Written by Bertrand Théaud, Statrys Founder
20+ years in Asia as a corporate lawyer, investor, and fintech founder. I've sat on both sides of the table and seen the same avoidable mistakes hit founders again and again. The reviews and articles I write are for founders who'd rather skip the mistakes.
Last reviewed May 2026.
The Five at a Glance
1.
Alipay+ — Best for merchants wanting broad wallet coverage across Asia without a China entity
2.
WeChat Pay — Best for mobile-first brands already active in the WeChat ecosystem
3.
UnionPay International — Best for merchants targeting Chinese customers who prefer card payments
4.
99Bill — Best for businesses with bilingual teams or existing China partnerships needing a native RMB checkout experience
Accepting local payment methods in China is not optional. Alipay and WeChat Pay together account for over 90% of China’s mobile payment market. Chinese consumers expect familiar, wallet-based checkout flows. Without them, businesses lose conversions at the final step regardless of product quality.
For international merchants, the challenge is not whether to accept these methods; it is which gateway to use to do it, how hard the integration will be, and what it will cost to settle funds. All five providers on this list allow non-China entities to accept Chinese payments. They differ significantly in integration complexity, language accessibility, fee transparency, and the payment methods they actually support.
All provider information in this guide is verified from official sources as of May 2026. Confirm current details directly with each provider before committing.
In this guide, you will learn:
- What makes a payment gateway suitable for the Chinese market
- A comparison of five gateways used by international merchants to accept Chinese payments
- The fee structures (where disclosed), accepted payment methods, and integration requirements for each
- Which gateway fits your situation: broad Asian wallet coverage, WeChat ecosystem, card-based payments, or RMB settlement
- How to settle cross-border payments efficiently once you start receiving Chinese transactions
Editorial Note
This guide is based on publicly available information and independent analysis of payment gateway providers. The providers are presented in order of common use case fit for international merchants, not a strictly ranked order. Inclusion does not constitute endorsement. Fee data is sourced from official provider documentation where available; some providers do not disclose rates publicly and require direct onboarding to obtain pricing.
How We Prepared This Guide
Most payment gateway comparisons for China stop at listing Alipay and WeChat Pay. The harder questions — how do you actually integrate them without a Chinese entity, what does it cost, and what happens when you need support — are rarely answered directly.
To make this comparison useful for international merchants, I evaluated five gateways against the criteria that matter most when entering the Chinese market from outside:
- China entity requirement: Can you integrate without registering a local business in China?
- Integration method: API-first, PSP-based, or manual onboarding?
- Payment method coverage: Alipay, WeChat Pay, UnionPay cards, QR, or a combination?
- Settlement currencies and speed: Can you receive USD or HKD, or are you limited to RMB?
- Language accessibility: Is documentation, onboarding, and support available in English?
- Fee transparency: Are rates published, or only available after onboarding?
All data sourced from official provider websites, May 2026.
💡Tip: New to payment gateways? Read our guide or watch this short video to learn how they work and why they matter.
Our Recommendation
For most international merchants starting out, Alipay+ or WeChat Pay via Stripe or Adyen covers the core use case. Alipay+ gives you the broadest wallet coverage across Asia in one integration; WeChat Pay via a global PSP is the fastest path to accepting payments from Chinese mobile users.
If your customers primarily use cards rather than wallets, add UnionPay International through your existing PSP.
For education, tourism, or ecommerce businesses that need RMB settlement and direct relationships with a licensed Chinese provider: PayEase.
For businesses with bilingual teams or existing China operations that want a native Chinese checkout experience: 99Bill.
Once funds start arriving from Chinese transactions, a multi-currency account that holds RMB, USD, HKD, and other currencies without forced conversion on each transaction makes settlement significantly more efficient. Statrys supports multi-currency accounts for Hong Kong companies that receive payments from China-facing gateways.
