Link is a digital wallet that stores your payment information so you can check out faster
Link is a digital wallet owned by Stripe, a payments company. When you use Link, you enter your card details, email, and shipping address once. The next time you shop at a store that accepts Link, you log in with your email and a one-time code sent to your phone—no need to type your card number again.
Link works at online retailers and some mobile apps. It is not a bank account or a credit line. It does not hold money. It simply stores your existing payment methods (credit cards, debit cards) and personal information so checkout takes seconds instead of minutes.
The payment itself still comes from your card or bank account. Link just removes the friction of re-entering the same information over and over. If you have used Apple Pay or Google Pay, the concept is similar—a middleman that holds your details and speeds up the transaction.
Key Takeaways
- Link stores your card and address information so you can check out by entering only your email and a one-time code.
- You must have an existing card or bank account; Link does not create a payment method or hold money itself.
- Link is accepted at retailers that use Stripe's payment system, not everywhere—check whether a store supports it before checkout.
- Your card details are encrypted and stored by Stripe, not by individual retailers, which reduces the risk that a store's data breach exposes your card number.
- Link is free to use and does not charge you a fee on top of what you would normally pay.
How Link differs from other digital wallets
Link, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal all speed up checkout, but they work differently. Apple Pay and Google Pay are tied to your phone and use biometric authentication (your face or fingerprint). Link is tied to your email and uses a code texted to your phone. PayPal is a separate account that can hold money and process refunds independently.
Link is also narrower in where it works. Apple Pay and Google Pay work at physical stores (in-person), online, and in apps. Link works primarily online and in mobile apps—not at checkout counters with a card reader. If you are shopping in a physical store, you cannot use Link; you would use your card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay instead.
The main advantage of Link over entering your card manually is speed. The main advantage over Apple Pay or Google Pay is that you do not need a specific phone or device—you only need email access and the ability to receive a text message.
What happens when you use Link to pay
When you reach checkout at a store that supports Link, you see a Link button or option. You enter your email address. Stripe sends a one-time code to your phone via text message. You enter that code on the checkout page. Your stored card information is sent to the merchant, the transaction is processed, and you are done.
The entire process usually takes under a minute. No password to remember, no card number to type, no address to re-enter. If you have never used Link before, the first time takes longer because you have to enter your card details and address. After that, every transaction is just email + code.
If you lose access to the phone number associated with your Link account, you can update it through your Link settings or contact Stripe support. If your card expires or you want to remove a card from Link, you can edit your payment methods in your account at any time.
Security and fraud protection with Link
Link reduces certain fraud risks because your card number is not sent to the retailer. Instead, Stripe holds your card details and sends a token (a stand-in code) to the store. If that store's database is hacked, the thief gets a token, not your actual card number. Your real card information stays with Stripe, which has security infrastructure built for handling millions of transactions.
Link also uses the one-time code sent to your phone as a second layer of verification. Even if someone knows your email, they cannot complete a purchase without access to your phone. This is called two-factor authentication and makes it harder for someone to use your account without permission.
That said, Link is only as secure as your email account and your phone. If someone gains access to your email or intercepts your text messages, they could potentially use Link to make purchases. Use a strong, unique password for your email account and enable two-factor authentication on your email provider as well.
Where you can use Link
Link is accepted at any online store or app that uses Stripe as its payment processor. Stripe powers checkout for thousands of retailers, but not all of them have turned on Link as an option. Common places where you might see Link include fashion retailers, software subscriptions, food delivery apps, and SaaS platforms.
To know whether a specific store accepts Link, look for the Link button at checkout. If you do not see it, the store either does not use Stripe or has not enabled Link yet. You can still pay with your card the traditional way.
Link is not accepted at physical stores, gas stations, or ATMs. It is an online and mobile app payment method only. If you want a digital wallet for in-person shopping, use Apple Pay, Google Pay, or your card's contactless feature instead.
Setting up and managing your Link account
You do not sign up for Link separately or create an account in advance. The first time you use Link at a checkout, you enter your email and card details. Stripe creates your Link profile automatically. From that point forward, your information is saved.
To manage your Link account, visit link.stripe.com and log in with your email. You can add or remove cards, update your address, change your phone number, or delete your account entirely. You can also see a history of purchases made with Link.
If you want to stop using Link, you can delete your account from the settings page. This removes all your stored information from Stripe's Link service. You can still pay with your card at any store—you just will not have the speed benefit of Link anymore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use Link if a store offers it?
No. Link is optional. If a store offers Link at checkout, you can choose to use it or pay with your card the traditional way. You are never required to use Link or any other digital wallet.
Is Link the same as Stripe?
No. Stripe is the company that processes payments for merchants. Link is a product that Stripe owns. Stripe handles the payment processing behind the scenes; Link is the checkout experience you see as a customer.
Can I use Link on my phone and computer?
Yes. Your Link account is tied to your email, not your device. You can use Link to pay on any phone, tablet, or computer as long as you can receive text messages on the phone number associated with your account.
What if I do not receive the one-time code?
Check that your phone number is correct in your Link settings. If it is, wait a few seconds and request a new code. If you still do not receive it, contact your phone carrier to make sure text messages are not being blocked. You can also contact Stripe support for help.
Does Link charge me a fee?
No. Link is free to use. You pay the same price whether you use Link or enter your card manually. Stripe charges the merchant a processing fee, not you.