Square Cash 2.0 Adds Free Money Transfer by Text Message, Payment Notes and More

[uptown]

I know nobody that uses this. Even the free $1 they offered when it first launched wasn't enough to convince me to link it to my bank account. Anybody have a different experience?

[zampano]

My friends, coworkers and I use it constantly (nearly daily) for the same stuff we used to use Venmo for: splitting tabs/cabs/etc. It's just a little more convenient in that a new user can be set up without having to download an app (always annoying when cell coverage is spotty) and there is no separate balance to keep track of other than your normal bank balance. I do find it a little too simple to initiate a transfer, but you can add a restriction that forces you to input your debit card's CVC code to actually initiate a transfer.

[joshmlewis]

Square Cash is awesome. It's so simple and powerful but free. It's almost magic.

Even if the person you want to transact with doesn't have it, it will handle that on their side. Really good UX because there practically is none.

[grmarcil]

It's insanely easy to use and is one of my favorite apps. Splitting rent, utilities, etc with a roommate, settling a debt with an out of town friend, etc. Basically any time you write a check to another individual, Square Cash turns that process (finding your checkbook, writing a check, mailing it, opening the letter, endorsing the check, mailing/delivering to the recipients bank) to opening the app, typing the amount, and pressing Send or Receive.

[jvm]

The neat thing about it (for me) is that it doesn't feel like a commitment to anything the way Vemo or PayPal accounts do. It's actually super light touch. You don't have a special account that you have to cash out and you actually don't have to link your bank account. You just give it your debit card and it lets you send from your debit card to someone else's.

[jbarrow]

My friends, roommates, and I use it all the time to settle minor debts, pay rent, and split bills. It's simple enough that we can make quick payments, and because it's built on top of email it inherently keeps transaction histories.

I haven't seen Square Cash 2.0, but I don't really see myself or my friends branching out from the dead simple email usage.

[untog]

I don't really know many people who use any of these services. Literally zero that use Square Cash, a few that use Venmo, the vast majority 'use' Chase QuickPay by virtue of being Chase customers. I've ended up signing up for a QuickPay account even though I'm not a Chase customer, on that basis.

[diafygi]

I use square cash all the time when I sell stuff on craigslist because:

1. People have usually heard of those little smartphone card swiper things.

2. It doesn't require any account setup or installation.

3. It works through email, which is already what we were using to communicate on craigslist.

[ceejayoz]

We use it to pay our babysitter, it's awesome.

[natrius]

My mom used it to send me money. It's the only way I send money these days to people who aren't on the Bitcoin bandwagon.

[jdross]

Do you use Venmo? Anecdotally, I've seen minimal overlap between users of Square Cash and Venmo (excluding Square employees).

[amwelles]

I use it to pay my dogwalker/dogsitter. It was so much easier than leaving cash on the table or trying to futz around with Paypal. She's not that technologically savvy, so needing only her email address was great. I've also used it to pay friends back for my half of dinner and bills.

[pmorici]

It just doesn't seem safe to me. Whether or not it actually is is a different story but it doesn't give me the warm and fuzzy.

[blutoot]

This app has a UI flaw. My friend was testing how cash request works. Her request arrived when I was already inside the app (just exploring it). And without giving me even a warning it started the process of verifying my SSN and all that. When the process was over, I had apparently given the green light to transfer the money with no recourse possible. This is stupid and frankly dangerous. I understand seamlessness has its prices but the workflow should be adjusted to avoid large cash transfers without giving the person to think about it.

[dilap]

You wanted more confirmation before you received the cash? I could go deposit money in your bank-account w/o you knowing at all...

What's the potential for abuse?

[webo]

If Venmo wants to get back in the game, they need to support depositing money to bank accounts via cards only just like SQC. The only reason I don't use Venmo to receive money is because I don't want to provide my bank account/routing number.

[pbreit]

You mean the two numbers that are at the bottom of your checks? The ones you freely give out to complete strangers?

[onedev]

Honestly, Venmo just works better for me at this point.