The popular payment app now has a card, but it doesn’t work everywhere.
Not to be confused with its credit card, the Venmo debit card is best for those who are already Venmo users and want to do more than just transfer money. The debit card allows cardholders to make purchases online or in-store. But if you're thinking of traveling abroad, this isn't a good option as it restricts you from shopping with international retailers.
This innovative card allows Venmo users to access their balance to pay for goods at the point of sale. If you don’t have enough to fund a purchase, you can also give Venmo permission to pull the money from your bank account.
But while the card is handy, it won't replace your bank's debit card since there's no way to fund your account with cash and check deposits are pricey.
Pros
Complimentary card
Cash back at Point of Sale
Automatic reloads
Cash a check
Strong customer service
Cons
Geographic restrictions
Withdrawal and check fees
Daily withdrawal limits
Not FDIC-insured
No interest
Transfer delays
In this guide
Our verdict
Your reviews
Ask an expert
finder.com's rating: 5.0 / 5.0
★★★★★
The Venmo debit card puts your Venmo balance in the palm of your hand. While you can only make purchases with Venmo at eligible retailers, you can pay using your Venmo debit card anywhere where Mastercard is accepted.
Sign up for this card if you’re active on Venmo and want to dip into your balance to pay for in-store and online purchases.
Pick something else if you often shop with overseas merchants or you need a card to use internationally.
Venmo card is not currently available on Finder
Have you considered BMO Smart Advantage Checking?
Earn a $400 cash bonus after $4,000 deposits in the first 120 days. Pay $0 monthly fees and no minimum balance. Access a large nationwide network of free ATMs. Member FDIC.
You’ll need a Venmo account before you can apply for a Venmo debit card. The process takes five to 10 minutes after you’ve signed up for Venmo. To open a Venmo debit card, log in to the Venmo app, then follow these steps:
From the Venmo app, on the left sidebar, click Venmo card.
Click Get the Venmo card.
Choose the color you’d like. Click Next.
Type in your first and last name and click Next.
For the security check, enter your date of birth and the last four numbers of your SSN. Agree to the terms and conditions. Click Next.
Provide your address and proof of identity, and continue to fill out the form.
Eligibility
The card can only be issued to those with a Venmo account. While the Venmo debit card doesn’t require a credit check, you’ll need to meet several requirements:
Physically in the United States
US cell phone that can send and receive text messages and support the Venmo app
Be at least 18 years old
Required information
During the application process, you’ll need to input:
Full name
Cellphone number
Home address — the system doesn’t accept PO box addresses
Social Security number
Date of birth
If Venmo asks for additional proof of identity, you can submit a:
Government-issued ID, such as a passport or driver’s license
ITIN Assignment letter
DHS card
Tribal ID card
SSN card
Proof of address, such as a utility bill or bank statement from the past 12 months
How long will it take to get my debit card?
Once your application is approved, your Venmo card should arrive within 15 business days.
When you have your new colorful Venmo debit card, you can activate it in the app. Go to Venmo card on the left sidebar and follow the prompts.
5 benefits of the Venmo debit card
The Venmo card comes with an integrated app and can be used anywhere in the US that accepts Mastercard. It also comes with a string of benefits:
Complimentary card. There’s no application fee and the card is free. Plus, you can choose from five card colors: pink, blue, purple, white or black.
Cash back at Point of Sale. If the merchant has a Maestro or PULSE device, you can withdraw cash from your card at no cost.
Automatic reloads. If you enable reloads, Venmo pulls cash from your linked bank account in increments of $10 to cover purchases that exceed your Venmo balance. If you don’t allow reloads, the transaction is simply declined — so you’re not saddled with overdraft fees.
Cash a check. This feature lets you deposit a check into your Venmo account using the mobile app. You won’t pay fees for stimulus check deposits, but expect to pay a 5% fee for hand-signed checks and a 1% fee for checks with a pre-printed signature, with a $5 minimum fee for each check.
Strong customer service. Email or chat to a live agent during business hours by calling 855-204-4090. Deactivate your card 24/7 by dialing the same number.
6 things to watch out for
Venmo has successfully branched out beyond peer-to-peer payments with this card. But it has its flaws, including:
Geographic restrictions. The Venmo card doesn’t work outside the US. You can’t use it with international merchants — even if you’re placing an online order from within the US.
Withdrawal and check fees. You’ll pay $2.50 for each withdrawal at an out-of-network ATM, and $3 for over-the-counter withdrawals at banks or financial institutions. And expect to be out at least $5 each time you deposit a check.
Daily withdrawal limits. You can access a maximum of $400 daily, and all withdrawals are funded by your Venmo balance.
Not FDIC-insured. While the card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, an FDIC member, Venmo itself isn’t a bank. That means your funds are not FDIC-insured.
No interest. Venmo encourages you to keep your cash in the app. This means Venmo — and its parent company, PayPal — makes interest on your money, whereas you would if you transferred it to a savings account.
Transfer delays. Unless you use Venmo reloads, a manual transfer from your bank account to top up your balance takes three to five days to hit your account.
