Glossary

Alternative payment methods (APM)

APMs are any ways to pay other than classic international cards: instant transfers, e-wallets, QR, bank transfers and mobile money.

APMs include PIX in Brazil, UPI in India, SPEI in Mexico, SBP in Russia, QRIS in Indonesia, mobile money in Africa, local e-wallets and online banking. In many countries they, not cards, are the main way people pay online.

For merchants, APMs mean higher local conversion and usually no classic card chargebacks. The trade-off is that every method has its own limits, refund rules and payee requirements.

It is usually easier to add APMs through a provider that bundles several methods behind one integration than to connect each bank directly.

Local payment methods for online businesses →

Related terms

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