If you have family in Lebanon or work remotely for clients abroad, you have probably looked for a simple and affordable way to transfer money. Purpl was built precisely to solve this. Here is everything you need to know about the app that has become a go-to solution for many Lebanese.
What exactly is Purpl?
Purpl is a mobile app and digital wallet founded in Lebanon in 2021. Its role is to aggregate the best international money transfer partners and connect them to a local cash-out network. In practice, Purpl bridges the Lebanese diaspora abroad with their loved ones back home.
The app was created by Wissam Ghorra and Jean-Marie Khoueir, two Lebanese entrepreneurs, with a clear mission: democratize money transfers to Lebanon and make finance accessible to everyone. Since launch, Purpl has surpassed 100,000 downloads.
Why Purpl was built
Since the 2019 financial crisis, the Lebanese banking system has collapsed and a large share of the population is now effectively unbanked. At the same time, Lebanon is one of the most expensive countries in the world to send money to, with traditional services often charging between 9% and 12% in fees.
For families who depend on money sent by relatives abroad, those fees represent a major loss. Purpl was built to cut those costs and make sure every dollar sent actually reaches the recipient.
How does Purpl work?
The principle is simple: the sender abroad does not even need the Purpl app. They use one of Purpl's partners, and the recipient in Lebanon gets the funds straight into their Purpl wallet.
- 1The recipient downloads the Purpl app in Lebanon and creates a free account (name, email, phone).
- 2The sender transfers the money from abroad through a partner (Paysend, Remitly, Ria, Careem Pay and others) by selecting Purpl as the payout option.
- 3The money lands instantly in the recipient's Purpl wallet, in USD.
- 4The recipient cashes out for free at any of the 450+
Banque Libano-Française ATMs and 
MTM locations, using the in-app locator to find the nearest one.
What are the benefits of Purpl?
⚡ Instant
The recipient gets the funds as soon as the sender initiates the transfer, and can cash out within seconds.
💵 Paid out in USD
The full amount is received and cashed out in US dollars, with no unfavorable conversion.
🆓 Zero cash-out fees
Withdrawals at the ATM are completely free. The recipient gets exactly the amount that was sent.
🏧 No card, no bank account
No bank account or card needed to cash out at the ATM. The Purpl app is all the recipient needs.
More than money transfers: what else can you do with Purpl?
Purpl is not just a remittance app. It is a complete digital wallet built for everyday life in Lebanon. Once your money lands in your Purpl account, here is everything else you can do with it.
💳 Unlimited virtual cards
Create as many free virtual cards as you need in seconds. Set a budget on each one, track spending by category, and shop online with peace of mind.
🏪 Pay at your favorite shops
Scan, pay, go. Pay at hundreds of partner merchants across Lebanon by scanning a QR code: restaurants, supermarkets, pharmacies, services, all from the app.
👥 Free local transfers
Send money instantly to other Purpl users in Lebanon. Split a bill, pay back a friend, or send pocket money in seconds, with zero fees.
🎁 Gifts and vouchers
Surprise friends and family with prepaid vouchers for birthdays, holidays, or any occasion. They get spending power, you get the credit.
💼 Get paid as a freelancer
Receive your salary or remote work payments directly into your Purpl wallet from 200+ countries, then cash out for free at any Banque Libano-Française ATM.
🌟 Benefits and rewards
Unlock exclusive perks, promotions, and rewards from Purpl's partner merchants. The more you use Purpl, the more you save.
Who are Purpl's partners?
To enable international transfers, Purpl works with a network of trusted global money transfer providers, including Paysend, Remitly, Ria, Careem Pay, Al Fardan Exchange, Al Muzaini, Lulu Exchange and Bless Payments. On the cash-out side in Lebanon, Purpl is partnered with Banque Libano-Française, one of the country's leading banks, which makes its network of 450+ ATMs and MTM locations available to recipients.
Our cash-out partners in Lebanon
Is Purpl safe and reliable?
Yes. Purpl is a licensed fintech operating with the approval of the Central Bank of Lebanon and in partnership with a long-established bank (Banque Libano-Française, founded in 1967). The app uses identity verification (e-KYC) to secure every account, and thousands of Lebanese families use it every month to receive their money with peace of mind.
Purpl vs traditional money transfers
| Criteria | Purpl | Traditional transfer |
|---|---|---|
| Cash-out fees | Zero fees | Often 2% or more |
| Speed of receipt | Instant | Variable, sometimes several days |
| Payout currency | USD | Often converted to local currency |
| Bank account required | No | Often yes |
| In-app tracking | Yes | Limited |
Traditional service fees are indicative and vary by provider and sending corridor.
Frequently asked questions about Purpl
What is Purpl?
Purpl is a Lebanese fintech app that lets you receive money from abroad instantly, in USD, and cash it out with zero fees at more than 450 Banque Libano-Française ATMs and MTM locations across Lebanon, with no card or bank account needed.
How do you receive money with Purpl?
Download the Purpl app and create your account. The sender then transfers money from abroad through a partner (such as Paysend or Remitly) and selects Purpl as the payout option. The funds land instantly in your Purpl wallet, ready to be cashed out for free.
Are there any fees with Purpl?
Cashing out at the ATM is free for the recipient: you get exactly the amount that was sent. Low sending fees may apply on the sender's side depending on the partner used.
How many countries can you send money to Purpl from?
Money can be sent to a Purpl wallet from more than 200 countries, thanks to Purpl's network of international transfer partners.
Do you need a bank account to use Purpl?
No. One of Purpl's biggest advantages is that you can cash out at the ATM without a card or bank account. All you need is the Purpl app and a valid ID for verification.
Is Purpl safe to use?
Yes. Purpl is a licensed fintech, partnered with Banque Libano-Française, and uses identity verification (e-KYC) to secure every transaction. Thousands of Lebanese families use it every month.
Get your money with Purpl
Join the thousands of Lebanese receiving their money instantly, in USD, and with zero fees.
Download Purpl →