You cannot transfer money directly from Venmo to PayPal
Venmo and PayPal are separate apps owned by the same parent company, but they do not connect to each other. You cannot push money from your Venmo balance into PayPal, and PayPal cannot pull from Venmo. The two services keep their funds completely separate.
What you can do instead is move money out of Venmo into your bank account, then move it from your bank account into PayPal. This takes two separate transfers and usually takes one to three business days total, depending on your bank and which transfer method you choose.
Key Takeaways
- Venmo and PayPal do not transfer to each other directly, even though the same company owns both.
- The standard route is to transfer your Venmo balance to your bank account first, then move money from that account into PayPal.
- Venmo transfers to your bank account take one to three business days and may cost a fee depending on your transfer speed.
- PayPal can receive transfers from your bank account using its transfer feature, which also takes one to three business days.
- If you need the money faster, Venmo's when ready transfer option costs 1.75% but arrives within 30 minutes.
How to transfer money out of Venmo to your bank account
Open the Venmo app and tap the three horizontal lines (menu) in the bottom right corner. Select "Transfer Money," then choose "Transfer to Bank." Venmo will show you the bank account you have on file. If you want to use a different account, tap "Add Bank Account" and enter your routing number and account number.
Enter the amount you want to transfer. Venmo offers two speed options: standard transfer (one to three business days, no fee) and when ready transfer (arrives within 30 minutes, costs 1.75% of the amount). Choose which one you need, then confirm the transfer. Venmo will send the money to your bank account.
Standard transfers are free but take longer. when ready transfers cost money but arrive much faster. If you are not in a rush, the standard option saves you the fee.
What happens while your money is in transit
Once you request a transfer from Venmo, the money leaves your Venmo balance when ready. If you chose standard transfer, it will sit in your bank's processing queue for one to three business days before it shows up in your account. If you chose when ready transfer, it should arrive within 30 minutes.
You can check the status of your transfer by opening Venmo, tapping the menu, and selecting "Transfer Money." Tap "Transfer History" to see pending and completed transfers. If something goes wrong, Venmo will show you an error message there.
How to move money from your bank account into PayPal
Once the money arrives in your bank account, open the PayPal app or website. Log in and tap the wallet or money icon. Select "Transfer Money" or "Link a Bank Account" (the exact wording depends on whether you have already linked your bank to PayPal).
If this is your first time linking a bank account to PayPal, you will need to enter your routing number and account number. PayPal will verify the account by sending two small deposits (usually under $1 each) to your bank. You will need to confirm those amounts in PayPal within a few days. Once verified, you can transfer money.
Enter the amount you want to move from your bank into PayPal and confirm. The transfer will take one to three business days. PayPal transfers from a bank account are free.
The full timeline from Venmo to PayPal
If you use Venmo's standard transfer and PayPal's standard bank transfer, the entire process takes two to six business days. Here is how it breaks down:
| Step | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer from Venmo to bank (standard) | 1–3 business days | Free |
| Transfer from bank to PayPal | 1–3 business days | Free |
| Total | 2–6 business days | Free |
If you use Venmo's when ready transfer instead, the first leg takes 30 minutes but costs 1.75% of the amount. The second leg (bank to PayPal) still takes one to three business days and is free. Your total time would be one to three business days, and your total cost would be 1.75%.
Why Venmo and PayPal do not connect directly
Both Venmo and PayPal are owned by Pypal Holdings, Inc., but they operate as separate products with separate systems. Venmo is designed for peer-to-peer payments between friends and family. PayPal is designed for online shopping, invoicing, and business payments. Because they serve different purposes, the company has kept them as separate services that do not share a wallet or balance.
This separation means you cannot send money between them directly, but it also means each service can focus on what it does best. If you use both regularly, you will need to move money through your bank account when you want to shift funds between them.
Alternatives if you do not want to use your bank account
If you do not have a bank account linked to Venmo, or if you want to avoid the wait time, Venmo's when ready transfer is your fastest option. It costs 1.75% but gets money to your bank account in 30 minutes. From there, you can move it into PayPal using the standard bank transfer method.
Another option is to keep money in Venmo for peer-to-peer payments and use PayPal separately for online shopping or invoicing. Many people use both apps for different purposes and do not need to move money between them regularly. If you only need to transfer occasionally, the two to six business day timeline through your bank account is usually fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send money from Venmo directly to someone's PayPal account?
No. Venmo only sends money to other Venmo users or to a bank account. If you want to pay someone who uses PayPal, you would need to transfer your Venmo balance to your bank account first, then use PayPal to send them money from there.
Does Venmo charge a fee for standard transfers to my bank?
No. Standard transfers from Venmo to your bank account are free and take one to three business days. when ready transfers cost 1.75% but arrive within 30 minutes.
What if my bank account is not verified with PayPal yet?
PayPal will send two small test deposits to your bank account. Check your bank statement, find those amounts, and enter them in PayPal to verify the account. This usually takes a few business days. Once verified, you can transfer money freely.
Can I transfer money from PayPal back to Venmo?
No, not directly. You would need to transfer from PayPal to your bank account first, then from your bank account to Venmo. The process is the same in reverse.
Is there a limit to how much I can transfer?
Venmo and PayPal both have transfer limits that depend on your account age, verification status, and history. Check the app for your specific limit, or contact customer support if you are unsure whether your transfer amount is allowed.