WeChat Pay and Alipay Singapore: a guide for businesses (2025)

Key takeaways

• Alipay and WeChat Pay cover nearly all of China’s mobile wallet users. Offering both at checkout helps you meet customer expectations, reduce cart abandonment, and boost sales.

• These platforms are built Chinese consumers – not for global business. While you can use Alipay and WeChat Pay to pay suppliers based in China, you may run into limits, fees, or compliance challenges.

• With Airwallex, you can accept payments from Chinese customers via Alipay, WeChat Pay, and 160+ other local methods – and pay China-based suppliers without hidden fees or forced conversions. Beyond payments, Airwallex provides the tools you need to expand into new markets with confidence.

Your business might be based in Singapore, but your next customer could come from China. In 2024, over 3 million Chinese tourists visited Singapore,¹ and millions more shop cross-border through platforms they trust. If they don’t see Alipay or WeChat Pay at checkout, they’re likely to drop off. Adding both helps you convert interest into revenue, whether they’re shopping in Orchard Road or Nanjing Road.

In this guide, you’ll see how Alipay and WeChat Pay work, and how Airwallex makes it easy to offer both at checkout while giving you full control over your global financial operations.

What is Alipay? 

Alipay is a mobile payment platform developed by Alibaba’s Ant Group. Nine out of 10 shoppers in China have used AliPay to pay in stores, restaurants, and eCommerce marketplaces.³ Chinese consumers also use AliPay to make peer-to-peer payments, access wealth management tools, and pay for government and healthcare services.⁴ Everything is designed to work together, making Alipay an essential tool for everyday transactions. 

At its core, Alipay functions like a digital wallet. Users link a Chinese bank account or card, then scan a QR code to pay. There’s no need to enter card details or toggle to another browser to complete payment. For eCommerce businesses, that ease of use can make or break a sale from Chinese customers. 

What is WeChat Pay? 

WeChat Pay, or Weixin Pay, is a mobile payment service built into WeChat, Tencent’s all-in-one messaging and social app. With around 1.34 billion monthly active users, it’s the second-largest mobile payment platform in China.⁵

To make a payment, users have to first link their Chinese bank account or card to their WeChat account. Payments are then approved in-app or by scanning a QR code. 

Unlike Alipay, which operates as a standalone payment app, WeChat Pay is embedded within WeChat’s broader ecosystem consisting of social feeds, messaging, and games. This integration makes payments a seamless part of how users on the platform interact online – whether they’re chatting with friends or browsing content. 

How can I use Alipay and WeChat Pay for my business?

Alipay and WeChat Pay offer multiple ways for businesses to accept payments and engage Chinese customers.  

QR code payments for in-store sales

If you run a physical store, you can display a static or dynamic QR code at checkout. Shoppers scan the code with their mobile app, approve the payment, and it’s done. Dynamic QR codes also make it easier to track transactions and reconcile payments in real time..

In-app and web checkout for eCommerce

For online businesses, Alipay and WeChat Pay can be integrated directly into your checkout flow. Customers select their preferred digital wallet, authenticate the payment in-app, and complete the transaction.

Paying suppliers in China

While you can technically pay suppliers in China using Alipay or WeChat Pay, they are not designed for international B2B payments. The platforms are built for domestic payments – that could mean higher fees, transaction limits, and compliance hurdles when dealing with multiple currencies or large transfers.

Airwallex eliminates these challenges by routing payments through local rails in Hong Kong and China, so transfers clear as fast, low-cost domestic payments – without SWIFT fees or hidden charges. What’s more, 95% of transfers arrive the same day, giving you a simpler, faster way to manage your global payments.

‘Mini program’ ecosystems and branded experiences

Both Alipay and WeChat  support ‘mini programs’, which are lightweight applications that run within the  apps. On WeChat, these include eCommerce stores, booking tools, and customer service portals, allowing users to browse and purchase without leaving the app.⁶ Alipay offers similar functionalities, alongside features like rewards and gifting that can help businesses drive repeat engagement. Accessing these tools typically requires a verified merchant account.⁷

How to top up Alipay in Singapore

If you’re paying suppliers in China using Alipay, topping up your account can be challenging if you don’t have a China-based bank account. Most of Alipay’s top-up options are designed for domestic users with Chinese bank accounts. While you can link an internationally issued card, it might only work for in-person transactions in China.  

