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Many plant and vertebrate viruses use mobile vectors to be transmitted between hosts. These vectors, mainly arthropods, acquire or inoculate the virus by feeding on plant extract or vertebrate blood. Several virus transmission modes have been characterized based on the tight interactions between the virus and the vector. Some viruses are internalized into cells and migrate through different tissues and organs before being released. In the vector, the virus can replicate in some cases. Other viruses are retained, specifically or non-specifically, on the vector mouthparts. Acquiring knowledge on the molecular mechanisms of virus transmission by arthropods consists in studying (i) virus receptors in the vectors, (ii) the mode of virus uptake into vector cells, (iii) virus localization and transport in the vector, and (iv) viral determinants required for transmission. This review, although non exhaustive, presents a state-of-the-art of plant and vertebrate virus transmission by arthropods, notably by pointing to their similarities and differences.