π€― Hold Up! Can You Really Send Cash from Venmo to PayPal? A Hilarious, Step-by-Step Odyssey! π
What is up, my digital dough-slingers! We've all been there, right? You're scrolling through your phone, feeling fly with a sweet Venmo balance, but then you realize that super-cool thing you have to buy only accepts PayPal. Cue the dramatic music. It feels like trying to send a text message from a rotary phone—a total bummer! Even though Venmo is, like, PayPal's little sibling (yep, PayPal owns Venmo—mind blown!), these two digital wallets have generally been about as close as a cat and a dog in a tiny apartment.
The big question, the one that keeps financial gurus up at night, is: Can Venmo users send money directly to PayPal users? For the longest time, the answer was a simple, totally un-chill NO. There was no magic button, no secret handshake, just a digital wall between your Venmo stash and your PayPal purse. Bummer, dude!
But wait, there's a plot twist! Recent updates, specifically involving a feature called Visa+, have changed the game and offer a direct path between the two apps for some users! However, the classic, universally available method still involves a slick little pit stop at your bank account. It's the dependable, old-school move that always works. So, let's dive into the two ways to get your cash flowing like a Vegas fountain—the new-school direct route and the veteran bank-account shuffle!
π The Classic Hustle: Venmo to PayPal via Your Bank Account
This method is the OG—the one that always comes through when the apps are being stubborn. Think of your bank account as the super-reliable Uber driver taking your money from Point A (Venmo) to Point B (PayPal).
| Can Venmo Users Send Money To Paypal Users |
Step 1: Link Up Your Accounts – No Slackers Allowed!
This is the most crucial step, so pay attention, fam! You gotta make sure both Venmo and PayPal are holding hands with the exact same bank account. If you use Bank A for Venmo and Bank B for PayPal, this whole plan is DOA.
QuickTip: Skim the first line of each paragraph.
1.1 Get Your Bank on Venmo's Radar
Open up the Venmo app. Head over to the "Me" tab (that's usually your profile picture or initials).
Tap the Settings gear icon.
Find "Payment Methods" and then hit "Add a bank or card."
Choose "Bank" and follow the prompts. Venmo often uses an instant verification service like Plaid, which is super quick. If not, you might have to wait a couple of days for tiny deposits to show up—a real test of patience!
1.2 Make Sure PayPal Knows Your Bank, Too
Log in to your PayPal account (app or desktop—your choice, hotshot).
Go to "Wallet" (or "Money" depending on the app version).
Select "Link a card or bank."
Choose "Bank Account" and input the details for the SAME BANK ACCOUNT you just linked to Venmo. Again, verification might be instant or require those annoying small deposits. Don't rush this part—accuracy is key!
Step 2: Venmo to the Bank – Freedom!
Your money needs to break out of the Venmo vault and chill in the bank for a hot minute.
In the Venmo app, tap on "Manage Balance" or the Transfer icon (it often looks like an arrow).
Select "Transfer to Bank."
Punch in the amount you want to move.
Here’s the deal: You get two choices, like picking between a slow and fast roller coaster:
Standard Transfer: FREE! But it’s the "slow and steady wins the race" option, usually taking 1–3 business days. Totally worth the wait if you’re not in a hurry.
Instant Transfer: NOT FREE! It hits you with a small fee (typically 1.75%, minimum , maximum ) but your cash is usually chilling in your bank account within minutes. If you need it, you need it!
Confirm the transaction and poof! Your Venmo balance has shrunk, and your money is on its way to the bank.
Step 3: Bank to PayPal – Final Destination!
QuickTip: Slowing down makes content clearer.
Once the money has landed safely in your linked bank account (wait for those 1–3 business days if you chose the free route!), it's time for the final leg of the journey.
Open up the PayPal app (or website).
Navigate to your PayPal Balance and look for the option to "Add Money" or "Transfer Money".
Select "Add money to your balance" (or similar wording).
Choose the linked bank account that just got the Venmo transfer.
Enter the amount you want to pull into PayPal. Double-check that number!
Hit "Add" or "Continue." This transfer typically takes another 3–5 business days for PayPal to process from the bank. Yes, it’s a marathon, not a sprint!
✨ The New Vibe: The Visa+ Direct Route (If You're Eligible!)
Okay, so this is the glow-up we've all been waiting for. PayPal is rolling out the ability to send money directly between the two apps using a special Visa+ payname. It's way simpler, but it’s still in the rollout phase, so not everyone has it yet. Fingers crossed, you're one of the lucky ones!
Step 1: Activate Your Visa+ Payname
You need a cool, unique handle for this direct transfer to work.
Open your Venmo app.
Go to the "Me" tab.
Look in your settings or balance management area for an option related to "Send Money to PayPal" or "Send & receive with Visa+".
Follow the instructions to set up your Visa+ payname. It will look something like +YourAwesomeName.PayPal. This is your VIP pass!
Step 2: Send It, Don't Sweat It!
Tip: Use the structure of the text to guide you.
This step is shockingly easy compared to the bank shuffle.
In the Venmo app, find the option to "Send Money to PayPal" (usually under "Buying" in your Settings or the "Me" tab).
Tap "Send."
Enter your own PayPal Visa+ Payname (the one you set up in Step 1).
Enter the dollar amount you’re moving.
Confirm the payment details and you might have to confirm the last four digits of the phone number linked to your PayPal account.
Hit "Send." Boom! Transfers typically take up to 30 minutes.
Remember: The classic bank shuffle is the guaranteed backup if this cool new feature hasn't landed in your app yet!
FAQ Questions and Answers
How to transfer from Venmo to PayPal instantly?
To transfer funds instantly, you must use the Instant Transfer option from Venmo to your linked bank account (Step 2 of the Classic Hustle), which usually has a fee. The Visa+ direct transfer is also very fast, typically completing in under 30 minutes, and has no fee for moving Venmo balance to PayPal.
Is there a direct link between a Venmo and a PayPal account?
QuickTip: Skim slowly, read deeply.
Traditionally, no. The accounts have been separate, even though PayPal owns Venmo. However, the new Visa+ feature allows direct, interoperable transfers between the two apps using a unique payname for eligible users.
How long does the bank transfer method take?
Using the free Standard Transfer option, the process is a two-step wait: 1-3 business days for Venmo to your bank, and then an additional 3-5 business days for PayPal to pull the money from your bank. Expect a full week for the cash to settle.
Are there fees for moving money from Venmo to PayPal?
Using the classic bank shuffle with Standard Transfer is typically free. If you use Instant Transfer from Venmo to your bank, there is a fee (usually 1.75%). If you use the new Visa+ direct route, sending from your Venmo balance to PayPal is currently free.
Can I use a credit card for the Venmo-to-Bank transfer?
No. Venmo only allows you to transfer your Venmo Balance to your bank account or debit card. If you send money to someone on Venmo using a linked credit card, you are charged a 3% fee, and that money goes to the recipient, not your own PayPal account. Keep that credit card holstered for this one!
Would you like me to find the current Instant Transfer fee rate for Venmo to your bank, just to be sure you've got the latest info?