Authryn vs. Escrow
Escrow holds the money. Authryn locks in the proof. They solve different problems — and most peer-to-peer deals only need one.
Use Authryn when…
You meet in person, hand over cash or pay via Venmo/Zelle, and just need verified evidence that both parties agreed to the deal. Or you're a freelancer protecting your scope and deposits.
Use Escrow when…
Large remote transactions ($5k+) where you've never met and money must be held by a neutral third party until conditions are met (like buying a car sight-unseen across state lines).
Side by side
| Feature |  | Escrow |
|---|---|---|
Cost per deal | $1 (first free) | 1–3% of total |
Setup time | 30 seconds | Hours to days |
Holds your money | ||
Verified phone signatures Both buyer & seller | ||
Tamper-proof receipt | ||
Account required for counterparty | ||
Works for cash deals | ||
Refund on failed verify Authryn auto-refunds if other party never signs | Sometimes | |
Useful for freelance scope/milestones | Limited | |
Public verification URL | ||
Works on any phone, no app | Varies |
The bottom line
If you need a third party to hold thousands of dollars while conditions are checked, use escrow. But for the 99% of peer-to-peer deals where the question is 'did we agree on this?' — verified receipts cost a fraction and solve the actual problem.
Try Authryn — your first receipt is free
30 seconds to set up. No card. No app. Just trust.
Start free