Venmo vs Shift4

PayPal

Stripe

Square Payments

PayPal provides an end-to-end suite of tools that can integrate with a business's existing systems and service providers. Its network of shoppers and businesses provides AI-driven data insights to help businesses reach new customers and drive results.

Stripe is a financial infrastructure platform that enables businesses to accept payments online and in person. It offers a suite of APIs for payment processing, subscription management, fraud prevention, and financial services integration Stripe provides both developer-focused tools with extensive documentation and no-code solutions for businesses without technical staff.

Square Payments is an online payment processing solution which integrates with Square hardware & POS software to allow businesses to accept payments

Business Development

Wish for better customer service when updating info such as new email or phone number on the app unable to reach customer service

Owner

It's convenient but I just don't agree with their customer service or the policy for reasons they block you and for his many times they do infact..

Owner of residential and commercial cleaning services

I love the fact of the easy convenient way of using venmo as well as the layout of the app itself everything is pretty self-explanatory and if you don't know or can't figure it out they have an amazing customer service team that is right there by your side every step of the way

Staff Accountant 

Their customer service was very helpful, professional, and quick to assist me the one time I had a problem logging in and it actually turned out to be my connection and not their software.

Venmo is a digital wallet and payment gateway that allows customers to send money and make purchases via mobile device, and share activity via the purchase feed

ACH Payment Processing

Credit Card Processing

Data Security

Debit/Credit Card Processing

Electronic Payments

In-Person Payments

Mobile Payments

Multiple Payment Options

Online Payments

Partial Payments

Payment Processing

Point of Sale (POS)

Promotions Management

Reporting/Analytics

Sales Reports

Transaction History

Reviews for Venmo come from a wide variety of industries, including Education Management (7% of reviewers), Marketing and Advertising (5%), and Health, Wellness and Fitness (4%). The most frequent use case for Venmo cited by reviewers is payment processing (69% of reviewers).

Users and use cases

Some users report that Venmo offers good value for money due to free standard transfers and useful features like monthly statements and QR codes. However, some reviewers find fees for instant transfers and credit card payments reduce overall value, and they mention concerns about transfer delays, limited integrations, and security issues.

Value for money

The Venmo integrations most frequently cited by reviewers are: PayPal (a payment processing product rated 4.8 out of 5 for its integration with Venmo), Meta for Business (a social media marketing product, 4.8), and Cash App (a mobile banking product, 4.4).

Integrations

Venmo is a payment processing program with key features that include mobile access, mobile payments, payment processing, data security, online payments, debit and credit card processing, and more.

Venmo

Web-based

iPhone

Android

iPad

Cash App

Square Point of Sale

Google Pay

Clover

PayPal Commerce Platform

authorize.net

Payoneer

Square Virtual Terminal

Shopify

Basic

Unwanted social media elements

the only downside is the social media section of venmo, I really don't want to be seen or to see transactions, not needed.

56% of reviewers feel negative about Venmo’s social features. Users report that the app’s social feed, which displays payment activity, feels unnecessary and intrusive. They question the value of seeing others’ transactions and dislike having their own financial interactions broadcast. Reviewers often mention having to double-check privacy settings to avoid sharing details and feel the social aspect distracts from the core purpose of sending and receiving money.

Default public transaction visibility

Financial Analyst

I always feel like it could expose sensitive data at some point. Although it allows users to adjust privacy settings, it can expose sensitive payment details to your Venmo friends.

Jr. Project Controls Engineer

The only negative that I would note on is the default privacy setting which shares your transactions, without disclosing the monetary value, on a social media like stream.

66% of reviewers feel negative about Venmo’s privacy settings. Users express concern that transactions are public by default, making payment details visible to friends or even the broader community. Reviewers find it inconvenient to manually adjust privacy settings for each transaction and wish private mode was the default. They mention discomfort with the social feed displaying payment activity, and worry about sensitive information being exposed or shared unintentionally.

Credit card fees and limitations

Senior Consultant

So if something were to happen, I know my credit card company has me covered but then Venmo charges a percentage and fee on every transaction. If I use a bank card or checking account, I don't get charged a fee or percentage however the big but is I have zero protection from fraud, theft, hacking, etc. If my money is stolen through a hack, its gone and I won't see a penny of it returned.

43% of reviewers feel negative about Venmo’s handling of credit card transactions. Users report frustration with the fees charged for sending money via credit card, and mention limits on the number of cards that can be added. They also highlight issues with card compatibility, slow processing times, and lack of robust buyer protection compared to traditional credit card use. Some reviewers find it inconvenient that certain cards or international cards are not supported.

Slow and limited customer service

Admin Assistant

The instructions available for business account deployment is sparse, inaccurate, and outdated, and live customer service is not an option.

36% of reviewers feel negative about Venmo’s customer support. Users report difficulty reaching live representatives, slow response times, and unhelpful or generic answers. They mention challenges resolving account issues, such as frozen funds or technical problems, and express frustration with the lack of phone support or real-time assistance. Reviewers feel that customer service is not as responsive or effective as they expect for a financial app.

