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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Venmo vs Amex

Venmo 4.8★ · Free to download 65
Winner Tie
Amex 4.9★ · Free to download 70

For general peer-to-peer payments and everyday transactions, Venmo offers a simpler, more accessible experience, while Amex is better suited for managing credit cards with strong customer service for complex issues.

Full reviews: Venmo · Amex

Venmo is a popular choice for quick, easy money transfers, but users frequently report issues with account freezes and poor customer support. Amex, while primarily a credit card management app, is praised for its robust customer service and security features, though some users find its perks complex and its app can be buggy.

Head to head

Features & Functionality tieR5R8R9R11
Venmo Venmo is generally seen as easy for sending and receiving money, with features like teen accounts and QR codes for payments being appreciated R5. However, users desire improvements like better business tap-to-pay R8, the ability to name bank accounts , and percentage contribution in group payments . Many also dislike the presence of ads and large, annoying icons on the homepage R9R11.
Amex Amex users value the app for managing balances, making payments, and accessing benefits like airport lounges R90. Some appreciate the cashback rewards and high-yield savings accounts . However, there are complaints about the app's navigation, limited account settings, and frequent error messages . Some users also find the process for tracking and optimizing perks to be complex R78.
Ease of Use tieR14R15R17R20
Venmo Many users find Venmo to be simple, easy, and quick for transactions R15R17. However, others describe it as not very user-friendly, glitchy, and difficult to navigate R20. Specific issues include problems with adding debit cards and a complicated process for changing phone numbers R14.
Amex Amex is often described as a simple and easy-to-use app, even for less tech-savvy users R74R120. However, some users report issues with the app logging them out unexpectedly, being difficult to navigate after updates, and constant verification requests . There are also reports of the app redirecting users to review pages when trying to access balances .
Reliability & Performance edge: AmexR1R4R6R10
Venmo Venmo faces significant criticism for reliability issues, including money being taken but accounts frozen R1, error messages R4, inability to make payments R6R10, and transfers not appearing . Users report accounts being locked or frozen for no reason R12R30R36, and the app not working on newer phones .
Amex Amex is generally considered reliable for payments and basic functions . However, some users experience issues with payments pending for a long time , problems creating accounts , and the app logging them out or losing chat progress during disputes . There are also reports of Apple Pay issues for large purchases .
Customer Support edge: AmexR1R12R16R24
Venmo Venmo's customer service is widely criticized as terrible, non-existent, and unhelpful R1R12R16R46. Users report being given the run-around, long waits for resolutions, and difficulty disputing payments or getting refunds R1R12R16R24. The reliance on AI chatbots that can't help is also a common complaint .
Amex Amex is frequently praised for its excellent customer service, with issues often resolved on the first call R90. Users appreciate the patience and quality of service . However, some recent reviews indicate a decline in service, with complaints about representatives lying, illegally charging, or being unhelpful with specific issues like balance transfers or points .
Price/Value edge: VenmoR9R34R38R61
Venmo Venmo is free to download and use for basic transactions, which is a core part of its appeal. However, users express frustration with ads R9 and predatory notifications promoting gambling or prediction markets R34R38, which detract from the user experience and perceived value.
Amex Amex cardholders often pay annual membership fees, which some users feel are no longer justified by the perks R61R78R114. There are complaints about high interest rates and minimum payments . Some users feel Amex does not value loyal customers, citing unexpected credit limit changes or account cancellations R61.
Pick Venmo if

You need a quick and easy way to send and receive money with friends and family, and you are willing to tolerate occasional app glitches and potentially poor customer support R15R17.

Pick Amex if

You are an American Express cardholder looking for a reliable app to manage your credit card, track benefits, and value strong customer service for resolving issues R90.

Evidence note: Venmo's reviews show a strong dichotomy, with many positive reviews praising ease of use, but a significant number of negative reviews detailing severe account and customer service issues. Amex reviews are more consistently positive regarding customer service, but also highlight concerns about card value, fees, and app performance.

