Can I use Zelle to send money to PayPal? Does PayPal work with Zelle?

In the United States, Zelle and PayPal are two of the most widely used digital payment services. Both facilitate billions worth of transactions each year with many users preferring to use them for peer-to-peer payments, online shopping, and business transactions. With their widespread use and popularity, many people often wonder whether they can send money from Zelle to PayPal and vice versa.

You can’t send money directly from Zelle to PayPal or from PayPal to Zelle. Fortunately, there are workarounds that make it possible to transfer funds between the two platforms. Read on to find out how.

Understanding Zelle and PayPal: How do they work?

To understand why direct transfers between Zelle and PayPal are not possible, we first need to understand what these two platforms are and how they work.

Zelle¹

Zelle is a peer-to-peer (P2P) payment service linked to U.S. bank accounts and integrated into over 2,200 banking apps of participating financial institutions. Launched in 2017, this relatively new player in the payments sector has grown rapidly, reaching 151 million enrolled users in 2024². In the same year, it also achieved phenomenal performance, processing over one trillion dollars sent by consumers and small businesses.

To use Zelle to send money, you need to enroll a U.S. mobile number or email address with Zelle through your bank's mobile app. When someone sends you money with Zelle, the money goes directly to the bank account associated with your Zelle profile. Transfers are instant and free, but they only work between U.S. bank accounts, so you must have an eligible checking or savings account in the United States to send or receive Zelle transfers.

PayPal

Established in 1998, PayPal is one of the pioneers of online payments. It plays a major role in the global economy by providing secure and convenient ways to send or receive money, pay for purchases, or transfer funds. In 2024, it reported 434 million active accounts and a total payment volume of $1.68 trillion across P2P transfers, business payments, and online purchases.³ These numbers underscore its continued growth and dominance in the online payment industry.

PayPal is a global digital wallet that allows users to store money and use funds for transfers, online shopping, business payments, crypto trading, and other transactions. Since it does not require users to have a U.S. bank account, it is accessible to users worldwide. This means you can create a PayPal account if you are in any of the 200 countries and regions⁴ PayPal serves.

As a digital wallet, PayPal enables you to maintain a PayPal balance, which can be funded via linked bank accounts or credit/debit cards. This in-app balance enables fast transactions at lower costs. Aside from being able to keep a PayPal balance, you can also link your bank accounts, credit cards, or debit cards to your PayPal account for seamless payments and withdrawals.

Key differences between Zelle and PayPal

Although both platforms facilitate digital money transfers, the way they operate is fundamentally different. Zelle is limited to transfers between U.S. bank accounts, while PayPal serves as a digital wallet for domestic and international use. This is why Zelle and PayPal are not directly compatible, and workarounds are necessary to transfer money between them.

Here’s a closer look at their key differences:

Can you transfer money from Zelle to PayPal?

Zelle can only send money to U.S. bank accounts and doesn’t connect to digital wallets like PayPal, Venmo, or Cash App. Although PayPal offers bank-like services, it is not a U.S. bank and cannot accept deposits like a bank does.

Can you send money from PayPal to Zelle?

Again, there is no direct transfer option between the two platforms.

You cannot send money directly from PayPal to Zelle because the two systems don’t connect. PayPal does not support Zelle as a payment method, and Zelle only works with linked U.S. bank accounts, not digital wallets like PayPal. However, you can use a linked bank account as a middle step to transfer money between the two.

Think of it this way:

Imagine Zelle is like sending a letter through the U.S. Postal Service, which only works with U.S. addresses. PayPal is like sending an email, and the recipient can be anywhere in the world. You can't put an email in a mailbox, and you can't send a paper letter through the internet. They are two different systems that don’t work together directly. However, you can print an email on paper and send that printed copy through post. You can also encode a printed letter and send a digital copy through email. Similar to these workarounds, there are also ways you can send money from Zelle to PayPal and vice versa.

How to transfer money between Zelle and PayPal (Workarounds)

While you cannot directly transfer funds between Zelle and PayPal, there are two ways to work around the restrictions. 

Workaround 1: Use a Linked Bank Account

Since Zelle and PayPal don’t connect directly, you can use a bank account as a bridge between the two platforms. You first send money to a bank using Zelle, then move that money from the bank to PayPal. It’s not instant, but it works!

Here’s how to do it:

Send money from Zelle to a linked bank account.

Zelle is integrated into most banking apps in the U.S. You can link your Zelle profile to your bank account by enrolling your U.S. mobile number or email address associated with both accounts. You may also link your bank account by using your online banking username and password when you enroll through the Zelle app.

When someone sends you money through Zelle, the money arrives almost instantly in your linked bank account. The same goes for sending money to someone else through Zelle. The money you sent would go directly to their linked bank account.

Log in to PayPal and add the same bank account.⁹

Link the same bank account you use for Zelle to your PayPal account. Go to your PayPal Wallet and click “Link a card or bank”, then click “Link a bank account.” Select your bank from the list and provide your bank account details. If this is the first time you’re linking the account, PayPal will verify the account by sending two small deposits within three business days.

Transfer funds from your bank account to your PayPal wallet.¹⁰

As we’ve mentioned before, when you receive money through Zelle, the amount instantly goes to your linked bank account. To transfer the money to PayPal, log in to your PayPal Wallet and select “Transfer Money.” Click “Add money from your bank or debit card”, choose your linked bank account, then enter the amount you want to transfer.

