Venmo to PayPal: How to Send Money Between Them in 2026
How to Send Money From Venmo to PayPal
If the cross-platform payment feature is available for your account, follow these steps.
Step 1: Open the Venmo App
Sign in to your Venmo account and open the payment or recipient-search screen.
Make sure you’re using the official app and that your account is in good standing.
Step 2: Search for the PayPal Recipient
Enter the phone number associated with the recipient’s PayPal account.
Use the complete number and double-check it before proceeding. Venmo’s cross-platform feature uses phone numbers to help identify eligible PayPal users.
Step 3: Confirm the Recipient
Review the recipient information displayed by Venmo. If you cannot find the person, ask them to check their PayPal privacy settings and confirm that the correct phone number is associated with their account.
Never select a recipient based on a name alone if you are unsure that it is the correct person.
Step 4: Enter the Amount
Enter the amount you want to send and review the payment details.
Check the recipient, amount, funding method, and any applicable fees before continuing.
Step 5: Confirm the Payment
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the payment.
After sending, check your Venmo transaction history for the payment status. A completed transaction generally means the payment has been sent.
Important: Payments may be difficult or impossible to cancel once sent. Verify the recipient and amount before confirming.
How to Transfer Money From PayPal to Venmo
Cross-platform payments also work in the opposite direction for eligible users.
If you want to send money from PayPal to Venmo, PayPal’s sending-money feature allows eligible users to find recipients across the two services.
The general process is:
- Open PayPal and sign in.
- Start a payment to another person.
- Search for the eligible Venmo recipient using their phone number.
- Verify the recipient’s details.
- Enter the payment amount.
- Review the transaction and confirm it.
The exact options may vary depending on account eligibility, region, and the version of the service you’re using.
For current details, see PayPal’s official send-and-receive-money page.
Do You Need to Link Venmo to PayPal?
No. Direct payments between eligible Venmo and PayPal users do not require you to link the two accounts as a single wallet.
This distinction matters because a payment between two users is different from transferring your own balance between accounts you control.
If your goal is to pay another person, the cross-platform payment feature may be the simplest option.
If your goal is to move money between your own accounts, the available options may depend on whether the services recognize your accounts as eligible recipients and whether the payment is permitted under their terms.
Do not assume that every account can send money to itself across the two platforms.
How Much Does It Cost to Send Money From Venmo to PayPal?
For eligible domestic payments in the United States, Venmo says there is no fee to send money to PayPal using your Venmo balance, debit card, or bank account.
However, a fee may apply when you use a credit card to send a personal payment.
International payments may also involve fees or currency conversion. The applicable charges and exchange rate should be displayed before you confirm an eligible international payment.
| Payment situation | What to know |
|---|---|
| Domestic U.S. payment using Venmo balance | Venmo says no sending fee applies |
| Domestic payment using a linked bank account | Venmo says no sending fee applies |
| Domestic payment using a debit card | Venmo says no sending fee applies |
| Payment using a credit card | A fee may apply |
| International payment | Fees and currency conversion may apply |
Always review the final payment screen because the applicable terms can depend on your payment method, location, and account.
For the latest information, consult Venmo’s cross-platform payment help article.
How Long Does It Take to Transfer Money From Venmo to PayPal?
For eligible payments within the United States, Venmo says payments between Venmo and PayPal users are typically instant once completed.
International payments may take longer, depending on the recipient’s country, currency, and account setup.
Keep in mind that a payment can be delayed, reviewed, or declined. The expected timing is not a guarantee that every transaction will complete immediately.
How to Check Your Payment Status
Open your Venmo transaction history and select the relevant payment.
Check whether the transaction is pending, completed, or otherwise flagged. If the payment is marked completed but the recipient cannot see it, confirm the recipient details and ask them to check their PayPal activity.
If the problem continues, contact the relevant service through its official support channel.
Why Can’t I Find a PayPal User on Venmo?
If you search for someone on Venmo but cannot find their PayPal account, several issues could explain the problem.
1. The Phone Number Is Incorrect
Check that you entered the complete phone number associated with the recipient’s PayPal account.
A number that differs from the one registered to the account may prevent the recipient from appearing.
2. The Recipient’s Privacy Settings Restrict Visibility
Venmo advises users to check their search privacy settings if they cannot be found across platforms.
Ask the recipient to review their PayPal privacy settings and confirm that their account is visible to eligible Venmo users.
3. Cross-Platform Payments Are Not Available
The feature may not be available for every account or country.
If either account is in an unsupported region, the recipient may not appear in search results.
