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Payment Methods in Singapore: What Your Business Should Accept (2026)
Author:
Steph T.
Last Updated:
Singapore has one of the most sophisticated payment landscapes in Southeast Asia. Consumers move fluidly between PayNow, contactless cards, digital wallets, and buy-now-pay-later — often switching method by channel and context. Getting the mix right is not just a convenience issue; it directly af…
Quick Answer: HitPay lets Singapore businesses accept PayNow, Visa, Mastercard and American Express cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, GrabPay, ShopeePay, four buy now, pay later options (Atome, PayLater by Grab, SPayLater and ShopBack), WeChat Pay and UPI from one account. Online fees start at 0.65% + S$0.30 for PayNow on payments of S$100 and above, and 2.8% + S$0.50 for domestic cards, with no setup fee and no monthly fee. HitPay is licensed by MAS as a Major Payment Institution (PS20200643). To start, sign up free, verify your business, and turn on the methods you want under Payment Methods in the dashboard.
Singapore has one of the most sophisticated payment landscapes in Southeast Asia. Consumers move fluidly between PayNow, contactless cards, digital wallets, and buy-now-pay-later — often switching method by channel and context. Getting the mix right is not just a convenience issue; it directly affects conversion rates and average order value.
This guide covers every major payment method in the Singapore market in 2026: how each works, who uses it, what it costs merchants, and how to accept them all without running multiple payment providers.
Most popular payment methods in Singapore
Singapore’s most popular payment methods in 2026 are PayNow (the national real-time bank transfer network), Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards, GrabPay and ShopeePay digital wallets, Apple Pay and Google Pay (which sit on top of the card network), and buy-now-pay-later options including PayLater by Grab, SPayLater, Atome and ShopBack. PayNow dominates in-person retail and small transactions. Cards dominate higher-value e-commerce. Wallets and BNPL are growing fastest among younger, mobile-first consumers.
The table below summarises the main payment methods in Singapore by type, HitPay’s online fee from Singapore pricing, and best use case.
Payment method | Type | Accepted where | HitPay online fee | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
PayNow | Real-time bank transfer | Online, in-person, invoices | 0.65% + S$0.30 (S$100 and above); 0.9%, min S$0.20 (below S$100) | Low-cost everyday transactions |
Visa / Mastercard / Amex | Card (domestic) | Online, in-person, recurring | 2.8% + S$0.50 | E-commerce, high-value retail |
Visa / Mastercard / Amex / UnionPay | Card (international) | Online, in-person | 3.65% + S$0.50, plus 2% on foreign-currency transactions | Overseas shoppers |
GrabPay | Digital wallet | Online, in-person | 3% | Grab ecosystem users |
ShopeePay | Digital wallet | Online, in-person | 3% | Shopee ecosystem users |
Apple Pay / Google Pay | Wallet (card-backed) | In-person (NFC), online | Same as the underlying card | Tap-to-pay in-store |
PayLater by Grab | BNPL | Online, in-person | 5.5% | Increasing basket size |
SPayLater | BNPL | Online, in-person | 5% | Shopee buyers, instalments |
Atome | BNPL | Online, in-person | 5.5% | Fashion, beauty, lifestyle |
ShopBack | BNPL and cashback | Online, in-person | 3.9% + S$0.20 | ShopBack shoppers |
WeChat Pay | Cross-border wallet | Online, in-person | 1.5% | Chinese tourist and visitor spend |
UPI (via NIPL) | Cross-border | Online, in-person | 2% (1.5% in person) | Indian visitor spend |
Singapore payment methods compared: fees and use cases
Singapore businesses can accept a wide range of cashless payment methods. The table below covers the main categories, HitPay’s online and in-person fees from Singapore pricing, and the best-fit scenarios for each method.
Local payment methods
Method | Type | HitPay online fee | HitPay in-person fee | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
PayNow | Bank transfer (real-time) | 0.65% + S$0.30 (S$100 and above); 0.9%, min S$0.20 (below S$100) | 0.4%, min S$0.10 | All transaction sizes; lowest fee; zero chargeback risk |
GrabPay | E-wallet | 3% | 2.2% | Grab users; loyalty points spend |
ShopeePay | E-wallet | 3% | 1.8% | Shopee users; in-app reward spend |
Domestic Visa / Mastercard / Amex | Card | 2.8% + S$0.50 | 2.5% + S$0.50 | Online checkout; in-person card tap |
International cards | Card | 3.65% + S$0.50, plus 2% on foreign-currency transactions | 3.2% + S$0.50 | Overseas visitors; expats with foreign-issued cards |
Apple Pay / Google Pay | Card (tokenised) | Same as underlying card | Same as underlying card | Contactless; NFC in-person; mobile checkout |
Atome | BNPL | 5.5% | 5.5% | Split-pay; retail; AOV uplift |
ShopBack | BNPL and cashback | 3.9% + S$0.20 | 5% | ShopBack users |
PayLater by Grab | BNPL | 5.5% | 5% | Online and in-person instalment payments |
SPayLater | BNPL | 5% | 5% | Online and in-person; Shopee ecosystem users |
Note on Apple Pay / Google Pay: These are card tokenisation methods — they use the customer's linked Visa or Mastercard. The merchant fee is the same as for the underlying card (online: 2.8% + S$0.50 domestic, 3.65% + S$0.50 international; in person: 2.5% + S$0.50 and 3.2% + S$0.50). No separate setup is needed; Apple Pay and Google Pay appear automatically at checkout when cards are enabled.
Note on BNPL: Atome, ShopBack, PayLater by Grab and SPayLater all have online and in-person rates on Singapore pricing, as listed above.
All rates are per successful transaction. No monthly fee, no setup fee. Visit hitpayapp.com/sg/pricing for the current full rate card. Non-card payouts reach your HitPay Balance on T + 1 calendar day; card payouts start from T + 1 business day.
PayNow & QR payments
PayNow is Singapore’s national real-time fund transfer scheme, operated by the Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS). It enables instant transfers between all major Singapore bank accounts using a mobile number, NRIC/FIN, or business UEN — at no cost to the sender and at very low cost to the merchant.
For businesses, PayNow is the single most important local payment method to support. It is ubiquitous across Singapore: hawker stalls, F&B outlets, retail shops, service businesses, and e-commerce all rely on it. Payment is push-based — the customer initiates and authorises the transfer — which means zero chargeback risk for the merchant.
PayNow QR is the QR code format used to initiate a PayNow transfer. Display your QR at the counter or embed it in an online checkout, and customers scan and pay directly from their banking app. HitPay generates SGQR-compliant QR codes — the national standard set by MAS — meaning one QR accepts PayNow and other compatible payment schemes simultaneously.
HitPay charges 0.65% + S$0.30 for PayNow transactions of S$100 and above, and 0.9% (minimum S$0.20) for transactions below S$100 online. In person, PayNow is 0.4% (minimum S$0.10). No monthly fees, no setup fees.
Cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex)
Cards remain the dominant payment method for higher-value e-commerce and for customers who prefer to pay on credit or earn rewards points. Singapore has strong credit card penetration, and international shoppers — tourists and overseas buyers — rely heavily on cards.
Visa and Mastercard cover the vast majority of Singapore cardholders. Domestic card transactions on HitPay are charged at 2.8% + S$0.50. International cards — issued outside Singapore — are charged at 3.65% + S$0.50, plus 2% on foreign-currency transactions. In person, card rates are 2.5% + S$0.50 domestic and 3.2% + S$0.50 international.
American Express is accepted by HitPay at the same card rates, and is relevant for premium retail, corporate accounts, and travel businesses.
