WhatsApp launches in-app feature for Singapore users to pay local businesses

SINGAPORE — WhatsApp users in Singapore may now pay businesses based here through the chat application, without being redirected to another website or having to open another app. 

In a press statement on Tuesday (May 9), messaging platform WhatsApp said that the new feature will enable Singapore residents with a WhatsApp phone number registered here to pay using credit cards, debit cards or PayNow.

It added that the feature — supported by WhatsApp's payments service provider partner, Stripe — will be rolled out to a "small number" of Singapore-based businesses on Tuesday and will be available to more in the coming months.

WhatsApp did not provide a number in response to TODAY's question on how many businesses already offer this service. 

It said that it has worked with several businesses to test out this feature, including plant-based butcher Love Handle, No Excuses gym, lifestyle boutique TyeTye and pastry shop Baker's 13. 

No Excuses told TODAY that several gym members have used the feature to pay for personal training packages, membership packages, protein bars and shakes at the gym. 

"While it may take a bit of time to become familiar with the feature, once users become accustomed to it, they find it to be a convenient and reliable payment method," it said. 

Mr Colin Yeo, the founder of Baker's 13, said that users' experience with the feature has been good, with customers being able to browse, place an order, and pay for that order in one platform.

He also said that the chat-like interface also provided a more personalised experience for each customer.

"Since WhatsApp had a greater user base than some social media platforms, it allowed us to reach a potentially larger audience," he added. 

The option to enable payments on WhatsApp in Singapore is available to businesses here using the WhatsApp Business Platform.

WhatsApp added that other Singapore-based businesses interested in offering this feature to customers may work with one of its four partners — Vonage, Gupshup, 360dialog and Clare.AI — to get started.

Such a service is also available on other platforms such as Chinese messaging application WeChat and Japanese messaging service Line. 

However, Whatsapp remains one of the more popular messaging platforms here.

Mr Stephane Kasriel, head of financial technology at Meta, which owns WhatsApp, said that the new feature would be "seamless" and "secure".