Payment methods in Argentina: Which are the main ones and how to adapt them to your digital business?

Payment methods are the different ways in which a buyer can pay for a product or service. They include traditional options such as cash and credit or debit cards, as well as digital alternatives. Choosing the right payment methods can improve the customer experience and increase conversion in physical and digital businesses.

In this article, we show you which are the most popular in Argentina and how Rebill, with its payment gateway, can help you integrate them efficiently into your online store.

What are the payment methods used in Argentina?

1. Digital wallets or e-wallets

The use of online payment methods such as virtual wallets has grown exponentially in Argentina. According to a study by the firm Kantar, almost 60% of Argentines between 25 and 34 years of age use this means of payment, and that figure is expected to grow in the coming years. Its advantages include fast and contactless payments from a mobile device, which has driven its mass adoption.

The most popular include:

• Mercado Pago: Mercado Libre's payment platform dominates the market, both in digital payments and in physical stores through QR codes.
• MODO: driven by the main banks in the country, it allows centralizing all debit and credit cards in a single application.
• Ualá: offers a prepaid card and a digital wallet, ideal for those who want to control their spending without using a traditional credit card.

Credit cards

Credit cards continue to be one of the most dominant forms of payment in Argentina, especially in e-commerce. They account for approximately 35% of online transactions.

The main credit cards in the country are:

• Visa
• Mastercard
• American Express

Argentine consumers tend to prefer credit cards because of the possibility of paying in interest-free installments, a very common practice in the country.

Debit cards

Debit cards represent approximately 18% of ecommerce transactions in Argentina.

These cards are widely used for everyday purchases and are favored by those seeking to avoid accumulating debt. In addition, financial institutions often offer special promotions, such as discounts and refunds, which has increased their use.

4. Prepaid cards

This type of payment is booming, especially among young people and those seeking greater control over their spending. Platforms such as Ualá, Naranja X, Burbank and Reba have popularized this option.

Prepaid cards offer additional security as they are not linked to a bank account, making them ideal for online purchases.

5. Bank Transfers

Bank transfers are a reliable payment system for transactions in Argentina, either through CBU (Clave Bancaria Uniforme) or Alias. Although they are not the most popular method in ecommerce, they are still key for B2B transactions and professional services seeking efficiency and control.

Thanks to their ease of use, they allow companies and customers to manage mobile payments in a secure and agile way from home banking or banking apps, reducing friction in operations.

6. Payments with cryptocurrencies

Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum and USDT have gained popularity in Argentina, especially as a way to safeguard value in the face of inflation. More and more merchants are accepting this method, either through integrations with crypto payment processors or through direct transfers between digital wallets.

7. Payments with NFC technology

Near Field Communication (NFC) payments are transforming the shopping experience in physical stores and transportation. With digital wallets such as Google Pay and Apple Pay, and contactless cards, transactions become fast and contactless, improving user convenience and reducing waiting times.

For businesses that prioritize customer experience, this method represents an opportunity to optimize their points of sale, improve checkout and stay ahead of payment trends.

8. Cash payments

Although cash payments have declined with digitization, it is still a relevant payment option, especially in rural areas and for unbanked consumers.

Payment services such as Pago Fácil and Rapipago allow customers to make purchases online and pay for them in cash at physical locations. This method remains popular among those who prefer not to use digital means.

9. Installment payments

In Argentina, interest-free installment payments are another key payment method for boosting sales of high-value products such as household appliances and technology. This method, widely adopted by consumers, eliminates barriers by offering financing at no additional cost.

Customers often finance a purchase by spreading the payment across multiple credit cards, so payment platforms must adapt to this preference and allow a transaction to be split across multiple cards, driving conversion and customer satisfaction.

The advantages of offering installment payments include:

• Higher average ticket: consumers tend to spend more when they have the option of financing their purchases in installments.
• Improved conversion: by lowering payment barriers, quotas incentivize users to complete their purchases.

How does Rebill facilitate the integration of payment methods in Argentina?

Rebill is one of the most complete payment service providers in Latin America. Not only does it connect you with the most widely used payment methods in Argentina, but it also facilitates your expansion by not requiring a local entity, among many other advantages.

Why does this matter? Because if you process with international acquiring, up to 50% of payments can be rejected. With Rebill, you collect as local and settle in USD wherever you are.

Soon we will also be available for Argentine companies operating within the country. If you want to join us first, leave your email here.

Other advantages of using Rebill

• Integration in less than an hour: you accept multiple methods with a single connection through its robust API, SDK or its low-code integration. With 5 lines of code, you embed a complete checkout with all payment methods.
• Flexible recurring payments: also designed for subscription models. Allows upgrades, downgrades and cancellations in real time. Accept weekly, monthly, yearly or as often as you need. You can also offer free trial periods from day one. Its smart retries feature allows you to recover up to 71% of rejected payments.
• Automatic compliance: we validate that each transaction complies with local regulations: security, authentication, data protection.

If you want to expand into Argentina, it's not enough to just charge online. You have to offer payment methods that users know and trust. Rebill solves that from day one. Contact us to activate your account.