Some banks like DBS and OCBC allow individuals to transfer money to an Alipay account. Here’s how that process works:

1. Log in to your bank’s online or mobile banking app (DBS, OCBC, or another bank that supports Alipay top-ups).

2. Find the “Pay to Wallet” or “Remit to Alipay” option in the payments or transfers menu.

3. Enter the recipient’s Alipay ID (usually linked to their mobile number) and name exactly as registered.

4. Choose the amount and currency you want to send.

5. Review and confirm the transfer. 

The top-up process may be different for businesses. You’ll need to contact Alipay directly to understand the requirements and available options for business accounts. If your need to pay suppliers in Chinese yuan, it may be faster and more cost-effective to use a payment platform that lets you send renminbi (RMB) directly without going through a consumer wallet.

How to top up WeChat Pay in Singapore

WeChat Pay focuses on helping merchants accept payments from customers – not on sending money or making transfers.⁸ For cross-border supplier payments, this can be a hurdle, as the platform is tightly linked to China’s domestic banking system.

Consumers travelling to China will have an easier time topping up WeChat Pay for in-store purchases. Here’s how:

1. Download and open the WeChat app, then register for an account.

2. Go to “Me” → “Services” → “Wallet” and follow the prompts to enable WeChat Pay.

3. Add a payment method by linking your international bank card (Visa, Mastercard, or certain debit cards). You’ll need to provide your passport details.

4. Verify your information as prompted in the app.

5. Top up your balance (if required) or pay directly with your linked card when scanning merchant QR codes in China.

Benefits and limitations of offering Alipay and WeChat Pay in your business

If you’re thinking of offering Alipay and WeChat Pay, it helps to weigh both the benefits and the constraints before you get started.

Benefits

• Access to a massive user base: WeChat Pay connects you to over 900 million users; Alipay to over 1 billion. Adding these methods instantly expands your reach in one of the world’s most engaged digital markets.

• Familiar payment methods: 77% of online shoppers will abandon their cart if their preferred payment method isn’t available.⁹ For Chinese shoppers, that means Alipay or WeChat Pay. With Airwallex, you don’t just get to offer both – you also get 160+ other local payment methods worldwide, improving your checkout rates in China and everywhere else you sell. 

Limitations

• Complex setup and onboarding: Setting up either platform isn’t always straightforward for Singapore businesses. WeChat Pay, for example, requires you to work with one of its local institutional partners for technical and operational support before you can accept payments. This adds another step to the process and can slow down onboarding.¹⁰

• Settling payments in CNH:  Most payments made through Alipay and WeChat Pay are settled in Chinese yuan (CNH). Having a local CNH account lets you receive these funds without forced conversions and helps keep transfer fees low. However, opening a bank account in China can be a lengthy and complex process if you don’t have a local entity.

• Integration requires technical support: Setting up Alipay and WeChat Pay isn’t a quick plug-and-play process. You’ll need developers or external support who understand both platforms to connect them to your POS or eCommerce store. Ongoing technical maintenance may be required to keep integrations running smoothly and up to date.

How Airwallex can help your business accept payments via Alipay and WeChat Pay 

Offering Alipay and WeChat Pay doesn't need to be complicated, or limited to businesses with a Chinese bank account. Airwallex gives you the tools to accept both payment methods on a single platform. 

Airwallex Payments supports both Alipay China and Alipay Hong Kong.¹⁰ You can accept payments from customers in these regions via QR code or online checkout. For WeChat Pay, Airwallex supports payments from verified users in mainland China.¹¹

For both payment methods, Chinese yuan payments are settled into your Airwallex account, with control over how and when you convert them.

Alipay vs WeChat Pay: which is better for my global business?

Alipay and WeChat Pay give you access to one of the world’s largest consumer markets – China. Together, they serve nearly 2.5 billion Chinese consumers¹², who expect to pay using either of these methods. 

With Airwallex, you can offer both payment methods and do so much more.  Airwallex Payments lets you sell to customers across 180+ countries from a single platform. Offer a range of payment methods, including cards and local wallets like Alipay and WeChat Pay, so your global customers can pay the way they prefer.

Unlike other payment gateways, Airwallex offers like-for-like settlement in 14 currencies, including RMB, so your revenue isn’t eaten up by the volatile FX market. And because it all runs on one platform, you can handle payments, transfers, and FX without the extra complexity.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the differences between Airwallex, Alipay, and WeChat Pay:

Alipay and WeChat Pay are primarily consumer wallets with add-on services, while Airwallex is an all-in-one financial platform. Both Alipay and WeChat Pay dominate in China and extend abroad through partner e-wallets, but they remain RMB-focused and don’t support like-for-like settlement. With Airwallex, businesses can reach customers in 200+ countries, accept 160+ local payment methods, and settle in 130+ currencies – all from a single platform.

