Link.com is a payment platform that lets you send money to another person's bank account using only their email address or phone number
Link.com (operated by Link Financial Technology) is a peer-to-peer payment service that works through your existing bank account. Instead of needing a recipient's routing number and account number, you send money using just their email or phone number. The recipient gets a notification, accepts the transfer into their own bank account, and the money arrives within one to three business days.
The service is free to use for most transfers. Link.com doesn't charge senders or receivers a fee, though your bank may have its own policies about incoming transfers. The platform works with most major U.S. banks and credit unions, though some smaller institutions may not be connected yet.
Key Takeaways
- Link.com transfers money directly from your bank account to someone else's bank account using only their email or phone number.
- Transfers are free and typically arrive within one to three business days, though timing depends on both banks' processing speeds.
- You need an active checking or savings account at a participating bank to send money through Link.com.
- The recipient must accept the transfer request before money moves, giving you a window to cancel if you change your mind.
- Link.com is different from payment apps like Venmo or PayPal because money goes directly to a bank account, not held in a digital wallet.
How a Link.com transfer actually works
When you initiate a transfer, Link.com connects to your bank and verifies you have the funds available. You enter the recipient's email address or phone number and the amount. Link.com then sends the recipient a notification asking them to accept the transfer and provide their bank details. Once they accept, the money moves from your bank account to theirs.
The key difference from other payment methods is that Link.com doesn't hold your money in an account. The transfer goes directly from your bank to the recipient's bank. This means you can't reverse a transfer after the recipient accepts it—it's treated like a regular bank transfer, not a payment app transaction you can undo.
If the recipient doesn't accept within a set timeframe (usually seven to ten days), the transfer expires and your money stays in your account. You can then cancel it or try sending to a different contact method.
When you might use Link.com instead of other payment methods
Link.com works best when you're sending money to someone who doesn't have a payment app installed or doesn't want to use one. You don't need the recipient to have a Link.com account—they just need a bank account and an email address or phone number.
It's also useful if you want the money to go directly to someone's bank account rather than sitting in a digital wallet. If you're splitting rent, reimbursing a friend for groceries, or sending money to a family member, Link.com gets the cash into their actual account without an extra step.
Link.com is slower than apps like Venmo or PayPal, which can transfer money between app users instantly. If you need money to arrive the same day, Link.com won't work—you'd need a wire transfer or a same-day ACH service through your bank instead.
What information you need to send a Link.com transfer
To send money, you need the recipient's email address or phone number and the amount you want to transfer. That's it on the front end. Link.com handles the rest by contacting them and asking them to provide their bank details when they accept.
You do need an active checking or savings account at a bank that Link.com works with. When you set up Link.com, you'll connect your bank account and verify your identity. Link.com will ask for your name, address, and the last four digits of your Social Security number to confirm you are who you say you are.
The recipient doesn't need to provide their bank details to you—they provide them directly to Link.com when they accept the transfer. This is safer than asking someone to give you their account number over email or text.
How long a Link.com transfer takes
Link.com itself processes transfers instantly, but the actual money movement depends on your banks. Most transfers arrive within one to three business days. Weekends and bank holidays add time—a transfer sent on Friday evening might not arrive until Tuesday.
Some banks process transfers faster than others. If both your bank and the recipient's bank are large institutions with modern systems, the transfer may arrive the next business day. Smaller banks or credit unions may take the full three days.
If a transfer hasn't arrived after three business days, contact Link.com support with the transfer reference number. They can check the status with both banks and tell you where the money is stuck.
Fraud protection and what happens if something goes wrong
Link.com verifies your identity when you set up your account, which reduces the risk of someone opening an account in your name. Your bank also has fraud protections on incoming transfers—if money arrives in your account and you didn't authorize it, you can dispute it with your bank within a set timeframe (usually 60 days).
If you send money to the wrong person by mistake, you can't reverse it after they accept. This is why Link.com requires the recipient to accept the transfer—it gives you a window to cancel if you realize you made an error. Once they accept and the money moves to their bank, it's treated as a completed bank transfer, and you'd have to contact them directly to ask for the money back.
If your Link.com account is compromised or someone sends money from your account without permission, report it to Link.com immediately. They can freeze your account and work with your bank to investigate. Your bank's fraud protections also cover unauthorized transfers from your account.
Link.com versus wire transfers, ACH, and other bank transfers
| Method | Speed | Cost | What you need | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Link.com | 1–3 business days | Free | Recipient's email or phone | Casual transfers to friends or family |
| Wire transfer | Same day or next day | $15–$50 | Routing number, account number | Large amounts, urgent transfers |
| ACH (bank transfer) | 1–3 business days | Free | Routing number, account number | Recurring payments, payroll |
| Venmo or PayPal | Instant (app to app) or 1–3 days (to bank) | Free (peer transfers) | Recipient's app account | Quick transfers between app users |
Link.com is simpler than a wire transfer or ACH because you don't need routing and account numbers. It's faster than asking someone for their banking details and entering them manually. But it's slower than Venmo or PayPal if both people have those apps.
If you need money to arrive the same day, a wire transfer is your only option—but you'll pay a fee and need the recipient's full banking details. If you're sending money regularly (like rent or a loan payment), ACH through your bank's bill pay system is free and automatic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel a Link.com transfer after I send it?
Yes, but only before the recipient accepts it. Once they accept and the money moves to their bank account, the transfer is complete and can't be reversed. If the recipient doesn't accept within seven to ten days, the transfer expires automatically and your money stays in your account.
What if Link.com sends the money to the wrong bank account?
Link.com doesn't send money to a bank account you provide—the recipient provides their own bank details when they accept the transfer. This means the money goes where they tell Link.com it should go. If they give the wrong account number, you'd need to contact them directly to recover the money.
Does Link.com work internationally?
Link.com only works for transfers between U.S. bank accounts. If you need to send money outside the United States, you'll need a wire transfer, an international money transfer service, or a payment app that supports cross-border transfers.
Is Link.com safe to use?
Link.com uses encryption and identity verification to protect your account. Your bank account information is verified but not stored by Link.com in a way that exposes it to the recipient. Like any bank transfer, it's safer than sending cash or giving someone your account number directly.
What banks work with Link.com?
Link.com works with most major U.S. banks and many credit unions, but not all institutions are connected yet. When you try to set up Link.com, it will tell you whether your bank is supported. If your bank isn't listed, you can contact Link.com to ask when they plan to add it, or use a wire transfer or ACH through your bank instead.