# How Payment Links Work

Payment links create individual links you can send to buyers to complete a transaction. You can share these links on web pages, email, text, or QR codes.

Payment links can be either "single-use" or "multiple-use". Single-use payment links are personalized for a specific customer's purchase, while multiple-use links can be used any number of times.

With payment links, instead of logging in to a computer or meeting the seller in person, the buyer can click a link and complete the transaction on their phone or preferred device.

Example use cases for payment links:

- Including a payment link with an invoice for your buyer to pay
- Asking a buyer to pay after they visit your store
- Allowing buyers to pay through chat, email, or social media


The payment link buyer page is supported on desktop and mobile. You can also customize the checkout page with your brand name and logo.

Level 2 / Level 3 processing is supported for Payment Links. For more information, see our guide on [Level 2 / Level 3 Processing](/guides/online-payments/payment-features/level-2-level-3-processing#create-a-payment-link-with-level-2level-3-processing).

## Buyer Experience

Payment links are generated by entering transaction details in the Finix Dashboard. After creating the payment link, you can share it with your buyer via a hyperlink, QR code, email, or chat.

When the buyer clicks the link, they will be directed to a payment page where they can enter their card or bank information to complete the transaction.

![Buyer Page](/assets/payment-links-buyer-experience-1.233b5348f040324734223e47512774f5c160df9ba96eb53715d3c8ff540ac8da.08ff7529.png)

## Supported Payment Methods

Finix's payment links support:

- Card payments ($USD and $CAD)
- Bank account payments (ACH Direct Debits in the USA and EFTs in Canada)
- Google Pay
- Apple Pay


## Payment Link Types

### Single-Use Payment Links

Single-use payment links can only be used once. After a buyer completes payment, the link transitions to **Completed** and cannot accept additional payments.

Use single-use links when:

- Sending a payment request for a specific transaction.
- You want to ensure the link is only valid for one payment.
- Tracking individual purchases tied to specific buyers.


Single-use Link
After payment, the buyer sees a confirmation with the items and total amount paid:

Single-use Link - Completed
If a buyer clicks the link again, they see a message confirming the payment was already processed:

Single-use Link - Already Processed
### Multiple-Use Payment Links

Multiple-use payment links can accept unlimited payments. The link remains **Active** until it expires or is manually deactivated.

Use multiple-use links when:

- Accepting recurring payments from multiple buyers.
- Embedding a payment link on a website or in marketing materials.
- You don't need to track individual buyers per transaction.


Multiple-use links do not support L2/L3
[Level 2 / Level 3 processing](/guides/online-payments/payment-features/level-2-level-3-processing) is not supported for multiple-use payment links.

Multiple-use Link
Each successful payment creates a new [Transfer](/api/transfers) resource. You can [view all transactions](/low-code-no-code/payment-links/tracking-payment-links#view-payment-attempts) associated with a payment link on the dashboard.

## Amount Types

Payment links support two amount types: **Fixed** and **Variable**.

### Fixed Amount

Fixed amount payment links have a predetermined total that buyers cannot change. Use fixed amounts when you know the exact payment amount upfront.

- The `amount_type` is set to `FIXED`.
- The `total_amount` specifies the payment amount in cents.


### Variable Amount

Variable amount payment links let buyers enter their own payment amount within optional min/max limits. Use variable amounts for donations, tips, or when the final amount isn't known at link creation.

- The `amount_type` is set to `VARIABLE`.
- Optionally set `min_amount` and `max_amount` to control the allowed range.


## Payment Link Lifecycle

The typical payment link lifecycle follows these steps:

1. **Create**: Create a payment link in the [Dashboard](/low-code-no-code/payment-links/quickstart-dashboard) or via [API](/low-code-no-code/payment-links/quickstart-api) with product details, amount, and settings.
2. **Share**: [Share the link](/low-code-no-code/payment-links/sharing-payment-links) with buyers via email, text, QR code, or embed it on your website.
3. **Pay**: The buyer clicks the link and completes payment on the hosted payment page.
4. **Complete**: For single-use links, the state changes to **Completed**. For multiple-use links, the state remains **Active**.


