Apple Pay vs Venmo

Apple Pay9.2Visit Venmo9.0Visit

Higher score Apple Pay #2 in Mobile Payment Apps 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Apple Pay

vs

Venmo #4 in Mobile Payment Apps 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Venmo

• Apple Pay fits best

  Apple users paying in stores and online

• Venmo fits best

  U.S. peer payments and expense splitting

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Side by side

Feature	Apple Pay 9.2/10 Visit ↗	Venmo 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	9.0
Ranking	#2 in Mobile Payment Apps	#4 in Mobile Payment Apps
Best for	Apple users paying in stores and online	U.S. peer payments and expense splitting
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop, Mobile	Cloud, Mobile
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS	Web, iOS, Android
Support	Community, Docs	Live chat, Docs
Built for	Solo	Solo, Small business
Features Apple Pay 0/5 · Venmo 0/5
In-store payments	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Peer transfers	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Bill payment	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
QR payments	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
International transfers	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Mobile platforms	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Pay in stores, apps, and websites with eligible Wallet cards Authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode Device-specific payment numbers avoid sharing actual card numbers	Free app for sending, requesting, and receiving money Group expense splitting, scheduled payments, and transaction history Instant or standard transfers to linked banks and eligible debit cards
Cons	Requires an eligible card, compatible device, and supported merchant Apple Cash transfers are limited to supported regions Banks or card issuers may charge fees	Primarily serves the U.S. market Transfer fees vary by funding method and transfer type Consumer and small-business focus may not fit larger organizations
Our verdict	Apple Pay lets people add eligible credit, debit, and prepaid cards to Wallet and use them for purchases in stores, apps, and websites. It is aimed at Apple users who want to pay with a compatible iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, or Apple… Read the review →	Venmo is a mobile payment app for sending, requesting, receiving, and managing money. It is aimed primarily at consumers, friends and family, side gigs, and small businesses. Users can fund payments from a Venmo balance, linked bank… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Apple Pay — where it wins

  • Pay in stores, apps, and websites with eligible Wallet cards
  • Authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode
  • Device-specific payment numbers avoid sharing actual card numbers

  Where it doesn't

  • Requires an eligible card, compatible device, and supported merchant
  • Apple Cash transfers are limited to supported regions
  • Banks or card issuers may charge fees

• Venmo — where it wins

  • Free app for sending, requesting, and receiving money
  • Group expense splitting, scheduled payments, and transaction history
  • Instant or standard transfers to linked banks and eligible debit cards

  Where it doesn't

  • Primarily serves the U.S. market
  • Transfer fees vary by funding method and transfer type
  • Consumer and small-business focus may not fit larger organizations

• Apple Pay9.2/10 · Free plan

  A no-cost payment service for Apple devices, with checkout availability depending on merchant and region.

  Visit Apple PayFull verdict →
• Venmo9.0/10 · Free plan

  A free U.S.-focused app for peer payments, splitting expenses, and moving balances.

  Visit VenmoFull verdict →