Wait for the money to arrive.

The processing time for standard bank transfers to PayPal typically takes one to three business days. The bank transfer process requires verification through the Automated Clearing House, thus resulting in a longer wait before the money is released to PayPal. Some banks may support instant transfers, but PayPal usually charges a fee for this.

Workaround 2: Use a Debit Card Connected to Both Services

To get your money faster, you may use a debit card instead. If your bank supports instant transfers, you can use a debit card to move money between Zelle and PayPal more quickly. Instead of waiting for a standard bank transfer, which takes days, this method allows for faster access to your funds.

Make sure your debit card is linked to both Zelle and PayPal.

If you already use Zelle with your bank, your debit card is likely linked to your bank account. To check, open your bank’s mobile app and look for Zelle.

For PayPal, go to Wallet > Link a card or bank > Link a debit card and enter your card details.

Send money from Zelle to your bank account.

When someone sends you money via Zelle, it will arrive instantly in your bank account. If you need to move your own money, simply use Zelle to send funds to your linked account.

Transfer money from your bank account to PayPal using your debit card.

Log in to PayPal and go to Wallet > Transfer Money. Select "Add money from your debit card," then choose the same debit card you use with Zelle. Enter the amount you want to transfer and confirm.

Choose between instant or standard transfer.

When available, you may choose instant transfer, where money arrives within minutes. However, PayPal may charge a fee for this service. Standard transfers, on the other hand, are free but may take one to three days before the money becomes available in your PayPal wallet.

Important Notes:

Although you may use these two ways to send money from PayPal to Zelle and vice versa, there are a few things you need to keep in mind with these transfers:

• There are no instant transfers between PayPal and Zelle. Because of the roundabout process of sending money, it may take 1 to 3 days for the funds to appear in your account.
• Your bank must support both PayPal and Zelle transfers. To use these workarounds, you must have an eligible U.S. bank account that can be linked to both PayPal and Zelle.
• Some banks charge fees for instant transfers from PayPal, so expect money transfers to cost a little more.
• For debit cards, make sure that the Mastercard or Visa debit card you are enrolling is tied to a U.S. bank account. Even the workaround methods above will not work if you use business debit cards, credit cards, cards linked to international accounts, gift cards, or pre-paid cards from financial institutions outside of the Zelle and PayPal networks.

Sending money to PayPal internationally? Try BOSS Revolution!

With its global infrastructure, it is possible to send money to any PayPal account worldwide. However, the cost of sending money abroad through PayPal can be quite steep. PayPal may charge currency conversion fees, instant transfer fees, and other charges on top of transaction fees. If you frequently send money overseas, these costs can add up to a substantial amount.

BOSS Revolution allows you to transfer money without hidden fees and unnecessary charges. All transfer costs and exchange rates are shown upfront, so you know exactly how much you’re paying for the transfer and how much your recipient will receive. Most importantly, it offers the convenience of multiple delivery methods, including cash pickups at thousands of locations, bank transfers, direct debit, and even home delivery in some areas. With lower costs and more delivery choices, BOSS Revolution is a smart alternative for international money transfers!

What to do when Zelle and PayPal won’t work together

While both Zelle and PayPal are widely used digital payment platforms, they do not work together directly. If you need to move money between the two, your best option is to use a linked bank account or a debit card that supports both services. However, these methods can take time, and some banks may charge additional fees.

For those who need fast international money transfers, services like BOSS Revolution offer a more seamless and cost-effective alternative. With transparent fees, multiple transfer options, and broad global reach, it provides a smarter way to send money without the hassle of workarounds.

Sources: all third party information obtained from applicable website as of February 20, 2025

1. https://www.zellepay.com/

2. https://www.zellepay.com/press-releases/zelle-shatters-records-1-trillion-sent-single-year

3. https://s205.q4cdn.com/875401827/files/doc_financials/2024/q4/PYPL-4Q-24-Earnings-Presentation.pdf

4. https://www.paypal.com/va/webapps/mpp/country-worldwide

5. https://www.zellepay.com/faq/how-long-does-it-take-receive-money-zelle

6. https://www.zellepay.com/faq/there-limit-how-much-money-i-can-send-or-receive

7. https://www.zellepay.com/faq/are-there-any-fees-send-money-using-zelle

8. https://www.zellepay.com/faq/im-unsure-about-using-zelle-pay-someone-i-dont-know-what-should-i-do

9. https://www.paypal.com/us/cshelp/article/how-do-i-link-a-bank-account-to-my-paypal-account-help183

10. https://www.paypal.com/us/cshelp/article/how-long-does-it-take-to-add-money-from-my-bank-help128

11. https://www.zellepay.com/faq/im-receiving-error-message-my-card-ineligible-why

This article is provided for general information purposes only and is not intended to address every aspect of the matters discussed herein. The information in this article is not intended as specific personal advice. The information in this article does not constitute legal, tax, regulatory or other professional advice from IDT Payment Services, Inc. and its affiliates (collectively, “IDT”), and should not be taken or used as such by any individual. IDT makes no representation, warranty or guaranty, whether express or implied, that the content in this article is current, accurate, or complete. You should obtain professional or other substantive advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the information in this article.