Does Venmo work internationally? Cheap alternatives when you can’t use Venmo

International money transfer

In the United States, approximately 38% of adults use Venmo, the majority of which are from the Millennial and Gen Z groups.¹The growing popularity of this money transfer app is evident in the staggering total payment volume it registered in the first quarter of 2024—a whopping $69 billion.²

What makes this app so popular, especially among younger consumers? Its simplicity, speed, and reliability are what primarily attract users. The app is easy to use for sending payments, transferring funds, or splitting bills. There are also minimal to no fees for bank transfers and retail payments. In addition, it ensures payment privacy and purchase protection for its users.

But is Venmo international? Here’s the catch—Venmo is available only to people located within the US and who have US-based mobile phones. So if you want to send money transfers to other parts of the world, read on for more information on reliable alternatives to Venmo.

Does Venmo work internationally?

No, the Venmo app doesn’t work internationally. As we have already mentioned, Venmo can only be used within the United States. While it may be licensed in some US territories, such as the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Guam, Venmo can’t be used by people in other locations. Even those in nearby countries, such as Canada or Mexico, would not be able to access a Venmo account.

Luckily for those outside the United States, there are Venmo alternatives you can use for international money transfers. We will explore these options later in this article and compare which ones provide the lowest fees and the fastest delivery of funds.

Why can’t you send money internationally with Venmo?

You can’t send money internationally with Venmo since there are technical and legal limitations that prevent Venmo from supporting international money transfers. On the technical side, the Venmo app uses geolocation technology to track a user’s location when they access their account. If you’re outside the United States, your access to your Venmo account will be blocked and you will receive an error message.

Another thing that limits the use of Venmo is its exclusive reliance on US banking institutions. Venmo instant transfers only work with select US bank accounts and Visa or Mastercard debit cards. Standard bank transfers go through the Automated Clearing House and can be sent only to verified bank accounts.³

Legally, Venmo is obligated to comply with US financial regulations, which restrict its use to residents and banking systems in the US.

Venmo alternatives for international money transfers

Venmo may be the third most popular digital payment brand in the US⁴, but it falls short when it comes to international transactions. Good thing that there are Venmo alternatives that can help you send money across borders with ease.

Here are four reliable alternatives to Venmo that offer low or no subscription fees, fast transfer times, and access to a wide range of countries worldwide.

BOSS Revolution

BOSS Revolution started as a low-cost long-distance call service by IDT Corporation. Since its launch, it has transformed into a global brand that continuously innovates services to meet the demands of immigrants, expatriates, and dispersed families. Today, it’s among the most convenient and cost-effective options for international money transfers.

Aside from the low fees, it also guarantees a full refund of the transaction amount if your money does not reach your recipient. This bold money-back guarantee highlights its commitment to ensuring that every transfer is safe, secure, and successful.

Tens of thousands of partner banks and establishments for convenient cash pickups¹⁵
Free international transfers for first-time users
Low and transparent fees
BOSS Revolution App and BOSS Money app are easy to use

Senders must be located within the United States
Fewer countries supported than by some competitors
Limited transfer amounts

Wise

Launched as TransferWise in 2011, Wise has been focused on its vision—to make international money transfers easy, fast, fair, and cheap. By finding ways to work around expensive bank fees and bad exchange rates, it has provided people a wiser way to transfer money across borders. Aside from money transfers, it now also offers multi-currency accounts, debit cards, and business accounts to users worldwide.

Through Wise, you can send money through your debit card, credit card, or online banking. The recipient gets the money through their Wise account or their bank account. Since they can get the money transfer from Wise’s local bank account, they can receive the funds in their local currency.

Free Wise-to-Wise same currency transfers
Accepts large transfer amounts of US$1 million and above⁵
Wide coverage of countries

No cash pickup option
May require a bank account for transfers to some countries
Longer transfer speed for some transactions

PayPal

There’s no Venmo international money transfer option, but its parent company PayPal offers international transfers and supports among the most extensive list of countries worldwide. When it comes to reliability, PayPal already has a proven track record as the most widely used digital payment platform in the US.⁶

With its strategic partnerships with banks, card issuers, and other financial institutions, it‘s able to support international transfers, albeit at higher fees compared to most money transfer service providers.

Enables money transfers to and from 110+ countries⁷
Short transfer times
Secure transactions

Strict verification process for international bank transfers
High transfer and currency conversion fees

Remitly

Remitly was established to help millions of immigrants around the world send their hard-earned money to their loved ones quickly and securely. Today, it continues to offer international money transfer services that are fast, secure, and affordable.

Real-time tracking of money transfers
Multiple delivery options
Wide global coverage

Higher fees for express services
May require ID verification or bank account information from recipients

How to choose the best Venmo alternative for international transfers

With so many options, choosing the best money transfer apps can be a daunting task. To find the right service for your specific needs, consider the following factors:

Delivery method.
How will your recipients get the money? For more flexibility, choose a service that allows multiple delivery methods.

Transfer speed.
To meet urgent needs for funds, look for money transfer services that can process transactions within minutes or just a few hours.

Fees.
Look for low transfer fees with no hidden charges. Choose services that maintain transparency in all the fees they charge for every transaction.

