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LearnWhat are alternative payment methods (APMs)?
Alternative payment methods, or APMs, are any way to pay other than the major international credit cards - including bank transfers, e-wallets, prepaid vouchers, real-time payments and local schemes.
Why APMs matter
In many markets, most online shoppers prefer a local method over a card. Offering the right APMs in each country removes friction at checkout and can significantly increase conversion and reach.
Examples of APMs
Common APMs include bank transfers and open banking, e-wallets, buy-now-pay-later, prepaid vouchers, and country-specific real-time payment schemes. The mix that performs best varies by market and audience.
APMs for high-risk merchants
For high-risk verticals, APMs add resilience: if card approval is constrained in a market, local methods keep customers paying. PlatinumEdge supports 200+ local and alternative methods alongside card acquiring.
Are alternative payment methods safer than cards?
Many APMs (such as bank transfers and real-time payments) carry lower chargeback risk than cards, which can help high-risk merchants manage disputes - though risk varies by method.
How many payment methods should I offer?
Offer the methods your target markets actually use rather than everything available. The goal is to cover the dominant local options in each region you sell to.