doesn’t charge any buyer or seller fees. All that’s needed is a linked credit card or bank account on your profile and the recipient’s PayPal-registered phone number or email. Since this is a peer-to-peer transaction, the standard seller protection policies are not applicable here. PayPal also gives you the option to apply for a Cash Card – a debit card that can be used in-stores and online, and is funded by the money that’s on your PayPal account.
Likewise, a bank account or credit card can be linked to Venmo for casual transactions. But unlike PayPal, Venmo takes a more social approach to money. By connecting your Facebook account or phone number, Venmo will network your profile with any mutual contact who’s also registered, making it easier to send and request money. There’s also a home feed on the app that publicizes the inflow and outflow of transactions within your social circle. It doesn’t state the amount exchanged, but does show who the sender and receiver are and the caption, if permitted. If you’re in favor of privacy, there’s a visibility toggle before you make a payment on the app.
You can’t go wrong with either service for personal use. PayPal follows a more traditional and fool-proof approach to sending and receiving money, whereas Venmo’s social component makes for a more engaging and convenient choice.
Business use
The biggest separation between PayPal and Venmo comes in business use-cases. As mentioned before, PayPal has built a robust and intuitive commerce platform throughout the years, while Venmo has just started to expand from its P2P ways. Still, here’s what you need to know about the two as a business owner. Venmo currently gives merchants the ability to accept payments in the app, online, or in person. By registering a dedicated business profile (separate from your personal profile), customers can pay for goods and services through a digital storefront page or by scanning your business’ unique QR code. With a client list including Poshmark, Abercrombie & Fitch, and UberEats, Venmo also offers the ability to integrate a “Pay with Venmo” option within your e-commerce platform. All transactions come with 24/7 monitoring and are fully encrypted for your security. Given the social aspect of the app, it can be argued that marketing your business on Venmo is much easier than on PayPal. More: Everything you need to know about Venmo for Business Where PayPal falls short on followers and likes, it makes up for with an arsenal of business tools and insights. PayPal’s main sell is its web commerce platform, which serves as a dashboard for sales figures, billing agreements, invoices, and more. The service can also be integrated into various e-commerce platforms, virtual card terminals, and physical point-of-sale systems, for flexible payment options. Users can also opt into PayPal Zettle (formerly known as iZettle before its acquisition), an in-house card reader that transfers physical store transactions directly into your PayPal account. More: Best credit card readers for SMBs To keep the merchant protected from fraudulent activity and scams, all business transactions are covered by PayPal’s Fraud and Seller Protection Program. Whether you’re buying or selling goods and services, the company provides 24/7 monitoring, refunding services (for defective, damaged, or counterfeit items), and chargeback protection – in the case a buyer makes a false claim.
Fees and transfer policies
Depending on whether you’re receiving money as a gift or a payment for a service, PayPal and Venmo may charge a flat percentage fee. For casual use, transactions made via debit, credit, or a linked bank account are free of charge on PayPal. Venmo matches closely by offering fee-less payments through debit and bank accounts, but bills a 3% fee when using a credit card. Where the two differ is with business transactions. For such, PayPal charges a 2.99% fee plus $0.30 for every credit and debit card payment. The exception to this is when a buyer pays via an American Express card on the American Express app. Here’s a breakdown of the rates for the different payment types that PayPal accepts.
Send/receive money for Goods and Services: 2.89% + $0.30Standard credit and debit card payments: 2.99% + $0.30QR code transactions of $10.01 USD and above: 1.90% + $0.30QR code transactions of $10.00 USD and below: 2.40% + $0.30PayPal Checkout: 3.49% + $0.30Invoicing: 3.49% + $0.30
Venmo, on the other hand, charges 1.9% + $0.10 for every credit and debit card transaction. That means that for every $10 that you earn as a merchant, Venmo will deduct $0.20, giving you $9.80 in profit. More: Best small business credit cards Given PayPal’s greater prioritization of merchants, users can send and receive up to $10,000 per transaction and up to $60,000 per week. All PayPal accounts must be verified in order to make a transaction, so there is no limit depending on your account status. Venmo, which focuses more on casual payments, caps single transactions at $299.99 for unverified users. Once verified, the threshold is expanded to $6.999.99 per week. Lastly, if you’ve received money in your PayPal or Venmo account, you can transfer the funds to your linked bank account for free within 1 to 3 business days. An instant transfer option is available on both services for a 1.5% fee, with a maximum of $15. That means you’ll be paying, at most, $15 when instant transferring funds of $1,000 or more.
Bottom line
Choosing between PayPal and Venmo boils down to three things: The purpose of your transactions, the amount of money going in and out, and whether the payments will take place within the US or outside. PayPal is your best option if you’re a small business owner who’s seeking flexibility and convenience when buying and selling goods. While the seller fees are more expensive than Venmo’s, there’s no beating the number of business insights and tools that PayPal provides to help manage your money. For quick money transfers and effortless payments at a tap, Venmo’s app-only service is secure, reliable, and free to use. Ultimately, it doesn’t hurt to use both services for different purposes.
Alternatives
If you’re still on the fence, here are some worthy alternatives for your consideration:
Google Pay Send: Available on iOS and Android, Google Pay Send provides similar transactional services as PayPal and Venmo, but with no fees on debit card transactions. For P2P and business use, Google Pay Send can be integrated within e-commerce platforms and accepts payments from all major US credit and debit card issuers. Cash App: Arguably the third most popular P2P payment app on the market, Cash App (owned by Square) provides free money transfer services like Venmo, and the ability to invest in stocks and cryptocurrency. The service also accepts direct deposit payments and can transfer existing funds to your bank within 1 to 3 days.
