Can Zelle Send Money To Venmo Directly and Without Any Charges?

The primary goal of any money transfer app is to make it convenient to send and receive funds between friends and family with minimal charges, quick speed, and the most minor networking issues. Now, several apps provide features that make names like Zelle and Venmo stand out. But what if you and your friend do not use the same app? Then, I will help you figure out if you can Zelle send money to Venmo or not.

Can You Use Zelle to Send Money to Venmo?

Zelle supports transfers to many peer-to-peer payment apps. A typical example is Zelle to Cash App transfer. Unfortunately, you can not send money from Zelle to Venmo. 

It is not that Zelle only supports in-network transfers, i.e., Zelle to Zelle, but, as per the current features and policy, you can not send money to Venmo directly. 

So, how does the Zelle to Venmo transfer work?

You are aware that Zelle is linked to a bank account, and you can always transfer funds from your Zelle to the linked bank. Afterwards, you can transfer money from the bank to your friend’s Venmo account or send it to their bank account instead. The bank can be used to Venmo yourself so they can have the funds sent to their Venmo later.

While we are at it, I would like to share the information that you can also send money to other Zelle accounts, even if you don’t have one. 

Zelle is supported by almost all the leading banks in the US. You can send money to someone else’s Zelle account using your bank account, although I suggest you download the app and sign up to make the process more hassle-free. 

If the bank you are using does not support Zelle, an alternative is to link your VISA card or Mastercard instead. This will limit the amount of money you can transfer to $500 per week, but it is a great way to use Zelle if you still need an account in any qualifying banks.

Which Is Popular Zelle or Venmo?

So you have just realized that Zelle to Venmo app transfer is not a piece of cake. This might make you consider one of the two apps to use in the future, but which one? Before I explain all the features, pros, and cons, here’s a quick summary for both the apps. 

Regarding choosing one of the two services, Zelle is the answer for quick transfers without fees. It almost always gets the money through in a matter of minutes. 

In contrast, Venmo offers more flexibility to the users. It is a better choice if you are interested in a range of services and are okay with paying minimal fees to use them. 

However, as the summary above already shows you, there are things that two or one of the two apps still need to be included. So, there can’t be a perfect choice, just the one that is right for you!

I have summarized Zelle and Venmo features, pros, and cons below for your convenience. Although the content on the website is thoroughly updated, check the official sites for both apps if you require further confirmation for fees, limits, etc. 

Zelle Features

With over 1000 banks and credit unions working with Zelle, it is the most straightforward money transfer app. You can sign up with your email ID or mobile number and start sending/receiving money immediately.

Zelle is considered to be faster when it comes to money transfers. All transactions are instant, and there are no additional charges. Zelle is a fee-free service designed to help small businesses, friends, and local users.

Compared to Venmo, Zelle has more security features. It offers transaction authorization, fraud monitoring, data encryption, and more. 

The only thing that Zelle lacks is chargeback protection for purchases. As its use continues to grow, I am hopeful that such features will be introduced.

Pros and Cons For Zelle

Some pros of Zelle you might be interested in include:

1. There are no excessive fees.
2. Zelle has partnered with over 1,000 banks and credit unions.
3. It allows for quick money transfers that complete within couple of minutes.
4. You can earn some interest on the amount kept in bank account linked with Zelle.

On the other hand, some cons you must know about are:

1. You can not link Zelle account to a credit card.
2. Moreover, you can not keep cash in Zelle account as you would do in Venmo or Cash App.
3. Zelle does not offer any debit card to use for purchases or ATM withdrawals.
4. You can not cancel a payment with Zelle.
5. Zelle also does not support international transfers.

Venmo Features

Venmo offers services much like Zelle but is more flexible in many aspects. For example, you can use debit/credit cards with Venmo, which Zelle does not allow.

To sign up with Venmo, you must be 18 or older. It would help if you were also in the US, as Venmo does not cater to international transfers. 

Venmo offers two types of transfers: Standard and Instant. With standard transfers, you may need to wait up to 3 days. Instant transfers, however, are completed within a couple of minutes. The difference is that standard transfers are free, but Venmo charges 1.5% of the fee for instant transactions.

As for the app’s safety, Venmo uses data encryption to keep your information safe. You can protect transactions and app login with a PIN. 

Signing up for additional services like account monitoring and alerts is also free. 

Pros and Cons For Venmo

Some pros of Venmo you will be glad to hear about are:

1. There are no annual/monthly charges for the subscription.
2. You can keep cash in your Venmo account as you would do in a bank account.
3. Venmo works like social media app where you can add friends, block someone, or delete history if need be.
4. You can also use Venmo to make payments in-store or online.
5. Venmo offers debit card and credit card for easier use.

Just like Zelle, Venmo has its drawbacks as well. These include:

1. Venmo charges for services like instant transfers and credit card transfers.
2. It is a social media app so privacy settings are not strict.
3. There are transfer limits on how much you can send and receive with Venmo.
4. You do not earn any interest on the amount that you keep in the Venmo account.

What Is Zelle To Venmo Transfer Limit?

Venmo promises a transfer limit up to $60,000 per week with a verified account. However, unverified users can only transfer up to $299.99 per week.

In comparison to that, Zelle has a lower transfer limit. You can send up to $500 weekly, but the exact amount depends on your bank’s policies.

It looks like Venmo carries a clear advantage here with higher transfer limits. 

Which Is Safer Zelle or Venmo?

Both the apps have specific security features that make them safe for daily use and peer to peer transactions.

However, the authorities still strongly recommend users only exchange funds with accounts they trust as cancelling a payment or retrieving money can be time-consuming. 

Scamming and frauds on online money apps have also become quite common. Therefore, it is always suggest to be careful with monetary transactions. Do not entirely rely on the security features of the app. Instead, choose a strong password, set up OTP for transaction confirmation, and enable fingerprint verification for added security.

Before You Go!

Zelle and Venmo are right choices when choosing a money transfer app, but the right decision for you would be the one that serves the purpose you are looking for.

Zelle typically has fewer fees, but it lacks some outstanding features, such as it does not work with credit cards, and you can not use it them to make payments to retailers. On the other hand, Venmo has these perks in stock but charges specific fees, such as 3% for credit card transfers, 1.5% for instant transfer of money, etc. On top of that, Venmo lets you borrow money and shop at stores like eBay with Venmo.

Miriam Caldwell

Miriam Caldwell is a dedicated & expert freelance writer to educate people about personal finance management and budgeting. She shared her knowledge and published the articles at TheBalance.com, GOBankingRates, and BlissfullyDomestic.com. Many financial institutes pick Caldwell as the brilliant source for educational personal finance content.