Is Zelle a wire transfer or ACH? What to know

Zelle® is a money transfer platform that lets you send and receive funds using just your recipient’s email address or mobile number.¹

But is Zelle a wire transfer or ACH? Read everything you need to know, including exactly how to use Zelle for fast and convenient transfers across the US.

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Table of contents
What is Zelle? Is Zelle considered a wire transfer? Zelle vs wire transfer vs ACH: what’s the difference? Does Zelle do international transfers? Make fast, secure and low-cost international transfers with Wise How secure is a Zelle money transfer? How long does a Zelle transfer take? Zelle money transfer FAQs

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What is Zelle?

Zelle is a peer-to-peer platform, like Wise. It’s easy to use, with the option to send money to friends and family within minutes.¹

You can access Zelle money transfers through the Zelle app or your bank’s mobile app – and more than 1700 US banks currently offer Zelle as a payment option.²

Both you and your recipient will need a US bank account to accept and receive Zelle transfers.³

Zelle doesn’t charge a fee for instant payments. However, you’ll need to check if your banking institution charges for the service.⁴

Is Zelle considered a wire transfer?

Zelle isn’t considered a wire transfer. Wires are used for large payments between bank accounts, such as the down payment on a new home – and you can send a wire transfer in the US or overseas.

In comparison, Zelle is an ACH. This stands for Automated Clearing House, an electronic network that lets you move money between US banks.

Unlike a traditional ACH, however, Zelle funds are available immediately – and you won’t pay a fee for your transfer. The service uses ACH methods to help you send and receive money, but it expedites the process for fast and affordable transfers.⁵

Zelle vs wire transfer vs ACH: what’s the difference?

There are a few key differences between Zelle transfers, ACH payments, and wire transfers, including the speed and cost of your transaction.

You’ll need to consider all your options before choosing the right payment method for you. Let’s take a closer look at paying with Zelle vs ACH vs wire transfer.

Zelle	Wire transfer	ACH
Zelle transfers via the mobile app are free	The cost of your wire transfer can depend on your bank – typically up to 50 USD per transfer	The cost of your ACH can depend on your bank – usually around 0 to 5 USD per transfer
Zelle funds are made available within minutes	Domestic wire transfers can take up to 1 business day, depending on your bank	ACH transfers can take up to 3 days, depending on your bank
You can’t send an international Zelle transfer³	You can send a domestic or international wire transfer from many banks and credit unions	You can only send money to and from US bank accounts
Zelle is best suited to small everyday payments, such as sending money to a friend	You can use a wire transfer for a big one-off payment	You can send recurring ACH payments to and from many banks
You can only send up to 500 USD per week through Zelle – this may differ if you’re accessing the service through your bank⁶	Wire transfers have higher transaction limits	You’ll need to check with your bank for your ACH transaction limit

Does Zelle do international transfers?

You can’t use Zelle for international transactions, as both you and your recipient must have a US bank account.

This may be an issue if you regularly travel abroad or if you want to send money in a currency other than USD.

If you want to make global transfers in multiple countries and currencies, there are a few great alternatives out there, such as Wise.

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*Transaction speed claimed depends on funds availability, approval by Wise’s proprietary verification system and systems availability of our partners’ banking system, and may not be available for all transactions.

How secure is a Zelle money transfer?

Zelle is a secure payment method, as the app uses authentication features and advanced monitoring to protect your money.²

You’ll only need your recipient’s email address or mobile number to make a payment, so you won’t have to share your bank account details.¹

You can also sign up for spending notifications to stay on top of your funds – and the Zelle website shares tips and tricks to avoid common scams.⁷

However, Zelle doesn’t provide purchase protection if something goes wrong with your transaction. For this reason, you should only use Zelle to send money to trusted recipients like friends or family.⁸

How long does a Zelle transfer take?

Your recipient should receive your transfer within minutes. If you’re using your bank’s mobile app, make sure to confirm how long your bank or credit union will take to process the payment.⁹

Zelle money transfer FAQs

Let’s take a look at some frequently asked questions about how to manage, use, and make the most of your Zelle account.

How much does Zelle charge to wire money?

You won’t pay a fee to send your Zelle money transfer. However, some banks and credit unions may charge for Zelle instant payments.

What type of payment is Zelle considered?

Zelle is considered an ACH – an electronic transfer between US banks.

However, sending money through Zelle is faster than a traditional ACH. Your recipient should receive your transfer within minutes.

How do you wire money through Zelle?

It’s easy to transfer money with Zelle. Sign up for an account via the Zelle app or through your bank if they offer the service.

You can then enter your recipient’s email address or mobile number and choose how much you want to send.

You can use Zelle to pay anyone, even if they don’t have an account at your bank.¹⁰

Is Zelle a direct bank transfer?

Your Zelle money transfer will go straight into your recipient’s bank account if they also have an account with Zelle.

If your recipient doesn’t have a Zelle account, they’ll receive an email or mobile notification with instructions on how to receive their money.¹⁰

💡 More on Zelle
Zelle Business vs Personal Zelle transfer limit guide Zelle fees, transfer times, and how to use it

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Using Zelle is an easy way to transfer money across the US, with instant, affordable, and secure payment options.

The service is typically considered an ACH, rather than a wire. Your money is electronically transferred from one US bank account to another – and you can’t send a Zelle money transfer overseas.

Looking for a simple global alternative? Spend and send your money around the world with Wise!

🚀 Start saving on
international transfers

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Sources:

1. Zelle - What is Zelle?
2. Investopedia - What is Zelle?
3. Zelle - Can I use Zelle internationally?
4. Zelle - Are there any fees to send money using Zelle?
5. Payment Cloud - Is Zelle ACH or a wire transfer?
6. Zelle - Is there a limit to how much money I can send?
7. Zelle - Tips for safe payments
8. Zelle - I’m unsure about using Zelle to pay someone I don’t know. What should I do?
9. Zelle - How long does it take to receive money with Zelle?
10. Zelle - How it works

Sources checked 09.04.2024