
Venmo's revenue model is built around transaction fees. Venmo charges a small percentage of each transaction, typically 3% plus a flat fee of $0.30.
The company's business model has been successful, with Venmo's revenue exceeding $22 billion in 2020.
Venmo's history dates back to 2009 when it was founded by Andrew Kortina and Iqram Magdon-Ismail.
Check this out: Subscription Revenue Model
Venmo's Business Model
Venmo's business model is quite unique, with over 70 million users relying on it for various transactions. There are two types of profiles: Personal and Business.
The Personal Profile is ideal for individual transactions, such as splitting bills or paying at stores, and even offers a 'trust' feature for recurring payments. This feature helps build trust between users.
A Business Profile, on the other hand, is designed for accepting business payments, bookkeeping, and providing analytical insights to customers. This feature helps businesses manage their finances more efficiently.
Venmo charges a 3% fee for credit card usage, making it a convenient option for users. You can also pay using the Venmo balance, which is a great feature for those who want to avoid credit card fees.
For another approach, see: Venmo Debit Card Limit
There are some fees associated with using Venmo, including a $2.50 fee for ATM Withdrawal and $3 for Counter Withdrawals. Overdue charges can range from 11.99% to 20.99% annually, so it's essential to pay on time.
To qualify for a check deposit, you must have a verified email address. Enabling the 'Credit Deposit' feature allows you to receive your check deposit instantly.
Venmo offers value-added services like Cashbacks on partner stores, such as PapaJohns and Target. These services can help users save money and earn rewards.
Here's a quick rundown of Venmo's fees:
- 3% charge for credit card usage.
- $2.50 fee for ATM Withdrawal.
- $3 for Counter Withdrawals.
- Overdue charges: 11.99% to 20.99% annually.
Venmo's History
Venmo was founded in 2009 by Andrew Kortina and Iqram Magdon-Ismail as a simple way to pay each other without exchanging cash.
The earliest version of their payment solution was SMS based, allowing the duo to send notes alongside payments to keep track of their financial transactions. This early version eventually led to the launch of the Venmo app on June 5, 2012.
Venmo took off after securing seed funding and attracting a wave of Millennial users who used the app to pay friends back or split bills seamlessly.
The app saw steep growth in 2014, with estimates placing Venmo transaction volume at over $1 billion annually. This was due to features such as Venmo Touch and Venmo Button.
Here are some key statistics about Venmo's history:
- Over 90 million people use Venmo.
- More than 2 million merchants accept Venmo.
- Venmo users account for 18% of the global crypto wallet with payment features market.
- Users average five transactions per month on Venmo.
Venmo's user base grew rapidly, with estimates placing Venmo users at close to 9 million by 2017.
2009-2013: Takes Off
Venmo was founded in 2009 as a simple way for its founders to pay each other without exchanging cash.
The earliest version of Venmo's payment solution was SMS based, allowing users to send notes alongside payments to track their financial transactions.
Venmo's mobile payment solution went through several iterations and upgrades before its official launch on June 5, 2012.
Initially, the app targeted food trucks, attempted a charity model, and considered working with merchants, but none of those ideas really stuck.

The founders eventually pivoted to a social network model called Venmo with Friends, which allowed users to pay anyone using their phone number.
After securing seed funding, the Venmo app took off, attracting a wave of Millennial users.
It became the perfect option to pay friends back or split bills seamlessly.
However, while growth was promising, Venmo was losing money and needed significant investment to break even.
The app's lifeline came through a $26 million acquisition deal with Braintree in 2012, and Braintree's subsequent acquisition by PayPal in 2013.
Here's an interesting read: How to Pay with Venmo Balance Aimtuto
2019-2022: Adoption Soars
In 2019, Venmo had over 40 million active users. This is a significant increase from previous years, and it's no surprise that the app's adoption soared.
Venmo customers generated over $100 billion in Venmo transactions, making up around 13% of PayPal's total payment volume. This is a testament to the app's growing popularity and its ability to process large volumes of transactions.
Check this out: Venmo Business Transaction
Merchant acceptance levels increased, and by 2019, over two million merchants were accepting Venmo payments. This expansion into the merchant space was a key factor in Venmo's growth.
Here are some key statistics from 2019:
- Over 40 million active users
- $100 billion in Venmo transactions
- 13% of PayPal's total payment volume
- Over two million merchants accepting Venmo payments
The pandemic had a significant impact on Venmo's user growth, with new sign-ups surging by 32% to over 70 million in 2020. This rapid growth was a key factor in the app's continued expansion.
In 2021, Venmo rolled out several new features, including updated Venmo Credit card payments, Buy, holding, and selling crypto on Venmo, cashing a check on Venmo, and Venmo Business Profiles. These features helped to further increase user engagement and adoption.