Cards also underpin Apple Pay and Google Pay: when a customer taps their phone at a terminal, the payment runs on the underlying card credential — so your card acceptance rate automatically covers these wallet methods.
3D Secure (3DS) authentication is built into HitPay’s card processing. This adds a layer of fraud protection and shifts liability for fraudulent transactions to the card issuer, protecting merchants from a significant category of chargeback. Accept cards with 3D Secure on the HitPay payment gateway →
Digital wallets (GrabPay, Apple Pay, Google Pay)
Digital wallets are a distinct payment category in Singapore, sitting between bank transfers and traditional cards. They are app-based, quick to use, and often tied to loyalty rewards — which drives strong repeat usage.
GrabPay is Singapore’s dominant super-app wallet, used by Grab’s large regional user base. Customers load funds or link a card to their GrabPay account. For merchants, GrabPay acceptance opens the door to Grab’s rewards-driven ecosystem, where users are often motivated to pay via Grab to earn GrabRewards points. HitPay supports GrabPay online (3%) and in person through the POS app (2.2%).
ShopeePay is Shopee’s integrated payment wallet, heavily used by the Shopee shopping platform’s user base. As with GrabPay, customers earn loyalty points for paying via ShopeePay. HitPay supports ShopeePay online (3%) and in person (1.8%).
Apple Pay and Google Pay are contactless wallet methods that use device-stored card credentials. They are accepted wherever your card terminals support NFC contactless payment — no separate integration required. For online checkout, both are supported via HitPay’s hosted payment page. These methods are particularly valued for their speed at the point of sale: no PIN entry required for many transactions.
Accept GrabPay, ShopeePay, Apple Pay and Google Pay at checkout: see the HitPay payment gateway →
BNPL (buy now, pay later) in Singapore
Buy now, pay later lets customers split a purchase into interest-free instalments, while the merchant receives the full payment amount upfront. BNPL consistently increases average order value (AOV) — particularly for fashion, electronics, home goods, and lifestyle purchases — because it reduces the perceived cost of higher-priced items.
HitPay supports four BNPL options in Singapore:
PayLater by Grab — Grab’s pay-later product, available through the Grab app. Customers pay in monthly instalments, and Grab handles the lending risk. Available online (5.5%) and in person through HitPay’s POS app (5%).
SPayLater (Shopee PayLater) — Shopee’s instalment product. Customers who shop via Shopee or have a SPayLater account can use it across HitPay-powered checkouts, both online and in-person, at 5%. Strong overlap with e-commerce buyers who are already in the Shopee ecosystem.
Atome — a standalone BNPL brand in Singapore and Malaysia that splits purchases into instalments for the buyer. Available online and in person via HitPay at 5.5%.
ShopBack — shoppers use ShopBack’s pay-later and cashback flows while you are paid through HitPay. Online ShopBack is 3.9% + S$0.20; in person it is 5%. Accept ShopBack with HitPay →
All BNPL options via HitPay are available through the same HitPay account and dashboard — no separate merchant agreements or integrations required. Enable any BNPL method under Payment Methods in your HitPay dashboard.
Offer buy now, pay later with HitPay →
Cross-border and international payment methods
Singapore’s position as a regional hub means many businesses serve international buyers: Chinese tourists, Indian professionals, regional e-commerce customers, and overseas B2B partners. Accepting local payment methods from these buyer groups — rather than forcing them to card payment — materially reduces friction.
WeChat Pay is the cross-border wallet most Chinese visitors use. HitPay charges 1.5% for WeChat Pay, online or in person.
UPI — India’s Unified Payments Interface — is increasingly relevant in Singapore, which has a large Indian-origin resident and visitor population. HitPay has a partnership with the National Payments Corporation of India’s international arm (NIPL) that enables UPI acceptance in Singapore, allowing Indian visitors to pay via UPI QR at HitPay-enabled merchants. UPI is 2% online and 1.5% in person through Borderless QR.
HitPay’s cross-border payments let Singapore businesses accept local methods from Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, India, Korea, China and Vietnam from a single merchant account. Funds settle in SGD, with a 1% FX markup at settlement. See HitPay cross-border payments →
Cross-border and tourist payment methods in Singapore
Singapore is one of Southeast Asia's most visited tourist destinations. Visitors from China, India, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam often arrive with a home-market e-wallet as their primary payment method. These customers may not have a Singapore bank account or card — and cannot use PayNow.
HitPay's Borderless QR displays a single QR code at your counter. International visitors scan it with their home wallet app — WeChat Pay, UPI, PromptPay, DuitNow, GCash or others — and pay in their home currency. You receive SGD, with a 1% FX markup at settlement. Most Borderless QR wallets are 1.5%; LINE Pay is 3.4% and ZaloPay and VietQR are 3.35%. There is no additional hardware and no separate QR code per wallet.
Wallet | Home market | HitPay fee (in person) | Who uses it in Singapore |
|---|---|---|---|
WeChat Pay | China | 1.5% | Chinese tourists, students, business visitors |
UPI | India | 1.5% | Indian expats, tourists, business visitors |
PromptPay | Thailand | 1.5% | Thai tourists, workers |
LINE Pay | Thailand | 3.4% | Thai tourists |
DuitNow | Malaysia | 1.5% | Malaysian day-trippers, visitors |
QR Ph / GCash | Philippines | 1.5% | Filipino residents, domestic workers, tourists |
ZaloPay / VietQR | Vietnam | 3.35% | Vietnamese tourists, workers |
Businesses that regularly serve international customers — F&B outlets, retail stores, salons, tourist attractions, hotels, and medical clinics — benefit most from enabling Borderless QR. It is a single setup that covers the full cross-border wallet suite.
For domestic customers, PayNow QR and GrabPay / ShopeePay continue to operate as normal on a separate channel — Borderless QR does not replace them.
How to accept all of them with HitPay
The operational challenge for most Singapore businesses is not knowing which payment methods to offer — it is managing multiple payment providers, separate reconciliation streams, and different settlement timelines. HitPay consolidates all of the above under one account, one dashboard, and one settlement cycle.
Single integration, all methods. Whether you are running a Shopify store, a WooCommerce site, or a custom-built platform, one HitPay integration enables PayNow, cards, GrabPay, ShopeePay, BNPL, and cross-border wallets. No separate merchant agreements per payment method.
Online checkout. For e-commerce, HitPay’s payment gateway presents all enabled payment methods to the customer at checkout. Customers choose what suits them — you collect the payment either way.
In-person payments. The HitPay POS app on Android or iOS turns any device into a payments terminal. Accept PayNow QR, contactless cards, GrabPay, ShopeePay, and BNPL — with per-transaction receipts and real-time reporting in the dashboard.
Payment links and invoices. For service businesses, freelancers, and anyone collecting payment remotely, HitPay payment links and invoices support all enabled payment methods. Share via WhatsApp, email, or SMS — no website required. See HitPay payment links →
Getting started:
Register at dashboard.hit-pay.com/register — no setup fee, no monthly fee
Complete business verification (UEN, ACRA registration, director ID)
Navigate to Payment Methods in your dashboard and enable the methods relevant to your business
Install the relevant plugin (Shopify, WooCommerce, Wix, etc.) if you run an online store
Download the HitPay POS app if you take in-person payments
Most Singapore businesses are accepting payments within 24 hours of signup.
See HitPay Singapore pricing → · Explore the HitPay payment gateway →
Related HitPay resources for Singapore businesses
Accept every Singapore payment method in one account
No monthly fees. No separate integrations per method. PayNow, cards, GrabPay, ShopeePay, BNPL, and cross-border wallets — all from one HitPay account.
Start accepting payments free →
Takes less than 10 minutes to sign up · Most businesses are live within 24 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular payment method in Singapore?