Quick Comparison
| Provider | China entity required? | Payment methods | Settlement currencies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alipay+ | No — onboard via Alipay+ portal | 60+ wallets, Visa, Mastercard, QR | RMB + USD, EUR, HKD, others |
| WeChat Pay | No — via Stripe or Adyen | WeChat Wallet, QR, Mini Programs, cards | RMB + 25 currencies incl. USD, HKD |
| UnionPay Int’l | No — via PSP or acquirer | UnionPay cards, QR, online | RMB + USD, EUR (varies by partner) |
| PayEase | No — direct onboarding via email | QR (Alipay/WeChat compatible), cards | RMB + 20+ currencies |
| 99Bill | No — direct onboarding | 99Bill Wallet, cards, QR | RMB only |
🔎Relevant: Learn what RMB is and the differences between RMB, CNY and CNH with our detailed guide.
1
Alipay+
Best for: Merchants selling across Asia who want broad e-wallet coverage without setting up a local entity in China.
Alipay+ is the cross-border payment solution developed by Ant Group. It gives international businesses access to over 60 regional payment wallets, including Alipay, AlipayHK, KakaoPay, GCash, Touch ’n Go, and TrueMoney, through a single integration, without requiring a local Chinese business registration.
- Top features: Single API access to 60+ regional wallets; real-time FX and settlement in RMB, USD, EUR, HKD, and other currencies; marketing tools including Alipay+ Rewards for repeat transactions; QR code payments, Auto Debit, and no-redirect checkout flows.
- Accepted methods: Alipay, AlipayHK, KakaoPay, GCash, Touch ’n Go, TrueMoney; Visa, Mastercard®, American Express, UnionPay, Discover, JCB; QR code payments, bank transfers.
- Fees: Alipay+ uses customised pricing. Please contact the Alipay+ team to request a personalised quote.
✅Who this suits
- You want broad wallet coverage across China and Southeast Asia from a single integration
- You sell to both the Chinese and broader Asian consumer markets
- You have developer resources to handle API-based integration
- You want real-time FX settlement in major currencies, including HKD and USD
❌Who should look elsewhere
- You want plug-and-play plugins for Shopify or WooCommerce, but Alipay+ requires custom integration
- Your primary focus is on WeChat-native experiences, such as Mini Programs, and WeChat Pay is more appropriate
- You need upfront fee transparency before onboarding
🔎Relevant: New to importing from China? Our free buyer’s guide explains how China’s manufacturing clusters work, what to prepare before visiting factories, and how first-time buyers can reduce sourcing risks.
2
WeChat Pay
Best for: Merchants engaging mobile-first Chinese consumers via the WeChat ecosystem, particularly using PSPs like Stripe or Adyen.
WeChat Pay is built into Tencent’s WeChat platform, a single app that combines messaging, social, shopping, and payments, used by nearly a billion people in China. For international merchants, access is available through Tenpay Global or authorised partners such as Stripe or Adyen, without requiring a local Chinese registration.
- Top features: QR code, H5 in-app web, Quick Pay, and Mini Program payment flows; settlement in RMB and 25 other currencies, including USD, HKD, EUR, SGD; deep WeChat ecosystem integration for brands running ecommerce or services inside WeChat.
- Accepted methods: WeChat Wallet, Mainland-issued bank cards, Visa, Mastercard®, JCB, QR code, Quick Pay, H5, Mini Program payments.
- Fees: Not publicly disclosed. Rates are provided after onboarding via Tenpay Global or authorised PSPs. To start your application and receive a customised quote, please visit the Join Us page.
✅ Who this suits
- You are already active in the WeChat ecosystem with an account, following, or Mini Program
- You want the fastest integration path via Stripe or Adyen
- You need Mini Program payments for in-WeChat ecommerce or services
- Multi-currency settlement in 26 currencies matters to your operations
❌ Who should look elsewhere
- You want broad pan-Asian wallet coverage beyond WeChat — Alipay+ offers more regional wallets
- You need upfront fee transparency before onboarding
- Your customers are not primarily WeChat users — the ecosystem integration adds value only if they are
💡Tip: WeChat Pay is also covered in our guide to the best payment gateways for Hong Kong businesses.
