What is a payment API? How apps talk to payment systems
By SendPay Business · · 2 min read
An API (application programming interface) is a set of rules that lets one piece of software ask another to do something. A payment API lets an app create payments, send money, check balances or issue cards by talking to a payment provider's systems.
What payment APIs do
- Take a card or bank payment.
- Send money to an account.
- Create accounts or cards for customers.
- Report balances and transactions.
What webhooks are
A webhook is a message the provider sends back to your app when something happens, such as a payment succeeding or a card being used. It saves your app from asking over and over.
Build or buy
Building a money app straight on APIs needs developers, testing and ongoing upkeep. A ready-made platform does that work for you, so you can launch faster without writing the code yourself.
Where SendPay fits
SendPay gives you a ready-made money platform under your own brand, powered by licensed partners, so you don't need to build on payment APIs yourself. You can preview your platform before you pay.
Build it
Create your own financial platform.
Pick a template, name it, brand it, preview every page before you pay. Your brand, your users, your fees.
Build my platform →Questions people ask
Is it cheaper to build it myself?
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This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. SendPay Business is a technology company, not a bank, and does not take deposits; regulated services on the platforms are provided by licensed partners. PayPal, Patreon and Substack are named as reference points only and are not affiliated with SendPay Business.