What is WeChat Pay, and how does it work?
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WeChat Pay is a mobile payment solution launched by Tencent as part of its WeChat ecosystem, China’s most widely used messaging and lifestyle app.
With over 1 billion active users, WeChat Pay enables customers to pay in the most secure way, that’s why it is indispensable for both users and merchants in China and abroad.
Whether you’re an overseas merchant with a Chinese customer base or an e-commerce merchant selling internationally, this guide walks you through everything you need to know about WeChat Pay, why it is so popular, how it works online and in-store, its advantages, and how to integrate it in your business as an overseas merchant.
What is WeChat Pay?
WeChat Pay is a digital wallet built directly into the WeChat App.
Linked to the user’s bank account, it allows them to perform nearly every financial task imaginable, such as: paying for meals, shopping online, splitting bills with friends, settling utility charges, paying for taxi rides and public transportation, paying the small street food stall merchant and much more. All done without cash or cards, using just a simple QR code scan.
By integrating payment capabilities into the already deeply embedded WeChat app, WeChat Pay offers a frictionless experience that fits naturally into users’ everyday interactions.
WeChat Pay Statistics stated that almost 60% of users open the app 9 to 11 times per day. And 21% of users check WeChat over 50 times a day.
How did WeChat Pay become a payment giant in China?
Initially introduced as a peer-to-peer transfer tool in 2013, WeChat Pay quickly gained popularity for its convenience, speed, and especially trust. Over time, it evolved into a complete payment system, enabling consumers to scan QR codes to pay in stores, top up transit cards, pay bills, and even access financial services.
WeChat is more than just a messaging app, it’s a powerful digital ecosystem that combines communication, social media, and commerce. WeChat Pay's success is largely due to its deep integration with this ecosystem.
Businesses can create mini-programs (in-app e-shops), publish content and interact with followers through official accounts (similar to branded social media pages), and engage users via social features like red packets (Hongbao), digital versions of traditional cash gifts. These tools make it easy for merchants to attract, engage, and convert customers within the app, helping WeChat Pay become the dominant payment method in China.
Why is WeChat Pay so popular in China?
While the adoption of credit cards has remained relatively low in China, the rise of smartphones and digital infrastructure paved the way for QR code–based mobile payments.
WeChat Pay succeeded thanks to:
Convenience: One app does it all
Low setup cost for merchants: All you need is a QR code, no hardware required
Strong integration: Embedded in China’s most-used social platform
User habit: Chinese customers are used to fast checkouts and paying instantly
Government support: Encouragement of digital transformation and contactless society
From street food vendors to luxury malls, WeChat Pay is accepted everywhere.
How does the payment via WeChat pay work?
Payments via WeChat Pay are based on QR code technology and can be initiated in two ways: either the customer scans the merchant's QR code, or the merchant scans the customer's in-app payment code.
In both cases, the transaction is authorized instantly, with all payment data encrypted to ensure security.
WeChat Pay can be used across multiple channels:
In physical stores, our merchants can accept it through POS terminals (Such as the PAX A920Pro), Printed QR codes, or the Silkpay app.
For online transactions, our merchants can integrate WeChat Pay via API, Prestashop or WooCommerce plugins, or PaybyLink.
Additionally, businesses operating within the WeChat ecosystem can offer payments directly through their mini programs, providing a frictionless in-app checkout experience.
How is WeChat Pay adopted outside of China?
Mobile wallets like WeChat Pay are the preferred method of payment for Chinese travelers and also residents abroad.
In 2025, over 1 billion Chinese users used mobile payments. With the resurgence of outbound travel, WeChat Pay’s usage abroad is soaring.
Popular destinations like France, Italy, Spain, Singapore, and Australia have embraced WeChat Pay to cater to Chinese tourists.
The ease of use and familiarity of the interface make it the go-to option for travelers.
By accepting WeChat Pay, merchants can significantly increase satisfaction and spending from Chinese customers, just as they would in their home country.
WeChat Pay is key to cross-border sales
Even when they can’t travel, Chinese consumers want to shop from their favorite international brands.
WeChat Pay is the No. 1 payment method used by Chinese customers when shopping online, especially for cross-border transactions.
With Silkpay, European e-commerce stores can accept WeChat Pay without needing a Chinese company or bank account.
Silkpay handles the compliance, settlement, and integration so you can focus on just getting more revenue and serving your customers.
7 reasons why European merchants must accept WeChat Pay
1. Access to a massive customer base online and in-store
With over 1 billion active users, WeChat Pay is an essential part of daily life in China.
Accepting it allows merchants to connect directly with a vast and digitally engaged customer segment.
2. Accept higher transaction amounts
While no official limit is published, high value payments, typically up to 25000 euros per transaction, are supported using static QR codes. For very large amounts, WeChat may contact the payer to confirm the transaction.
3. Make cross-border transactions easier than ever
WeChat Pay supports payments in multiple currencies and automatically converts them into Chinese renminbi to the customer at very competitive rates.
This makes it easy for international merchants to sell in their local currency to Chinese customers without additional financial complexity. The merchant gets paid at the price they set in their local currency (for example 100 euros) and the customer pays with RMB without worrying about exchange rates at all.
4. Accept payments from tourists & students
Chinese travelers and students abroad prefer to use familiar mobile payment methods.
Accepting WeChat Pay allows them to shop comfortably and confidently, just as they would at home.
Learn more about accepting tuition payment via WeChat Pay.
