Which Payment Methods Do Singapore Businesses Need to Accept?
Singapore consumers are among the most digitally savvy in Southeast Asia, and their payment preferences reflect that. A business that only accepts bank transfers, for example, will lose customers who prefer to tap their phone or scan a QR code at checkout.
To cover the widest range of customers, most Singapore businesses should aim to accept at minimum: major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard), a local instant-payment option (PayNow), and at least one mobile wallet (Apple Pay or Google Pay). Businesses with an international customer base — especially those serving travellers or cross-border shoppers — should also consider American Express, JCB, and UnionPay, which are widely used across Asia.
The good news is that setting up multiple payment methods no longer requires multiple providers. A well-designed all-in-one payment platform handles all of these through a single integration, so you spend less time on technical plumbing and more time on growing your business. ONE offers exactly this: one platform that handles cards, wallets, and local payments together.
Cards and Mobile Wallets: Visa, Mastercard, Amex, JCB, UnionPay, Apple Pay & Google Pay
Card payments remain the backbone of online commerce in Singapore. ONE supports all major card networks: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, and UnionPay — giving you coverage across domestic cardholders as well as international visitors and cross-border shoppers from China, Japan, and beyond.
For contactless and mobile wallet payments, ONE also supports Apple Pay and Google Pay, which are increasingly popular among younger Singaporean consumers who prefer to pay with their smartphone rather than a physical card.
Pricing for card and wallet payments:
- Domestic cards (Singapore-issued): 2.7% + USD 0.50 per transaction
- International cards: 3.4% + USD 0.50 per transaction (the additional 0.7% covers cross-border processing)
- Foreign currency transactions carry a 1.00% FX markup above the interbank rate
There is no setup fee and no monthly fee. For businesses processing higher volumes, volume discounts are available — reach out to the ONE team to discuss your situation. ONE supports transactions in 13 currencies including SGD, USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, JPY, and more, making it a cost-effective choice for businesses with an international customer base.
PayNow: Singapore's Preferred Local Payment Method
PayNow is Singapore's national real-time payment rail, linked to NRIC, mobile numbers, and UEN (Unique Entity Number). It is one of the most widely adopted payment methods in Singapore, used by millions of consumers for everyday transactions — from hawker centres to online shopping. For local businesses, offering PayNow at checkout signals trust and reduces the friction that sometimes comes with entering card details.
From a business perspective, PayNow is attractive because it supports instant settlement. Customers scan a QR code (or click a payment link on mobile) and funds transfer directly from their bank account. There is no card network involved, which means lower processing costs: local transfers via ONE are charged at a flat USD 2.00 per transaction, making it particularly cost-effective for higher-value purchases compared to percentage-based card fees.
Accepting PayNow through ONE requires no extra integration. When you set up your ONE account, PayNow is available alongside your card and wallet options through the same dashboard. You can display a QR code on your checkout page, in an invoice, or via a payment link — whichever fits your workflow best. It is an essential method for any Singapore-based business selling to local customers.
Integration Options: Payment Links, Hosted Checkout, and REST API
ONE offers three integration paths so businesses can choose the approach that fits their technical setup and speed-to-launch goals.
Payment links are the fastest option — no code required. You create a link in the ONE dashboard, share it with your customer via email, WhatsApp, or invoice, and they pay through a secure hosted page. Payment links are ideal for service businesses, freelancers, or anyone who needs to collect payment quickly without a full e-commerce setup.
Hosted checkout is the right choice for most online stores. You embed a pre-built, ONE-hosted payment page into your checkout flow. It handles the payment UI, card validation, and 3DS authentication on your behalf, which simplifies PCI compliance. The customer experience is smooth and branded, while your development team avoids the complexity of building payment forms from scratch.
REST API gives you full control. If you need a deeply custom checkout experience — say, a native mobile app or a complex multi-step flow — the ONE API lets you build exactly what you need while ONE handles the processing on the backend. This option requires a developer and more integration time, but gives maximum flexibility.
Not sure which to choose? Start with hosted checkout. You can always migrate to the API later as your needs grow, without changing your account or pricing.
Why an All-in-One Platform Simplifies Payments for Your Business
Managing payments through multiple providers creates unnecessary complexity. You end up with separate dashboards, separate reconciliation exports, separate support contacts, and separate integration codebases. When a dispute arises or a payout looks wrong, figuring out which provider to call wastes time and adds stress.
An all-in-one platform like ONE consolidates everything: cards, mobile wallets, PayNow, payment links, and hosted checkout — all visible in a single dashboard with unified reporting. Reconciliation becomes straightforward because every transaction, regardless of method, appears in one place. Settlement is predictable. Customer support is centralised.
For growing businesses, there is also a commercial benefit. Accepting more payment methods improves checkout conversion — customers are less likely to abandon a cart when their preferred method is available. And because ONE handles omni-channel payments (online, mobile, invoicing), you can expand to new sales channels without switching platforms.
Cost-effective pricing with no setup fee and no monthly subscription means you are not paying for capacity you do not use. You pay per transaction, your costs scale with your revenue, and volume discounts are available as you grow. For Singapore businesses looking to simplify payments without sacrificing coverage, an all-in-one approach is the practical choice.
Important Information
Regulated payment services are provided by Airwallex (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., a MAS-licensed Major Payment Institution under the Payment Services Act 2019. ONE Payments acts as a technology provider and merchant service facilitator.
ONE Payments Pte. Ltd. (UEN 202324291R) is a company registered in Singapore that operates as a technology and merchant services platform. The capabilities described on this page are provided by ONE Payments to help businesses understand the payment solutions available through the platform. Actual payment processing, fund holding, and settlement are carried out by our licensed and regulated partner. The information on this page is provided as general guidance only and does not constitute financial, legal, or regulatory advice. Pricing details are indicative and you should confirm the latest rates and terms with the ONE Payments team when onboarding. For questions about your specific situation, please contact the ONE Payments team directly.