Google just made it easier for millions of Venmo users to spend money on Android apps, and honestly, this one makes a lot of sense. Google has added Venmo as a payment option in the Play Store, meaning you can now use your Venmo balance, linked bank account, or connected cards to buy apps, subscriptions, and in-app content.
Setting it up is straightforward. Head to payment methods in the Google Play app, add Venmo, and you’re done. After that, Venmo works across Google’s services, including YouTube. So if you’re paying for YouTube Premium or picking up an app subscription, Venmo is right there as an option alongside cards, PayPal, and Cash App.
This matters because Venmo has over 90 million users in the US, most of whom already have money sitting in their Venmo balance at any given moment. Giving those users a direct way to spend that balance inside the Play Store removes friction. Instead of transferring money out to a bank account first, you can just tap and go. That’s a real convenience win, not a gimmick.
There’s also a bigger story here. Google recently opened the Play Store to outside billing in the US, the UK, and Europe as part of its legal settlement with Epic Games. Developers can now offer alternative payment systems or send users to their own websites to complete purchases. That shift is significant because it breaks Google’s long hold on payment processing inside its own store. But here’s the catch: some of those third-party or developer-run payment options may not accept Venmo, so availability will vary depending on where and how you’re buying.
The addition of Venmo fits neatly into a broader push by Google to make the Play Store more competitive. Apple and Google have both faced pressure from regulators and developers over payment control, and expanding accepted payment methods is one visible way Google is responding. Whether it moves the needle for developers is another question, but for everyday Android users, having more ways to pay is always a good thing.
- Venmo balance is accepted as payment
- Linked bank accounts and cards via Venmo also work
- Works across Google Play and YouTube
- Set up through the payment methods section in the Google Play app