Zelle review: Everything you need to know

Zelle has become one of the go-to ways for Americans to send money, whether it’s splitting dinner with friends or paying the babysitter.

Integrated directly into most major banks and credit unions, Zelle allows you to transfer funds with just an email address or phone number, typically in minutes.

In this Zelle review, we’ll look at how it works in the US, its features, pros and cons, and what you should know before using it.

We'll also introduce the Wise account, which allows you to send, spend, and receive your money across the globe in over 40 currencies – all at the fair mid-market rate.

Learn more 🔎

Table of contents
What is Zelle and how does it work in the US? Zelle pros and cons How to open a Zelle account? Overview of Zelle fees in the US Zelle features How to add money to your Zelle account? Is Zelle safe?

What is Zelle and how does it work in the US?

Zelle is a peer-to-peer (P2P) payment service that lets you send and receive money directly between US bank accounts. Instead of writing a check or handling cash, you just need the recipient’s email address or mobile number. No account numbers required.

Their payment service is built into the apps of more than 2,200 banks and credit unions in the US.¹ If your bank is part of the Zelle network, you can access it straight from your existing banking app. If not, you’ll need to enroll directly with a US debit card through Zelle.

💡 Transfers usually arrive within minutes, but both sender and recipient must have a US bank account. That means Zelle is great for domestic payments, but it doesn’t support international transfers.

Zelle pros and cons

Here’s a quick rundown of Zelle’s pros & cons:

✅ Pros	❌ Cons
Free to send and receive money	Only works with US bank accounts
Transfers typically arrive within minutes	No international transfers
Integrated with 2,000+ banks and credit unions	Limited fraud and purchase protection

How to open a Zelle account?

If you’re at least 18 years old and have a US bank account, you can open a Zelle account in just a few minutes.

If your bank account or credit union offers Zelle, log in to your mobile banking app or online account, find the Zelle option, and enroll with your US mobile number or email address.

If your bank doesn’t support Zelle, you’ll need to download the Zelle app and sign up with your email or phone number, then link an eligible US debit card.

You’ll be asked for:

• First and last name
• US mobile phone number or email address
• Bank account (through your bank’s app) or US debit card (through the Zelle app)

Once your information is verified, you can start sending and receiving money instantly with other Zelle users.

Overview of Zelle fees in the US

Sending and receiving money through Zelle is free. There are no standard transfer fees, but it’s worth checking with your bank or credit union in case they apply their own charges.

Here’s a quick overview:²

Fee type	Cost
Account opening fee	$0
Monthly fees	$0
Sending money	$0 (check with your bank)
Receiving money	$0

Zelle international money transfer: coverage, speed, and limits

Zelle does not support international transfers. Both the sender and recipient must have US bank accounts. Transfers usually arrive within minutes, although in some cases it may take up to 1–3 business days depending on your bank’s processing and security checks.³

Zelle also places limits on how much you can send. These vary depending on whether you are using the Zelle app or your bank’s own app:

• Through the Zelle app: You can send up to 500 USD per week and receive up to 5,000 USD.
• Through a bank or credit union: Limits are set by each institution. For example, Bank of America® allows transfers of up to 3,500 USD per day, while Citi® lets established accounts send up to 2,500 USD daily.

These limits are in place to reduce fraud risk and protect both customers and banks. It’s always worth checking with your financial institution to confirm the exact daily and monthly limits that apply to your account.

Zelle features

In this segment, we’ll review the main features you can use with Zelle in the US.

Instant transfers

Zelle payments are designed to be quick. Once both sender and recipient are enrolled, money usually arrives within minutes. This makes it handy for everyday situations like splitting dinner or sending money to family.

Wide bank integration

Zelle is integrated with more than 2,000 banks and credit unions across the US. If your bank supports Zelle, you don’t need to download a separate app. You’ll find it in your existing mobile or online banking under “Send money” or “Transfers.”

This wide reach is what sets Zelle apart from many other peer-to-peer services.

Simple enrollment

Instead of sharing accounts or routing numbers, you can register with a US mobile number or email address, which links directly to your bank account.

That way, when someone sends money, all they need is the email or phone number you signed up with, making the process both simple and secure.

Request and split money

Zelle also allows you to request payments from friends and family. You can send a request directly from the app or your bank’s interface, and once it’s accepted, the funds move straight into your account.

Useful cases include:

• Splitting household utilities
• Collecting group payments (like a shared gift)
• Requesting rent from roommates

This feature eliminates the need for cash or checks, keeping everything digital and fast.

Business payments

Some banks allow small businesses to enroll with Zelle. This lets them accept payments quickly from customers who use Zelle, although availability varies by bank.⁴

How to add money to your Zelle account?

With Zelle, there isn’t a separate balance to top up. Instead, Zelle connects directly to your US bank account or debit card. That means when you send money, it comes straight from your account, and when you receive money, it’s deposited right back in.

There are two ways you can use Zelle, depending on whether your bank supports it.

Through your bank or credit union

If your bank is part of the Zelle network, you don’t need to move money into Zelle at all. Just enroll with your US mobile number or email address inside your bank’s online or mobile app.

From there, sending money will simply debit your checking or savings account, and receiving money will credit it directly. This is the most seamless way to use Zelle.

Through the Zelle app

If your bank or credit union doesn’t offer Zelle, you can still use the service through the Zelle app. To do this, you’ll need to:

• Download the Zelle app from the App Store or Google Play
• Register with your email address or US mobile number
• Link an eligible Visa or Mastercard debit card issued by a US bank

Once linked, your payments will come directly from your debit card balance, and any money received will also be deposited into that account.

How sending and receiving works

When you send money, you pick a recipient, enter the amount, and confirm the transfer. The money leaves your linked account right away.

When you receive money, it goes directly into the account you’ve enrolled in. The first time, you may need to confirm your email or phone number, but after that, deposits happen automatically.

So unlike other digital wallets, where you have to top up before using the service, Zelle is simply a bridge between your account and the person you’re paying.

Is Zelle safe?

Zelle is considered safe because it’s backed by major US banks and credit unions. Transfers are protected by the same security measures your bank already uses, such as encryption and fraud monitoring.⁵

Since Zelle doesn’t hold funds, money moves directly between bank accounts, which adds another layer of reliability.

However, Zelle doesn’t offer purchase protection. Payments are treated like cash, meaning once you send money, it’s usually final. If you send funds to the wrong person or pay someone you don’t know, your bank may not be able to help recover them.

💡 To use Zelle safely, keep these points in mind:
Only send to people you know and trust Double-check the recipient’s email or phone number before confirming Be cautious of scams asking you to “verify” or “test” your account Contact your bank immediately if you suspect fraud

For secure, domestic transactions, Zelle works well. For international or purchase protection, other options may be better.

Bottom line

Zelle makes it simple to send and receive money within the US. With no fees, fast transfers, and integration across thousands of banks and credit unions, it’s one of the most convenient peer-to-peer payment services available.

That said, Zelle has clear limitations. You cannot use it for international transfers, and payments do not offer purchase protection. For that reason, it works best for sending money to people you already know and trust.

With the Wise account you can have local account details in 10 currencies, including USD, EUR, and GBP — all in one place.

Learn more about Wise

Sources

1. Zellepay – Get started
2. Zellepay – Are there any fees to send money using Zelle?
3. Nerdwallet – When will money show up in my bank account?
4. Zellepay – Security and sending money safely
5. Zellepay – I am a small business using Zelle

Sources checked 09/19/2025