WeChat Pay
Tencent's payment service built into WeChat, used for QR code, in-app and Mini Program payments in China.
Updated · AppBreakup editorial · iOS, Android
Is WeChat Pay free?
Yes, free to use
Switch from WeChat Pay to
All 3
Apple WalletFree
Google WalletFree
PayPalFree plan + paid
- Verified facts
- 5 of 5
- Alternatives ranked
- 3
- Approved reviews
- 0
- Visits sent from here
- 0
About WeChat Pay
WeChat Pay is the payment feature inside WeChat, Tencent's messaging app, and one of the two dominant ways people pay in mainland China. Users link a bank card and then pay by showing a payment code at a till, scanning a shop's QR code, or paying inside apps, official accounts and WeChat Mini Programs without leaving the chat app. It also handles person-to-person transfers and the red packets people send to friends and family. For businesses, the merchant platform covers in-store QR payments, web and app checkouts, face payment terminals, coupons and fund-splitting tools, with an approval process that runs mostly online. It is free for consumers; merchants pay a fee on each transaction. Visitors can link some foreign bank cards, but the experience, documentation and support are built mainly for China, and the main site and merchant docs are in Chinese. Its closest rival is Alipay; outside China most people will use Apple Pay, Google Wallet or PayPal instead.
Best for: People living in or visiting mainland China, and merchants selling to WeChat users.
Pros and cons
What works
- Accepted almost everywhere in mainland China, from big stores to street stalls
- Payments, transfers and red packets all live inside the WeChat app
- Merchants can take payments in shops, apps, websites and Mini Programs
- Built-in marketing tools such as coupons and instant discounts
Why people leave
- Needs a WeChat account, and most features are designed for Chinese users
- Merchant site and developer docs are mainly in Chinese
- Little use outside China compared with Apple Pay or Google Wallet
WeChat Pay vs Apple Wallet, Google Wallet and PayPal
From each app's listing and the prices verified on its own site. A dash means we haven't verified it yet.
| Attribute | WeChat Pay | Apple Wallet | Google Wallet | PayPal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free | Free | Free plan + paid |
| Verified price | — | — | — | — |
| Free plan | Free app | Free app | Free app | Yes |
| Open source | No | No | No | No |
| Self-hostable | No | No | No | No |
| Platforms | iOS, Android | iOS, macOS | Android, Web | Web, iOS, Android |
Top WeChat Pay alternatives
See all 3- 1Apple Wallet68.8
The default tap-to-pay wallet on iPhone, accepted widely outside China and simpler for international travellers.
- 2Google Wallet64.8
Android's tap-to-pay wallet, a better everyday choice for card payments outside mainland China.
- 3PayPal61.8
Works across borders for online shopping and sending money, with no WeChat account needed.
Why people left WeChat Pay
In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.
No switching stories yet. If you moved away from WeChat Pay, review the app you switched to and tell us why.
Reviews
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WeChat Pay: common questions
What is WeChat Pay?
WeChat Pay: Tencent's payment service built into WeChat, used for QR code, in-app and Mini Program payments in China. Best for people living in or visiting mainland China, and merchants selling to WeChat users. Available for iOS and Android.
Is WeChat Pay free?
Yes, WeChat Pay is free to use.
Is WeChat Pay open source?
No, WeChat Pay is not open source.
What platforms does WeChat Pay run on?
WeChat Pay is available for iOS and Android.
What are the best alternatives to WeChat Pay?
The highest-ranked WeChat Pay alternatives right now are Apple Wallet, Google Wallet and PayPal. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.
WeChat Pay vs Apple Wallet: what's the difference?
Both WeChat Pay and Apple Wallet are free to use. Only WeChat Pay runs on Android. Only Apple Wallet runs on macOS.