Payment apps

When to use other payment apps

Payment apps can be an alternative to using your main banking account, especially when making small payments. Payment apps can be as simple as using cash, but with the convenience and security of an app.

The most convenient and useful time to use a payment app is when you are out and about and want to pay a friend back for a ticket, or you want to split a bill at a restaurant.

All about the PayPal app

PayPal is an app for making small payments and for buying things online. You can use PayPal in some shops, but you can also send money to a friend just using their email address.

To learn more about PayPal and how to set up an account, visit the How to pay online course.

The person receiving money needs PayPal too

To receive money you send using PayPal, your friend also needs a PayPal account. They don't need to have the app installed on their phone, but if they do, they'll be able to see the payment come through right away. PayPal accounts are free to set up.

PayPal works with your bank or credit card

When you set up your PayPal account, you can nominate a bank account or credit card to use with the account. When you send money using the PayPal app, that amount is securely debited from your bank account or credit card.

This is free to do within Australia, but if you send money to a friend overseas, there is a small fee depending on where they are located.

Apps for splitting bills and sharing expenses

Sometimes when you are out with a group, it's more convenient for one person to pay at the counter, and everyone else to pay them back.

Working out exactly what each person owes can be tricky though. Luckily, you can use an app such as Splitwise to help manage this.

How apps like Splitwise work

To use this kind of app, your group of family or friends all sign up to the app and install it on their own devices.

You can then set up as a group in the app, and when an expense occurs, you enter it into the app. It gets split and shows what each person owes.

eSafety tip

Bill splitting apps don't make payments directly, instead they show you how much to pay. Some apps offer the ability to link to PayPal and make payments from your PayPal account.

Payment splitting apps have lots of features

Apps like Splitwise have lots of features and are designed to be used by friends on group holidays where there are lots of complicated expenses. But you can also use them just to work out a restaurant bill.

It's worth exploring the app to see what options might be useful to you.

Well done!

This is the end of the Payment apps activity. You've learned about apps that let you make small payments, and apps that help you split bills and keep track of expenses in a group.

Up next, you can find out how to use apps to get groceries delivered and order prepared meals from your favourite restaurants, in the Meal delivery and supermarket apps activity.