Cash App vs PayPal:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, PayPal had more branded searches than Cash App among money transfer services worldwide. PayPal had about 20.4 million branded searches, while Cash App had 1.5 million. PayPal made up 46.6% of all money transfer service searches we track, and Cash App accounted for 3.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about money transfer services, PayPal appeared in three of the five answers and Cash App in two. Cash App was mentioned before PayPal in two out of three answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
PayPal, about 14 searches for every 1 for Cash App
Who does AI mention more?
PayPal, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Cash App in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
Cash App, named ahead of PayPal in 2 of 3 answers
Follow Cash App vs PayPal and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top money transfer services in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, PayPal was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Cash App was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Cash App was listed before PayPal in two out of three answers that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Western Union5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Wise5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Remitly4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- PayPal3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Venmo3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Zelle3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
MoneyGram2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Cash App2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
OFX2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Revolut0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about money transfer services
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which money transfer service should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best money transfer services?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best money transfer service for sending money abroad?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“money transfer services”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“international money transfer”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.
Is Cash App or PayPal more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Cash App and PayPal by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 12 money transfer services we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for PayPal, Cash App. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | PayPal | Western Union | Revolut | MoneyGram | Cash App | Venmo | Remitly | Zelle | Wise | Xe | OFX | WorldRemit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 51.5% | 18.9% | 8% | 7.5% | 3.8% | 3.8% | 2.5% | 2.1% | 1.2% | 0.51% | 0.1% | 0.15% |
| Nov 2025 | 52.6% | 19.3% | 6.8% | 7.6% | 3.9% | 3.2% | 2.6% | 2.1% | 1.2% | 0.52% | 0.1% | 0.13% |
| Dec 2025 | 49.7% | 22.2% | 6.4% | 8.8% | 3% | 3.7% | 2.4% | 2% | 1.2% | 0.49% | 0.1% | 0.15% |
| Jan 2026 | 49.1% | 21.9% | 7.6% | 8.5% | 3.6% | 3% | 2.4% | 2% | 1.3% | 0.48% | 0.1% | 0.12% |
| Feb 2026 | 44.7% | 24.3% | 7% | 9.5% | 4% | 4% | 2.2% | 2.2% | 1.2% | 0.54% | 0.11% | 0.13% |
| Mar 2026 | 44.1% | 24% | 8.4% | 9.5% | 4% | 3.2% | 2.6% | 2.2% | 1.3% | 0.53% | 0.11% | 0.13% |
| Apr 2026 | 45.6% | 24.8% | 7.2% | 7.9% | 4.1% | 3.3% | 2.7% | 2.2% | 1.4% | 0.55% | 0.09% | 0.11% |
| May 2026 | 44.9% | 24.5% | 8.5% | 7.8% | 4% | 3.3% | 2.7% | 2.2% | 1.3% | 0.54% | 0.09% | 0.11% |
| Jun 2026 | 47.6% | 21.3% | 9% | 8.3% | 3.5% | 3.5% | 2.3% | 2.3% | 1.4% | 0.57% | 0.12% | 0.12% |
| Jul 2026 | 45.6% | 24.8% | 8.7% | 7.9% | 3.4% | 3.4% | 2.2% | 1.8% | 1.3% | 0.55% | 0.11% | 0.09% |
| Aug 2026 | 44.4% | 24.1% | 8.5% | 9.3% | 4% | 3.3% | 2.7% | 1.8% | 1.4% | 0.44% | 0.09% | 0.09% |
| Sep 2026 | 46.6% | 20.9% | 10.7% | 8.1% | 3.4% | 3.4% | 2.8% | 1.9% | 1.4% | 0.56% | 0.11% | 0.09% |
How has the Cash App and PayPal comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- PayPal was ahead of Cash App in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Cash App’s share of searches among money transfer services worldwide moved from 3.8% to 3.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.8M to 1.5M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, PayPal’s share of searches among money transfer services worldwide moved from 51.5% to 46.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 24.9M to 20.4M.
How did search popularity change for money transfer services worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, PayPal gained share of searches among money transfer services worldwide, from 44.4% to 46.6%.
In September 2026, Cash App lost share of searches among money transfer services worldwide, from 4% to 3.4%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Cash App’s and PayPal’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among money transfer services
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.