Exchange rates.
Always check and compare exchange rates before initiating a money transfer. Opt for the service provider that offers competitive rates.

Transfer limits.
How much can you transfer? Is there a cap on how much you can send? Some money transfers limit the amount you can send.

Supported countries.
Check whether the service supports the countries that you are sending money to and from.

Now, let us take a look at how popular Venmo alternatives compare against each other according to these factors.

	BOSS Revolution	Wise	PayPal	Remitly
Delivery method	Cash pickup Mobile wallet Bank deposit Debit card Home delivery	Wise account Bank deposit	PayPal account Bank deposit	Cash pickup Mobile wallet Home delivery Debit card deposit Bank deposit
Transfer Speed	Most transfers are available for your recipient in minutes	Within 24 hours (wire payments within the US)⁵ 1-4 business days (ACH transfers)⁵ 1-6 business days (international wire transfers)⁵	Within 30 minutes (instant) Within 48 hours (standard)	Within hours (express) 1 to 5 business days (economy) *Transfer speed depends on the origin and destination, amount, and transfer options.¹⁴
Transfer Fees	From US$1.99 up¹⁰ *Total fees depend on the amount being transferred, the destination, and the payment method.	From 0.33% (fee varies by currency)⁸ *Transfer fees depend on the amount, currency, payment method, and exchange rate.	5.00% (from US$0.99 to 4.99) international fee¹² 4.00% currency conversion fee¹²	From US$1.99 to US$4.99+ *Transfer fee may vary depending on the locations of sender and recipient.¹⁴
Exchange Rates	Depends on the market rate on the transaction date	Mid-market rate	Varies depending on the conversion rate of PayPal¹²	Varies, depends on the amount, location of the recipient, and transfer options¹⁴
Minimum/Maximum Transfer Amount	From $10 to $2,999¹⁰	$50,000 per 24 hours (bank debit)⁵ $2,000 per 24 hours	Varies depending on the currency and location of the recipient	US$10,000 for transfers from the US¹³ *Transfer limits vary depending on the locations
Countries Served	45+ countries¹¹	50+ countries⁹	110+ countries⁷	150+ countries

FAQs about using Venmo and alternatives internationally

Can I use Venmo while abroad?

No, you will not be able to access your Venmo account if you are located outside of the United States or the US territories where Venmo is licensed to operate. Venmo tracks the location of users who are on the app. Even if you have a valid Venmo account, you will receive an error message when you try to log in while abroad.

Can I use Venmo for international payments?

Venmo can only be used to pay for purchases of goods and services from authorized merchants or verified Venmo users. Since all users are restricted by the technical and legal limitations of the app, you will not be able to use Venmo for international payments.

Does Canada have Venmo?

No, there’s no Venmo in Canada. Venmo is available only in the United States and the US territories of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the US Virgin Islands. People in Canada looking for reliable money transfer options may consider PayPal, Wise, or other Venmo alternatives.

Does Venmo work in Mexico?

No, Venmo doesn’t work in Mexico. Venmo works only within the United States and its territories. For money transfers to Mexico, use BOSS Revolution or other alternatives to Venmo.

Is Venmo available in Australia?

No, Venmo isn’t available in Australia. All Venmo accounts are accessible only when a user is within the United States or its territories. For purchasing mobile top-ups and credits for international calls, you may use BOSS Revolution in Australia. For money transfers from and to Australia, consider other Venmo alternatives like PayPal and Wise.

Sources: all third party information obtained from applicable website as of September 27, 2024

https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2022/09/08/payment-apps-like-venmo-and-cash-app-bring-convenience-and-security-concerns-to-some-users/
https://www.statista.com/statistics/763617/venmo-total-payment-volume/
https://help.venmo.com/hc/en-us/articles/221083888-Bank-Transfer-Timeline
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1339646/most-well-known-digital-payment-brands-in-the-united-states/
https://wise.com/help/articles/2932150/guide-to-usd-transfers
https://www.statista.com/forecasts/997132/biggest-e-commerce-payment-brands-in-the-us
https://www.paypal.com/us/digital-wallet/send-receive-money/send-money-internationally
https://wise.com/us/pricing/
https://wise.com/help/articles/2571942/what-countriesregions-can-i-send-to?origin=topic-5bVKT0uQdBrDp6T62keyfz
https://www.bossrevolution.com/en-us/services/money-transfer
https://www.bossrevolution.com/en-us/all-countries
https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/paypal-fees
https://www.remitly.com/us/en/help/article/sending-limits
https://www.remitly.com/us/en/help/article/costs
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20130801006064/en/IDT-Launches-Boss-Revolution-International-Money-Transfer

This article is provided for general information purposes only and is not intended to address every aspect of the matters discussed herein. The information in this article is not intended as specific personal advice. The information in this article does not constitute legal, tax, regulatory or other professional advice from IDT Payment Services, Inc. and its affiliates (collectively, “IDT”), and should not be taken or used as such by any individual. IDT makes no representation, warranty or guaranty, whether express or implied, that the content in this article is current, accurate, or complete. You should obtain professional or other substantive advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the information in this article.