You cannot directly link a PayPal account or a PayPal card to Venmo as a payment method, so there is no way to use your PayPal balance directly within the Venmo app. However, there are effective workarounds to move money between the two platforms, allowing you to access your funds across both services. Once your money is in Venmo, you can easily share my Venmo link to receive payments from others.
Can you link PayPal to Venmo?
No, it is not possible to directly link a PayPal account or a PayPal card to your Venmo account as a payment method. This is a common misconception, and the platforms do not support a direct connection. The rest of this article explains the actual ways to transfer money between your Venmo and PayPal accounts.
How to send money between Venmo and PayPal
The primary workaround for moving money between Venmo and PayPal is to send payments directly to a user on the other platform using their full phone number. This method works in both directions and is typically instant for transactions within the U.S.
Send money from Venmo to a PayPal user
- In the search field, enter the full phone number that the recipient has associated with their PayPal account.
- Select the correct recipient from the search results.
- Enter the amount you want to send and add a note if you like.
- Tap "Pay" to complete the transaction.
There are no fees to send money from Venmo to PayPal within the U.S. when using your Venmo balance, debit card, or bank account. Payments funded by a credit card on Venmo are subject to a 3% fee.
Send money from PayPal to a Venmo user
- Enter the amount you want to send and review the details.
Payments between Venmo and PayPal users within the U.S. are typically instant.
The shared bank account workaround
Another effective method for moving funds between Venmo and PayPal is to link the same bank account to both platforms. This allows you to transfer money from Venmo to your bank, and then from your bank to PayPal (or vice versa).
Link a bank account to Venmo
- Open the Venmo app and go to the "Me" tab.
- Tap "Add a bank or card" and select your bank.
- Venmo offers two verification methods: instant verification using your online banking login, or manual verification using microtransfers.
- For manual verification, Venmo will send two small deposits to your bank account. You will need at least $2 in your account to cover these deposits. This process can take at least one full business day, and up to three business days.
- Once the deposits appear in your bank account, return to Venmo and enter the amounts to confirm the link.
Link a bank account to PayPal
- Click "Link a bank account" and follow the on-screen instructions.
- PayPal offers instant bank linking or manual verification via two small deposits.
- Check your bank statement for these amounts, then return to PayPal and enter them to confirm the link.
Once the same bank account is linked to both Venmo and PayPal, you can transfer money from Venmo to your bank account (standard transfers are typically free, while instant transfers incur a 1.75% fee with a minimum of $0.25 and a maximum of $25) and then from your bank account to PayPal. This process takes longer than the direct phone number method but is a reliable way to move larger sums.
Why you can't directly link your accounts
Despite being owned by the same parent company, Venmo and PayPal operate as separate platforms with distinct payment methods. This separation means you cannot use your PayPal balance as a funding source within Venmo or vice versa. Understanding this distinction helps you use the correct workarounds to move your money effectively.
When you want to send money between the two services, you will need the recipient's full phone number associated with their account. This is why knowing your own Venmo handle is useful for receiving payments, and why you need to set up Venmo correctly with your phone number. To set up a Venmo account, you simply download the app and sign up with your email or phone number.