Looking for something more, or just want to get a better idea of what else is available? Compare your options with our guide to debit cards.
Venmo’s ATM network and fees
Withdraw cash at any of the 37,000 MoneyPass ATMs nationwide for free. If you use a Mastercard, Pulse or Cirrus-accepted ATM, Venmo will charge a $2.50 fee. ATM withdrawals that require a signature cost $3.00 per transaction. Venmo’s ATM fees are in addition to any applicable ATM owner or bank fees.
Venmo reviews and complaints
Venmo has been accredited with the Better Business Bureau since 2016 and holds a A+ rating. As of December 21, the BBB has registered 2,255 complaints in the last three years, most of which cite problems accessing frozen accounts. Venmo has a one-star customer rating based on 325 reviews. It’s a similar story on TrustPilot. Venmo has a 1.3-star rating based on 303 reviews.
Elsewhere, the peer-to-peer payment app has been praised for the card. Tech-minded sites say that introducing a physical card was a good move, though Venmo could improve the card’s design and interest-earning potential. Cardholders say it’s easy to use, but there were initial issues with reloads and the card being declined at the register.
Is Venmo safe?
Venmo uses highly-rated data encryption to protect your private information. There are also safeguards in place to help you log out of the app from Venmo‘s website if you misplace your phone. As with most peer-to-peer (P2P) payment services, the biggest threat to your safety comes with sending or receiving money from people you don’t know.
Compare Venmo with other debit cards
See how the Venmo debit card stacks up against other debit cards by comparing features like interest rates and ATM access.
How do I deposit or withdraw my money?
The Venmo debit card comes with several ways to add funds and spend your cash. But some methods may come with fees.
Deposit options
Request funds from other Venmo users
Transfer funds from your linked bank account
Set up Venmo reloads
Deposit checks
Withdrawal options
Domestic retailers that accept Mastercard
ATM withdrawals
Cash back at Point of Sale devices
How to contact Venmo customer service?
If you have questions or need customer support, reach the team by:
Calling 855-204-4090 from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST
Emailing cardsupport@Venmo.com
Filling out the email form on the Venmo site and selecting Venmo debit card question.
Frequently asked questions
No. Since your Venmo debit card is linked to your Venmo account, you can only have one active card. And the name on your debit card must match the name on your Venmo account.
The card is linked to a bank account, which is your secondary funding source. If you’ve enabled reloads, Venmo pulls funds from your bank account and add them to your balance in $10 increments until there’s enough money to cover the purchase.
There’s a $100 weekly limit for reloads. If you haven’t activated Reloads, the transaction will be declined.
Go to the Venmo app. On the left sidebar, tap Purchases. You’ll be able to see your transaction history — including card reloads, purchases, ATM withdrawals and fees.
You can also view your account statement online.
The timing depends on the business, but you’ll typically receive a refund in one to five business days. All refunds from purchases made with your Venmo card will be credited to your Venmo balance.
Savings account ratings
★★★★★ — Excellent
★★★★★ — Good
★★★★★ — Average
★★★★★ — Subpar
★★★★★ — Poor
We analyze top savings accounts and rate them one to five stars based on factors that are most important to you. These factors include: interest rates, monthly fees, minimum deposits, customer service and account features.
Earn a $400 cash bonus after $4,000 deposits in the first 120 days. Pay $0 monthly fees and no minimum balance. Access a large nationwide network of free ATMs. Member FDIC.
Finder only provides general advice and factual information, so consider your own circumstances, or seek advice before you decide to act on our content. By submitting a question, you're accepting our finder.com Terms of Use and Privacy and Cookies Policy.
Can I deposit a check on to my venmo card at the ATM?
Jeni Finder
May 10, 2019
Hi Pamela,
Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.
Currently, you can not deposit either cash or check on to your Venmo card via ATM. Please note that upon opening a Venmo account, you will be asked to link it to your active bank account.
Katia Iervasi is a lead writer and spokesperson at NerdWallet and a former editor at Finder, specializing in insurance. Her writing and analysis on life, disability and health insurance has been featured in The Washington Post, Forbes, Yahoo, Entrepreneur, Best Company and FT Advisor. She holds a BA in communication from Australia's Griffith University.
See full profile
How likely would you be to recommend finder to a friend or colleague?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Very UnlikelyExtremely Likely
Required
Thank you for your feedback.
Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.
Advertiser Disclosure
finder.com is an independent comparison platform and information service that aims to provide you with the tools you need to make better decisions. While we are independent, the offers that appear on this site are from companies from which finder.com receives compensation. We may receive compensation from our partners for placement of their products or services. We may also receive compensation if you click on certain links posted on our site. While compensation arrangements may affect the order, position or placement of product information, it doesn't influence our assessment of those products. Please don't interpret the order in which products appear on our Site as any endorsement or recommendation from us. finder.com compares a wide range of products, providers and services but we don't provide information on all available products, providers or services. Please appreciate that there may be other options available to you than the products, providers or services covered by our service.
Pamela
May 10, 2019
Can I deposit a check on to my venmo card at the ATM?