Sign up (7-day free trial)
thumbnail_image

Top Pay by Link Solutions for UK Businesses

Ready to learn more?

Ready to learn more?

How do you get paid when you don’t want to pay high card fees? What happens when customers want to pay remotely? And which pay by link solutions in the UK give you the best value for money?

These are questions many UK businesses are asking right now. As payments become more digital and customers expect convenience everywhere, pay by link has emerged as one of the simplest and most flexible ways to accept payments. A link can be shared via email, SMS, WhatsApp, or even social media, and with a single click, your customer completes the transaction securely. But not all providers are equal. Some come with steep fees, others are built for enterprises rather than SMEs, and a few are introducing new ways to cut costs altogether. Let’s break down the leading options for UK businesses and see which one makes the most sense for you.

What makes a good Pay by Link solution?

The best solutions balance three things: simplicity, cost, and trust. From a business perspective, a pay by link service should be easy for staff to generate and simple for customers to use. Pricing should be transparent, with no unexpected extras creeping into the bill. And, crucially, funds should settle quickly, waiting several days to access your own money is a major drawback. Add in security features like Strong Customer Authentication (SCA), plus the ability to integrate with tools you already use (e.g. Shopify or Xero), and you’ve got the right foundations for a solution that saves time and money.

The top Pay by Link options in the UK

Here’s how some of the best-known providers compare:

ProviderTypical fees
Settlement speed
ProsCons

Atoa
Up to 50% cheaper than cards feesInstant settlementTransparent pricing, no
chargebacks, open banking
APIs, partial payments
UK-only

Square
1.4% + 25p per transactionNext dayNo monthly fee, easy to useFees add up at
higher volumes

PayPal
2.9% + 30p per transaction1–2 daysFamiliar to customers,
global reach
Expensive, disputes
often favour buyers

Stripe
1.2% – 5% + 20p2–7 daysDeveloper-friendly, flexibleComplex setup, similar
to card fees

TrueLayer
Monthly fee + per-use charges,
custom for high volume businesses
Instant / same dayStrong open banking APIs,
reliable
Better fit for
tech-savvy businesses

Where Atoa stands out

While traditional pay by link solutions run through card networks, Atoa Pay by Bank works differently. It’s powered by open banking technology, which allows customers to pay directly from their bank account. That means:

  • Lower costs: Businesses save up to 50% compared to card fees, with no hidden extras.

  • Faster cash flow: Payments settle instantly, not in days.

  • More flexibility: Atoa links can even support partial payments, so a customer who can’t pay in full right away doesn’t slip away as a lost sale.

And beyond pay by link, Atoa also offers Payment Pages: reusable links or QR code links where multiple customers can pay at once. Every transaction updates in real time, making it easier to track income without manual reconciliation.

Which Pay by Link solution is right for you?

There isn’t a single answer for every business. A small retailer may find Square or PayPal appealing for their familiarity and ease of setup, though higher fees can eat into margins. Stripe and TrueLayer are well-suited to more technical businesses that need flexibility and integration. But for UK merchants focused squarely on reducing costs and improving cash flow, Atoa’s Pay by Link solutions are emerging as the strongest alternative, combining the convenience of link-based payments with the savings of open banking.

Takeaway

Pay by link has gone from a nice-to-have to an essential tool for UK businesses. It gives customers the convenience they want and helps businesses get paid faster. But while the big names still dominate, their fees often eat into revenue more than necessary. That’s why newer solutions like Atoa’s Pay by Bank are worth serious consideration. By combining cost savings, instant settlement, and features like partial payments and payment pages, Atoa makes it easier for businesses to stay on top of their cash flow without overpaying on fees.

The bottom line: whichever provider you choose, the cheapest pay by link solution is the one that works for your customers, protects your margins, and keeps your cash flow moving.

See how Atoa can help cut your payment fees

Submit the form and our team will be in touch to show you how Atoa can add value to your business.
  • Save up to 50% on payment fees
  • Get paid instantly
  • No chargebacks or card fraud

ISO 27001 & SOC 2 Type II

FCA Authorised

Speak to our team

All fields are required.

By submitting this form, you consent to our Privacy Policy.

or
Calendar Icon

Schedule a quick chat with Atoa!

Want to learn more about Atoa?
Why not book a free 15-minute demo with our team.

Related Posts

Open Banking

Benefits of Payment Links for UK Businesses

Pay by Bank

The Complete Guide to Pay by Bank (2025 Edition)

Pay by Bank

How UK Accounting Firms Can Leverage Pay by Bank

Open Banking

Why Businesses Should Be Using Pay by Bank

Open Banking

What is Pay by Bank? All You Need to Know in 2025

Open Banking

Is Pay by Bank Cheaper Than Cards?

Pay by Bank

What Are the Cheapest Shopify Payment Options?

Fancy a quick chat?

Got questions about joining Atoa? Just enter your phone number below and our UK-based Customer Success Team will give you a bell.
*Providing your phone number gives us permission to call you for sales purposes.