PayNow vs DuitNow for Tourists: How to Pay in Singapore and Malaysia

QR codes are everywhere in Singapore and Malaysia. You’ll see “PayNow” and “DuitNow” at hawker stalls, cafés, taxis, and small shops. The catch: many visitors assume these work like universal travel wallets. They don’t.

This guide explains PayNow vs DuitNow, and what payment methods actually work for tourists who don’t have local bank accounts or local phone numbers—so you can enjoy cashless payments in SG & MY without checkout surprises.

💡Not sure which financial tech is worth using? Start with our Fintech coverage.

What Are PayNow and DuitNow? 

PayNow (Singapore) is an electronic funds transfer service that lets you send and receive SGD using a proxy such as a mobile number, NRIC/FIN, UEN (businesses), or a Virtual Payment Address (VPA). In practice, you use PayNow through a participating Singapore bank (or eligible e-wallet provider) via their mobile/internet banking app.

DuitNow (Malaysia) is Malaysia’s real-time payments service. It supports instant transfers using a DuitNow ID and merchant payments via DuitNow QR, accessed through participating Malaysian banks’ online banking apps and supported e-wallets.

📌Tourist-friendly summary: both systems are built around local bank/e-money accounts, not “download-and-go” travel apps.

Can Tourists Use PayNow in Singapore? 

For most short-term visitors, not directly.

To receive PayNow transfers, the recipient needs a Singapore bank account with a PayNow-participating bank and must have registered a PayNow proxy (e.g., mobile number or NRIC/FIN).

For QR payments, one clear example is IRAS’s PayNow QR option (used to pay certain Singapore taxes): it requires a Singapore bank account and PayNow registration, and IRAS notes PayNow QR is not available for overseas bank accounts. The takeaway for tourists is simple: PayNow QR is designed for local banking, not for visitors paying from an overseas account.

If you’re a tourist without a Singapore bank account (and usually without a FIN), treat PayNow as “locals-first.”

PayNow for Tourists: The One Scenario It Matters

If you’re a “tourist” but you already have a Singapore bank account (for example, you work/study in Singapore or visit frequently), PayNow will work for you the same way it works for locals. Otherwise, plan as if you can’t use it.

Can Tourists Use DuitNow in Malaysia?

DuitNow is also largely account-linked.

PayNet’s official support says DuitNow Transfer is for individuals with Malaysian bank or e-money accounts.

You may read that DuitNow IDs can include different identifiers (including, in some contexts, passport numbers). But to actually use DuitNow (transfer or QR), you still need access through a participating Malaysian bank app or e-wallet.

DuitNow for Tourists: The One Scenario It Matters

If you already have Malaysian banking or an eligible Malaysian e-money account, DuitNow QR can be a convenient everyday option. If you don’t, assume DuitNow is “nice to have” but not something you’ll rely on.

🔍Curious which digital banks Malaysians actually use? See our guide to the Best Digital Banks in Malaysia.

QR Code Acceptance vs Usability: A Key Tourist Payment Trap

• QR acceptance = the merchant displays PayNow QR / DuitNow QR because locals use it.
• QR usability = you have an eligible app/account that can complete the payment.

In Singapore, PayNow QR payments are made in a PayNow-capable mobile banking app and require you to have signed up for PayNow (linked an eligible proxy to your bank/e-wallet account).

You may see SGQR, a single label that shows multiple QR payment options a merchant accepts. If PayNow is one of those options, you can use it—but tourists still need at least one payment method they’re eligible for.

In Malaysia, DuitNow QR similarly depends on you using a participating bank or e-wallet app (and the merchant being set up to accept DuitNow QR).

📌At the counter, use this rule of thumb:
If the QR is for PayNow or DuitNow and you don’t already have the right banking app setup, don’t “fight the QR.” Ask to pay by card, or pay cash.

How to Pay in Singapore as a Tourist

1) Use contactless cards as your default. International cards (and phone wallets linked to them) are commonly accepted at malls, supermarkets, attractions, hotels, and many eateries—but smaller stalls may be cash-only.

2) Public transport: tourist-friendly tap options exist. SimplyGo states its travel options serve both residents and tourists, and you can pay using stored-value travel cards, contactless bank cards, or the Singapore Tourist Pass.

3) Carry a small cash buffer. Some small stalls may prefer cash or local QR—even if most of your trip is card-only.

How to Pay in Malaysia as a Tourist

In Malaysian city centres you’ll find lots of card and QR acceptance, but the “cash backup” rule matters more here.

Cards: hotels, malls, supermarkets and many restaurants accept them.
Cash: useful for night markets, small eateries, and certain low-cost transport situations.

If your goal is “no friction,” assume you’ll use cards + cash as your core toolkit, and treat DuitNow QR as a bonus when you’re already eligible for it.

PayNow vs DuitNow For Tourists (Quick Comparison)

Cross-Border Payments Between SG and MY: What Tourists Need

People often hear “PayNow and DuitNow are linked” and assume they can use them anywhere. There are two different cross-border features.

1) Cross-border QR payments (for shopping)

MAS and Bank Negara Malaysia announced a cross-border QR payment linkage on 31 March 2023, allowing customers of participating financial institutions to pay by scanning NETS QR and DuitNow QR codes.

Example: DBS says PayLah! users can pay Malaysian merchants via DuitNow QR and see the MYR price, exchange rate, and SGD amount in-app.

PayNet also describes cross-border QR payments as a travel feature and notes no registration is required—availability depends on whether your bank/e-wallet app supports cross-border scan-and-pay.

