Is Venmo international? Best 3 alternatives

Venmo is one of the most popular peer-to-peer payment apps in the U.S.—so popular that it’s become a verb. People don’t just send money, they ‘Venmo’ it. Particularly for the younger generations, the use of the app is so ingrained in daily life that it’s common to hear ‘Can you Venmo me?’ or ‘Do you Venmo?’ when it’s time to pay for purchases or split bills. However, is Venmo international?

Unlike other money transfer and payments services, Venmo doesn’t handle foreign currency conversions, cross-border fees, and international payout methods like cash pickups or bank deposits. This means that if you’re supporting family overseas, working with international clients, or transacting in multiple currencies, you can’t Venmo it.

To send money transfers to other countries, consider Venmo alternatives. Later in this article, we compare some of the most reliable options for international money transfers.

Can you use Venmo internationally?

Access to Venmo accounts is also restricted outside the United States and its territories. Even those in Mexico, Canada, and other countries nearby would not be able to create or log into a Venmo account.

If you’re outside the U.S., you’d need to look for Venmo alternatives you can use for overseas money transfers. We’ll explore those alternatives further along in this article.

Why does Venmo not send money internationally?^2,3,4

Venmo is not designed for international use, and was instead created primarily for use within the United States. Its domestic design, compliance with financial regulations, and geographical limitations prevent users from sending money abroad.

Domestic operations

Venmo is built specifically for use around the U.S. financial system. Because it relies exclusively on U.S. banking institutions, Venmo instant transfers only work with U.S.-based debit/credit cards and bank accounts. Other transfers are processed through the ACH and can be sent only to verified U.S. bank accounts.

Regulatory compliance

Venmo operates under U.S. financial regulations. It complies with anti-money laundering laws, know-your-customer requirements, and other regulatory standards. These restrict its use to residents and banking systems in the United States.

Technical limitations

The Venmo app uses geolocation tracking to identify a user’s location when they access their account. Anyone logging in from outside the United States is barred from accessing the app, even if they have a valid account. They can only access their accounts when they are physically within the country.

Venmo alternatives to send money internationally

Although Venmo contributed approximately US$ 200 million to PayPal’s transaction revenues for 2024⁵, it still falls short when it comes to international transactions. For sending money across borders with ease, there’s no other way but to look for Venmo alternatives.
Here are three reliable alternatives to Venmo that offer low fees, fast transfers, and global access.

BOSS Money

BOSS Money is the international money transfer and payment services arm of the IDT Corporation. Backed by IDT’s powerful network and infrastructure, BOSS Money can deliver safe, secure, and fast remittances and payments throughout dozens of countries worldwide. Today, it’s among the most convenient and affordable options for international money transfers.

Thanks to its origins in retail and extensive network, BOSS Money users don’t need a credit or debit card to send money—they can simply visit a retail partner location, making it ideal for those without access to traditional banking. With tens of thousands of partner banks and establishments, BOSS Money makes it easy for recipients to get money transfers through cash pickups. For more convenience, transfers can be sent directly to bank accounts, debit cards, and mobile wallets. Home delivery is also possible in some locations.

Understanding the challenges immigrants, expatriates, and dispersed families face, BOSS Money eases the burden of sending money back home by making fees as low as possible and ensuring that transaction costs are always transparent.

An edge it has among competitors is its money-back guarantee that assures a full refund of the transaction amount in the extremely rare cases when money does not reach recipients.

Xoom^6,7,8

Like Venmo, Xoom is also a PayPal service. It’s pretty much the international counterpart of Venmo, enabling users to send money to dozens of countries worldwide.

Already a well-known money transfer service provider before it was acquired by PayPal in 2015⁹, Xoom helped PayPal expand money transfer and payments services globally. With Xoom, users can pay international bills, reload prepaid credits for family abroad, and send money overseas for cash pickup or home delivery.

Ria Money Transfer 

Established in 1987, Ria has grown from a small store in New York City to one of the world’s largest money transfer services. It provides services to half a million locations worldwide, allowing people to send money abroad from anywhere they are.

How to choose the right international money transfer app

Most money transfer service providers today are reliable, but only a few offer distinct services and features that make them more suitable for specific needs. When deciding which one is best for you, consider the following:

• Delivery method. Does your recipient prefer bank deposit, mobile wallet, or cash pickup? Choose a service that offers multiple and flexible options.

• Transfer speed. Some transfers are instant, while others take hours or days. For emergencies, speed matters.

• Transfer fees. Look for low, transparent fees with no hidden charges.

• Exchange rates. Even small rate differences can affect how much your recipient receives. So check for markups, conversion costs, and other related charges.

• Minimum/Maximum transfer amount. Is there a cap to how much you can send per transaction, per day, or per month? Make sure the provider supports your intended amount per day or month.

• Countries served. Ensure the platform supports both the sending and receiving countries.

To make it easier for you to decide which app is right for your needs, here’s a comparison table that puts all important details in once glance.

Sources: all third party information obtained from applicable website as of May 14 2025

1. https://help.venmo.com/cs/articles/requirements-vhel170

2. https://venmo.com/legal/us-user-agreement/

3. https://venmo.com/about/us/trust-and-safety/

4. https://help.venmo.com/cs/articles/reviews-of-transfers-into-and-out-of-venmo-vhel306

5. https://s205.q4cdn.com/875401827/files/doc_financials/2025/ar/2025-Proxy-Statement-and-Annual-Report-bookmarked.pdf

6. https://www.xoom.com/

7. https://www.xoom.com/about

8. https://help.xoom.com/s/article/xoom-basics?language=en_US

9. https://newsroom.paypal-corp.com/2015-11-12-PayPal-Completes-Acquisition-of-Xoom

10. https://www.riamoneytransfer.com/en-us/

11. https://www.riamoneytransfer.com/en-us/international-money-transfer/

12. https://help.xoom.com/s/article/when-will-my-money-get-there?language=en_US

13. https://help.xoom.com/s/article/how-much-does-it-cost-to-send-with-xoom?language=en_US

14. https://help.riamoneytransfer.com/hc/en-us/articles/4406969673489-How-to-check-the-fee-and-exchange-rate-before-you-send-money

15. https://help.riamoneytransfer.com/hc/en-us/articles/4407752015249-FAQs-on-fees-and-exchange-rates

16. https://help.xoom.com/s/article/how-much-does-it-cost-to-send-with-xoom?language=en_US

17. https://help.riamoneytransfer.com/hc/en-us/articles/4407752015249-FAQs-on-fees-and-exchange-rates

18. https://help.xoom.com/s/article/how-much-money-can-i-send?language=en_US

19. https://help.riamoneytransfer.com/hc/en-us/articles/4406616779665-What-are-the-transfer-limits

This article is provided for general information purposes only and is not intended to address every aspect of the matters discussed herein. The information in this article is not intended as specific personal advice. The information in this article does not constitute legal, tax, regulatory or other professional advice from IDT Payment Services, Inc. and its affiliates (collectively, “IDT”), and should not be taken or used as such by any individual. IDT makes no representation, warranty or guaranty, whether express or implied, that the content in this article is current, accurate, or complete. You should obtain professional or other substantive advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the information in this article.