How to add Alipay and WeChat Pay in Airwallex

Follow these steps to get started:

1. Sign up for Airwallex: Create a free Airwallex account here if you haven’t already. Take 5 minutes to submit the required business documents and Know Your Customer (KYC) information.

2. Complete the KYB process: You’re also required to complete the Know Your Business (KYB) verification process. You'll be asked to provide some basic financial information about your business, including estimates of the average transaction size and monthly transaction volume.

3. Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay as your accepted payment method: Once you've passed the KYB process, you can start accepting customer payments with your Airwallex account. 

Airwallex: one platform for payments, FX, and global growth

Whether your customers prefer a standalone digital wallet like Alipay or payments within the WeChat ecosystem, you get the best of both worlds by offering both payment methods. And you don’t need to use multiple providers to make it happen.

With Airwallex, you can offer Alipay, WeChat Pay, and 160+ other local payment methods in 180+ countries. No extra complexity, no separate setups – just one payment gateway to reach millions of customers in China.

Airwallex offers more than payment acceptance – it’s an all-in-one financial platform for running a global business. On top of accepting eCommerce payments, you can instantly open a Chinese yuan account with local bank details, so you can accept and hold payments from Chinese customers without having to set up a local entity in China. No forced conversions – you decide when to convert currencies using our market-leading exchange rates.

Beyond collections, you can bypass SWIFT and make same-day transfers to 120+ countries, thanks to our connections with local payment rails. You also get access to multi-currency cards that let you pay suppliers in their local currency with 0% foreign transaction fees, while earning 1% unlimited cashback. Add in expense management tools and other built-in features, and you’ve got everything you need to manage money across every part of your business.

Breaking into China doesn’t need to be complex. With Airwallex, you can offer Alipay and WeChat Pay, and manage global payments from one place.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) 

Can foreigners use Alipay or WeChat Pay? 

Yes, foreign businesses registered outside of China can still access both platforms by opening a merchant account. This lets you offer Alipay and WeChat Pay as payment methods, even if your business is based in Singapore. 

Can I use Alipay and WeChat Pay without a Chinese bank account?

Yes, businesses can create merchant accounts for Alipay and WeChat Pay without a Chinese bank account. However, you need to work with a third-party acquirer to gain access to their payment services.¹⁶ Services available and the transaction limits may also differ compared to users with a Chinese bank account, so it's important to review the specific terms and conditions for international users.

Are there any limits on the amount of money I can transfer using Alipay or WeChat Pay?  

Yes, Alipay does impose limits on the amount of money that can be transferred. These limits vary depending on the user’s verification status and the type of account they hold. Unverified users face much lower limits, which are intended to enhance security by mitigating risks associated with unverified transactions. For Airwallex, the maximum transfer limit typically varies based on the transfer method, such as bank transfer, SWIFT, or other local payment options.

Sources: 

1.  https://www.chinatravelnews.com/article/186296

2. https://www.enterprisesg.gov.sg/resources/media-centre/news/2024/may/singapore-firms-continue-to-expand-in-china-driven-by-long-term-potential

3. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1389701/alipay-adoption-in-china/

4. https://www.statista.com/topics/12196/alipay/#topicOverview

5. https://www.statista.com/topics/9085/wechat/

6. https://mp.weixin.qq.com/cgi-bin/wx?lang=en_us

7. https://miniprogram.alipay.com/

8. https://pay.weixin.qq.com/index.php/public/wechatpay_en/product_index

9. https://www.airwallex.com/sg/ecommerce-campaign-2024

10. https://www.airwallex.com/docs/payments__apac__alipay-cn

11. https://www.airwallex.com/docs/payments__apac__wechat-pay

12.  https://www.statista.com/statistics/1271130/mobile-wallet-user-forecast-in-china/

13.  https://www.alipayplus.com/

14. https://www.techinasia.com/news/wechat-unionpay-boost-foreign-ewallet-travelers

15.  https://www.airwallex.com/sg/online-payments-capability

16. https://pay.weixin.qq.com/wechatpay_h5/pages/guide/merchant.html

This publication does not constitute legal, tax, or professional advice from Airwallex, nor does it substitute seeking such advice, and makes no express or implied representations, warranties, or guarantees regarding content accuracy, completeness, or currentness. Product features, pricing and other details are subject to change. Airwallex does not guarantee the continued accuracy of this information and is not responsible for any inaccuracies that may arise from such changes. This publication is not intended to be relied on for the purpose of making a decision about a financial product. Users are encouraged to conduct their own verification and seek their own advice.

If you would like to request an update of the content in this publication, feel free to contact us at [email protected]. Airwallex (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. (201626561Z) is licensed as a Major Payment Institution and regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.