What is a payment link? How they work and how to use them (2026)

Key takeaways:

• A payment link is a shareable URL that takes your customer to a secure page where they can pay you online, without you needing a website or checkout integration.

• Payment links work across email, SMS, WhatsApp, social media, invoices, and even in person via QR codes — making them one of the fastest ways to start accepting card and digital payments.

• Airwallex Payment Links let Malaysian businesses accept payments in multiple currencies and from customers worldwide, with no coding and no setup fees.

So what is a payment link, exactly? It is a unique URL you generate through a payment provider and send to your customer. When they click it, they land on a secure page where they enter their card details or pick another payment method to complete the purchase.

This guide walks you through how payment links work, the different formats they come in, where to use them, and how they compare to invoices and checkout pages. You will also see what to look for when picking a provider, and how to create your first link with Airwallex.

What is a payment link?

A payment link is a unique URL that lets a customer pay you online. You generate it through a payment provider, set the amount and description, and share the link with your customer through any channel — email, SMS, WhatsApp, Instagram, or even an invoice.

When the customer clicks the link, they go to a secure payment page hosted by your provider. They choose a payment method, enter their details, and complete the purchase. You get notified the moment the payment goes through.

You do not need a website. You do not need a developer. You do not need to build a checkout. That is the main appeal: payment links remove almost every technical barrier between you and a sale.

What a payment link looks like

A payment link can take a few different forms, depending on how you plan to share it:

• A clickable URL you paste into a message, email, or invoice

• A QR code a customer scans with their phone camera, useful in person or on printed materials

• An embedded button on a landing page, blog post, or social media bio link

All three send the customer to the same secure payment page. You pick the format that fits the channel.

Who payment links are for

Payment links suit any business that needs to collect money outside a standard online checkout. That includes:

• Small businesses selling through social media or messaging apps

• Freelancers and consultants invoicing clients

• Service providers taking deposits before a booking

• Event organisers selling tickets or collecting registration fees

• Brick-and-mortar shops accepting payments by QR code

If you currently chase customers for bank transfers or cannot accept cards, a payment link is usually the fastest fix.

How does a payment link work?

A payment link follows the same basic flow no matter which provider you use. The merchant creates the link, shares it with the customer, and the customer pays on a secure page hosted by the provider. Here is what happens at each step.

Step 1: You generate the link

You log into your payment provider's dashboard and create a new payment link. You set the amount, currency, and a short description of what the customer is paying for. Some providers also let you add your logo, attach an invoice, or set an expiry date.

Step 2: You share the link

You copy the link and send it through whichever channel suits the customer. Common options include email, SMS, WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram DMs, or even a QR code printed on a receipt or sign. You can also embed the link in an invoice or on a social media bio.

Step 3: Your customer clicks and pays

The customer clicks the link and lands on a secure payment page. They pick a payment method — card, e-wallet, bank transfer, or another option you have enabled — and submit their payment details. The page is hosted by your provider, so you are not handling any card data yourself.

Step 4: Both sides get notified

Once the payment is processed, you receive a notification in your dashboard, by email, or through a webhook. The customer also gets a confirmation. The funds settle into your account based on your provider's settlement schedule.

Single-use vs reusable payment links

Most providers let you choose between two types of link, depending on what you are collecting:

• Single-use links expire after one successful payment. Use these for one-off invoices, deposits, or bespoke quotes where each customer pays a different amount.

• Reusable links stay live and can collect multiple payments at the same fixed amount. Use these for fixed-price products, event tickets, donations, or anything you sell more than once.

Pick the type that matches how you sell. A freelancer billing different clients each month would lean on single-use links. A business selling a standard product through Instagram would use a reusable link.

Where to use payment links

Payment links are most useful in the gaps that a standard online checkout does not cover. The sections below walk through the most common scenarios for Malaysian businesses, with practical examples of how each one works in real life:

Selling on social media

Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook are now major sales channels for small Malaysian businesses, but none of them give you a built-in checkout for direct messages or comments. A payment link fixes that. When a customer DMs you to buy a product, you reply with a link and they pay in seconds — no need to switch apps or wait for a bank transfer.

Accepting payments over WhatsApp or SMS

WhatsApp is where most Malaysian customer conversations happen. You can drop a payment link straight into a chat after a customer confirms an order, and they pay without leaving the app. SMS works the same way for businesses with older customer bases who do not use messaging apps.

