Venmo does not have a built-in recurring payment feature
Venmo does not let you schedule automatic payments that repeat on a set schedule. You cannot set up a payment to go out every week, every month, or on any other recurring basis directly through the app. If you need to send the same amount to someone regularly — for rent, a loan payment, shared bills, or anything else — you have to send each payment manually.
This is a real limitation if you split expenses with roommates or family members and want to automate the process. Many people expect this feature because other payment apps like PayPal and some bank apps do offer it. Venmo's focus is on casual, one-time transfers between friends rather than regular bill payments.
Key Takeaways
- Venmo has no recurring payment option, so you must send each payment by hand even if the amount and recipient stay the same.
- You can use your bank's bill pay feature or PayPal (which owns Venmo) to set up automatic transfers if you need recurring payments.
- Calendar reminders and phone alarms can help you remember to send regular Venmo payments on the same day each month.
- If the person you pay regularly also uses Venmo, you can ask them to request the payment instead, which sends you a notification.
Why Venmo does not offer this feature
Venmo was built for splitting a pizza with friends or paying back a coworker for lunch — quick, informal transfers. The company has kept the app simple and focused on that use case. Adding recurring payments would require Venmo to handle more complex financial relationships and keep track of ongoing obligations, which opens up more regulatory and customer service issues.
PayPal, which owns Venmo, does offer recurring payments through its main PayPal platform. But Venmo remains separate and deliberately simpler. The company has not announced plans to add this feature, so it is not something that is coming soon.
How to remember to send regular Venmo payments
Since Venmo will not do it for you, the easiest workaround is to set a reminder. Most phones have a calendar app and a reminders app built in. You can create a recurring event or reminder for the same day each month, and your phone will alert you when it is time to send the payment.
Open your phone's calendar or reminders app and create a new event. Set it to repeat monthly on the date you normally send the payment — for example, the first of each month or the day after payday. Add the recipient's name and the amount in the event title or notes so you have all the details when the reminder pops up. When the alert comes through, open Venmo and send the payment right away.
This method works well if you only have one or two recurring payments. If you have many, it becomes tedious, and you might want to explore other options.
Using your bank's bill pay instead
If the person you are paying regularly has a bank account, your own bank's bill pay feature is often a better choice than Venmo for recurring payments. Most banks let you set up automatic transfers that repeat weekly, biweekly, monthly, or on any schedule you choose. The payment goes directly from your account to theirs, and you do not have to think about it again.
Log into your bank's website or app and look for "bill pay" or "send money" in the menu. You will enter the recipient's bank account details and routing number (you can ask them for these, or they may be on a check). Then you set up the payment to repeat on your chosen schedule. The bank handles everything automatically after that.
The downside is that bank transfers can take one to three business days to arrive, whereas Venmo is instant. If you need the money to show up the same day, this will not work. But for rent, loan payments, or other bills where a day or two does not matter, it is more reliable than remembering to send Venmo payments by hand.
Asking the other person to request payment instead
Venmo has a "request" feature that works in the opposite direction. If you are the one receiving regular payments, you can ask the other person to let you request the money instead. When you send a request, the other person gets a notification and can approve the payment with one tap.
This does not fully automate the process — the other person still has to approve each request — but it removes the burden from you to remember. If you split rent with a roommate every month, you could request their share on the first of each month, and they approve it. They get a reminder without having to think about it, and you do not have to chase them down.
To send a request, open Venmo and tap the "Request" button (usually at the bottom of the screen). Enter the amount, select the person, and add a note explaining what the payment is for. They will see the request in their app and can tap to pay.
Using PayPal for recurring payments
If you have a PayPal account, you can set up recurring payments there. PayPal lets you schedule automatic transfers on a weekly, biweekly, monthly, or custom schedule. Since PayPal owns Venmo, you might think the features would be the same, but they are not — PayPal has more options for business and regular payments.
Log into PayPal and go to your wallet or settings. Look for "recurring payments" or "subscriptions." You can set up a new recurring payment by entering the recipient's email address, the amount, and how often you want it to repeat. PayPal will send the payment automatically on the schedule you choose.
The catch is that the other person needs a PayPal account to receive the payment. If they only use Venmo, this will not work. But if both of you are on PayPal, it is a solid option that requires no manual work after setup.
What to do if you forget to send a payment
If you miss a Venmo payment because you forgot, the best thing to do is send it as soon as you remember. Open Venmo, find the person you owe, and send the payment right away. Add a note explaining that you are late — most people understand that life gets busy.
If this happens regularly, that is a sign you should switch to a different method. Bank bill pay or PayPal recurring payments will take the guesswork out of it. You can also ask the other person if they would prefer to request the payment from you instead, which gives them control and sends you a reminder at the same time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set up automatic payments on Venmo at all?
No. Venmo does not have a recurring payment feature. You must send each payment manually, even if it is the same amount to the same person every month. If you need automatic payments, you will need to use your bank's bill pay, PayPal, or another service.
Does Venmo have a subscription or auto-pay option?
Venmo does not offer subscriptions or auto-pay. The app is designed for one-time transfers between friends. If you need regular, automatic payments, your bank or PayPal are better choices.
What is the easiest way to remember recurring Venmo payments?
Set a calendar reminder or alarm on your phone for the same day each month. When the alert goes off, open Venmo and send the payment. This works well for one or two regular payments, but if you have many, switching to bank bill pay is less work.
Can the other person request payment from me instead?
Yes. If you are the one receiving regular payments, ask the other person to use Venmo's request feature instead. They send you a request each month, you get a notification, and you approve it with one tap. This removes the burden of remembering from you.
Is PayPal better than Venmo for recurring payments?
Yes, if both people have PayPal accounts. PayPal lets you set up automatic recurring payments on any schedule. Since PayPal owns Venmo, you might think Venmo would have the same feature, but it does not. PayPal is the better choice for regular, automatic transfers.