How to interpret this as a tourist:

• If you’re a Singapore resident visiting Malaysia, check whether your bank/wallet supports scanning DuitNow QR (some do).
• If you’re a Malaysian resident visiting Singapore, check whether your bank/wallet supports scanning NETS QR.
• If you’re visiting from elsewhere, don’t assume your home wallet is supported. Treat “QR payment Singapore Malaysia” as something that may work only with specific partner apps.

2) Cross-border fund transfers (sending money to a person)

PayNet’s cross-border fund transfer feature lets Malaysians send money to Singapore using the recipient’s PayNow-registered mobile number or VPA. Banks also show a masked version of the recipient’s name during the lookup to help prevent mistakes.

Tourist reality check: these cross-border features mainly help travellers who already bank in Singapore or Malaysia. They don’t turn PayNow or DuitNow into universal tourist apps.

Common Tourist Payment Mistakes in Singapore and Malaysia

Even in two of Southeast Asia’s most cashless-friendly destinations, tourists still run into payment issues because local rules matter more than technology.

• Assuming any QR works: PayNow/DuitNow QR are local rails; if you don’t have an eligible app, switch to card or cash.
• Bringing no cash: keep a small buffer, especially in Malaysia.
• Misdirected transfers: verify the recipient name shown in-app before you confirm; PayNet explicitly recommends this and notes that DuitNow’s Name Enquiry feature shows the registered name.
• Forgetting FX basics: if you’re using cards abroad, expect your bank/card network to convert currency; keep an eye out for options at the terminal that look like “pay in your home currency,” which may come with extra charges.

A Simple Payment Plan for Tourists in SG and MY

Before you fly:

• Ensure your card supports overseas tap-to-pay and set a backup payment method (second card or some cash).
• Add your card to your phone wallet if you use one.
• If you’re a Singapore/Malaysia resident and want to try cross-border QR, check your bank app’s official help pages first.

On the trip:

• Main method: contactless credit/debit card + phone wallet
• Backup: some cash (more important in Malaysia)
• Transport in Singapore: SimplyGo-supported options (contactless cards, stored-value travel cards, or the Tourist Pass)
• PayNow / DuitNow: “nice if you already have it,” not something to depend on

Final Verdict: PayNow vs DuitNow for Tourists Explained

“PayNow vs DuitNow” isn’t really a competition for tourists. Both are excellent local payment networks, but they’re not built as plug-and-play travel wallets. For most visitors, the safest approach is simple: cards first, cash backup, and don’t assume local QR is usable unless you already have local banking access or a supported cross-border partner app.

FAQs: PayNow vs DuitNow for Tourists (SG & MY)

1) Can tourists use PayNow to pay in Singapore?

Usually no—PayNow is tied to Singapore bank accounts and is mainly used through local banking apps. Most short-term tourists won’t have the required setup.

2) Can foreigners or tourists register for PayNow with a passport or foreign phone number?

No. A passport is not a PayNow proxy. PayNow registration is tied to having a Singapore bank account, and commonly uses proxies such as a mobile number or NRIC/FIN.

Some banks allow a foreign mobile number to be used as the PayNow proxy if it is registered with the bank, but this still requires an active Singapore bank account—something most short-term tourists won’t have.

3) Can I pay a PayNow QR code using an overseas bank account or non-Singapore bank app?

No. PayNow (including PayNow QR) is designed for local SGD payments between participating banks in Singapore. You cannot pay a PayNow QR code directly from an overseas bank account or a non-Singapore bank.

4) If I see a PayNow QR / SGQR sticker, does that mean I can scan and pay as a tourist?

Not necessarily. QR acceptance just means the merchant supports that rail. Usability depends on whether you have a supported local banking/wallet setup that can execute the payment.

5) Can tourists use DuitNow QR in Malaysia?

Only if you already have access via a participating Malaysian bank or e-wallet. DuitNow Transfer/QR is designed to work through local banking or wallet apps.

6) Do I need to register for DuitNow Transfer?

PayNet states you don’t need to register to send money, but to receive funds you’ll typically complete a one-time registration to link your ID to a bank account or eWallet. (You still need a participating app/account to use it.)

7) I heard DuitNow can use a passport number—does that mean tourists can use it easily?

Usually no. DuitNow QR payments normally require access through a participating Malaysian bank or e-wallet.

However, in some cases, tourists may be able to pay by scanning a DuitNow QR code if their home bank or wallet app supports Malaysia’s cross-border QR payment arrangements. This depends entirely on app and bank participation, so it should not be relied on as a primary payment method.

8) What should I do if a stall or small shop says “PayNow only” or “DuitNow only”?

Don’t try to force it. Ask if they accept card (tap) or cash. If not, you may need to pay cash elsewhere—this is exactly why tourists should always carry a small backup amount.

9) Can Singapore visitors pay Malaysian merchants by scanning DuitNow QR?

Sometimes. Singapore and Malaysia launched cross-border QR payments connectivity (NETS QR ↔ DuitNow QR) for customers of participating financial institutions—so it can work if your bank/wallet app supports it.

10) Does cross-border QR mean any tourist can use PayNow/DuitNow in both countries?

No. Cross-border QR helps certain users pay across borders with supported apps, but it doesn’t turn PayNow/DuitNow into universal tourist wallets. It still depends on your bank/wallet participation.

11) Can I use PayNow to send money to an overseas bank account?

No—PayNow is for SGD transfers between FAST-participating banks in Singapore.

12) If I’m not a tourist (e.g., student/worker) and I have a Singapore bank account, can I use PayNow?

Yes—banks note that a payee can receive PayNow as long as they have a Singapore bank account with a participating bank and have registered their mobile number or NRIC/FIN as a PayNow proxy.