Invoicing clients

If you send invoices by email — as freelancers, consultants, agencies, and B2B service providers do — a payment link gives your client a one-click way to pay. Some providers integrate with accounting software like Xero, QuickBooks, or Netsuite so the link is generated and attached automatically when the invoice goes out.

Collecting deposits and advance payments

Wedding planners, photographers, contractors, tour operators, and event organisers often need to lock in a booking with a deposit. A payment link sent at the point of confirmation makes that frictionless. The customer pays before the work starts, and you have proof of commitment in writing.

Selling tickets and registrations

For workshops, classes, conferences, and community events, a single reusable payment link can replace a full ticketing platform. You share one link in your marketing, every attendee uses the same link, and you track payments in one place.

Taking payments in person

A QR-code payment link sits between cash and a full POS system. Pop-up stalls, weekend markets, mobile services, and home-based businesses can print or display a QR code, and the customer scans it with their phone camera to pay. There is no card terminal to rent and no monthly fee to maintain.

Cross-border sales

If you sell to customers outside Malaysia, payment links let you collect in their preferred currency without setting up a foreign-language website or local payment gateway. The right provider will support multiple currencies on one link, so a customer in Singapore, Australia, or the UK can pay you in their own money.

Payment link vs invoice vs checkout button

These three tools all help you collect money from customers, but they serve different jobs. Knowing the difference saves you from picking the wrong one for your situation:

A payment link is a standalone URL you send to a customer to collect a one-off or repeat payment. It does not need a website. It does not contain itemised billing detail.

An invoice is a formal billing document. It lists what the customer is paying for, the quantities, the price, the tax, and the payment terms. An invoice may include a payment link inside it, but the invoice itself is the record of the transaction.

A checkout button sits inside your own website or app. It moves the customer from a product page into your hosted checkout. It only works if you already have a site for the customer to browse.

Here’s a quick overview:

Which one should you use?

Here’s how to figure out whether to use a payment link, invoice, or checkout button:

• If you need to collect money from a customer right now and you do not have a site, use a payment link. 

• If you need to send a formal billing document with line items and tax, use an invoice and embed a payment link inside it for one-click settlement. 

• If you already run an online store, use a checkout button to move shoppers from product pages into your checkout.

Are payment links safe?

Yes, payment links are one of the safer ways to collect online payments, because the customer never enters card details on a page you control. The payment is processed on a secure page hosted by your provider, who is responsible for the security infrastructure behind it.

Here are the main protections that sit behind a typical payment link:

PCI DSS compliance

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is the global baseline of technical and operational requirements for protecting payment account data¹. It applies to any business that stores, processes, or transmits cardholder data¹.

When you use a hosted payment link, your provider takes on the bulk of PCI DSS responsibility because the card data flows through their environment, not yours. That dramatically lowers your own compliance burden compared with building a custom checkout.

Encryption

A reputable payment link sends the customer to a page protected by HTTPS. Card details entered on that page are encrypted in transit, so they cannot be read if intercepted. Look for the padlock icon in the browser address bar before paying — and check that customers see the same when they click your link.

3D Secure and two-factor authentication

3D Secure (3DS) is a layer of cardholder authentication built into Visa, Mastercard, and other card schemes. When 3DS is triggered, the customer must approve the payment with a second factor, typically a one-time password (OTP) sent by SMS, an in-app push from their bank, or a biometric check.

For card payments inside the European Economic Area (EEA), 3DS is effectively mandatory because of the Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) requirement under the second Payment Services Directive (PSD2), which came into force on 13 September 2019². For payments to and from Malaysia, 3DS is widely supported by issuers and is increasingly the default for higher-risk transactions.

Fraud screening

Most payment providers also run real-time fraud checks on every transaction. These checks look at signals like the customer's location, device, transaction amount, and historical behaviour, and either approve, decline, or flag the payment for manual review.

As a merchant, you usually do not need to configure anything — the screening runs automatically in the background.

