WeChat Pay vs Alipay: which payment app you need in China

In China, WeChat Pay and Alipay are the reigning champions of digital payments. If you’re planning a trip to China, be sure to arm yourself with these indispensable apps (quick note: this refers to the China-specific versions).

Not sure which app is best for your needs? Don’t fret, we’ve done a thorough comparison of these two mobile payment giants. We’ll leave no stone unturned in providing you with a clear understanding of each platform. First, let’s give a brief overview of these two payment systems.

Which are the most popular payment apps in China? WeChat Pay and Alipay

To answer this question, I would definitely tell you that WeChat Pay and Alipay are the most popular payment apps in China. Let’s start with a brief introduction of these two apps.

What is WeChat Pay?

WeChat Pay is the most popular instant messaging and social media app in China. You can top up on WeChat Pay to pay supermarket bills, transfer money to friends, and even send “red envelopes” (a monetary gift sent on special occasions) to loved ones.

Although WeChat Pay is a latecomer to the market compared to its main competitor, Alipay, its large user base has quickly made it a mainstream payment app.

What is Alipay?

Alipay is a digital payment solution owned by e-commerce giant Alibaba. Launched in 2003, Alipay was initially designed to facilitate online payments on Alibaba’s website, and has since been widely used for a variety of payments outside of Alibaba’s products. Prior to the launch of WeChat Pay, Alibaba was the dominant player in China’s mobile payments market.

WeChat Pay vs Alipay: what’s the difference?

Over the past decade, China has been transitioning to a cashless society thanks to the rise of two mobile payment giants: WeChat Pay and Alipay. Now that mobile payments essentially dominate the Chinese market (it’s almost impossible to find locals using cash in China), it can be confusing for foreigners who are new to these systems. While both WeChat Pay and Alipay simplify electronic payments and online shopping, their payment scenarios and range of services are quite different.

In short, WeChat Pay is for those who earn and spend primarily in China and need to integrate with popular social media. For convenient financial services on a global scale, consider Alipay.

Below, we’ll take a closer look at WeChat Pay and Alipay to understand the differences between these two payment apps.

WeChat Pay has a larger user base than Alipay

The table below shows some market data for the two smart payment systems.

Most people in China use WeChat. It’s not surprising that WeChat Pay has more users than Alipay because it’s easier for most people to use WeChat Pay because many people already have the WeChat Pay app installed. All you need to do is add your banking information to WeChat Pay without having to download a separate app like Alipay.

WeChat Pay has social features while Alipay focuses on mobile payments.

One of the main differences between WeChat Pay and Alipay is that WeChat Pay is integrated into the WeChat social media app, where you can start chats and play games with your friends, whereas Alipay is a standalone mobile payment platform.

In general, people use WeChat Pay to manage their daily affairs – buying daily necessities, paying bills, transferring money to friends, sending red envelopes, and other day-to-day transactions; whereas people use Alipay for e-commerce payments and financial services, even though Alipay was initially designed as Alibaba’s payment platform.

WeChat Pay vs Alipay: fees and limits

WeChat Pay or Alipay? Which one suits your needs?

These days, WeChat Pay and Alipay can do almost anything. You can use them to order food, take a taxi, top up your electricity bill, buy a plane ticket, and send money to friends. In fact, some stores and venues only accept mobile payments. (It’s a good idea to download at least one app before traveling to China).

Here’s a rundown of services that accept mobile payments:

Online shopping platforms favor different payment apps: Taobao and Tmall use Alipay, and Jingdong uses WeChat Pay

Did you know that Taobao and Tmall shopping apps can use Alipay, but WeChat Pay can’t? That’s because these apps belong to Alibaba and they don’t want to promote their competitors. On the other hand, WeChat Pay is a mobile payment option exclusively offered by Jingdong, and you can even access Jingdong directly through the WeChat app.

WeChat Pay goes far beyond online shopping: dropshipping, Dianping, Meituan takeout, and more!