5. Protect your transactions from fraud
All transactions made through WeChat Pay are encrypted and verified in real time.
Merchants benefit from reduced risk of fraud, ensuring safer and more reliable payments.
6. Create your WeChat e-shop (WeChat mini-program)
With a WeChat mini program, merchants can build a fully integrated online store directly within the WeChat app.
This allows overseas businesses to reach Chinese customers through a trusted channel.
Mini Programs are a key part of how consumers in China discover, engage with, and purchase from brands online. Without them, it’s much harder to build visibility and trust.
By using Mini Programs, businesses can offer a localized checkout experience, promote products through targeted campaigns and discounts, and strengthen customer loyalty — all within the WeChat ecosystem.
Understand all about mini-programs
7. Get recurrent sales from loyal customers
WeChat is one of the most trusted brands in China.
Chinese customers feel secure using it and are more likely to return and spend again when merchants support their preferred payment method.
This trust contributes to higher spending and improved long-term customer retention.
How to accept WeChat Pay with Silkpay?
POS machine integration
For merchants looking for an in-store payment solution, Silkpay offers the latest model and the most performant POS terminal: The Pax A920Pro that supports both QR code scanning and contactless payments
Our PAX a920 Pro payment solution allows you to receive Alipay+, WeChat Pay, and other major payment methods such as Visa Mastercard and UnionPay.
It’s ideal for retail stores, restaurants, service providers, businesses on the move no matter what is the size of the business.
With Silkpay’s PAX A920Pro, you can start accepting anywhere and everywhere.
QR code payments
Silkpay also enables merchants to receive WeChat Pay payments via a printed QR code.
We provide merchants with a printed QR code that customers can scan using their mobile wallets at the checkout counter to complete the payment.
Silkpay App
Through the Silkpay app, merchants can easily accept WeChat Pay, Alipay+ (Which includes 16+ Asian e-wallets) and UnionPay QR codes.
Additionally, merchants can also generate and send secure payment links to their clients.
Merchants can download the Silkpay app and use only their smartphone to accept in-store payments.
API integration
Silkpay provides an easy-to-integrate API that allows businesses to accept WeChat Pay, Alipay+ (which includes 16+ Asian e-wallets), Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay and Amex.
Our API integration comes with clear documentation accessible via the merchant’s Silkpay backoffice, which simplifies the setup process and helps businesses start running quickly.
Silkpay provides dedicated technical support to ensure a smooth integration process, even for businesses without technical expertise.
All transactions are secured with the latest industry standards in encryption and compliance, giving both merchants and customers complete peace of mind.
PaybyLink (Link payment)
Silkpay's PaybyLink solution allows merchants to create secure payment links in just a few clicks, with no technical integration required.
Suitable for merchants of all sizes including those without a website, it offers a fast and secure way to accept payments online.
Once generated, the link remains valid until payment is completed, and transactions can be tracked directly in the Silkpay backoffice.
Payment plugins for e-commerces
Silkpay offers ready-to-use plugins for platforms like PrestaShop and WooCommerce,
We help merchants to easily integrate not only WeChat Pay, but Alipay+, and other global payment methods.
These plugins simplify the setup process, ensure secure transactions, and help cross-borders convert more visitors into customers.
Also, merchants can download the plugins directly from the Silkpay website.
WeChat mini-program payments
Silkpay provides WeChat Mini-Program payment integration.
With Silkpay, merchants can set up WeChat Mini-Program payments quickly, ensuring fast and secure transactions while enhancing customer convenience.
This solution helps merchants access the WeChat user base of millions of customers, increasing sales potential and customer retention.
In addition to integrating payments, Silkpay also offers the ability to create fully functional mini-program shops, allowing businesses to establish their presence on WeChat.
Why choose Silkpay for your WeChat Pay solution?
Silkpay offers a comprehensive WeChat Pay solution with omnichannel support for both online and in-store payments, ensuring seamless integration across all sales channels.
The easy and fast setup process is supported by robust fraud protection to secure every transaction.
Merchants also benefit from multilingual customer service available in English, French, Chinese, and Italian.
Additionally, Optional marketing services on WeChat platforms are provided, including support for official accounts and mini-programs, to help businesses enhance their visibility and engagement with Chinese consumers.
Start accepting WeChat Pay today with Silkpay, and unlock the full potential of the Chinese market.
How to use WeChat Pay for marketing?
WeChat Pay is more than a payment method. It is also a marketing platform with powerful tools to attract and retain Chinese customers.
Merchants can build branded official accounts and mini programs within WeChat to share promotions, launch new products, and interact with followers.
Using WeChat’s built-in chat and CRM features, you can communicate directly with your customers, respond to inquiries, and foster long-term loyalty.
With the right setup, your WeChat presence becomes both your payment gateway and your digital storefront.
About the author: Silkpay
Based in Paris, Silkpay provides omnichannel and secure payment solutions to help physical stores and e-commerce in Europe and the Americas accept more than 30 of the world's most popular payment methods: Visa, Mastercard, CB, UnionPay, Alipay+, WeChat Pay as well as Asia-Pacific’s major e-wallets.
Silkpay is a winner of the LVMH Innovation Award. The company was also selected as a finalist for the "Money 20/20" Best Startup and in the "MPE Berlin” Startup Awards. Silkpay also won the "Best Fintech" awards from Capgemini and BPCE.
Silkpay helps merchants deliver the smoothest payment experience to their customers. We are a talented and international team driven by a single goal: to improve the customer experience and make payments simple and secure.