3
UnionPay International
Best for: Merchants targeting Chinese customers who prefer card payments, especially through global PSPs without local registration.
UnionPay International is the global arm of China’s national card network. It enables overseas businesses to accept UnionPay cards and QR payments from Chinese consumers in over 180 countries without a China presence. Integration is available through global PSPs or acquiring banks.
- Top features: UnionPay card and QR (QuickPass) acceptance in 180+ countries; cross-border B2B trade and ecommerce platforms; API and SDK integration via the UnionPay Open Platform or through global PSPs.
- Accepted methods: UnionPay debit and credit cards; UnionPay QR (QuickPass); online UnionPay payments.
- Fees: Not published publicly. Pricing depends on location, business model, and integration method. Contact the UnionPay team directly for the quote.
✅Who this suits
- Your Chinese customers prefer card payments over mobile wallets
- You already have a global PSP relationship and want to add UnionPay without a new onboarding
- You handle high-value B2B transactions, tuition payments, or travel services where cards are common
❌Who should look elsewhere
- Mobile-first wallet experiences are your priority. UnionPay does not cover the Alipay or WeChat checkout flows
- You want real-time FX disclosure. UnionPay does not show exchange rates upfront
- You need plug-and-play ecommerce platform integrations; fewer native plugins are available
4
PayEase
Best for: Merchants in education, tourism, or ecommerce who need RMB settlement and flexible QR and card payment options with a licensed Chinese provider.
PayEase is licensed by the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) for both domestic and cross-border transactions. It supports international cards, UnionPay, and major local wallets through a single integration with English-language documentation available.
- Top features: API, SDK, and plugin support for web and mobile; QR payments compatible with Alipay and WeChat Pay flows; cross-border settlement in RMB or 20+ currencies with fast payout options; solutions for ecommerce, education, and cross-border trade.
- Accepted methods: Visa, Mastercard®, American Express, JCB, Discover, Diners Club, UnionPay; QR code payments compatible with Alipay and WeChat Pay flows; HTML checkout, API-based payments.
- Fees: Not published. Contact cs@payeasenet.com for a quote.
✅Who this suits
- You operate in education, tourism, or ecommerce with Chinese customers
- You need RMB settlement with fast payout options
- You want a PBOC-licensed provider for direct China payment acceptance
- You can work with email-based onboarding rather than self-serve
❌Who should look elsewhere
- You want plug-and-play Shopify or WooCommerce plugins — PayEase requires custom integration
- You need immediate self-serve onboarding — setup requires direct coordination with PayEase
- You prioritise transparent upfront pricing
5
99Bill
Best for: Businesses with bilingual teams or existing China partnerships that need a native RMB checkout experience for Chinese consumers.
99Bill is one of China’s earliest licensed third-party payment providers, authorised by China’s central bank with partnerships across 50+ domestic banks. It supports RMB payment acceptance, mobile-first checkout, QR codes, and Express Checkout for reducing cart abandonment. Integration models include PSP Mode, Merchant Mode, and Reseller Mode.
Note: 99Bill’s core documentation and platform pages are primarily in Chinese. Working with a bilingual local partner is strongly recommended.
- Top features: Express Checkout and Login for repeat-purchase optimisation; online, in-app, and QR code payment support; PCI DSS and SSL certified; flexible integration models.
- Accepted methods: 99Bill Express Checkout; Chinese domestic cards, Visa, Mastercard®; QR code payments.
- Fees: Not published. Contact 99sale@99bill.com for a quote.