PayNow is the dominant payment method in Singapore by transaction volume for everyday and in-person payments. For e-commerce and higher-value transactions, Visa and Mastercard cards are the most widely used. GrabPay and ShopeePay are the leading digital wallets. Overall, Singapore consumers are multi-method — most businesses benefit from offering at least PayNow, cards, and one or two wallets.
Do I need to set up separate accounts for each payment method?
No — not if you use a payment gateway like HitPay. One HitPay account gives you access to PayNow, cards, GrabPay, ShopeePay, BNPL (Atome, PayLater by Grab, SPayLater, ShopBack), and cross-border wallets. You manage them from a single dashboard with one settlement flow.
What payment methods should a new Singapore e-commerce business prioritise?
Start with PayNow and cards (Visa, Mastercard) — these cover the majority of Singapore buyers across all demographics. Add GrabPay and ShopeePay for wallet users, and at least one BNPL option (Atome, PayLater by Grab, SPayLater or ShopBack) if you sell higher-value items. Cross-border wallets (WeChat Pay, UPI) are worth adding if you expect tourist or international visitor traffic.
Is PayNow or credit card cheaper for merchants?
PayNow is significantly cheaper. HitPay charges 0.65% + S$0.30 for online PayNow payments of S$100 and above (0.9%, minimum S$0.20, below S$100) versus 2.8% + S$0.50 for domestic card transactions. For a S$100 transaction, PayNow costs the merchant around S$0.95 compared to S$3.30 for a domestic card payment. PayNow also carries zero chargeback risk, reducing dispute-management overhead.
What BNPL options are available in Singapore?
HitPay supports four BNPL options in Singapore: Atome (5.5% online and in person), PayLater by Grab (5.5% online, 5% in person), SPayLater (5% online and in person) and ShopBack (3.9% + S$0.20 online, 5% in person). All four pay merchants the full transaction amount while customers pay in instalments.
Can I accept payments from Chinese tourists in Singapore?
Yes. HitPay supports WeChat Pay at 1.5%, online and in person. In store, HitPay’s Borderless QR shows one QR code that Chinese visitors scan with WeChat Pay to pay in their home currency, while you receive SGD.
Is Apple Pay available in Singapore?
Yes. Apple Pay is widely used in Singapore and works wherever NFC contactless card payment is accepted. HitPay card terminals support NFC, so customers can tap with their iPhone or Apple Watch. For online checkout, Apple Pay is supported via HitPay’s hosted payment page on Safari/iOS.
Does HitPay charge monthly fees for accepting multiple payment methods?
No. HitPay charges per transaction only — no monthly fee, no setup fee, no fee per payment method enabled. You pay only when a payment is successfully processed.
What payment methods should Singapore businesses accept in 2026?
At minimum: PayNow (lowest fee, zero chargeback risk), GrabPay, ShopeePay, Visa and Mastercard, and Apple Pay / Google Pay. Businesses serving higher-value purchases should also add at least one BNPL method — Atome, PayLater by Grab, SPayLater or ShopBack. Businesses with international customers should add WeChat Pay and UPI via Borderless QR. All of these can be enabled from a single HitPay account with no monthly fee.
What is the cheapest payment method for Singapore merchants?
PayNow is the lowest-cost payment method for Singapore businesses. HitPay charges 0.65% + S$0.30 for PayNow transactions of S$100 and above, and 0.9% (minimum S$0.20) for transactions below S$100; in person it is 0.4% (minimum S$0.10). PayNow is also a push-based payment — the customer initiates the transfer — so there is zero chargeback risk. Cards cost 2.8% + S$0.50 (domestic) and 3.65% + S$0.50 (international), with chargeback exposure.
What is the difference between PayNow, GrabPay, and ShopeePay?
PayNow is a direct bank-to-bank transfer using Singapore's FAST network — the customer pays from their bank account with no wallet balance needed. GrabPay and ShopeePay are e-wallets — customers hold a balance within the Grab or Shopee app and spend from it. PayNow has the lowest merchant fee; GrabPay and ShopeePay are higher but reach customers who prefer wallet-based spending and may earn in-app rewards on those platforms.
Can Singapore businesses accept WeChat Pay and UPI?
Yes. Singapore businesses can accept WeChat Pay (Chinese visitors), UPI (Indian visitors), and other international wallets through HitPay's Borderless QR. A single Borderless QR code at your counter covers WeChat Pay, UPI, PromptPay, DuitNow, GCash and other international wallets, most at 1.5%. Customers pay in their home currency; you receive SGD. No separate registration or hardware is needed per wallet.
Can I accept all Singapore payment methods from one provider?
Yes. HitPay lets Singapore businesses accept PayNow, GrabPay, ShopeePay, Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Apple Pay, Google Pay, all four BNPL options (Atome, ShopBack, PayLater by Grab, SPayLater), and the full cross-border Borderless QR wallet suite — from a single account. All transactions appear in one dashboard with unified reporting and a single payout to your Singapore bank account. No monthly fee applies.
Payment Methods in Singapore: What Your Business Should Accept (2026)
Author:
Steph T.
Last Updated:
Singapore has one of the most sophisticated payment landscapes in Southeast Asia. Consumers move fluidly between PayNow, contactless cards, digital wallets, and buy-now-pay-later — often switching method by channel and context. Getting the mix right is not just a convenience issue; it directly af…
Quick Answer: HitPay lets Singapore businesses accept PayNow, Visa, Mastercard and American Express cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, GrabPay, ShopeePay, four buy now, pay later options (Atome, PayLater by Grab, SPayLater and ShopBack), WeChat Pay and UPI from one account. Online fees start at 0.65% + S$0.30 for PayNow on payments of S$100 and above, and 2.8% + S$0.50 for domestic cards, with no setup fee and no monthly fee. HitPay is licensed by MAS as a Major Payment Institution (PS20200643). To start, sign up free, verify your business, and turn on the methods you want under Payment Methods in the dashboard.
Singapore has one of the most sophisticated payment landscapes in Southeast Asia. Consumers move fluidly between PayNow, contactless cards, digital wallets, and buy-now-pay-later — often switching method by channel and context. Getting the mix right is not just a convenience issue; it directly affects conversion rates and average order value.
This guide covers every major payment method in the Singapore market in 2026: how each works, who uses it, what it costs merchants, and how to accept them all without running multiple payment providers.
Most popular payment methods in Singapore
Singapore’s most popular payment methods in 2026 are PayNow (the national real-time bank transfer network), Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards, GrabPay and ShopeePay digital wallets, Apple Pay and Google Pay (which sit on top of the card network), and buy-now-pay-later options including PayLater by Grab, SPayLater, Atome and ShopBack. PayNow dominates in-person retail and small transactions. Cards dominate higher-value e-commerce. Wallets and BNPL are growing fastest among younger, mobile-first consumers.
The table below summarises the main payment methods in Singapore by type, HitPay’s online fee from Singapore pricing, and best use case.