Transaction and transfer fees

40% of reviewers feel negative about Venmo’s fees. Users mention dissatisfaction with charges for instant transfers, credit card payments, and business transactions. They note that fees can add up, especially for frequent or high-value transfers, and compare Venmo unfavorably to competitors with lower or no fees. Reviewers also express frustration with waiting periods for free transfers and the lack of transparency around certain charges.

Quick and simple setup

93% of reviewers feel positive about Venmo’s setup process. Users say getting started is fast, with easy-to-follow steps for downloading, registering, and linking accounts. They mention that even those with limited technical skills can set up Venmo without difficulty. Reviewers appreciate that the initial configuration is straightforward, and once completed, ongoing use is seamless. They highlight that the app is accessible for all ages and that setup for both personal and business use is uncomplicated.

Effortless group bill splitting

Marketer

Venmo is just a really easy way to split bills and pay back friends when there is a shared receipt. If you go out to a restaurant and order together, instead of having to bug the waiter to split the bill, Venmo allows you to have one person pay, and then the rest Venmo the person that paid their part of the bill.

Cyber Marketing Specialist

It makes paying friends back who bought you groceries, splitting a bill, managing rent, and more, something that can be done in less than 5 minutes.

97% of reviewers feel positive about Venmo’s bill splitting capabilities. Users say they can easily divide expenses for group activities, rent, or dining out, making payments quick and stress-free. Reviewers appreciate being able to pay one person and have others reimburse them instantly, eliminating the need for cash or complicated calculations. They mention that Venmo simplifies managing shared costs among friends, family, or colleagues, and value the flexibility to split payments for various scenarios, from business events to personal outings.

Convenient family transactions

Marketing and Social Media Coordinator 

I have enjoyed using Venmo as it allows me to pay back friends and family when I need to borrow money or if I need to pay half of what we are purchasing together.

Information Technology Direector

I started using it at first to exchange money back-and-forth between family members or friends for reimbursement, birthday gifts (safer and faster than putting cash in a card)  but later I started  using it for other things.

96% of reviewers feel positive about Venmo’s family payments feature. Users indicate they can quickly send or receive money from family members for gifts, reimbursements, or shared expenses. Reviewers appreciate the speed and simplicity of transferring funds, mentioning it’s useful for both planned and last-minute needs. They highlight the app’s widespread adoption, making it easy to connect with relatives, and value the ability to add notes or messages to payments for context or fun.

OWNER

I set up a business profile for collecting and sending payments for my small business. Once I added my checking account, I proceeded in trying to send a payment and got an error message.

Student

The qr code feature is also really handy when you are meeting someone for the first time like at a flea market because you dont have to type in a long username and risk sending money to the wrong person.

Founder

It allows for you to easily send money to friends, family members, and collect payments for business purposes.

Visa Consulting Specialist

Venmo has proven helpful in gathering smaller consultations fees within a short time, particularly when customers desire a recognized, mobile-first experience to make payments without any forms.

Office Manager

It's probably a me thing but the dashboard/menu can be confusing at times and I feel like it should be easier to see your balance and payments as standard when using the app and website rather than searching for it in the menu.

Deputy Service Manager

Venmo can be handy when there's a need for a quick reimbursement or when you want to divy up the cost between two or more colleagues who have been out on site or purchasing equipment.

Production manager

Additionally, customer support can be limited if there are issues with an account or a payment dispute. While it’s very convenient for everyday use, these drawbacks can occasionally be frustrating.

agent

Fees can add up, especially when using credit card payments or instant transfers, which affects overall value for money.

Hospital Administrator

Overall, Venmo makes payments very simple and as a useful platform for our business. And more requests are easily managed, and the payouts are quick.

Sometimes there are minor glitches such as notifications or incompletion of transaction details that causes confusion.

Many transactions processed, and many transfers of funds from venmo to bank account done without a hitch.

Administrator

I use it to receive payments and make payments because I usually buy and sell at events.

However, for the ad hoc team spending or a smaller amount of work in facilities services, it is still a flexible and for the most part reliable tool.

I had a situation where it was literally life or death and received donations for redemption of a dog from the pound or they would euthanize him the following day.

graphic designer

It lacks feature for formal business transactions and it also has limited fraud protection that has big concerns and it is also not available outside of the united states that is a big down side for people in other Countries.

paralegal

You can also set a spending limit that it will alert you if someone tries to spend over that

When you have a problem with your account , not something you're in control of they'll ask you to verify yourself for them to unrestrict your funds for you to use.

Staff

Good for transactions between friends, Facebook marketplace or a payment option for small businesses.

It especially suits pop-up sales, in-person or on-site merch events, or direct-to-consumer drops where checkout speed matters.

Paralegal

Venmo’s transaction history displays publicly for everyone and needs to offer more confidentiality...

Sometimes the app lags causing the payment to not send but typically it resolves within minutes.

Coordinator

Although Venmo connects with online banking accounts, it requires more steps compared to Zelle and other services that are directly available via online banking systems.

