Apple is well-known for offering products and devices with a strong focus on security, and Apple Pay continues to deliver with security in mind. PayPal is also relatively safe but may have more privacy issues relating to your data.
This post will explore Apple Pay versus PayPal to determine which option is safer for sending and receiving money. I’ll give you some pros and cons of each app, alongside several safety considerations to help you decide which is best for you.
Let’s dive in.
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Key Takeaways
- Both Apple Pay and PayPal are relatively safe to use for making and receiving payments. These mobile payment apps aren’t completely secure, but they have many security measures in place.
- Apple Pay is more secure from a privacy perspective, so it is the option to choose if you want to protect your personal data better.
- Paypal and PayPal Mobile are still good options to use if you don’t have an iPhone or iOS device.
- Paypal shares more data with third parties than Apple Pay, but Apple Pay still shares some data.
- Apple is well-known for having excellent security measures in place, and this reputation extends to Apple Pay.
Apple Pay vs PayPal: Which One is Safer?
Generally speaking, Apple Pay is considered more secure than PayPal. But this doesn’t mean that PayPal is not safe to use. It just means that Apple Pay has better security measures in place compared to PayPal.
The table below will give you a quick look at these two popular payment apps with some general pros and cons alongside security issues. I’ll break down these factors in the sections below to help you better understand the safety measures and risks in place for each.
| Apple Pay | PayPal |
| Offers two-factor authentication for login and transactions | Offers two-factor authentication for login and transactions |
| Shares limited data with third parties | Shares more data with third parties |
| Can cancel payments before a transaction is accepted for wrong-payment protection | Offers link sharing and QR code for wrong-payment protection |
| Provides payment notifications | Provides payment notifications |
| Offers lock for login and transactions | Offers lock for login and transactions (through app) |
| Can dispute unauthorized charges but no guarantee for a refund if scam or fraud occurs | Can dispute unauthorized charges but no guarantee for a refund if scam or fraud occurs |
| Apple has a good reputation for strong security measures | PayPal has a longer history of use and good customer service |
| Bounty program for reporting security issues | Bounty program for reporting security issues |
As you can see, there are many similarities between the two apps, and both have plenty of security measures in place to help limit privacy issues and prevent fraud. However, remember that scams and other security issues can still occur with both.
There are two ways you can think about the safety of a payment app – personal data security (privacy) and fraud protection (scam prevention). Understanding the difference between these can help you figure out which app is a better option.
If privacy is your main concern, Apple Pay is a better option. Apple doesn’t share your personal information or transaction history with as many third parties as PayPal does. Apple does still share some information, though.
Apple Pay and PayPal both offer two-factor authentication, an important safety measure for any payment app. This helps prevent someone with your personal information from logging in and making a payment or stealing money.
If you do get scammed and lose money, neither of the apps will guarantee that you get a refund. So in this sense, they are both insecure. You can dispute unauthorized charges or fraud with both through their customer service portals, but it doesn’t mean you’ll get your money back.
Scams are impossible to stop entirely, and the fact that payment apps don’t guarantee protection from them should demonstrate this clearly. That’s why you always want to ensure you take personal measures to protect your information and have fraud protection in place.
Another good security measure that both Apple Pay and PayPal offer is that they give you payment notifications whenever a transaction occurs. This can help you spot potential fraud and other security issues as they appear to help limit their impact.
Is Apple Pay Safe?
Overall, Apple Pay is pretty safe to use. Apple has a well-known reputation for security on all the devices, apps, and services the company offers. This reputation continues with Apple Pay, and it’s one of the most secure mobile payment apps.
From a privacy perspective, Apple Pay is probably the safest mobile app because Apple doesn’t share your personal information with as many third parties as other options. This is a big concern for many people.
With fraud and scams in mind, Apple Pay isn’t necessarily any safer than other payment apps. It is still possible to lose money and get scammed when using the app. And if you do encounter fraud, you might not be able to get a refund.
If you are already an Apple user and have an iPhone or other device, using Apple Pay is a reliable way to make payments without too many worries. It won’t prevent fraud outright, but it has many security measures in place.
Is PayPal Safe?
PayPal is also a safe app to use for digital and mobile payments. It has a more extended history than Apple Pay because it’s been around longer. This means that more people use it, and it has solid customer service.
But PayPal shares more information with more third parties, making it less secure from a privacy perspective. If you want to keep tabs on your personal information, you might want to consider using a different payment app.
Still, PayPal offers many security features that do a good job of preventing fraud and scams. These are comparable to Apple Pay and other apps, so you can feel good about using the app without dealing with too many security issues.
Even with good security measures in place and despite sharing more personal information with third parties, PayPal is still a safe mobile payment app. It is used by many people worldwide and is reliable and effective.
FAQs
Here are a few quick answers to the most commonly asked questions related to Apple Pay versus Paypal and which is safer.
Is Apple Pay more secure than Paypal?
Apple Pay is more secure than PayPal from a privacy standpoint because Apple does not share as much personal data with third parties. Neither of these payment options is completely secure, but Apple Pay is typically the better option.
Is Apple Pay the safest way to pay?
Apple Pay can be the safest way to pay compared to physical debit and credit cards because more security measures are in place. But cash is safer than any type of digital payment at physical locations.
Which payment app is most secure?
Most of the popular payment apps offer good levels of security, and the best option can depend on several factors. Apple Pay has good security measures in place, while PayPal has a longer history of use and is better in certain situations.
Can you get money back from Apple Pay if scammed?
Disputing a transaction with Apple is sometimes possible if you get scammed using Apple Pay. But if the payment was already accepted, you might not be able to get a refund. You can also dispute charges with your bank if fraud occurs.
Can someone steal your money through Apple Pay?
Scams do occur when using Apple Pay, so it is possible that your money can get stolen while using the app. While there are reasonable security measures in place, there is no app that is 100% secure for making mobile payments.
Final Thoughts
Apple Pay is a safer mobile app with privacy concerns in mind because Apple shares limited consumer data with third parties. But PayPal is still relatively safe and reliable if you don’t have an iPhone or Apple Pay account.
No digital payment app is entirely secure, and fraud is possible no matter which option you choose. The best thing you can do is practice safe digital habits and keep yourself aware of the many security issues that exist in the modern digital world.
Which digital payment app do you use and why? Have you ever had any security issues with it? Let me know in the comments below.