Payment method | Type | Accepted where | HitPay online fee | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
PayNow | Real-time bank transfer | Online, in-person, invoices | 0.65% + S$0.30 (S$100 and above); 0.9%, min S$0.20 (below S$100) | Low-cost everyday transactions |
Visa / Mastercard / Amex | Card (domestic) | Online, in-person, recurring | 2.8% + S$0.50 | E-commerce, high-value retail |
Visa / Mastercard / Amex / UnionPay | Card (international) | Online, in-person | 3.65% + S$0.50, plus 2% on foreign-currency transactions | Overseas shoppers |
GrabPay | Digital wallet | Online, in-person | 3% | Grab ecosystem users |
ShopeePay | Digital wallet | Online, in-person | 3% | Shopee ecosystem users |
Apple Pay / Google Pay | Wallet (card-backed) | In-person (NFC), online | Same as the underlying card | Tap-to-pay in-store |
PayLater by Grab | BNPL | Online, in-person | 5.5% | Increasing basket size |
SPayLater | BNPL | Online, in-person | 5% | Shopee buyers, instalments |
Atome | BNPL | Online, in-person | 5.5% | Fashion, beauty, lifestyle |
ShopBack | BNPL and cashback | Online, in-person | 3.9% + S$0.20 | ShopBack shoppers |
WeChat Pay | Cross-border wallet | Online, in-person | 1.5% | Chinese tourist and visitor spend |
UPI (via NIPL) | Cross-border | Online, in-person | 2% (1.5% in person) | Indian visitor spend |
Singapore payment methods compared: fees and use cases
Singapore businesses can accept a wide range of cashless payment methods. The table below covers the main categories, HitPay’s online and in-person fees from Singapore pricing, and the best-fit scenarios for each method.
Local payment methods
Method | Type | HitPay online fee | HitPay in-person fee | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
PayNow | Bank transfer (real-time) | 0.65% + S$0.30 (S$100 and above); 0.9%, min S$0.20 (below S$100) | 0.4%, min S$0.10 | All transaction sizes; lowest fee; zero chargeback risk |
GrabPay | E-wallet | 3% | 2.2% | Grab users; loyalty points spend |
ShopeePay | E-wallet | 3% | 1.8% | Shopee users; in-app reward spend |
Domestic Visa / Mastercard / Amex | Card | 2.8% + S$0.50 | 2.5% + S$0.50 | Online checkout; in-person card tap |
International cards | Card | 3.65% + S$0.50, plus 2% on foreign-currency transactions | 3.2% + S$0.50 | Overseas visitors; expats with foreign-issued cards |
Apple Pay / Google Pay | Card (tokenised) | Same as underlying card | Same as underlying card | Contactless; NFC in-person; mobile checkout |
Atome | BNPL | 5.5% | 5.5% | Split-pay; retail; AOV uplift |
ShopBack | BNPL and cashback | 3.9% + S$0.20 | 5% | ShopBack users |
PayLater by Grab | BNPL | 5.5% | 5% | Online and in-person instalment payments |
SPayLater | BNPL | 5% | 5% | Online and in-person; Shopee ecosystem users |
Note on Apple Pay / Google Pay: These are card tokenisation methods — they use the customer's linked Visa or Mastercard. The merchant fee is the same as for the underlying card (online: 2.8% + S$0.50 domestic, 3.65% + S$0.50 international; in person: 2.5% + S$0.50 and 3.2% + S$0.50). No separate setup is needed; Apple Pay and Google Pay appear automatically at checkout when cards are enabled.
Note on BNPL: Atome, ShopBack, PayLater by Grab and SPayLater all have online and in-person rates on Singapore pricing, as listed above.
All rates are per successful transaction. No monthly fee, no setup fee. Visit hitpayapp.com/sg/pricing for the current full rate card. Non-card payouts reach your HitPay Balance on T + 1 calendar day; card payouts start from T + 1 business day.
PayNow & QR payments
PayNow is Singapore’s national real-time fund transfer scheme, operated by the Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS). It enables instant transfers between all major Singapore bank accounts using a mobile number, NRIC/FIN, or business UEN — at no cost to the sender and at very low cost to the merchant.
For businesses, PayNow is the single most important local payment method to support. It is ubiquitous across Singapore: hawker stalls, F&B outlets, retail shops, service businesses, and e-commerce all rely on it. Payment is push-based — the customer initiates and authorises the transfer — which means zero chargeback risk for the merchant.
PayNow QR is the QR code format used to initiate a PayNow transfer. Display your QR at the counter or embed it in an online checkout, and customers scan and pay directly from their banking app. HitPay generates SGQR-compliant QR codes — the national standard set by MAS — meaning one QR accepts PayNow and other compatible payment schemes simultaneously.
HitPay charges 0.65% + S$0.30 for PayNow transactions of S$100 and above, and 0.9% (minimum S$0.20) for transactions below S$100 online. In person, PayNow is 0.4% (minimum S$0.10). No monthly fees, no setup fees.
Cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex)
Cards remain the dominant payment method for higher-value e-commerce and for customers who prefer to pay on credit or earn rewards points. Singapore has strong credit card penetration, and international shoppers — tourists and overseas buyers — rely heavily on cards.
Visa and Mastercard cover the vast majority of Singapore cardholders. Domestic card transactions on HitPay are charged at 2.8% + S$0.50. International cards — issued outside Singapore — are charged at 3.65% + S$0.50, plus 2% on foreign-currency transactions. In person, card rates are 2.5% + S$0.50 domestic and 3.2% + S$0.50 international.
American Express is accepted by HitPay at the same card rates, and is relevant for premium retail, corporate accounts, and travel businesses.
Cards also underpin Apple Pay and Google Pay: when a customer taps their phone at a terminal, the payment runs on the underlying card credential — so your card acceptance rate automatically covers these wallet methods.
3D Secure (3DS) authentication is built into HitPay’s card processing. This adds a layer of fraud protection and shifts liability for fraudulent transactions to the card issuer, protecting merchants from a significant category of chargeback. Accept cards with 3D Secure on the HitPay payment gateway →
Digital wallets (GrabPay, Apple Pay, Google Pay)
Digital wallets are a distinct payment category in Singapore, sitting between bank transfers and traditional cards. They are app-based, quick to use, and often tied to loyalty rewards — which drives strong repeat usage.
GrabPay is Singapore’s dominant super-app wallet, used by Grab’s large regional user base. Customers load funds or link a card to their GrabPay account. For merchants, GrabPay acceptance opens the door to Grab’s rewards-driven ecosystem, where users are often motivated to pay via Grab to earn GrabRewards points. HitPay supports GrabPay online (3%) and in person through the POS app (2.2%).
ShopeePay is Shopee’s integrated payment wallet, heavily used by the Shopee shopping platform’s user base. As with GrabPay, customers earn loyalty points for paying via ShopeePay. HitPay supports ShopeePay online (3%) and in person (1.8%).
Apple Pay and Google Pay are contactless wallet methods that use device-stored card credentials. They are accepted wherever your card terminals support NFC contactless payment — no separate integration required. For online checkout, both are supported via HitPay’s hosted payment page. These methods are particularly valued for their speed at the point of sale: no PIN entry required for many transactions.
Accept GrabPay, ShopeePay, Apple Pay and Google Pay at checkout: see the HitPay payment gateway →
BNPL (buy now, pay later) in Singapore
Buy now, pay later lets customers split a purchase into interest-free instalments, while the merchant receives the full payment amount upfront. BNPL consistently increases average order value (AOV) — particularly for fashion, electronics, home goods, and lifestyle purchases — because it reduces the perceived cost of higher-priced items.
HitPay supports four BNPL options in Singapore:
PayLater by Grab — Grab’s pay-later product, available through the Grab app. Customers pay in monthly instalments, and Grab handles the lending risk. Available online (5.5%) and in person through HitPay’s POS app (5%).
SPayLater (Shopee PayLater) — Shopee’s instalment product. Customers who shop via Shopee or have a SPayLater account can use it across HitPay-powered checkouts, both online and in-person, at 5%. Strong overlap with e-commerce buyers who are already in the Shopee ecosystem.
Atome — a standalone BNPL brand in Singapore and Malaysia that splits purchases into instalments for the buyer. Available online and in person via HitPay at 5.5%.