Creator

The main thing that I do not like about Venmo is that there is minimal security to protect you if you do not receive the good that you pay for, so I only use this application if I have the item in hand.

Artist Representative

I also like that my personal account is free of charge while the fees are quite low for the convenience of using it for business as well.

Owner, D.C.

It does take 1-3 business days to retrieve your funds from your account without a fee.

so it makes splitting a dinner bill or paying for my share of the groceries super simple.

User friendly platform provided to received money and send it too, bank account connection with no issue.

I even started using a business profile for some side gig work and it was pretty easy to set up although the fees are a little higher than I expected.

It even has the option to turn on a service to protect your funds.

Developer

So if you have an issue with a contractor on PayPal or with PayPal it affects your ability to send money on Venmo.

Educator

One con is they don't allow you to send money from Venmo to someone's Paypal.   If you have a friend that only uses PayPal, you are not able to send money to that friend, using your Venmo balance.  

Venmo allows you to complete payments via credit/debit card or straight from your bank account.

Payment is sent immediately to that person via debit or credit card of your choice.

Manager

What I like least about Venmo is the fees for instant transfers because they can add up quickly. If I opt for standard bank transfers, there can be delays in bank transfers.

Transaction Coordinator

It allows me to be paid quickly and I like that i have the option of recieving funds imediatly (for a fee) or in a couple days.

President

He was told his case was being moved to a supervisor and then he suspended his account (which is ridiculous since the entire reason for support was that his phone number changed and he hasn't been able to access his account).  

Overall, Venmo is my preferred choice for collecting and sending payments to clients and vendors.

The accessibility of scanning a QR code to pull up another users information is a great feature of Venmo.

Self Employed

My overall experience is fair. When it works it's instant and easy, but if your bank or card is not fully supported, you'll run into issues.

The one part about Venmo I did not like when I first used it was not realizing all my purchases were essentially made public before editing my settings to make them private.

Business Administrator

Another example, we have one person do the buying of Christmas gifts for our Director and President’s in the office, then everyone else

I use it all the time for small transfers and its been really reliable for that.

Direct support professional

Venmo doesn't charge anything for transferring between accounts which is awesome. And my Venmo debit card works anywhere that takes visa which is also convenient.

Venmo doesn't seem to market to certain populations, so it's not likely that people in my community will use it.

Dive Operation Manager

Support is slow on dispute issues, and credit-card financed payments charges surprise fees to some travelers.

I like using Venmo to send money to my employees because it gives me monthly statements and sends it within minutes.

Director of Restaurant Operations

What I like least about Venmo is that you can accidently sent money to the wrong person, I do feel like there should be a better verifying system.

Overall, Venmo is a convenient and widely used app that makes everyday payments easy and accessible for most users.

I have used it to make payments to things like instacart which makes checkouts easier.

Money Transfers

Pricing

Fees

Small Business Transactions

Debit Card

QR Code Payments

Customer Support

Privacy Settings

Credit Card Transactions

Family Payments

Small Business

Mid-size Business

Freelancers

Large Enterprises

Shift4 (NYSE: FOUR) is boldly redefining commerce by simplifying complex payments ecosystems across the world. As the leader in commerce-enabling technology, Shift4 powers billions of transactions annually for hundreds of thousands of businesses in virtually every industry.

Electronic Signature

Multi-Currency

Receipt Management

Recurring/Subscription Billing

Transaction Monitoring

Shift4

Wave

Clio

After 40 years of delivering food trying to change and have third company handling my delivery need, Barely started with skytab, at the same time with chownow to handle my delivery’s customers and found out that these two doesn’t work together, hoping they start soon

when you call for issues, you're on the phone for ever. If you have a Server that runs a credit card on the wrong check and the guest has already left, you as the merchant eat that check amount!

Shift4 then deliberately circumvented this block by using alternate business names to attempt to process payments—a blatant act of fraud.

POS system was unreliable, I was on the phone for 2-3 hours every month with them to push updates that would rarely come through.   When I called to cancel they wanted me to buy the contract out on the back end even though there was a documented history of their system not being reliable.

It was a pretty easy system, The workflow was nice with starting tabs and I enjoyed the backend product.

Companies like this do not deserve a chance to earn your business, save the nightmare and go with toast, this company sucks!

The terminals were returned and I did not hear anything else until I got an automated ticket notification 2 months later and then a RMA request another 2 weeks after that.

Our experience with Shift4 / Lighthouse has been nothing short of a nightmare, and we want to warn other businesses before they fall into the same trap.

Cases were marked as “resolved” automatically after five days, even though nothing had been fixed or explained.

I would be willing to change my review if customer service would work with me on the fee as they have been good in previous years about reversing fees for services was not using when calling in.

They hide the contract length and early termination fees for their contract via a website titled terms and conditions.

Customer service was helpful at this time and reversed some previous fees for services I was not using and put me on a basic plan and assured me there would be no additional charges.  

Integration Specialist

It seems to have its ability to grab information and connect to many sources for our CRM.

Venmo vs Shift4 Comparison (2026)

Venmo

Shift4

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

Integrations

Alternatives