Frequently asked

Does Venmo have good customer service?
No, Venmo's customer service is frequently described as terrible, non-existent, and unhelpful, with users reporting being given the run-around, long waits for resolutions, and difficulty disputing payments or getting refunds R1R12R16R46.
Is the Amex app easy to use?
Yes, the Amex app is generally considered easy to use for managing balances and making payments, with many users finding it intuitive and convenient R74R90R120.
Do Venmo accounts get frozen often?
Yes, many Venmo users report their accounts being frozen or locked for unexplained reasons, sometimes after transactions, leading to difficulty accessing their money R1R12R30R36.
Are Amex membership fees worth it?
Some Amex users feel the annual membership fees, which can be as high as almost $1000 per year for certain cards, are no longer justified by the associated perks and benefits R61R78R114.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R5] Venmo 5/5 · US Love it: The teen account work well
  2. [R8] Venmo 5/5 · US I love Venmo: Wish the buisness tap to pay worked better but other then that no complaints
  3. [R9] Venmo 3/5 · US Lose the ads…: Enough already- we didn’t ask for ads and don’t want them. Period.
  4. [R11] Venmo 4/5 · US Huge icons: I love the bar but these huge icons that are now part of the home page is annoying and really serve no viable purpose. They need to go it had made it harder for me to keep track of my spending shifting through those huge icons
  5. [R14] Venmo 1/5 · US Change number: I changed my phone number and the only way they will allow me to access my account is sending me a text to that old number. The process to change my number is ridiculous! Venmo! Feel free to reach out to me if you want my business. I doubt that will happen. Buncha robots
  6. [R15] Venmo 5/5 · US So easy, so good.: Love Venmo!
  7. [R17] Venmo 5/5 · US Easy: Love it
  8. [R20] Venmo 1/5 · US Hate it already: Not very user friendly and why do I need to know who all my friends are paying and for what?? Why is this even in here? Seems like that should be confidential information.
  9. [R1] Venmo 2/5 · US They steal your money: Several times I used Venmo for a transaction and the money is taken from the account and then a week later they freeze your account because there is “an issue wuth the transaction” and you have to pay more money. I called for a resolution and was given the run around. This has happened 3x! And I finally closed this scam Venmo account
  10. [R4] Venmo 1/5 · US Sucks: It keeps sending error messages
  11. [R6] Venmo 3/5 · US Connection issues: Have used it for a long time. Recently I’ve been “unable to make payments at this time”. I have to disconnect my bank account and debit card and then reconnect it every single time I try to send a payment.
  12. [R10] Venmo 1/5 · US Unexplained Problem!: Unbelievable! Could no longer send money worth the carted on file. Took an hour on the phone after a useless day of trying. Had to cancel and sign up again- and once again it is not working.
  13. [R12] Venmo 1/5 · US Worst Service: Do NOT use this app. Customer service is absolutely terrible. I’ve had this account for years with no issues, and now suddenly it’s frozen for no valid reason. They tell you to call support, which gets you nowhere, just to hear “your account has been escalated, check your email in 3, 5 days.” Really? It didn’t take 3, 5 days to take my money, but now I have to wait to get access to it
  14. [R16] Venmo 1/5 · US Customer care is a joke: Customer care is a joke, if you want random charges on your account just keep using Venmo. Then when you ask for refund they make things hard unlike regular bank institutions.
  15. [R24] Venmo 1/5 · US No Good With Refunds: I have never received any refunds that are returned to me through a Venmo payment and no matter how I have tried to get in touch with them for my refunds I can never get a resolution. In 2026 alone they owe me close to $100. I am hoping someone opens a class action lawsuit so I can join and get some of my money back.
  16. [R34] Venmo 1/5 · US Promoting prediction market: They recently started sending notifications steering people towards prediction markets. This is predatory behavior pushing people towards behaviors where almost everyone except for insiders will lose money.
  17. [R38] Venmo 1/5 · US Gambling ads: I keep getting ad notifications trying to get me to send money to different gambling services. I understand that this is an app meant for transferring money, but don’t promote gambling.
  18. [R61] Amex 1/5 · US Annual increase in membership fees and change of credit limit: The “perks” associated with having the card just is not worth the membership fee. Also, they will change your credit limit at anytime according to your relationship with other creditors with no warnings. There are so many other options out there than this card. It has truly changed over the years. Not worth it!
  19. [R46] Venmo 1/5 · US They make it hard to dispute a payment: There’s no phone number to get a hold of anybody the virtual assistance can’t help you
  20. [R74] Amex 5/5 · US Easy to use: Simple app. This boomer uses it with ease!
  21. [R90] Amex 5/5 · US Amex is Great!: I have been an American Express cardholder for many years, but I have only recently started taking full advantage of the rewards program. I am very pleased with the mobile app, it is intuitive, convenient, and makes managing my account simple. The ease of using the app is a major reason I plan to continue using American Express.
  22. [R120] Amex 4/5 · US Love the app and card.: The Amex app is easy to use and reliable. It took me a little while to navigate through the rewards and benefits section, but now it feels like second nature. I definitely recommend.
  23. [R30] Venmo 1/5 · US It was good till it wasn’t: They have been locking everyone’s accounts and freezing them for no reason it’s starting to get sketchy
  24. [R36] Venmo 1/5 · US Constant Lock Outs: Most frustrating app to use when trying to run a business. Impossible to send money to anyone in succession without having your entire account locked out. Call customer support just for some Indian to tell you the system is entirely autonomous and cannot be overrided. Wildly infuriating.
  25. [R78] Amex 3/5 · US Good if you travel. And are ok spending time optimizing perks: Could be more transparency with when/how things are reimbursed that are listed as credits. For example, Clear was supposedly included, but now I am paying for it. I really hate Clear. And they put enough red tape that it’s too difficult to undo. Was told to dispute it by Amex. On top of that the card itself costs almost 1k per year. An
  26. [R114] Amex 4/5 · US Favorite card: The gold card was my favorite however once I retired the $350 annual fee I couldn't pay that when I couldn't use the business benefits so I went with a lower tier blue card that works just as well. The prestige of the card means a lot to me and overall I use the card for everything where it's excepted. Much easier than having to fish for a card. Bottom line I've been a card holder f

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store