Zelle lets you move money directly from your bank account to someone else’s—usually in minutes—using only an email address or U.S. mobile number.
Most major U.S. banks and credit unions include Zelle inside their mobile apps and online banking, and consumers typically pay no fee to send or receive.
As of April 2025, Zelle discontinued its standalone app; you now use Zelle through a participating bank or credit union.
What Zelle Is
Zelle is a bank-to-bank payment network owned by Early Warning Services, a company backed by several large U.S. banks.
It’s built for fast person-to-person transfers between people you know and trust.
Unlike some wallets, Zelle moves money account-to-account rather than holding a stored balance.
There’s no typical consumer fee to send or receive, though your bank’s general account fees still apply.
Both sender and recipient generally need U.S.-based accounts at participating institutions to use Zelle. (Check your bank’s eligibility page for details.)
How Fast Is It?
Speed is Zelle’s main appeal. For enrolled recipients, money typically arrives within minutes.
If you send to someone who hasn’t enrolled, they’ll get a prompt to enroll; once they do, the transfer completes.
Some banks note this can take 1–3 business days after enrollment.
Scheduled payments usually go out just after midnight on the scheduled date.
What It Costs (Prices & Fees)
Typical price to send/receive: $0 for consumers.
Zelle states there are typically no fees, and many major banks explicitly list no Zelle fee in their pricing pages.
Always confirm with your bank’s “Schedule of Fees.”
Your bank’s separate account fees (e.g., monthly maintenance or overdraft) still apply and are unrelated to Zelle itself.
Limits: How Much You Can Send
Zelle doesn’t set one universal limit; your bank or credit union sets your limits based on your account and relationship history.
At large banks, daily limits often range from about $500 to $10,000+, with weekly/monthly caps as well.
Some institutions dynamically adjust limits by the recipient and your transfer history.
If your institution doesn’t offer Zelle access, you generally can’t use Zelle now that the standalone app is gone.
Step-by-Step: Sending Money Fast with Zelle
Search your bank’s app for “Zelle” or use Zelle’s bank finder. If listed, you can enroll directly.
- Enroll once. In your bank app, select Zelle → Enroll. Link your email or U.S. mobile number to your bank account and verify as prompted.
- Add your recipient. Use the email or U.S. mobile number your recipient uses for Zelle. Confirm the name shown by your bank matches the person you intend to pay.
- Enter the amount and (optionally) a note. Review carefully; Zelle payments to already-enrolled recipients usually can’t be canceled.
- Send. Enrolled recipients usually receive funds within minutes. If they’re not enrolled yet, they’ll be invited to enroll; completion may then take 1–3 business days after they finish enrollment.
- Track status. Check the “Activity” or “Payments” section in your bank app for confirmations, scheduled payment timing, and your Zelle history.
Best Practices for Safety and Speed
Treat Zelle like cash. Don’t use it for marketplace purchases with strangers or for goods/services where you’d want purchase protection.
Scammers often pose as and pressure you to pay quickly. Pause, verify, and call official numbers—not those sent in texts or DMs.
Be cautious with social media–initiated payments. Some banks may block or delay Zelle transfers that originate from social media.
Regulators and state attorneys general have scrutinized Zelle’s fraud handling. This doesn’t stop you from using Zelle.
Troubleshooting Common Delays
Recipient not enrolled: Payment shows “pending acceptance” until they enroll with the same email/phone you used.
If they don’t enroll within the window (often 14 days), it cancels automatically.
Your bank may lower limits or hold a payment temporarily based on risk signals. Try a smaller first payment or contact support.
Scheduled payments are typically sent just after midnight on the scheduled date; verify the schedule if the recipient hasn’t received funds in the morning.
Availability: Who Can Use Zelle?
Zelle is integrated at thousands of U.S. financial institutions, including large banks and many credit unions.
You can search the public list to confirm whether you participate.
With the standalone app retired, participation by your bank or credit union is now required to use Zelle.
Quick Comparison Notes (When Zelle Makes Sense)
Choose Zelle when you need fast, account-to-account transfers to people you know, at $0 transfer cost.
Avoid Zelle for paying strangers, marketplace buys, or situations where you want purchase protection or a dispute process.
Use a credit card or a platform with buyer safeguards instead.
If you need to send large amounts, check your bank-specific Zelle limits first; some institutions allow $10,000+ per day, while others are much lower.
| Service | Typical speed | Limits | Buyer protection | International? | Notable notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zelle | Minutes to enrolled recipients; 1–3 business days if first-time enrollment completes later | Set by your bank; often $500–$10,000+ daily | No purchase protection; for people you know/trust | U.S. only bank accounts | Standalone Zelle app ended April 2025; use via bank only. |
| Venmo | In-app balance is instant; bank cash-out depends on method (see left). | Venmo-set limits vary by verification level | Goods/Services payments are covered; friends/family are not. | U.S. only | Owned by PayPal; social feed optional. |
| Cash App | In-app balance is instant; bank cash-out depends on method. | Limits depend on verification; vary in app | No purchase protection for P2P; separate Cash App Pay policies apply | U.S. + UK (limited cross-border) | Recent regulatory scrutiny and fines related to fraud handling. |
| PayPal | P2P shows instantly in balance; bank cash-out per method. | Account-level and risk-based limits | Purchase Protection for eligible Goods & Services; none for Friends & Family. | International supported | Large global network; merchant tools built-in. |
| Apple Cash | P2P is instant in Wallet; bank cash-out per method. | Apple-set limits apply (see support page) | Limited protections; not designed for marketplace purchases | U.S. only | Requires eligible Apple device and ID verification. |
Key Takeaways
If you follow the steps above—enroll through your institution, verify the right recipient, and send only to people you trust—you’ll get Zelle’s biggest benefit.
Fast, no-fee transfers right inside your bank’s app.
