How long has it been since you visited a bank for your everyday banking needs? According to Canstar research on Kiwis’ banking habits, 2021, only 6% of us still use high street branches.
There are 4% who use phone banking, but the majority prefer online banking: 51% use mobile apps, while 38% use desktops.
Although online services are now an integral part of banking and finance, not all apps and banking websites are created equal. There are many different features and user-friendliness offered by different banks online.
Every year, Canstar’s expert researchers compare the online banking platforms across New Zealand and award the best provider with the award for Bank of the Year – Online Banking.
Difference: Dosh vs. Buck
The Dosh digital wallet is available on the App Store and Google Play. A digital wallet (your Dosh account) is used in place of withdrawing cash from your bank account and setting it aside in your wallet. Dosh pay is then able to be spent at businesses that accept it, and money can be transferred to friends who also have an account.
Meanwhile, Buck doesn’t store money and doesn’t make any transfers. All it does is make bank transactions easier. With Buck, you’re actually doing a bank transfer, though more conveniently and with more features than your bank app.
There are many similarities between the apps’ design, features, and principles, but how they actually work is fundamentally different. Buck enables you to make bank transfers, whereas Dosh allows you to store money and use it to send money and pay others without banking services.
Dosh vs. Buck: Which is the better option?
There is no way to predict which app will be more popular or which will provide more options and features. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, depending on your needs.
Dosh is great if you need fast transfers and convenient payment options. Buck is a great choice if you are looking for the easiest way to make split payments, collect money from friends and family, or collect money from flatmates.
Accessibility
Money is stored on your account by Dosh. If you fund your Dosh account with money from your bank account, it will only be available for use via Dosh.
With Buck, there is no storing or sending of money. Instead, completing bank transfers is made easier. Therefore, all your money remains in your bank account, and it can be accessed at any time.
Fees
Sending and receiving payments is free with Dosh, but transferring money back into your bank account incurs a 1% fee.
However, Buck is completely free, and there are no additional fees.
Speed of payments
With Dosh, you can transfer money instantly. Due to app-to-app payments and not through a bank, any money received appears immediately in your account and is ready for use. Therefore, if your friend owes you money, you can get it anytime, no matter what time it is.
Money sent through Buck is only as fast as the payment system of your bank. Over the weekend, for example, you will have to wait until Monday for a payment to be processed.
Use of app
Dosh is a digital currency that can be used like cash in participating businesses. Buck is a service for transferring funds between friends and family, not for making purchases.
Dosh vs. Buck: Are there other things I should know?
Dosh deals!
The Dosh Deals feature is one of the greatest benefits of Dosh. The Dosh app allows users to access region-specific deals by selecting Deals from the Deals section. Dosh Deals allows you to receive local deals from stores in your app, such as cashback, discounts, and promo codes. These deals can be searched by location and category, and you can access them by paying the business with your Dosh wallet. The maximum amount in your Dosh wallet is $1000 at any given time. Every day, you are permitted to make a transaction of $500.
Payments made to your bank account
The Dosh payment system is instant, but you might have to wait if you want to transfer money from your wallet to your bank account. Dosh payments are made via bank transfers, which are not instant. For instance, during the weekend, that money won’t be available in your bank account until Monday after the transaction. Be careful not to load up your Dosh account completely, or you could run out of money!
About Buck
Buck is a Kiwi application and only works with NZ bank accounts. You can still transfer money from your NZ account to other NZ accounts using Buck when you travel overseas. In this way, you can transfer to your friends at home or your friends on vacation!
Conclusion
Even though cashless payments may be handled outside your bank’s app, online banking remains crucial. Most Kiwis no longer use bricks-and-mortar bank branches for their daily needs, so an app and a website are essential.
You can pay bills, change details, get your winnings at the fastest payout online casino in NZ, and manage your accounts easily with an app and website. Look for these apps if the features aren’t available on the official websites.
