Pay
Payment Links

Payment Links

Generate shareable payment links for seamless payment collection

Payment Links provide a simple way to collect payments through secure, hosted payment pages. Generate a link and share it with customers via email, SMS, or any communication channel—no custom checkout UI required. Customers complete payment on a Payload-hosted page, and you're notified when payment is received.

Payment Link Types

Payment Requests

Create one-time payment links for invoices, bills, and ad-hoc payment collection. Each payment request is tied to a specific invoice or payment amount.

Payment Pages

Create reusable payment page links for products, services, or donations. Payment pages can be used indefinitely to accept multiple payments from multiple customers.

Choosing the Right Type

Both payment link types offer secure, hosted payment pages with PCI compliance handled by Payload. The main difference is whether the link is for a single payment or can be reused multiple times.

FeaturePayment RequestsPayment Pages
Use CaseOne-time paymentsReusable payments
Invoice Attachment✓✗
Multiple UsesSingle useUnlimited uses
ExpirationOptionalNever expires
Customer TrackingSpecific customerAny customer
AmountFixed or editableFixed or editable
Customization✓✓
Autopay Enrollment✓✓

Quick Start

Create a one-time payment request

create-link.py
PythonRubyPHPNode.jsC#JavaShell
import payload
pl = payload.Session('secret_key_3bW9...', api_version='v2')
 
# Create a one-time payment request link
payment_link = pl.PaymentLink.create(
    type='one_time',
    description='Payment Request',
    amount=100.00,
    biller={'account_id': 'acct_receiver123'},
    payer={'account_id': 'acct_customer456'}
)
 
# Share the URL with your customer
print(f"Payment link: {payment_link.url}")

What happens:

  1. Create a payment link tied to an invoice
  2. Share the payment_link.url with your customer via email or SMS
  3. Customer clicks the link and completes payment on a Payload-hosted page
  4. You receive a webhook notification when payment is complete

Create a reusable payment page

create-link.py
PythonRubyPHPNode.jsC#JavaShell
import payload
pl = payload.Session('secret_key_3bW9...', api_version='v2')
 
# Create a reusable payment page
payment_link = pl.PaymentLink.create(
    type='reusable',
    description='Product Payment',
    amount=100.00,
    biller={'account_id': 'acct_receiver123'}
)
 
# Share the URL on your website or in communications
print(f"Payment page: {payment_link.url}")

What happens:

  1. Create a payment page with product or service details
  2. Embed or share the payment_page.url anywhere (website, email, social media)
  3. Multiple customers can use the same link to make payments
  4. Track all payments through the Payload dashboard or API

When to Use Payment Links

Use Payment Links when you:

  • Need to collect payments without building checkout UI
  • Want to send payment requests via email or SMS
  • Need shareable payment URLs for your website
  • Are accepting donations or one-time purchases
  • Want to minimize PCI compliance scope

Consider other options when you:

Related Topics

  • Checkout - Hosted checkout pages or embedded checkout forms
  • Payment Form - Build custom payment forms with direct API integration
  • Payment API - Process payments directly via API
  • Billing Schedules - Set up recurring payments and subscriptions
Payment FormPayment Pages