ShopBack — shoppers use ShopBack’s pay-later and cashback flows while you are paid through HitPay. Online ShopBack is 3.9% + S$0.20; in person it is 5%. Accept ShopBack with HitPay →
All BNPL options via HitPay are available through the same HitPay account and dashboard — no separate merchant agreements or integrations required. Enable any BNPL method under Payment Methods in your HitPay dashboard.
Offer buy now, pay later with HitPay →
Cross-border and international payment methods
Singapore’s position as a regional hub means many businesses serve international buyers: Chinese tourists, Indian professionals, regional e-commerce customers, and overseas B2B partners. Accepting local payment methods from these buyer groups — rather than forcing them to card payment — materially reduces friction.
WeChat Pay is the cross-border wallet most Chinese visitors use. HitPay charges 1.5% for WeChat Pay, online or in person.
UPI — India’s Unified Payments Interface — is increasingly relevant in Singapore, which has a large Indian-origin resident and visitor population. HitPay has a partnership with the National Payments Corporation of India’s international arm (NIPL) that enables UPI acceptance in Singapore, allowing Indian visitors to pay via UPI QR at HitPay-enabled merchants. UPI is 2% online and 1.5% in person through Borderless QR.
HitPay’s cross-border payments let Singapore businesses accept local methods from Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, India, Korea, China and Vietnam from a single merchant account. Funds settle in SGD, with a 1% FX markup at settlement. See HitPay cross-border payments →
Cross-border and tourist payment methods in Singapore
Singapore is one of Southeast Asia's most visited tourist destinations. Visitors from China, India, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam often arrive with a home-market e-wallet as their primary payment method. These customers may not have a Singapore bank account or card — and cannot use PayNow.
HitPay's Borderless QR displays a single QR code at your counter. International visitors scan it with their home wallet app — WeChat Pay, UPI, PromptPay, DuitNow, GCash or others — and pay in their home currency. You receive SGD, with a 1% FX markup at settlement. Most Borderless QR wallets are 1.5%; LINE Pay is 3.4% and ZaloPay and VietQR are 3.35%. There is no additional hardware and no separate QR code per wallet.
Wallet | Home market | HitPay fee (in person) | Who uses it in Singapore |
|---|---|---|---|
WeChat Pay | China | 1.5% | Chinese tourists, students, business visitors |
UPI | India | 1.5% | Indian expats, tourists, business visitors |
PromptPay | Thailand | 1.5% | Thai tourists, workers |
LINE Pay | Thailand | 3.4% | Thai tourists |
DuitNow | Malaysia | 1.5% | Malaysian day-trippers, visitors |
QR Ph / GCash | Philippines | 1.5% | Filipino residents, domestic workers, tourists |
ZaloPay / VietQR | Vietnam | 3.35% | Vietnamese tourists, workers |
Businesses that regularly serve international customers — F&B outlets, retail stores, salons, tourist attractions, hotels, and medical clinics — benefit most from enabling Borderless QR. It is a single setup that covers the full cross-border wallet suite.
For domestic customers, PayNow QR and GrabPay / ShopeePay continue to operate as normal on a separate channel — Borderless QR does not replace them.
How to accept all of them with HitPay
The operational challenge for most Singapore businesses is not knowing which payment methods to offer — it is managing multiple payment providers, separate reconciliation streams, and different settlement timelines. HitPay consolidates all of the above under one account, one dashboard, and one settlement cycle.
Single integration, all methods. Whether you are running a Shopify store, a WooCommerce site, or a custom-built platform, one HitPay integration enables PayNow, cards, GrabPay, ShopeePay, BNPL, and cross-border wallets. No separate merchant agreements per payment method.
Online checkout. For e-commerce, HitPay’s payment gateway presents all enabled payment methods to the customer at checkout. Customers choose what suits them — you collect the payment either way.
In-person payments. The HitPay POS app on Android or iOS turns any device into a payments terminal. Accept PayNow QR, contactless cards, GrabPay, ShopeePay, and BNPL — with per-transaction receipts and real-time reporting in the dashboard.
Payment links and invoices. For service businesses, freelancers, and anyone collecting payment remotely, HitPay payment links and invoices support all enabled payment methods. Share via WhatsApp, email, or SMS — no website required. See HitPay payment links →
Getting started:
Register at dashboard.hit-pay.com/register — no setup fee, no monthly fee
Complete business verification (UEN, ACRA registration, director ID)
Navigate to Payment Methods in your dashboard and enable the methods relevant to your business
Install the relevant plugin (Shopify, WooCommerce, Wix, etc.) if you run an online store
Download the HitPay POS app if you take in-person payments
Most Singapore businesses are accepting payments within 24 hours of signup.
See HitPay Singapore pricing → · Explore the HitPay payment gateway →
Related HitPay resources for Singapore businesses
Accept every Singapore payment method in one account
No monthly fees. No separate integrations per method. PayNow, cards, GrabPay, ShopeePay, BNPL, and cross-border wallets — all from one HitPay account.
Start accepting payments free →
Takes less than 10 minutes to sign up · Most businesses are live within 24 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular payment method in Singapore?
PayNow is the dominant payment method in Singapore by transaction volume for everyday and in-person payments. For e-commerce and higher-value transactions, Visa and Mastercard cards are the most widely used. GrabPay and ShopeePay are the leading digital wallets. Overall, Singapore consumers are multi-method — most businesses benefit from offering at least PayNow, cards, and one or two wallets.
Do I need to set up separate accounts for each payment method?
No — not if you use a payment gateway like HitPay. One HitPay account gives you access to PayNow, cards, GrabPay, ShopeePay, BNPL (Atome, PayLater by Grab, SPayLater, ShopBack), and cross-border wallets. You manage them from a single dashboard with one settlement flow.
What payment methods should a new Singapore e-commerce business prioritise?
Start with PayNow and cards (Visa, Mastercard) — these cover the majority of Singapore buyers across all demographics. Add GrabPay and ShopeePay for wallet users, and at least one BNPL option (Atome, PayLater by Grab, SPayLater or ShopBack) if you sell higher-value items. Cross-border wallets (WeChat Pay, UPI) are worth adding if you expect tourist or international visitor traffic.
Is PayNow or credit card cheaper for merchants?
PayNow is significantly cheaper. HitPay charges 0.65% + S$0.30 for online PayNow payments of S$100 and above (0.9%, minimum S$0.20, below S$100) versus 2.8% + S$0.50 for domestic card transactions. For a S$100 transaction, PayNow costs the merchant around S$0.95 compared to S$3.30 for a domestic card payment. PayNow also carries zero chargeback risk, reducing dispute-management overhead.
What BNPL options are available in Singapore?
HitPay supports four BNPL options in Singapore: Atome (5.5% online and in person), PayLater by Grab (5.5% online, 5% in person), SPayLater (5% online and in person) and ShopBack (3.9% + S$0.20 online, 5% in person). All four pay merchants the full transaction amount while customers pay in instalments.
Can I accept payments from Chinese tourists in Singapore?
Yes. HitPay supports WeChat Pay at 1.5%, online and in person. In store, HitPay’s Borderless QR shows one QR code that Chinese visitors scan with WeChat Pay to pay in their home currency, while you receive SGD.
Is Apple Pay available in Singapore?
Yes. Apple Pay is widely used in Singapore and works wherever NFC contactless card payment is accepted. HitPay card terminals support NFC, so customers can tap with their iPhone or Apple Watch. For online checkout, Apple Pay is supported via HitPay’s hosted payment page on Safari/iOS.
Does HitPay charge monthly fees for accepting multiple payment methods?
No. HitPay charges per transaction only — no monthly fee, no setup fee, no fee per payment method enabled. You pay only when a payment is successfully processed.
What payment methods should Singapore businesses accept in 2026?