Consequently, Venmo's total payment volume increased by 44% to $230 billion in 2021. This growth was driven by the app's expanding user base and its increasing popularity among merchants.
By 2022, Venmo's user base had increased by 50% to nearly 90 million accounts. The platform's focus on merchants continued to pay off, with over 1.5 million businesses making use of its commerce solutions.
How Venmo Works
Venmo's payment model is unique and has gained popularity among millennials. It doesn't charge anything for money transfers, but it does charge a 3% fee for instant transfers made with a credit card.
Venmo users can split payments with one or more users, making it easy to pay for shared expenses like rent or restaurant bills. This feature is a game-changer for group payments.
To use Venmo, both parties need the app and must connect with each other. The app's user interface is similar to Facebook Messenger, allowing users to chat and use emojis.
Venmo is only available for US residents with US bank accounts. Businesses can also sign up to accept Venmo payments by adjusting their PayPal Checkout settings. Some well-known partners include Uber, Grubhub, Lululemon, and Poshmark.
Recurring payments are made easy with Venmo's 'trust' feature, which allows users to autopay expenses that recur, such as house rent.
Venmo users can pay in stores, pay businesses, or pay in apps or online using their Venmo debit card or credit card. These cards can be used to earn cashback/rewards and even purchase crypto.
Suggestion: Venmo Digital Card
Revenue
Venmo's revenue model is based on various transactional features, which generate profit for the company.
One way Venmo makes money is through merchant fees, where merchants are charged 1.9% of the order plus $0.10 per transaction. Users who pay through Venmo to a merchant also get a small fee added to their order payments.
Venmo's revenue has been growing steadily over the years, with an estimated revenue of $160 million in 2017, $450 million in 2020, and $2.4 billion in 2023.
Here's a breakdown of Venmo's estimated revenue over the years:
Venmo also earns revenue through instant transfers, which charge users a fee of 1.75% of the amount transferred, with a maximum fee of $25. Additionally, Venmo makes money through cryptocurrency transactions, interchange and withdrawal fees, interest on credit card balances, cash checking services, and referral commissions from its cashback program.
Venmo's revenue streams include Pay with Venmo, Instant transfers, withdrawal fees, cryptocurrency transactions, and more, which have contributed to its growing popularity and revenue.
Curious to learn more? Check out: How Much Is the Instant Transfer Fee on Venmo
Company Overview
Venmo was founded in 2009 by Andrew Kortina and Iqram Magdon-Ismail. The company is headquartered in New York.
Venmo's acquisition by Braintree in 2012 marked a significant milestone in the company's history. Braintree was later acquired by PayPal for $800 million.
Today, Venmo has over 90 million users, with a significant share of the market among Millennials and Gen Zers.
Key Company Data
Venmo was founded in April 2009 by Andrew Kortina and Iqram Magdon-Ismail.
The company's current CEO is Alex Chriss, who is also the CEO of PayPal.
Venmo's net worth is a substantial $38 billion.
Venmo operates in the fintech, mobile payments, and peer-to-peer technology industries.
Since Venmo is owned by PayPal, it doesn't have a public stock ticker.
Company Overview
Venmo was founded in 2009 by Andrew Kortina and Iqram Magdon-Ismail. It was later acquired by Braintree in 2012 for $26.2 million.
The company's headquarters is located in New York. Braintree was then acquired by PayPal for $800 million just a year later.

Venmo's user base has grown steadily, with more than 70 million users currently using the service. This is a significant increase from the 90 million people who use Venmo today.
The name Venmo comes from the Latin words "vendere", meaning "to sell", and "mo", a shortening of the word "mobile."
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Venmo make per year?
Venmo's annual revenue has grown significantly, reaching $935 million in 2022 and projected to reach $2.4 billion in 2023. The company's revenue has seen consistent growth over the years, increasing from $160 million in 2017 to over $2 billion in 2023.
How much did PayPal pay for Venmo?
PayPal paid $800 million as part of its acquisition of Venmo's parent company Braintree in 2013. This deal was a significant milestone in Venmo's history, marking a major shift in its ownership and operations.
How much is Venmo worth now?
Venmo's current value is $38 billion, a significant increase from its acquisition price of $800 million in 2013.
Sources
- https://www.illuminz.com/blog/venmo-revenue-model
- https://www.business2community.com/statistics-pages/venmo-net-worth
- https://finty.com/us/business-models/venmo/
- https://insights.daffodilsw.com/blog/how-does-venmo-work-business-model-and-revenue-streams
- https://qz.com/1539489/paypal-earnings-venmo-is-sending-big-revenue-to-its-parent-company
Featured Images: pexels.com