4. The Account Has a Restriction
An account restriction or eligibility issue may prevent a payment from being completed.
Review any notices in the app and contact official support if necessary.
5. The App Needs Updating
Check whether an update is available for the Venmo or PayPal app. If the feature is still missing, consult the services’ current help pages rather than relying on outdated instructions.
What to Do if a Venmo-to-PayPal Payment Fails
If a payment fails, use these checks before attempting it again.
- Review the payment status: Check whether the payment failed, remains pending, or was completed.
- Verify the recipient: Confirm the phone number and account details.
- Check your funding method: Make sure your selected payment method is available and has sufficient funds.
- Review account notifications: Look for any request to verify information or resolve a restriction.
- Avoid duplicate payments: Do not immediately send the same amount again if the first transaction is still pending.
- Contact official support: If the transaction status is unclear, ask Venmo or PayPal for help.
If money appears to have been deducted but the recipient hasn’t received it, keep the transaction details and reference number available when contacting support.
Can You Send Money From Venmo to PayPal Internationally?
Cross-platform payments are available in the United States and certain additional markets, but availability depends on the countries and accounts involved.
International payments may also involve currency conversion, fees, and different limits from domestic payments.
Venmo’s help documentation lists international limits for this feature, including:
- Per transaction: $2,500
- Daily: $5,000
- Weekly: $10,000
- Monthly: $25,000
These limits may not apply to every account or situation, and additional restrictions may apply. Check the current terms in the app before relying on a particular limit.
If you are sending money internationally, review the recipient’s country, the displayed exchange rate, and the final amount before confirming.
Venmo to PayPal vs. Using a Bank Account
Before cross-platform payments became available, users often considered transferring money from Venmo to a bank account and then using that bank account with PayPal.
The direct payment option can be more convenient when you need to pay another eligible person. A bank transfer may still be useful when you need to move your own Venmo funds into a bank account.
| Feature | Direct Venmo-to-PayPal payment | Venmo-to-bank transfer |
|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Pay an eligible PayPal user | Move Venmo funds to your bank |
| Requires a bank transfer first | No | Yes, this is the transfer itself |
| Typical timing | Usually instant for eligible U.S. payments | Depends on standard or instant transfer |
| Fees | Domestic fees depend on the funding method | Standard transfers are generally free; instant transfers have a fee |
| Best suited for | Paying someone on PayPal | Moving money to your own bank account |
Venmo’s standard bank transfers typically take one to three business days. Its instant bank-transfer option has a fee, which is currently listed as 1.75%, subject to a $0.25 minimum and $25 maximum.
These bank-transfer fees are separate from fees for cross-platform payments. Review the displayed fee before choosing a transfer method.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send money from Venmo to PayPal instantly?
Eligible domestic U.S. payments are typically instant once completed. Timing can vary, and transactions may be delayed or reviewed.
Can I transfer money from Venmo to PayPal without a bank account?
Direct cross-platform payments can be made through Venmo for eligible users without transferring money through a bank first. Available funding methods depend on your account.
Can I link my Venmo account directly to PayPal?
The cross-platform payment feature does not link the two accounts into a single wallet. It allows eligible users to send payments between platforms.
Is it free to send money from Venmo to PayPal?
Venmo says domestic payments funded by your Venmo balance, debit card, or bank account have no sending fee. Credit-card payments may incur a fee, and international fees may apply.
Why can’t I find someone on PayPal through Venmo?
Check the recipient’s phone number, their search privacy settings, and whether cross-platform payments are available for their account and region.
Can I send money from PayPal to Venmo?
Yes, eligible users can send payments across the two platforms in the opposite direction. Availability and the recipient-search process depend on account eligibility.
Can I cancel a Venmo-to-PayPal payment?
Do not assume a payment can be cancelled after sending. Cross-platform payments may be processed quickly, so verify the recipient and amount before confirming.
Is a Venmo-to-PayPal payment the same as a bank transfer?
No. A cross-platform payment sends money to another eligible user. A bank transfer moves money between your Venmo balance and a linked bank account.
Final Thoughts
Sending money from Venmo to PayPal is now possible for eligible users through cross-platform payments. In the United States, you can generally search for a PayPal recipient by phone number, review the payment details, and send money directly through Venmo without first transferring it to a bank.
Before sending, confirm the recipient’s details, check any fees, and make sure the feature is available for both accounts. If the recipient doesn’t appear or a payment fails, review the account settings and transaction status before trying again.
For the most accurate instructions, use Venmo’s official cross-platform payment guide and PayPal’s send-money page.