At minimum: PayNow (lowest fee, zero chargeback risk), GrabPay, ShopeePay, Visa and Mastercard, and Apple Pay / Google Pay. Businesses serving higher-value purchases should also add at least one BNPL method — Atome, PayLater by Grab, SPayLater or ShopBack. Businesses with international customers should add WeChat Pay and UPI via Borderless QR. All of these can be enabled from a single HitPay account with no monthly fee.
What is the cheapest payment method for Singapore merchants?
PayNow is the lowest-cost payment method for Singapore businesses. HitPay charges 0.65% + S$0.30 for PayNow transactions of S$100 and above, and 0.9% (minimum S$0.20) for transactions below S$100; in person it is 0.4% (minimum S$0.10). PayNow is also a push-based payment — the customer initiates the transfer — so there is zero chargeback risk. Cards cost 2.8% + S$0.50 (domestic) and 3.65% + S$0.50 (international), with chargeback exposure.
What is the difference between PayNow, GrabPay, and ShopeePay?
PayNow is a direct bank-to-bank transfer using Singapore's FAST network — the customer pays from their bank account with no wallet balance needed. GrabPay and ShopeePay are e-wallets — customers hold a balance within the Grab or Shopee app and spend from it. PayNow has the lowest merchant fee; GrabPay and ShopeePay are higher but reach customers who prefer wallet-based spending and may earn in-app rewards on those platforms.
Can Singapore businesses accept WeChat Pay and UPI?
Yes. Singapore businesses can accept WeChat Pay (Chinese visitors), UPI (Indian visitors), and other international wallets through HitPay's Borderless QR. A single Borderless QR code at your counter covers WeChat Pay, UPI, PromptPay, DuitNow, GCash and other international wallets, most at 1.5%. Customers pay in their home currency; you receive SGD. No separate registration or hardware is needed per wallet.
Can I accept all Singapore payment methods from one provider?
Yes. HitPay lets Singapore businesses accept PayNow, GrabPay, ShopeePay, Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Apple Pay, Google Pay, all four BNPL options (Atome, ShopBack, PayLater by Grab, SPayLater), and the full cross-border Borderless QR wallet suite — from a single account. All transactions appear in one dashboard with unified reporting and a single payout to your Singapore bank account. No monthly fee applies.
Payment Methods in Singapore: What Your Business Should Accept (2026)
Author:
Steph T.
Last Updated:
Singapore has one of the most sophisticated payment landscapes in Southeast Asia. Consumers move fluidly between PayNow, contactless cards, digital wallets, and buy-now-pay-later — often switching method by channel and context. Getting the mix right is not just a convenience issue; it directly af…
Quick Answer: HitPay lets Singapore businesses accept PayNow, Visa, Mastercard and American Express cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, GrabPay, ShopeePay, four buy now, pay later options (Atome, PayLater by Grab, SPayLater and ShopBack), WeChat Pay and UPI from one account. Online fees start at 0.65% + S$0.30 for PayNow on payments of S$100 and above, and 2.8% + S$0.50 for domestic cards, with no setup fee and no monthly fee. HitPay is licensed by MAS as a Major Payment Institution (PS20200643). To start, sign up free, verify your business, and turn on the methods you want under Payment Methods in the dashboard.
Singapore has one of the most sophisticated payment landscapes in Southeast Asia. Consumers move fluidly between PayNow, contactless cards, digital wallets, and buy-now-pay-later — often switching method by channel and context. Getting the mix right is not just a convenience issue; it directly affects conversion rates and average order value.
This guide covers every major payment method in the Singapore market in 2026: how each works, who uses it, what it costs merchants, and how to accept them all without running multiple payment providers.
Most popular payment methods in Singapore
Singapore’s most popular payment methods in 2026 are PayNow (the national real-time bank transfer network), Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards, GrabPay and ShopeePay digital wallets, Apple Pay and Google Pay (which sit on top of the card network), and buy-now-pay-later options including PayLater by Grab, SPayLater, Atome and ShopBack. PayNow dominates in-person retail and small transactions. Cards dominate higher-value e-commerce. Wallets and BNPL are growing fastest among younger, mobile-first consumers.
The table below summarises the main payment methods in Singapore by type, HitPay’s online fee from Singapore pricing, and best use case.
Payment method | Type | Accepted where | HitPay online fee | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
PayNow | Real-time bank transfer | Online, in-person, invoices | 0.65% + S$0.30 (S$100 and above); 0.9%, min S$0.20 (below S$100) | Low-cost everyday transactions |
Visa / Mastercard / Amex | Card (domestic) | Online, in-person, recurring | 2.8% + S$0.50 | E-commerce, high-value retail |
Visa / Mastercard / Amex / UnionPay | Card (international) | Online, in-person | 3.65% + S$0.50, plus 2% on foreign-currency transactions | Overseas shoppers |
GrabPay | Digital wallet | Online, in-person | 3% | Grab ecosystem users |
ShopeePay | Digital wallet | Online, in-person | 3% | Shopee ecosystem users |
Apple Pay / Google Pay | Wallet (card-backed) | In-person (NFC), online | Same as the underlying card | Tap-to-pay in-store |
PayLater by Grab | BNPL | Online, in-person | 5.5% | Increasing basket size |
SPayLater | BNPL | Online, in-person | 5% | Shopee buyers, instalments |
Atome | BNPL | Online, in-person | 5.5% | Fashion, beauty, lifestyle |
ShopBack | BNPL and cashback | Online, in-person | 3.9% + S$0.20 | ShopBack shoppers |
WeChat Pay | Cross-border wallet | Online, in-person | 1.5% | Chinese tourist and visitor spend |
UPI (via NIPL) | Cross-border | Online, in-person | 2% (1.5% in person) | Indian visitor spend |
Singapore payment methods compared: fees and use cases
Singapore businesses can accept a wide range of cashless payment methods. The table below covers the main categories, HitPay’s online and in-person fees from Singapore pricing, and the best-fit scenarios for each method.
Local payment methods
Method | Type | HitPay online fee | HitPay in-person fee | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
PayNow | Bank transfer (real-time) | 0.65% + S$0.30 (S$100 and above); 0.9%, min S$0.20 (below S$100) | 0.4%, min S$0.10 | All transaction sizes; lowest fee; zero chargeback risk |
GrabPay | E-wallet | 3% | 2.2% | Grab users; loyalty points spend |
ShopeePay | E-wallet | 3% | 1.8% | Shopee users; in-app reward spend |
Domestic Visa / Mastercard / Amex | Card | 2.8% + S$0.50 | 2.5% + S$0.50 | Online checkout; in-person card tap |
International cards | Card | 3.65% + S$0.50, plus 2% on foreign-currency transactions | 3.2% + S$0.50 | Overseas visitors; expats with foreign-issued cards |
Apple Pay / Google Pay | Card (tokenised) | Same as underlying card | Same as underlying card | Contactless; NFC in-person; mobile checkout |
Atome | BNPL | 5.5% | 5.5% | Split-pay; retail; AOV uplift |
ShopBack | BNPL and cashback | 3.9% + S$0.20 | 5% | ShopBack users |
PayLater by Grab | BNPL | 5.5% | 5% | Online and in-person instalment payments |
SPayLater | BNPL | 5% | 5% | Online and in-person; Shopee ecosystem users |
Note on Apple Pay / Google Pay: These are card tokenisation methods — they use the customer's linked Visa or Mastercard. The merchant fee is the same as for the underlying card (online: 2.8% + S$0.50 domestic, 3.65% + S$0.50 international; in person: 2.5% + S$0.50 and 3.2% + S$0.50). No separate setup is needed; Apple Pay and Google Pay appear automatically at checkout when cards are enabled.
