Pay With Link is a payment method that lets customers pay invoices or bills by clicking a link instead of entering card details
Pay With Link is a feature that generates a unique payment link for each transaction. When you send that link to a customer — by email, text, or any other channel — they click it and land on a payment page where they enter their card information once. The payment processes immediately, and both you and the customer get a confirmation.
The core difference from traditional invoicing is that the customer never has to log into a portal, download a PDF, or copy a reference number. They receive a link, click it, and pay. For merchants, it reduces the friction that causes invoices to go unpaid.
Pay With Link is offered by most major payment processors, including Square, Stripe, PayPal, and others. Each processor implements it slightly differently, but the basic flow is the same: you generate a link, share it, the customer pays through it.
Key Takeaways
- Pay With Link sends customers a unique URL that takes them directly to a payment page, eliminating the need to enter your business details or reference numbers.
- The payment page is hosted by your payment processor, not by you, so you do not have to build or maintain it yourself.
- Customers can pay from any device with a web browser, and most processors let them save their card for faster checkout next time.
- You can customize the payment page with your logo and business name, so it looks like it belongs to your company.
- Payment links typically expire after a set period — usually 30 to 90 days — so old links will not process payments indefinitely.
How Pay With Link differs from other payment methods
A traditional invoice requires the customer to manually enter your business name, invoice number, and amount into their bank's bill pay system or your payment portal. With Pay With Link, all that information is already embedded in the link — the customer just clicks and pays.
A payment form on your website requires you to host and maintain the form yourself, handle security compliance, and troubleshoot technical issues. A Pay With Link page is hosted by your payment processor, so they handle the security and uptime. You just generate the link and send it.
A QR code works similarly to Pay With Link in that it is a single click to payment, but it requires the customer to have a camera and a QR reader. A payment link works on any device with a browser and does not require any special app or hardware.
When Pay With Link makes sense for your business
Pay With Link works best when you send invoices to customers who are not in your system yet or who do not log into a portal regularly. A plumber sending an invoice after a job, a freelancer billing a one-time client, or a small business collecting a deposit all benefit from the simplicity of a single link.
It also reduces payment delays. Studies from payment processors show that invoices with payment links have higher and faster payment rates than traditional invoices, because the customer removes one step from the process. If you are waiting on unpaid invoices, adding a payment link can speed up collection.
Pay With Link is less useful if you have a large number of recurring customers who already log into your system regularly. In that case, a subscription or standing order through your payment processor may be more efficient than sending a new link each month.
What information you need to generate a Pay With Link
At minimum, you need the amount the customer owes. Most processors also let you add a description of what the payment is for — "Invoice #1234" or "Deposit for kitchen remodel" — so the customer knows what they are paying.
You can usually add the customer's email address so the processor sends them the link automatically. You can also add your logo and business name so the payment page is branded. Some processors let you add custom fields, like a project number or customer reference, that the customer sees on the payment page.
You do not need the customer's card details upfront. They enter those on the payment page when they click the link.
Security and fraud protection with Pay With Link
Because the payment page is hosted by your processor, not by you, the processor handles the security compliance. They encrypt the card data, follow PCI standards, and manage fraud detection. You do not have to worry about storing card information or meeting compliance requirements yourself.
Most processors also let you set rules for payment links — for example, you can limit a link to a specific amount so a customer cannot pay more than you invoiced, or set an expiration date so the link stops working after 30 days. These controls reduce the risk of accidental overpayment or unauthorized use of an old link.
If a customer disputes a payment made through a Pay With Link, the processor handles the chargeback investigation just as they would for any other card payment. You have the same dispute protections and documentation as you would with a traditional payment.
Customization and branding options
Most processors let you add your logo, business name, and a custom message to the payment page. This makes the page feel like part of your business rather than a generic payment processor page, which can increase customer confidence.
Some processors also let you choose the colors, add a custom domain (so the link says your-business.com instead of processor.com), or include your terms and conditions on the page. The level of customization varies by processor and plan.
You can usually preview the payment page before you send the link to a customer, so you can see exactly what they will see and make sure the branding is correct.
Fees and costs for Pay With Link
Pay With Link itself is not a separate product with its own fee. It is a feature included with your payment processor account. You pay the same transaction fee for a payment made through a Pay With Link as you would for any other card payment — typically 2.2% to 3% plus a per-transaction fee, though rates vary by processor and plan.
Some processors charge a small monthly fee for access to advanced features like custom domains or additional customization, but basic Pay With Link generation is usually included in any standard merchant account.
If you send the link by email yourself, there is no cost. If you use the processor's built-in email feature to send the link automatically, some processors include that at no extra charge, while others may charge a small fee per email sent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a customer pay with Pay With Link if they do not have a credit card?
Most payment processors that offer Pay With Link also let customers pay with debit cards, digital wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay, and sometimes bank transfers or other local payment methods. The exact options depend on your processor and the customer's location. Check your processor's documentation to see what payment methods are available on your payment links.
What happens if a customer clicks a Pay With Link after it expires?
The link will show an error message saying the payment link is no longer valid. The customer cannot pay through it. If you need them to pay, you will have to generate a new link and send it to them. This is why it is a good idea to set expiration dates that give customers enough time to pay — usually 30 to 90 days.
Can I see which customers have clicked the link but not paid yet?
Most processors show you the status of each payment link in your dashboard — whether it has been paid, is pending, or has not been opened yet. Some processors also let you see when the link was clicked and from what device, which can help you follow up with customers who viewed the link but did not complete the payment.
Do I have to use my processor's email to send the link, or can I send it myself?
You can send the link however you want — email, text, social media, or any other channel. The link will work the same way regardless of how the customer receives it. Using your processor's built-in email feature can be faster if you are sending many links at once, but it is not required.