What you should still do

Even with all of these protections in place, a few habits keep your payment links safer in practice:

• Only share a link through channels the customer is expecting (an active email thread, a confirmed WhatsApp chat)

• Use single-use links for one-off invoices so a leaked link cannot be reused

• Watch for unusual activity in your dashboard and turn on payment notifications

• Verify your provider's payment page domain matches your business — custom domains help build customer trust

How to create a payment link with Airwallex

Setting up your first payment link with Airwallex takes a few minutes. Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Open an Airwallex account

If you are new to Airwallex, sign up for a Global Account and complete the verification process. You will need your business registration documents and ID for the account holder.

Step 2: Go to Payment Links in the dashboard

Once you are verified, log in and head to the Payments tab in the web app. Click "Payment links" to start building a new one.

Step 3: Set the details

Enter the amount, currency, and a short description of the goods or services you are charging for. You can also add your business logo and a personal message to make the page feel like an extension of your brand.

Step 4: Generate and share the link

Airwallex creates a unique, secure URL for you. Copy it and share it through whichever channel suits your customer — email, SMS, WhatsApp, social media, or as a downloadable QR code printed on a receipt or sign.

Step 5: Track payments and confirm

When the customer pays, both of you receive a confirmation. You can verify the transaction in the Payments tab to check that the amount and details match what was agreed. The funds settle into your Airwallex account, ready to hold in your chosen currency or convert as needed.

Why Malaysia businesses choose Airwallex for Payment Links

If you have decided payment links are the right way to start collecting payments, the easiest way to actually use them is with Airwallex.

Simply sign up for an account online, generate your first payment link once your account is approved, and start getting paid. 

Here’s what you get with Airwallex Payment Links:

• No setup fee, no monthly fee. You only pay when you take a payment, which keeps the barrier low if you are testing a new product or just starting out.

• No coding required. You generate, share, and customise payment links from your dashboard, with no developer work at any stage.

• Multiple currencies and 160+ payment methods. Customers in Singapore, Australia, the UK, and beyond can pay you in their own currency, without you needing a local entity or a separate payment gateway in each market.

• Customisable payment pages. You can add your business logo, brand colours, and even a custom domain. This helps build trust and reduces abandoned payments.

Beyond Payment Links, your Airwallex account also gives you invoicing, multi-currency accounts, free international transfers via local rails, all from the same dashboard.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What is a payment link in simple terms?

A payment link is a unique URL that you send to a customer so they can pay you online. When they click it, they land on a secure page where they enter their card details or pick another payment method. You do not need a website or a checkout to use one.

Are payment links safe to use?

Yes — payment links are generally safer than collecting card details yourself, because the customer pays on a secure page hosted by your provider. Reputable providers follow PCI DSS standards, encrypt data in transit, and run real-time fraud checks. For extra protection, use single-use links and only share them through channels the customer is expecting.

How much does a payment link cost?

Most providers charge a per-transaction fee rather than a flat monthly fee, so cost depends on payment method, currency, and volume. Card payments typically carry a higher fee than local bank transfer methods. Airwallex Payment Links have no setup or monthly fee — you only pay per transaction.

What is the difference between a payment link and an invoice?

A payment link is a clickable URL designed to collect a payment quickly. An invoice is a formal billing document that lists what the customer is paying for, including line items, tax, and payment terms. Many businesses send an invoice with a payment link inside it, so the customer can pay the invoice in one click.

Can I use a payment link without a website?

Yes — that is one of the main reasons businesses use them. You can generate a payment link from your provider's dashboard and share it through email, SMS, WhatsApp, social media, or a printed QR code. There is no website, no checkout, and no code involved.

Can a payment link accept multiple currencies?

It depends on your provider, but many modern payment link tools support multiple currencies on a single link. This lets international customers pay in their own currency, which usually improves conversion. Airwallex Payment Links support payments in multiple currencies and over 160 payment methods.

Sources:

1.  https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/standards/pci-dss/

2. https://finance.ec.europa.eu/consumer-finance-and-payments/payment-services/payment-services_en

This publication does not constitute legal, tax, or professional advice from Airwallex nor substitute seeking such advice, and makes no express or implied representations / warranties / guarantees regarding content accuracy, completeness, or currency. If you would like to request an update, feel free to contact us at [[email protected]]. Airwallex (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., a company incorporated under the laws of Malaysia with company registration number 201801007747 (1269761-X), is regulated as a licensed remittance business under the Money Services Business Act 2011 (Licence number 00743 with an expiry date of 3 August 2028, an E-Money Issuer and a registered merchant acquirer under the Financial Services Act 2013.