Note on BNPL: Atome, ShopBack, PayLater by Grab and SPayLater all have online and in-person rates on Singapore pricing, as listed above.
All rates are per successful transaction. No monthly fee, no setup fee. Visit hitpayapp.com/sg/pricing for the current full rate card. Non-card payouts reach your HitPay Balance on T + 1 calendar day; card payouts start from T + 1 business day.
PayNow & QR payments
PayNow is Singapore’s national real-time fund transfer scheme, operated by the Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS). It enables instant transfers between all major Singapore bank accounts using a mobile number, NRIC/FIN, or business UEN — at no cost to the sender and at very low cost to the merchant.
For businesses, PayNow is the single most important local payment method to support. It is ubiquitous across Singapore: hawker stalls, F&B outlets, retail shops, service businesses, and e-commerce all rely on it. Payment is push-based — the customer initiates and authorises the transfer — which means zero chargeback risk for the merchant.
PayNow QR is the QR code format used to initiate a PayNow transfer. Display your QR at the counter or embed it in an online checkout, and customers scan and pay directly from their banking app. HitPay generates SGQR-compliant QR codes — the national standard set by MAS — meaning one QR accepts PayNow and other compatible payment schemes simultaneously.
HitPay charges 0.65% + S$0.30 for PayNow transactions of S$100 and above, and 0.9% (minimum S$0.20) for transactions below S$100 online. In person, PayNow is 0.4% (minimum S$0.10). No monthly fees, no setup fees.
Cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex)
Cards remain the dominant payment method for higher-value e-commerce and for customers who prefer to pay on credit or earn rewards points. Singapore has strong credit card penetration, and international shoppers — tourists and overseas buyers — rely heavily on cards.
Visa and Mastercard cover the vast majority of Singapore cardholders. Domestic card transactions on HitPay are charged at 2.8% + S$0.50. International cards — issued outside Singapore — are charged at 3.65% + S$0.50, plus 2% on foreign-currency transactions. In person, card rates are 2.5% + S$0.50 domestic and 3.2% + S$0.50 international.
American Express is accepted by HitPay at the same card rates, and is relevant for premium retail, corporate accounts, and travel businesses.
Cards also underpin Apple Pay and Google Pay: when a customer taps their phone at a terminal, the payment runs on the underlying card credential — so your card acceptance rate automatically covers these wallet methods.
3D Secure (3DS) authentication is built into HitPay’s card processing. This adds a layer of fraud protection and shifts liability for fraudulent transactions to the card issuer, protecting merchants from a significant category of chargeback. Accept cards with 3D Secure on the HitPay payment gateway →
Digital wallets (GrabPay, Apple Pay, Google Pay)
Digital wallets are a distinct payment category in Singapore, sitting between bank transfers and traditional cards. They are app-based, quick to use, and often tied to loyalty rewards — which drives strong repeat usage.
GrabPay is Singapore’s dominant super-app wallet, used by Grab’s large regional user base. Customers load funds or link a card to their GrabPay account. For merchants, GrabPay acceptance opens the door to Grab’s rewards-driven ecosystem, where users are often motivated to pay via Grab to earn GrabRewards points. HitPay supports GrabPay online (3%) and in person through the POS app (2.2%).
ShopeePay is Shopee’s integrated payment wallet, heavily used by the Shopee shopping platform’s user base. As with GrabPay, customers earn loyalty points for paying via ShopeePay. HitPay supports ShopeePay online (3%) and in person (1.8%).
Apple Pay and Google Pay are contactless wallet methods that use device-stored card credentials. They are accepted wherever your card terminals support NFC contactless payment — no separate integration required. For online checkout, both are supported via HitPay’s hosted payment page. These methods are particularly valued for their speed at the point of sale: no PIN entry required for many transactions.
Accept GrabPay, ShopeePay, Apple Pay and Google Pay at checkout: see the HitPay payment gateway →
BNPL (buy now, pay later) in Singapore
Buy now, pay later lets customers split a purchase into interest-free instalments, while the merchant receives the full payment amount upfront. BNPL consistently increases average order value (AOV) — particularly for fashion, electronics, home goods, and lifestyle purchases — because it reduces the perceived cost of higher-priced items.
HitPay supports four BNPL options in Singapore:
PayLater by Grab — Grab’s pay-later product, available through the Grab app. Customers pay in monthly instalments, and Grab handles the lending risk. Available online (5.5%) and in person through HitPay’s POS app (5%).
SPayLater (Shopee PayLater) — Shopee’s instalment product. Customers who shop via Shopee or have a SPayLater account can use it across HitPay-powered checkouts, both online and in-person, at 5%. Strong overlap with e-commerce buyers who are already in the Shopee ecosystem.
Atome — a standalone BNPL brand in Singapore and Malaysia that splits purchases into instalments for the buyer. Available online and in person via HitPay at 5.5%.
ShopBack — shoppers use ShopBack’s pay-later and cashback flows while you are paid through HitPay. Online ShopBack is 3.9% + S$0.20; in person it is 5%. Accept ShopBack with HitPay →
All BNPL options via HitPay are available through the same HitPay account and dashboard — no separate merchant agreements or integrations required. Enable any BNPL method under Payment Methods in your HitPay dashboard.
Offer buy now, pay later with HitPay →
Cross-border and international payment methods
Singapore’s position as a regional hub means many businesses serve international buyers: Chinese tourists, Indian professionals, regional e-commerce customers, and overseas B2B partners. Accepting local payment methods from these buyer groups — rather than forcing them to card payment — materially reduces friction.
WeChat Pay is the cross-border wallet most Chinese visitors use. HitPay charges 1.5% for WeChat Pay, online or in person.
UPI — India’s Unified Payments Interface — is increasingly relevant in Singapore, which has a large Indian-origin resident and visitor population. HitPay has a partnership with the National Payments Corporation of India’s international arm (NIPL) that enables UPI acceptance in Singapore, allowing Indian visitors to pay via UPI QR at HitPay-enabled merchants. UPI is 2% online and 1.5% in person through Borderless QR.
HitPay’s cross-border payments let Singapore businesses accept local methods from Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, India, Korea, China and Vietnam from a single merchant account. Funds settle in SGD, with a 1% FX markup at settlement. See HitPay cross-border payments →
Cross-border and tourist payment methods in Singapore
Singapore is one of Southeast Asia's most visited tourist destinations. Visitors from China, India, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam often arrive with a home-market e-wallet as their primary payment method. These customers may not have a Singapore bank account or card — and cannot use PayNow.
HitPay's Borderless QR displays a single QR code at your counter. International visitors scan it with their home wallet app — WeChat Pay, UPI, PromptPay, DuitNow, GCash or others — and pay in their home currency. You receive SGD, with a 1% FX markup at settlement. Most Borderless QR wallets are 1.5%; LINE Pay is 3.4% and ZaloPay and VietQR are 3.35%. There is no additional hardware and no separate QR code per wallet.
Wallet | Home market | HitPay fee (in person) | Who uses it in Singapore |
|---|---|---|---|
WeChat Pay | China | 1.5% | Chinese tourists, students, business visitors |
UPI | India | 1.5% | Indian expats, tourists, business visitors |
PromptPay | Thailand | 1.5% | Thai tourists, workers |
LINE Pay | Thailand | 3.4% | Thai tourists |
DuitNow | Malaysia | 1.5% | Malaysian day-trippers, visitors |
QR Ph / GCash | Philippines | 1.5% | Filipino residents, domestic workers, tourists |
ZaloPay / VietQR | Vietnam | 3.35% | Vietnamese tourists, workers |
Businesses that regularly serve international customers — F&B outlets, retail stores, salons, tourist attractions, hotels, and medical clinics — benefit most from enabling Borderless QR. It is a single setup that covers the full cross-border wallet suite.