✅Who this suits
- You have a bilingual team or local China partner to manage integration and support
- You want a native Chinese checkout optimised for RMB payments
- You operate in ecommerce or travel and want to reduce cart abandonment with Express Checkout
❌Who should look elsewhere
- You need English-language documentation and onboarding; 99Bill’s resources are primarily in Chinese
- You want global PSP integration; no major PSPs currently offer plug-and-play 99Bill connectivity
- You settle in currencies other than RMB; 99Bill is RMB-only
How to Choose the Best Payment Gateway in China
Security and compliance: Look for providers compliant with PCI DSS and PBOC regulations. End-to-end encryption, real-time fraud detection, and AML compliance are baseline requirements for operating in the Chinese market.
Checkout experience for Chinese users: Chinese consumers expect mobile-first, wallet-based checkout with minimal redirects. QR code payments, Simplified Chinese interfaces, and familiar logos (WeChat Pay, Alipay) at checkout directly affect conversion rates.
Language and support accessibility: Only Alipay+ and WeChat Pay offer full English onboarding and documentation. PayEase provides English tools through its merchant portal. 99Bill requires Chinese-language capability or a local partner.
Integration model: Alipay+ and UnionPay International offer comprehensive API integration. WeChat Pay via Stripe or Adyen is the fastest integration path for non-developer teams. PayEase and 99Bill require direct onboarding via email or direct contact.
Settlement flexibility: If you need to hold funds in HKD, USD, or other currencies rather than converting to RMB on receipt, confirm your gateway’s settlement options. WeChat Pay settles in 26 currencies; Alipay+ settles in RMB, USD, EUR, HKD, and others; 99Bill is RMB only.
🔎 Tip: Want to learn more? Check out this list of the best security services for ecommerce websites.
Final Recommendation
For most international merchants entering China: Start with Alipay+ or WeChat Pay via Stripe or Adyen. These two cover the dominant payment methods, require no China entity, and offer global PSP integration.
If card payments matter alongside wallets: Add UnionPay International through your existing PSP. No additional onboarding is usually required.
If you need a licensed Chinese provider with RMB settlement: PayEase is the more accessible option for English-speaking teams. 99Bill works better for teams with Chinese language capability or existing China relationships.
One practical step often overlooked: where the money lands after settlement. Cross-border payments from China-facing gateways typically arrive in RMB or are converted at the gateway’s rate. A multi-currency account that holds RMB, USD, and HKD without forced conversion lets you settle at the right time rather than the gateway’s default. For Hong Kong-registered businesses, Statrys multi-currency accounts support 11 currencies and connect to payment gateways across all major markets.
FAQs
What is the most popular payment method in China?
Alipay and WeChat Pay dominate China’s mobile payment market, together accounting for over 90% of transactions. Alipay has approximately 1.4 billion users; WeChat Pay serves over 900 million. Both are essential for any business selling to Chinese consumers.
Can non-China businesses use Alipay or WeChat Pay?
Yes. Alipay+ and WeChat Pay via Tenpay Global both allow international merchants to accept Chinese payments without registering a local business entity in China. Most international merchants integrate through global PSPs like Stripe or Adyen rather than applying directly.
What is the benefit of using Chinese payment gateways?
Chinese consumers use Alipay, WeChat Pay, and UnionPay for the vast majority of purchases. Accepting these methods reduces checkout friction, increases conversion rates, and signals to Chinese customers that the merchant understands the local market. Foreign card networks (Visa, Mastercard®) have limited penetration in China for consumer payments.
How can I integrate Chinese payment gateways into my ecommerce website or app?
The simplest path for most merchants is via a global PSP such as Stripe or Adyen, which supports WeChat Pay and some Alipay functionality out of the box. For broader wallet coverage across Asia, Alipay+ offers direct API and SDK integration. UnionPay International is available through most acquiring banks and PSPs. PayEase and 99Bill require direct onboarding via email contact.
How do I settle cross-border payments from China in non-RMB currencies?
WeChat Pay settles in 26 currencies, including USD, HKD, and EUR. Alipay+ settles in RMB, USD, EUR, HKD, and other major currencies. PayEase supports 20+ currencies. 99Bill settles in RMB only. To hold funds across currencies without forced conversion at each settlement, use a multi-currency business account that supports the currencies your gateways pay out in.
