What is Request to Pay? Asking for money instead of chasing it
By SendPay Business · · 2 min read
- 1Pick who to pay and type the amount
- 2Tap send and it is on its way
- 3It lands in their account
Request to Pay is a way for a business or person to send a digital request for money, which the payer can then pay, part-pay, ask to delay or decline. It keeps the payer in control while making it easy to pay on time.
How a payment request works
- The business sends a request with the amount, due date and reference.
- The payer sees it in their banking or payment app.
- They choose to pay now, pay part, ask for more time or decline.
- The business sees the response and the payment arrives if approved.
How it differs from other methods
An invoice is just a document, and the payer has to copy the details into a transfer. A Direct Debit lets the business pull money without asking each time. A payment request sits in between: the payer approves each payment, but with the details already filled in.
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What it does
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Where it is used
Pay.UK has published a Request to Pay standard in the UK, and in Europe the European Payments Council runs a SEPA Request-to-Pay scheme. Payment links sent by email or message work in a similar way for many small businesses today.
Where SendPay fits
SendPay platforms include payment links and invoicing under your own brand, so customers can pay from a request without typing bank details, powered by licensed partners. SendPay tells you in writing which licences apply to your platform before you launch.
How it works
Your own money app- 1Name it and pick your colours
- 2Choose what it does
- 3Launch when you are ready
Why sign up
Create your free SendPay account
It's all about creating your own financial platform with ease. Start with a free account today.
- 🪪A free business accountOpen it in about a minute with your business name, email, password and mobile. No card and no documents to start.
- 💳Get paid from day oneTake card payments, and share your own payment link and invoices so customers pay in a click.
- 🌐A free business websiteFree to build, free to publish and free to keep, with unlimited visits.
- 🚀Your own financial platformDesign and preview your whole platform free, then launch when you are ready.
SendPay Business is a technology company, not a bank. Accounts, cards and payments are powered by licensed partners.
Questions people ask
Could pay by bank cut my card fees?
Compare the monthly cost of cards alone with a mix of cards and pay by bank.
Pay by bank savings calculator →Read next
Spotted a mistake or something out of date? and we'll fix it. How our guides are made
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. Other companies named in this guide are reference points only and are not affiliated with SendPay Business.