The Best Payment Apps in China: Alipay & Wechat Pay
What is Alipay
Alipay is the most frequently used payment app in China. Users can make payments easily by scanning a QR code with Alipay. It allows linking to Visa debit/credit cards without the need for a Chinese phone number. With over 1.3 billion users, Alipay dominates the digital wallet market, holding a 55% share. It's owned by Ant Group, an affiliate of Alibaba Group. Alipay is accepted by major Chinese e-commerce platforms and offers several payment methods, including escrow services. It has expanded internationally, entering the US and UK through partnerships. Alipay operates in various regions, supports facial-recognition payments, and handles 14 currencies for cross-border transactions.
What is WeChat Pay
In China, WeChat is the top app for communication and is the second widely used app for payments. It enables users to carry out a range of activities such as ordering food, online shopping, booking taxi, all without the necessity for cash or physical cards. With a user base of 800 million, WeChat Pay commands a considerable 38% of the market. By 2020, its adoption rate had soared to 92.7%. Introduced by Tencent in 2013, WeChat has expanded its offerings to include a variety of functions, notably in payment services. It facilitates investment payments at low fees, specifically 0.1% for transactions of RMB 10,000 for those within China.
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How to Use China Payment Apps for foreigners
Source from alipayplus.com
| General Steps to Use Payment Apps | Description |
| Download a Digital Wallet | Choose WeChat Pay or Alipay. Download your chosen app from the app store. Both supports Visa, Mastercard, Diners Club, Discover, JCB. |
| Registration | Register using your phone number and complete the app's verification process to secure your data. |
| Link Your Preferred Payment Method | Connect an international credit card to start. |
| Use QR Codes | Get ready to scan QR codes with the app's scanner for instant payments in various scenarios including shopping and using public transport. |
How to use Alipay as a foreigner
| Steps to Use Alipay | Process |
| Download & Register | Scan QR > Download Alipay > Enter mobile number > Tap "Next". |
| Add Bank Card | Tap "Add Now" > Enter or scan card details. |
| Check Eligible Cards | Check card eligibility: Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Diners Club, Discover. |
1. Download and Set up Alipay
- Scan the QR code or search > download Alipay app.
- Select your Country/Region > Then enter your mobile phone number, tap “Next” to register.
2. Link bank card on Alipay
Tap “Add Now” and follow on-page prompts ('Enter Card Number' or Scan Card) to complete the process.
3. Check Eligible Cards for Alipay
Please ensure your card is supported by checking this list of international cards eligible for use with Alipay: Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Diners Club, Discover:
How to Use Wechat Pay as a foreigner
| Steps to Use Wechat Pay | Process |
| 1. Download/Update WeChat | On your mobile, download or update WeChat to the newest version, then register or sign in with your phone number. |
| 2. Activate Weixin Pay | Tap: Me > Services > Wallet. If not found, go to: Me > Settings > General > Tools > Weixin Pay > Tap Enable. |
| 3. Add Identity & Card | In Wallet, choose Add a Card > Agree to terms > Enter identity details > Tap Next to add card, following prompts. |
Note:
- Passport verification may require uploading a passport photo if you use passport to link.
- Transaction Fees: WeChat Pay incurs fees, such as a 3% charge for payments exceeding RMB 200 and a 0.6% merchant fee for commercial transactions.
- Restrictions with Foreign Cards: Foreign cardholders face certain restrictions on WeChat Pay, including the inability to withdraw cash at ATMs and restrictions to making purchases only within mainland China.
Download and Register Wechat
- Download WeChat: Head to your device's app store (Google Play, App Store), find the international version of WeChat, and download it.
- Sign Up: Launch WeChat and tap the 'Sign up' button.
- Enter Details: Provide your personal details as prompted.
- Account Creation: Follow the on-screen instructions to finalize creating your account.
Activate and Link Bank card to WeChat
- Accessing WeChat Pay: Head to Me > Services > Wallet. If not immediately visible, enable WeChat Pay by going to Me > Settings > General > Tools > WeChat Pay > Enable.
- Linking Cards: Inside Wallet, select Add a Card > Agree to the WeChat Pay User Service Agreement and Privacy Policy > Fill in your identity information as prompted > Next > Follow instructions to link your card.
How to Pay by Payment Apps in China?
How to Pay by Alipay
- Present and Pay on Alipay: Open a code for cross-border payment on an Alipay+ partner e-wallet > Present the payment code to the merchant for scanning > Payment completed.
- Scan and Pay on Alipay: Scan the merchant’s payment code with an Alipay+ partner e-wallet > Enter the payment amount and confirm to pay.
How to Pay by Wechat Pay
| Method | Description | Applicability |
| Quick Pay | Customers show unique QR > merchants scan for instant payment. | Offline stores. |
| QR Code Payment | Merchants create QRs > customers scan to pay. | Websites, stores, ads. |
| In-App Payment | WeChat Pay processes payments inside other apps. | App purchases. |
| In-App Web-based Payment | Purchase through links in Official Account or QR scans. | Social media, official accounts. |
- Quick Pay: Merchants scan a QR Code displayed by customers on the Quick Pay page, ideal for quick offline payments.
- QR Code Payment: For different products, merchants generate distinct QR codes that customers can scan to access product details and pay, suitable for websites, physical stores, and media advertisements.
- In-App Payment: By integrating the WeChat Pay SDK into their apps, merchants enable payments within other applications, with WeChat processing the transaction.
- In-App Web-based Payment: Merchants can promote products through their Official Account. Followers can make purchases on a shopping page accessible via links in chats or on Moments, or by scanning a QR Code on the page.
FAQs about China Payment Apps
What is the payment app used in China?
In China, Alipay is the predominant payment application. It has become integral to the daily transactions and financial dealings of millions, thanks to its user-friendly interface and the wide range of services it offers.Why AliPay is so popular in China?
Alipay's popularity in China is attributed to its comprehensive ecosystem, which not only facilitates easy and secure online and offline transactions but also provides various financial services under one platform. This convenience and versatility have solidified its position as a preferred payment method among users.