Pay by Link: Taking Payments Remotely in the UK (2026)
A customer rings to book, or messages you on WhatsApp asking for a deposit. You don't have a website checkout, and you definitely don't want them reading their card number down the phone. A payment link solves that in about thirty seconds.
Here's how pay by link works, what the main UK providers charge, and how to keep it secure. Fees come from each provider's official UK pricing pages, checked October 2026.
How it works
- You create a link in your provider's app or dashboard, with an amount and a description.
- You send it by text, email, WhatsApp, social media or a QR code.
- The customer taps it and lands on a secure hosted payment page.
- They pay by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay, and sometimes by bank.
- You get a notification, and the money follows your normal payout schedule.
You never see the card details. The provider handles security checks such as 3D Secure, which asks the customer to confirm in their banking app.
When payment links are useful
- Deposits for bookings, events and commissions
- Phone and WhatsApp orders
- Invoices for tradespeople and freelancers
- Click and collect without a full online shop
- Selling on social media
- Taking payment for a missed appointment or late cancellation
Providers compared
| Provider | Payment link fee | Monthly fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SumUp | 2.5% | None | Create in the SumUp app, protected by 3D Secure 2 |
| Square | 1.4% + 25p on UK cards (online rate) | None | Links, buy buttons and QR codes from the free plan |
| Stripe | 1.5% + 20p on standard UK cards | None | Payment Links with no code, premium and overseas cards cost more |
| Zettle by PayPal | 2.5% | None | Temporarily unavailable for new sellers when we checked |
| Viva | 2.19% + 24p online | Plans £0 to £15.99 | Real time settlement |
| GoCardless (bank payment) | 1% + 20p, capped at £4 | None on Standard | Pay by bank rather than card |
Rates on UK consumer cards unless stated. Check each provider's page for Amex, business and overseas card rates.
Fees on real amounts
| Payment | SumUp (2.5%) | Square (1.4% + 25p) | Stripe (1.5% + 20p) | GoCardless (1% + 20p, max £4) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £20 | £0.50 | £0.53 | £0.50 | £0.40 |
| £100 | £2.50 | £1.65 | £1.70 | £1.20 |
| £500 | £12.50 | £7.25 | £7.70 | £4.00 |
On small amounts the providers are close. On bigger payments, fixed plus percentage pricing is cheaper than a flat 2.5%, and bank payments are cheaper still because of the cap.
Writing a payment message that gets paid
The link is only half the job. The message around it decides whether customers pay quickly or leave it for later. A few tips:
- Say who you are and what it's for. "Hi Sam, it's Priya from Brightside Cleaning. Here's the link for Thursday's deep clean, £85."
- Give a deadline. "Please pay by Tuesday to keep your slot."
- Keep it short. One or two lines, then the link.
- Send it while the customer is engaged, for example straight after a call.
- Follow up once, politely, if it hasn't been paid.
Example uses by business
| Business | How they use links |
|---|---|
| Hairdresser | Deposit when booking a colour appointment |
| Caterer | 50% deposit when the order is confirmed |
| Plumber | Payment straight after the job, before leaving |
| Online seller on Instagram | Link sent in DMs for one off items |
| Tutor | Monthly link for a block of lessons |
| Event organiser | Reusable link for tickets |
Key considerations
Who your customers are. If they're mostly paying a few pounds, the simplest app wins. If they pay hundreds, the rate matters more.
Payout speed. SumUp pays into its business account by 7am next day, Square transfers free in one to two working days and Viva settles in real time.
Branding. Some providers let you add your logo and colours to the payment page, which helps customers trust the link.
Expiry and reuse. Single use links are best for invoices. Reusable links suit fixed price products, like a class or a deposit.
Records. Add a clear description to each link, such as an invoice number, so reconciliation is easy.
Security and compliance
Payment links are one of the safest ways to take remote payments, because card details never pass through you.
- No card data on paper. Writing card numbers down puts you in breach of PCI DSS rules and creates fraud risk.
- Strong Customer Authentication. UK rules require extra checks on most online payments, and hosted payment pages handle this for you, usually by asking the customer to confirm in their banking app.
- Chargebacks. Remote payments are "card not present", so you carry more risk if a customer disputes the payment. Keep proof of what you sold and when it was delivered.
- Phishing. Scammers send fake payment links. Tell customers which name and domain to expect, and never ask them to pay through an unexpected link.
- Surcharges. You can't add a fee for paying by card to UK consumer payments, whether in person or by link. Our guide to card surcharge rules explains the details.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No website or card reader needed
- Customers pay on their phone in seconds
- Secure, with no card data in your hands
- Great for deposits and phone orders
Cons
- Online rates are usually higher than in person rates
- More chargeback risk than chip and PIN
- Customers can ignore a link, so you may need reminders
Pay by link or virtual terminal?
A payment link lets the customer enter their own card details. A virtual terminal lets you type them in while on the phone. Links are usually cheaper and safer. Square, for example, charges 2.5% for manually keyed payments against 1.4% + 25p on UK cards online. Our virtual terminals guide explains when keying in still makes sense.
Next steps
- If you already have a card reader, check whether your provider offers links. Most pay as you go providers do.
- Send a test link to yourself and pay it.
- Add the link option to your booking messages and invoices.
- For a full online shop, see our guide to online payment systems or our payment gateway guide.
FAQs
What is pay by link?
A way to take payment by sending your customer a secure link to a hosted payment page, by text, email, WhatsApp or social media.
Are payment links safe?
Yes, when they come from a regulated provider. Card details are entered on the provider's secure page, and most payments are confirmed with the customer's bank.
What's the cheapest payment link provider in the UK?
It depends on the amount. On larger payments, Square's 1.4% + 25p and Stripe's 1.5% + 20p are cheaper than a flat 2.5%. Bank payment links, such as GoCardless at 1% + 20p capped at £4, can be cheaper still.
Do I need a website to use payment links?
No. That's the main appeal. You can create and send links straight from an app.
Can customers pay with Apple Pay by link?
Usually yes. Most hosted payment pages support Apple Pay and Google Pay alongside cards.
Can I add a fee for paying by link?
Not for UK consumer cards. Card surcharges are banned for consumers, so build your costs into your prices.
How quickly do I get paid?
It depends on your provider. Some pay next day or in real time, others in one to two working days.
What happens if a customer pays a link twice?
It's rare, but it happens, especially with reusable links. Refund the duplicate from your provider's app or dashboard. The original fee usually isn't returned, so single use links are better for invoices and one off amounts.
Can I send a payment link from a card machine?
Some smart terminals and apps let you create links from the same app you use for card payments, so in person and remote payments sit in one report.