Venmo joins Google Play for U.S. payments

Google Play has added Venmo as a payment option for users in the U.S., letting them pay for apps, games, subscriptions, and in-app purchases directly from their Venmo balance or linked bank account.

The move comes as mobile spending surges. App downloads and in-app purchases hit record highs in 2023, with Google Play generating over $50 billion in revenue for developers worldwide. Venmo, owned by PayPal, has 90 million users in the U.S., many of whom already rely on the app for everyday transactions. Google’s decision aligns with its push to expand payment options beyond credit cards, which still dominate but face rising fraud risks.

Venmo’s integration works like other payment methods: users select Venmo at checkout, authorize the payment through the app, and confirm with a PIN or biometric scan. The feature is rolling out gradually, with no official timeline for full availability. Google Play already supports PayPal and Google Pay, but Venmo’s addition gives users another trusted option, especially among younger shoppers who prefer peer-to-peer apps over traditional banking.

The shift matters for Google, Venmo, and the broader digital payments landscape. For Google, it’s a way to compete with Apple, which dominates in-app purchases through Apple Pay. For Venmo, it’s a chance to deepen its role in everyday spending beyond splitting bills or paying friends. Analysts say this could nudge more users to keep larger balances in Venmo, turning it into more than just a social payment tool. If adoption grows, it could pressure banks and credit card companies to adapt—or risk losing ground in the mobile economy.