## Payment Link States

Payment Links transition through different states based on payment activity. You can view and filter payment links by state on the dashboard.

| Status | Description |
|  --- | --- |
| **Active** | The payment link is available for buyers to use. |
| **Completed** | A payment has been successfully made (single-use links only). |
| **Expired** | The link validity period has passed and the link can no longer be used. |
| **Deactivated** | The payment link was manually deactivated and can no longer be used. |


### Active

A payment link starts in the **Active** state after it's created.

- For a single-use payment link, when a payment is made the state changes to **Completed**.
- For multiple-use payment links, the state remains **Active** until it expires or is deactivated.


### Completed

A single-use payment link moves to **Completed** when a payment is made. This state does not apply to multiple-use payment links.

### Expired

A payment link moves to **Expired** when the link validity period has passed. Buyers can no longer use the link to make payments.

### Deactivated

For multiple-use payment links, you can deactivate the link at any time while its state is **Active**. Once deactivated, the link cannot be used for payments.

To deactivate payment link:

1. From the Finix Dashboard, click **Payment Tools** > **Payment Links**.
2. Click the payment link you want to deactivate.
  - The payment link details page opens.
3. Click the **...** icon and select **Deactivate**.
  - A banner appears at the top of the payment link page confirming the action.


Payment Links - Deactivate
## State Transitions

### Single-Use Payment Links

Single-use payment links follow this flow:


```mermaid
stateDiagram-v2
    direction LR

    [*] --> Active: Create

    Active --> Completed: Payment Made
    Active --> Expired: Validity Period Ends
    Active --> Deactivated: Manual Deactivation

    Completed --> [*]
    Expired --> [*]
    Deactivated --> [*]
```

### Multiple-Use Payment Links

Multiple-use payment links remain Active through multiple payments:


```mermaid
stateDiagram-v2
    direction LR

    [*] --> Active: Create

    Active --> Active: Payment Made
    Active --> Expired: Validity Period Ends
    Active --> Deactivated: Manual Deactivation

    Expired --> [*]
    Deactivated --> [*]
```

Multiple-use links do not transition to **Completed** state. They remain **Active** until they expire or are manually deactivated.

## Payment Methods

You can allow buyers to pay with credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. For more information, see [Payment Methods for Payment Links](/low-code-no-code/payment-links/payment-methods).

## Key Payment Link Fields

| Field | Description |
|  --- | --- |
| `is_multiple_use` | When `true`, the payment link can be used for multiple transactions. When `false`, the link can only be used once. |
| `amount_type` | Determines whether the payment amount is `FIXED` (set by you) or `VARIABLE` (buyer enters an amount within min/max limits). |
| `allowed_payment_methods` | The payment methods buyers can use: `PAYMENT_CARD`, `BANK_ACCOUNT`, `APPLE_PAY`, or `GOOGLE_PAY`. |
| `link_expires_at` | The timestamp when the payment link expires and can no longer be used by buyers. |
| `state` | The current state of the payment link: `ACTIVE`, `COMPLETED`, `EXPIRED`, or `DEACTIVATED`. |


## Refunds

Refunds on payments made through Payment Links are handled the same way as other payments. For more information, see [Refunds](/guides/after-the-payment/refunds).

## Terms of Service

You must include your terms and services with every payment link you create. Your terms and conditions should contain the following information.

You must include a URL to your terms of service when creating a payment link.

### General Terms

- A description of the product or service that you are selling or offering.
- Any third parties involved in the product you are selling or offering.
- Reference to which governing law applies to you and your buyers.


### Privacy Policy

- Any data you are storing.
- Any data you are sharing with third parties.
- Your cookie policy.


### Shipping and Delivery Information

- Expected delivery and shipping timelines
- Any restrictions on where you can ship or deliver your goods or services


### Refunds and Cancellations

- Your general refund policies (e.g., 10 days, 30 days, no refunds allowed).
- Directions on submitting a refund request or canceling a subscription.


### Contact Information

You should include general contact information such as:

- Business name
- Doing Business as
- Support Email address
- Support Phone number