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- Online payments in Chile
19/10/2016, updated 12/08/2025
E-commerce is experiencing explosive growth in Chile, with the market projected to reach $12.9 billion in 2024 and expecting 19% annual growth through 2025. Chile has developed a sophisticated online payment infrastructure, making it one of Latin America's most banked countries with 74.3% population owning bank accounts. Online payment systems have evolved significantly, offering diverse options for consumers and businesses.
You will find various payment methods on websites. Here is a short list:
WebPay
WebPay Plus (operated by Transbank) is Chile's primary online payment gateway and the most common method for card payments, because:
- It's widely integrated across Chilean e-commerce
- It's operated by Transbank, Chile's main payment processor serving all major banks
- It supports multiple payment methods including credit/debit cards and digital wallets
- It processes both local (RedCompra) and international cards (Visa, Mastercard)
No problem to use this payment method. You can pay in cash or in installments (quotas). Check the interest rate in that case. In large shops, you can usually pay in up to 6 installments without interest.
WebPay allows you to pay using a credit or debit card. Foreign credit cards are normally allowed (if you have informed your bank that you are traveling/living in Chile before). If you have a CuentaRUT, you can also use WebPay.
ServiPag
ServiPag.com is the web equivalent of the ServiPag counters that you can see in some streets/metro stations. Initially developed to allow Chilean people to pay their utility bills, it is nowadays also provided by some websites to pay online. Online payment only works with credit cards. You can also instruct ServiPag to debit your account directly. The website will redirect you to your bank's website to confirm the payment.
If you have a commercial credit card (the one "given" by big retailers like Falabella or Paris), you can use this card to pay using ServiPag.com and accumulate loyalty points.
Wire transfer/cash deposit
It is not always possible to pay by card. Actually, many Chileans still prefer to come to the shop to buy a product. Therefore, for most shops, their website is only a way for people to find them and get contact details. If you can not or do not want to come to the shop, they usually send you their bank account details. You can do a wire transfer, and they ship the product.
That's a good method if you do not yet have a Chilean bank account. Indeed, you can also deposit the funds at a cashier's desk in any branch of the shop's bank.
Khipu
A more recent method, not very widespread. We mainly mention it so that you know it is legit.
Khipu is very similar to a wire transfer. Actually, the founders called their product "the simplified wire transfer", because you don't have to enter each time bank account details. Indeed, the first time you use Khipu, you need to enter the details of Khipu account in the online area of your bank's website, as if you were doing a normal transfer. And then, you perform a transfer to Khipu (not to the shop). The next time you have to buy, you can directly do a wire transfer to Khipu, without having to enter again account details of another shop.
Honestly, the added value is quite slim. Yet, as some websites only offer this method, it is good to know how it works.
Good to know before paying online
The level of development of websites is quite variable. The big brands have websites with a quality similar to the one you might be accustomed to. Small shops are unlikely to have such websites. This means nothing regarding that the quality of the shop. Do not hesitate to give them a call to check if a product is available, if they can ship. Most Chileans prefer to call before ordering, so the owner will not be upset.
Current Trends in Online Payments (2024-2025)
Emerging Payment Methods:
- Digital Wallets: Mach (Banco Bci), Tenpo, Global66, Klap gaining significant adoption
- Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL): Fastest-growing segment with +189% YoY growth in 2022
- Mobile Payments: Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay widely supported
- QR Payments: Integration with apps like MACH and Fpay
Market Growth:
- Chilean digital commerce expected to grow 19% annually through 2025
- BNPL and account-based transfers showing highest growth rates
- Debit cards remain dominant for online transactions (37% of POS volume)
Payment Infrastructure:
- RedCompra: 44% market share for debit processing
- International cards: Mastercard (29%), Visa (27%), Amex (1%)
- WebPay Plus remains the primary gateway for most Chilean e-commerce
Do you want to go more in detail?
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