# PayPal vs Amex

PayPal and Amex both sit at 4.8 stars, but that hides the real split: 63% of Amex's written reviews are positive against 21% of PayPal's. Amex also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). PayPal's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 2 weeks) and chart position (#6 vs #27). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for PayPal against 4.9 for Amex. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6.3M and 4.4M respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 21% of PayPal's written reviews are positive against 63% of Amex's.

PayPal ships an update weekly, Amex every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on September 27, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | PayPal | Amex |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (6.3M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/paypal-pay-send-save/id283646709/reviews) | **[4.9 (4.4M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/amex/id362348516/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **6.3M** | 4.4M |
| Positive reviews | 21.4% of reviews | **62.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#6** | #27 |
| Size | 767 MB | 512 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.4** | 18.2 |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [PayPal, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/283646712) | [American Express](https://appshunter.io/developer/362348519) |

## What reviewers say

### PayPal

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/paypal-pay-send-save/id283646709)

**Currently charting:** #6 Top Free · Finance, #74 Top Free (US App Store)

Manage your finances with a secure app for online and in-store shopping, sending money globally, and earning cash back. It also offers savings accounts, cryptocurrency trading, and package tracking.

**Highlights:** Send and receive money globally, Earn cash back offers, Request a debit card, Buy, sell, and hold cryptocurrency, High-yield savings accounts, Track packages

**Features:** Safari Extension, Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Extremely effective and reliable crypto recovery service
- 🔒 Secure payment processing
- 💰 Convenient way to send and receive money
- 👍 Easy to use app with simple interface

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Inconsistent customer support responses
- 🕰️ Slow money transfer times
- 💳 Holds on funds for new accounts
- 🤖 Overly automated with lack of human interaction

**Reported bugs**

- Account limitations and freezes with unclear reasons
- Issues linking bank accounts and cards
- Problems with refunds and chargebacks

**Requested features**

- Faster money transfers
- More transparent policies and fees
- Improved dispute resolution process
- Better customer service accessibility


### Amex

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/amex/id362348516)

**Currently charting:** #27 Top Free · Finance (US App Store)

Manage your American Express account securely from anywhere. Track spending, view rewards, pay your bill, and discover personalized offers. Enjoy quick, safe access with biometric login and instant alerts for added peace of mind.

**Highlights:** Secure account management, Track spending and rewards, Pay bills and manage balance, Card activation and Apple Pay setup, Freeze/unfreeze credit card, Real-time alerts and notifications, Discover personalized offers

**Features:** Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 💳 Reliable credit card with good benefits
- 🤝 Excellent customer service and support
- 🚀 Seamless app experience
- 📱 Convenient mobile app features
- 💳 Prestigious card status and recognition

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🤖 Inconsistent or unhelpful customer service
- 💳 Unexpected account changes or credit limit reductions
- 🤔 Confusing or misleading policies/offers
- 🕰️ Slow or delayed payment processing
- 🔒 Security issues with closed accounts

**Reported bugs**

- Scrolling glitches in the mobile app
- Inconsistent display of account balances
- Inability to view high-yield savings accounts

**Requested features**

- Improved rewards tracking and redemption
- Integrated dispute submission and status tracking
- Automatic offer activation based on transactions
- Better account balance and payment information
- Seamless integration between mobile app and website


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PayPal free?

PayPal is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Amex free?

Amex is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, PayPal or Amex?

Amex is rated higher. PayPal averages 4.8 out of 5 from 6.3M ratings, while Amex averages 4.9 from 4.4M ratings.

### Do PayPal or Amex have ads?

Both PayPal and Amex show ads.

### Which is updated more often, PayPal or Amex?

PayPal ships an update weekly, and Amex every 2 weeks. Most recently, PayPal was updated on September 27, 2026 and Amex on September 27, 2026.

### Which is more popular, PayPal or Amex?

PayPal currently peaks at #6 in the App Store charts, and Amex at #27. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*