WeChat has partnered with a number of Chinese companies to access their services directly through the app. These include popular apps such as Dripping Taxi and MassDianping/Takeout Delivery.

Available Alipay third-party services: Eleme, Taobao and Hellobike

Alipay is more than just a payment app; it also provides access to a variety of third-party services directly within the app. For example, users can order takeout from Eleme, shop on Taobao, and even rent a bike from Hellobike, all without leaving the Alipay app.

In short: WeChat for everyday expenses, Alipay for online transactions!

If you regularly make transactions for everyday expenses such as food, daily necessities and bills, consider using WeChat Pay. If you plan to shop on Taobao or Tmall, Alipay may be more convenient for you to shop online.

How to top up WeChat Pay or Alipay with a foreign bank card?

I believe this should be the most asked question How to top up WeChat Pay or Alipay with a foreign bank card? Since November 2019, WeChat Pay and Alipay allow users to associate foreign bank cards to their accounts. Here’s how you can do it:

Alipay “Travel Pass”: recharge up to 10,000 yuan, spending period of 90 days

Alipay “Travel Pass” e-wallet allows users to top up their accounts with foreign currency bank cards to enjoy a hassle-free travel experience in China. With a maximum top-up limit of RMB 10,000 and a validity period of 90 days, the Alipay “Travel Pass” eWallet allows you to manage your expenses easily during your trip. Please note that you need to pay 5% service fee. In addition, any remaining funds in your Alipay account will be refunded automatically after 90 days.

WeChat Pay: Credit card only

WeChat Pay allows you to pay for your purchases directly with a foreign credit card in your digital wallet. However, if you link a foreign bank card to WeChat Pay, it can only be used to pay vendors, not to transfer money to friends or send red packets. Debit cards are not accepted for WeChat Pay transactions.

Final words.

If you’re trying to choose between WeChat Pay and Alipay, it’s important to understand their similarities and differences. While both can be used for most everyday payments and transactions, WeChat Pay may be the better choice if you’re new to mobile payments in China. Since WeChat is already a must-have app for living in China, it makes sense to use WeChat Pay instead of downloading a separate app. However, if you plan to shop on Taobao, you may want to consider using Alipay. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and which method best suits your lifestyle.

FAQ: WeChat Pay and Alipay

Can WeChat Pay and Alipay top up each other?

You cannot transfer money directly between WeChat Pay and Alipay. However, if both are linked to the same bank account, you can withdraw money from one and top up the other.

Can I use Alipay or WeChat Hong Kong to send money abroad?

Currently, Alipay Hong Kong does not support international transfers. WeChat Pay is also limited to users in China, Malaysia and South Africa.

What is the difference between WeChat Pay and Alipay?

The main difference between WeChat Pay and Alipay is that WeChat Pay is an add-on to the social communication app, while Alipay is just a payment app. WeChat Pay is more commonly used for daily expenses, while Alipay is also known for online shopping.

Can I transfer money from WeChat to Alipay?

Transferring money to Alipay requires you to have a Chinese bank account, but if you’re a traveler without a Chinese bank account, consider funding your Alipay account through TravelPass.

Can I use WeChat Pay without a Chinese bank account?

Yes, you can use WeChat Pay without a Bank of China account. You can top up your WeChat Pay account via credit card.

Can I use Alipay without a Chinese bank account?

Yes, if you are traveling to China but do not have a Chinese bank account, you can use a TravelPass Alipay account.

Can I use WeChat Pay in China?

Yes, you can use WeChat Pay in China. You can use WeChat Pay for everyday transactions such as paying bills or transferring money to friends.

Can I use WeChat Pay or Alipay outside of China?

More and more countries are accepting WeChat Pay and Alipay as payment methods, but currently only Chinese citizens can use them abroad. However, in order to use these payment methods abroad, you need to have a mainland Chinese ID card.