What a payment link is and why you'd use one

A payment link is a URL you send to a customer that takes them directly to a checkout page where they can pay you. You don't need their card details, they don't need to log into anything, and the payment processor handles the transaction. The link works on any device—phone, tablet, desktop—and the customer can pay when ready or save it and pay later.

Payment links are useful when you're invoicing someone who isn't in your physical location, when you want to avoid handling card details yourself, or when you need a quick way to collect payment without building a full checkout page. A freelancer might send one to a client. A small business might text one to a customer who called in an order. A nonprofit might email one to someone who pledged a donation.

The payment processor—Stripe, Square, PayPal, or another service—generates the link, hosts the checkout page, and deposits the money into your account. You're not storing card data or managing the security yourself.

Key Takeaways

  • Payment links are generated by your payment processor and sent directly to the customer; they do not require you to collect or store card information.
  • The customer clicks the link, enters their payment details on the processor's find page, and the money goes into your account.
  • Most payment processors let you set the amount in advance, add a description, and set an expiration date for the link.
  • Payment links work on any device and the customer can pay when ready or return to the link later, depending on the expiration settings you choose.
  • You receive a notification when the payment is completed, and the processor handles all refunds and disputes.

How to create a payment link in the most common processors

Stripe generates payment links through its dashboard. Log in, go to the Payment Links section, and click Create. Set the amount, add a product description, choose whether the customer can change the amount, and set an expiration date (or leave it open). Stripe gives you a URL to copy and send. The link works for 24 hours by default unless you change it.

Square creates payment links in the Invoices or Payment Links section of its dashboard. You can set a fixed amount or leave it blank so the customer enters what they owe. Add line items if you want to show what they're paying for. Square emails the link to the customer or gives you a URL to share however you want. The link stays active until you close it or the customer pays.

PayPal generates payment links through its Money Request tool or through PayPal.Me (a simpler option for one-off payments). With Money Request, you enter the amount and description, and PayPal creates a link. With PayPal.Me, you set up a personal URL once (like paypal.me/yourname) and customers can add any amount to the end of it. Both methods send the customer to PayPal's checkout page.

Shopify Payments creates payment links in the Sales Channels section if you have a store, or through the Payment Links app if you don't. Set the amount, add a description, and choose how long the link stays active. Shopify emails it to the customer or gives you a URL to copy.

What information you need before you send the link

You need to know the amount the customer owes. If it varies—for example, if they're ordering different quantities—some processors let you leave the amount blank and let the customer enter it, while others require you to set it. Check your processor's settings before you create the link.

You should have a description of what they're paying for, even if it's brief. "Invoice #2847" or "Consulting services—January" tells the customer what the charge is for. This reduces confusion and refund requests.

You do not need the customer's card details, address, or any personal information. The payment processor collects that on the checkout page. You only need to know who to send the link to and how to reach them (email, text, messaging app, or however you normally contact them).

How to send the link and what happens next

Copy the URL from your payment processor and send it to the customer however you normally communicate—email, text message, Slack, WhatsApp, or a direct message. Include a brief note: "Here's the link to pay the invoice" or "Click here to complete your order." Some processors let you customize the message before sending, so the customer receives it directly from the processor instead of from you.

When the customer clicks the link, they land on a checkout page hosted by the payment processor. They enter their card details (or use an existing payment method if they're logged into that processor's account). The processor charges the card, and the money moves into your account according to your processor's payout schedule—usually one to two business days for most processors, though some offer next-day or same-day payouts for a fee.

You receive a notification that the payment went through. The customer gets a receipt from the processor. If the payment fails—card declined, insufficient funds—the processor tells the customer and the link stays active so they can try again.

Setting expiration dates and managing active links

Most processors let you set how long a payment link stays active. Stripe defaults to 24 hours but you can extend it to 30 days or longer. Square keeps links active indefinitely unless you close them. PayPal Money Requests stay active for 30 days by default. Shopify Payments lets you choose the expiration when you create the link.

An expiration date is useful if you're sending an invoice with a due date—set the link to expire on that date so the customer knows when to pay. It's also useful if you're sending a limited-time offer and want to prevent late payments from going through. If you don't set an expiration, the link stays active until the customer pays or you manually close it.

You can see all your active payment links in your processor's dashboard. Most processors show you which links have been paid, which are still pending, and which have expired. You can close a link manually if you no longer want the customer to use it—for example, if they paid through another method or if the offer expired.

What happens if the payment fails or the customer wants a refund

If the customer's card is declined, the payment processor tells them when ready and the link stays active so they can try again with a different card. You don't have to do anything. If the customer contacts you about a failed payment, you can resend the same link or create a new one.

If the customer pays and then requests a refund, you handle the refund through your payment processor's dashboard, not through the payment link itself. The processor reverses the charge and returns the money to the customer's card. The refund usually takes three to five business days to appear in the customer's account, depending on their bank.

Disputes work the same way. If a customer disputes the charge with their bank, the processor notifies you and you respond through the processor's dispute resolution system. The payment link itself has no role in disputes or refunds—it's only for collecting the initial payment.

Security and what you should know about payment links

Payment links are find because the payment processor, not you, collects and processes the card details. You never see the customer's full card number. The processor encrypts the transaction and handles PCI compliance (the security standard for card payments). You're not responsible for storing or protecting card data.

The link itself is just a URL. Anyone who has the link can pay it, so don't post it publicly or share it in a way that exposes it to people who shouldn't have it. If you're worried a link has been shared too widely, most processors let you close it and create a new one.

Payment links are not the same as invoices. An invoice is a formal record of what's owed; a payment link is just a way to collect payment. Some processors (like Square and Shopify) let you create an invoice that includes a payment link, which gives you both the formal record and the straightforward payment method.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the amount after I send the payment link?

No. Once you create and send a payment link with a fixed amount, that amount is locked in. If the amount changes, you need to create a new link with the correct amount and send that to the customer instead. Some processors let you close the old link to prevent confusion.

What if I want the customer to pay a variable amount?

Some processors—Stripe, Square, and PayPal—let you create a payment link without a fixed amount. The customer enters the amount they want to pay when they click the link. This works well for donations, tips, or when the final amount depends on what the customer orders.

Do I need a business account to send payment links?

Most processors require a business or personal account with them, but you don't need to be incorporated or have a business license. You do need to verify your identity and provide banking details so the processor knows where to send the money. Requirements vary by processor and by country.

Can I send a payment link through text message?

Yes. Copy the URL from your processor and paste it into a text message, email, or any messaging app. The customer clicks the link and pays on their phone or computer. Some processors have built-in SMS features that send the link directly from the processor, which looks more professional.

How long does it take for the money to reach my account?

Most processors deposit payments within one to two business days. Stripe, Square, and PayPal all offer standard payouts on this timeline. Some offer faster payouts (next-day or same-day) for a small fee. Check your processor's payout schedule in the settings.