Zapp, a money transfer service that operates through WhatsApp, announced the expansion of its services to Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. With this expansion, Central American migrants in the United States can now send money to family and friends back home directly through WhatsApp, eliminating the need to visit a physical location or download a separate app.
Recipients in the new markets can choose to receive their money through either a direct bank deposit or cash pickup at a broad network of banks and retail locations. The service aims to provide a simple, secure, and convenient way to send remittances, with competitive exchange rates and a user-centric approach.
In Guatemala, Zapp offers access to more than 15,000 banks and payment locations, including G&T Continental, Banrural, Banco Industrial, Elektra, and Banco Azteca. Transfer fees start at $4.74 for bank deposits and $5.74 for cash withdrawals for amounts between $5 and $2,999, with a fixed rate for the entire range.
In Honduras, the service covers more than 8,000 bank deposit and cash withdrawal locations, including Banco Atlántida, Ficohsa, BAC Credomatic, and Elektra. Fees are tiered: $5.99 for transfers up to $200, $13.99 up to $1,000, and $32.99 up to $3,000, with increments of approximately $1.00 for every additional $200.
El Salvador offers more than 6,000 bank branches and affiliated businesses, such as Banco Agrícola, Banco Cuscatlán, Super Selectos, and Walmart. Bank deposit fees start at $4.99 for amounts between $100 and $150, while cash withdrawals incur a $1.00 surcharge, starting at $5.99. Fees increase by approximately $1.00 for every additional $50.
Nicaragua provides access to more than 5,000 banks and businesses, including Banpro, Banco Lafise, and BAC Credomatic. Fees range from $5.99 for transfers up to $200 to $33.99 for transfers up to $3,000, with increments of approximately $1.00 for every additional $100.
This expansion is significant because it taps into the large Central American diaspora in the U.S., who sent over $30 billion in remittances to the region in 2025. By leveraging WhatsApp, Zapp reduces barriers to sending money, potentially increasing the frequency and volume of remittances. The service operates as an authorized agent of Spectrum Global Payment Solutions, Inc. (NMLS ID 937914), a licensed money transmitter in Central America, and every transaction is covered by a money-back guarantee. Zapp is not affiliated with Meta or WhatsApp; it simply uses WhatsApp as a communication channel.
