Hello everyone,

I’m living in Germany and looking for a good PayPal alternative. I mainly need it for:

  • Sending money to friends
  • Paying online, especially to small vendors
  • Ordering food and everyday purchases

I’ve heard about Bunq, Klarna, Revolut, and N26, but I’m not sure which one would be best for my needs. Has anyone had experience with these services in Germany? Which would you recommend and why?

Thanks in advance!

  • ShadyQuark@feddit.orgOPEnglish
    10·
    2 days ago

    Thanks for suggesting Wero! I tried it out, but unfortunately, they’re incompatible with my bank (Deutsche Bank). It does seem super cool, though! I’ll follow their progress and hope they add support soon. I appreciate the recommendation.

      • ShadyQuark@feddit.orgOPEnglish
        16·
        2 days ago

        I’m genuinely very sorry, but I don’t have any choice at the moment. As an immigrant to Germany, much of my savings is still back in my home country. My home country has quite complicated laws regarding remitting money abroad, and it becomes significantly easier if the bank handling the remittance on both ends is the same banking entity.

        Unfortunately, Deutsche Bank is the only bank that is both reputable and large enough to be stable whilst also operating in both countries. I genuinely have no other choice right now. The minute I can, I would love to switch to Sparkasse, Commerzbank, or any other alternative. But at present, my hands are tied due to these circumstances.

        I’m really, really sorry about this situation. I understand the concerns, but I’m not happy about them either.

        I could open another account in Sparkasse or Commerzbank, but I’m just transitioning from student to full-time employee in Germany. I don’t have much money, and there’s no point in keeping my measly amounts in two different bank accounts.

        I’m trying my best to make small changes where I can and cut the oligarchs out of my life; I am aware that I’m complicit in their shady dealings by continuing business with Deutsche Bank. Unfortunately, I can only offer my most sincere apologies right now.

        • idiomaddict@lemmy.world
          2·
          2 days ago

          Yeah, my options were deutsche Bank or three online banks, two of which have shut down or stolen a bunch of money from customers since my application. Deutsche Bank took eleven weeks to open an account for me, they would never have been my choice otherwise.

    • rbn@sopuli.xyz
      5·
      2 days ago

      Doesn’t N26, Revolut etc. also involve the creation of a new bank account? As far as I know they will all lead to a separate IBAN with separate cards etc.

      • ShadyQuark@feddit.orgOPEnglish
        2·
        2 days ago

        Precisely that was the plan; I’m disabled, and managing to work with a physical bank is hard for me, I thought if I could throw out PayPal and Deutsche Bank in one go, that’s the best-case scenario