For domestic customers, PayNow QR and GrabPay / ShopeePay continue to operate as normal on a separate channel — Borderless QR does not replace them.
How to accept all of them with HitPay
The operational challenge for most Singapore businesses is not knowing which payment methods to offer — it is managing multiple payment providers, separate reconciliation streams, and different settlement timelines. HitPay consolidates all of the above under one account, one dashboard, and one settlement cycle.
Single integration, all methods. Whether you are running a Shopify store, a WooCommerce site, or a custom-built platform, one HitPay integration enables PayNow, cards, GrabPay, ShopeePay, BNPL, and cross-border wallets. No separate merchant agreements per payment method.
Online checkout. For e-commerce, HitPay’s payment gateway presents all enabled payment methods to the customer at checkout. Customers choose what suits them — you collect the payment either way.
In-person payments. The HitPay POS app on Android or iOS turns any device into a payments terminal. Accept PayNow QR, contactless cards, GrabPay, ShopeePay, and BNPL — with per-transaction receipts and real-time reporting in the dashboard.
Payment links and invoices. For service businesses, freelancers, and anyone collecting payment remotely, HitPay payment links and invoices support all enabled payment methods. Share via WhatsApp, email, or SMS — no website required. See HitPay payment links →
Getting started:
Register at dashboard.hit-pay.com/register — no setup fee, no monthly fee
Complete business verification (UEN, ACRA registration, director ID)
Navigate to Payment Methods in your dashboard and enable the methods relevant to your business
Install the relevant plugin (Shopify, WooCommerce, Wix, etc.) if you run an online store
Download the HitPay POS app if you take in-person payments
Most Singapore businesses are accepting payments within 24 hours of signup.
See HitPay Singapore pricing → · Explore the HitPay payment gateway →
Related HitPay resources for Singapore businesses
Accept every Singapore payment method in one account
No monthly fees. No separate integrations per method. PayNow, cards, GrabPay, ShopeePay, BNPL, and cross-border wallets — all from one HitPay account.
Start accepting payments free →
Takes less than 10 minutes to sign up · Most businesses are live within 24 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular payment method in Singapore?
PayNow is the dominant payment method in Singapore by transaction volume for everyday and in-person payments. For e-commerce and higher-value transactions, Visa and Mastercard cards are the most widely used. GrabPay and ShopeePay are the leading digital wallets. Overall, Singapore consumers are multi-method — most businesses benefit from offering at least PayNow, cards, and one or two wallets.
Do I need to set up separate accounts for each payment method?
No — not if you use a payment gateway like HitPay. One HitPay account gives you access to PayNow, cards, GrabPay, ShopeePay, BNPL (Atome, PayLater by Grab, SPayLater, ShopBack), and cross-border wallets. You manage them from a single dashboard with one settlement flow.
What payment methods should a new Singapore e-commerce business prioritise?
Start with PayNow and cards (Visa, Mastercard) — these cover the majority of Singapore buyers across all demographics. Add GrabPay and ShopeePay for wallet users, and at least one BNPL option (Atome, PayLater by Grab, SPayLater or ShopBack) if you sell higher-value items. Cross-border wallets (WeChat Pay, UPI) are worth adding if you expect tourist or international visitor traffic.
Is PayNow or credit card cheaper for merchants?
PayNow is significantly cheaper. HitPay charges 0.65% + S$0.30 for online PayNow payments of S$100 and above (0.9%, minimum S$0.20, below S$100) versus 2.8% + S$0.50 for domestic card transactions. For a S$100 transaction, PayNow costs the merchant around S$0.95 compared to S$3.30 for a domestic card payment. PayNow also carries zero chargeback risk, reducing dispute-management overhead.
What BNPL options are available in Singapore?
HitPay supports four BNPL options in Singapore: Atome (5.5% online and in person), PayLater by Grab (5.5% online, 5% in person), SPayLater (5% online and in person) and ShopBack (3.9% + S$0.20 online, 5% in person). All four pay merchants the full transaction amount while customers pay in instalments.
Can I accept payments from Chinese tourists in Singapore?
Yes. HitPay supports WeChat Pay at 1.5%, online and in person. In store, HitPay’s Borderless QR shows one QR code that Chinese visitors scan with WeChat Pay to pay in their home currency, while you receive SGD.
Is Apple Pay available in Singapore?
Yes. Apple Pay is widely used in Singapore and works wherever NFC contactless card payment is accepted. HitPay card terminals support NFC, so customers can tap with their iPhone or Apple Watch. For online checkout, Apple Pay is supported via HitPay’s hosted payment page on Safari/iOS.
Does HitPay charge monthly fees for accepting multiple payment methods?
No. HitPay charges per transaction only — no monthly fee, no setup fee, no fee per payment method enabled. You pay only when a payment is successfully processed.
What payment methods should Singapore businesses accept in 2026?
At minimum: PayNow (lowest fee, zero chargeback risk), GrabPay, ShopeePay, Visa and Mastercard, and Apple Pay / Google Pay. Businesses serving higher-value purchases should also add at least one BNPL method — Atome, PayLater by Grab, SPayLater or ShopBack. Businesses with international customers should add WeChat Pay and UPI via Borderless QR. All of these can be enabled from a single HitPay account with no monthly fee.
What is the cheapest payment method for Singapore merchants?
PayNow is the lowest-cost payment method for Singapore businesses. HitPay charges 0.65% + S$0.30 for PayNow transactions of S$100 and above, and 0.9% (minimum S$0.20) for transactions below S$100; in person it is 0.4% (minimum S$0.10). PayNow is also a push-based payment — the customer initiates the transfer — so there is zero chargeback risk. Cards cost 2.8% + S$0.50 (domestic) and 3.65% + S$0.50 (international), with chargeback exposure.
What is the difference between PayNow, GrabPay, and ShopeePay?
PayNow is a direct bank-to-bank transfer using Singapore's FAST network — the customer pays from their bank account with no wallet balance needed. GrabPay and ShopeePay are e-wallets — customers hold a balance within the Grab or Shopee app and spend from it. PayNow has the lowest merchant fee; GrabPay and ShopeePay are higher but reach customers who prefer wallet-based spending and may earn in-app rewards on those platforms.
Can Singapore businesses accept WeChat Pay and UPI?
Yes. Singapore businesses can accept WeChat Pay (Chinese visitors), UPI (Indian visitors), and other international wallets through HitPay's Borderless QR. A single Borderless QR code at your counter covers WeChat Pay, UPI, PromptPay, DuitNow, GCash and other international wallets, most at 1.5%. Customers pay in their home currency; you receive SGD. No separate registration or hardware is needed per wallet.
Can I accept all Singapore payment methods from one provider?
Yes. HitPay lets Singapore businesses accept PayNow, GrabPay, ShopeePay, Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Apple Pay, Google Pay, all four BNPL options (Atome, ShopBack, PayLater by Grab, SPayLater), and the full cross-border Borderless QR wallet suite — from a single account. All transactions appear in one dashboard with unified reporting and a single payout to your Singapore bank account. No monthly fee applies.
Ready to apply what you just read?
Turn payment insights into action with HitPay’s online and in-person payment tools for growing businesses.
Ready to apply what you just read?
Turn payment insights into action with HitPay’s online and in-person payment tools for growing businesses.
Ready to apply what you just read?
Turn payment insights into action with HitPay’s online and in-person payment tools for growing businesses.
Ready to apply what you just read?
Turn payment insights into action with HitPay’s online and in-person payment tools for growing businesses.
Ready to apply what you just read?
Turn payment insights into action with HitPay’s online and in-person payment tools for growing businesses.