Freedom251 › Peer-to-Peer Payment Apps
Lydia
by Lydia
What Lydia is
Lydia is a mobile app for sending, receiving, paying, and collecting money on Android and iOS. Users can send money to a contact using a phone number or email, and the recipient does not need a Lydia account. The service says transfers can reach anyone with a euro account at a payment service provider in the SEPA zone. Users can create customizable online money pots for events with friends, family, or coworkers, taking contributions by card, bank transfer, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. These pots are not intended for public donations or fundraising for causes. Collected money can be withdrawn in one or more transfers or used to buy an Amazon.fr gift card. Pot creation and participation are free; withdrawals to a Lydia Wallet or bank are free for Lydia/Sumeria app contributions and cost 4% for other contributions. Opening a Lydia Wallet is free. Card-funded sends and top-ups are free up to €250 per month, then cost 2.5%; online card receipts cost 2.5%. Lydia Solutions says it is licensed and supervised by France’s ACPR as an electronic money institution authorized to provide payment services.
Who it suits
Lydia suits people who want to send money to contacts, collect contributions for private events, or use a mobile wallet. Its stated transfer reach is limited to euro accounts at payment service providers in the SEPA zone.
What it does well
- Recipients do not need a Lydia account to receive a contact transfer.
- Money pots accept card, bank transfer, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
- Pot creation and participation are free.
- Support is available in-app or by email, with a 12-hour average response.
What to know first
- Money pots are not for public donations or cause fundraising.
- Some pot withdrawals incur a 4% fee.
- Card-funded sends and top-ups cost 2.5% above €250 per month.
- Online card receipts cost 2.5%.
Limits
The Lydia Wallet's card-funded sends and top-ups are free up to €250 per month, then cost 2.5%; online card receipts cost 2.5%. Pot creation and participation are free, but withdrawals to a Lydia Wallet or bank cost 4% for contributions from other sources; pots are intended for private events, not public donations or cause fundraising.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Online Money pots | Creation and participation are free; withdrawal fees depend on contribution source. · Creation and participation: free · Amazon.fr gift-card withdrawals: free · Withdrawals to Lydia Wallet or bank: free for Lydia/Sumeria app contributions, 4% on other contributions | Free |
| Lydia Wallet | Opening an account is free and without commitment. · Send money from wallet: free · Card-funded sends and top-ups: free up to €250/month, then 2.5% · Bank transfer or QR top-ups/collections: free · Online card receipts: 2.5% | Free |
As lydia.me lists them, read 29 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Download Lydia from the App Store or Google Play Store.
- Open a Lydia Wallet; account opening is free and without commitment.
- Send money to a contact using their phone number or email, or create a customizable online money pot.
- For a pot, accept contributions by card, bank transfer, Apple Pay or Google Pay.
- Withdraw collected money in one or more transfers or use it to buy an Amazon.fr gift card.
Verdict
Lydia provides person-to-person transfers, mobile wallet functions, and money pots for private events. Review the transfer region and variable fees, particularly for some withdrawals and card transactions.
Questions
Is Lydia free?
Lydia has a free plan, and opening a Lydia Wallet is free and without commitment. Some card activity and pot withdrawals can incur fees.
Which platforms does Lydia support?
The app is available on Android and iOS, with downloads directed through the App Store and Google Play Store.
Can I send money to someone without a Lydia account?
Yes. You can send money to a contact using their phone number or email, and the recipient does not need a Lydia account. Lydia says transfers can go to euro accounts at payment service providers in the SEPA zone.
What does a Lydia money pot cost?
Creating and participating in an online money pot is free. Amazon.fr gift-card withdrawals are free; withdrawals to a Lydia Wallet or bank are free for contributions from Lydia or Sumeria apps and cost 4% for other contributions.
What are the Lydia Wallet fees?
Wallet sends and bank-transfer or QR top-ups and collections are free. Card-funded sends and top-ups are free up to €250 per month, then cost 2.5%; online card receipts cost 2.5%.
Who makes Lydia, and is it regulated?
The website is published by LYDIA SOLUTIONS, headquartered in Paris, France. Lydia Solutions says it is licensed and supervised by France’s ACPR as an electronic money institution authorized to provide payment services.
Facts from Lydia's own pages
- Company
- The website is published by LYDIA SOLUTIONS, whose registered office is listed at 14 avenue de l’Opéra, 75001 Paris, France. · lydia.me, 29 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · lydia.me, 20 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- Paris, France · lydia.me, 28 Sept 2026
- Money-pot limits
- The site says Lydia money pots are intended for events with friends, family, or coworkers and should not be used for public donations or fundraising for causes. · lydia.me, 29 Sept 2026
- Money pots
- Users can create a customizable online money pot and accept card, bank-transfer, Apple Pay, and Google Pay contributions. · lydia.me, 29 Sept 2026
- Platform availability
- The site directs visitors to download the Lydia application on mobile; its help page refers customers to the App Store and Google Play Store. · lydia.me, 29 Sept 2026
- Privacy
- Lydia Solutions says it processes personal data for account management, payments, legal compliance, fraud prevention, and related purposes. · lydia.me, 29 Sept 2026
- Purpose
- Lydia is an app for paying, receiving money, sending money to friends, and collecting money. · lydia.me, 29 Sept 2026
- Regulation
- Lydia Solutions says it is licensed and supervised by France’s ACPR as an electronic money institution authorized to provide payment services. · lydia.me, 29 Sept 2026
- Security authentication
- Lydia requires strong authentication for sensitive actions; listed methods include phone-line authentication, video selfie, biometrics, and a secure communication channel. · support.lydia.me, 29 Sept 2026
- Send money
- The site says sending money to a contact is simple and free, using their phone number or email, and that a Lydia account is not required for the recipient. · lydia.me, 29 Sept 2026
- Support
- Lydia says customers can contact their assigned support team through the app or by email, with an average response time of 12 hours. · support.lydia.me, 29 Sept 2026
- Transfer region
- Lydia says it can send money to anyone with a euro account at a payment service provider in the SEPA zone. · lydia.me, 29 Sept 2026
- Withdrawal options
- Collected money can be withdrawn in one or more transfers or used to buy an Amazon.fr gift card. · lydia.me, 29 Sept 2026
Where Lydia stands on Freedom251
- Peer-to-Peer Payment Apps#4 of 24
- Money Transfer Apps#52 of 81