What Is Venmo?
On February 16, 2025 By newsroom Topic: Banking
Venmo is a peer-to-peer (P2P) money transfer app that allows users to send and receive money quickly and conveniently. Known for its social media-like feed, Venmo is often used to split bills, share expenses with friends, or make payments at select merchants.
Key Features of Venmo
- How It Works
- Send or request money from other Venmo users using the app.
- Payments include optional emoji-based messages displayed in a social feed.
- Payments to merchants with a Venmo payment option are also supported.
-
Mobile-first: Available on iOS and Android apps (transactions cannot be initiated on the web).
-
U.S.-Based Only
-
Both the sender and recipient must be in the United States.
-
Payment Methods
-
Fund payments via:
- Bank accounts
- Debit cards
- Prepaid debit cards
- Credit cards
-
Receiving Payments
- Money received is stored in a Venmo balance for future payments or withdrawal to a linked bank account.
Fees
- Free Transactions:
- Payments funded by a bank account, debit card, or prepaid debit card.
-
Standard bank transfers (1-3 business days).
-
Fees Apply:
- 3% per transaction for payments funded by a credit card.
- 1.75% fee (minimum $0.25, maximum $25) for instant transfers to a debit card.
Limits
- Unverified Users:
- Max transfer: $299.99 per week.
- Verified Users (after identity confirmation):
- Sending limit: Up to $60,000 per week.
- Bank transfer limit: $19,999 per week.
Security
- Built-In Security:
- Two-factor authentication (2FA).
-
PIN or fingerprint login options.
-
Privacy Settings:
- Transactions can be set to Private, Friends, or Public visibility.
- Past transaction visibility can also be adjusted retroactively.
Additional Features
- Venmo Debit Card
-
Use for purchases in the U.S. anywhere Mastercard is accepted.
-
Venmo Credit Card
- Earn cash back rewards in select spending categories, deposited into your Venmo account.
Pros and Cons of Venmo
Pros
- Easy to send and receive money among friends.
- Free transactions for most funding methods.
- Social feed makes it fun to use.
- Debit and credit card options available.
Cons
- Fees for credit card payments and instant transfers.
- Limited to U.S. users only.
- Funds stored in Venmo are not federally insured unless transferred to a bank account.
Venmo is a versatile tool for handling everyday payments, offering convenience and some fun social features. Just be mindful of fees and ensure your funds are secure!
