Google Play Adds Venmo as a Payment Option in the US
Google Play now accepts Venmo in the United States for apps, games, subscriptions, and creator tips. Users can link their Venmo account through the payment methods section in Google Play settings and utilize their Venmo wallet, connected bank accounts, or cards to make payments. This addition joins PayPal, Cash App, and major card networks like Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and JCB.
Key Points:
- In-App Purchases: Consumers spent over $167 billion on in-app purchases across iOS and Google Play in 2025, marking a 10.6% increase from the previous year.
- Pending Transactions: In other markets, Google is testing cash payments via Pending Transactions, allowing users to pay for digital purchases with cash at participating stores.
- Goal: Google aims to make payment itself disappear as a barrier to purchasing by offering more convenient and accessible options, particularly targeting users without credit cards.
As previously mentioned, Google Play’s billing system has been controversial due to its fees and restrictions. However, the company’s focus on adding diverse payment methods is about enabling rather than gatekeeping.
By Cristian Dina, CRO at The Next Web. He has interviewed over 300 industry leaders and authored the book King of Networking.