Personal Finance Tips

Top payment methods in Indonesia: A guide on best ways to pay

Nicholas Chia

25.08.25

Read time 2 minutes

Wondering what the most popular ways to pay are in Indonesia? Explore the top payment options and choose wisely.

Indonesia, with a population of around 284.44 million people, has a GDP of approximately 1.43 trillion, making it the 17th largest economy in the world. The official currency of Indonesia is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR).

Southeast Asia's largest economy is driven by domestic consumption, services, and the export of commodities like palm oil, coal, and natural gas. It is a member of ASEAN and APEC, with China, the US, and Japan as its top trading partners.


Country	Indonesia
Population	284.44 million
GDP (USD)	1.43 trillion
Global Ranking	17th
Currency	Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)

What is the main payment method in Indonesia?

The Indonesian digital payment market is led by digital wallets like GoPay and OVO, which are integrated into the "super-apps" Gojek and Grab and are used for everything from ride-hailing to QR payments.¹ Bank transfers via "Virtual Accounts," where a unique account number is generated for each transaction, are a very common e-commerce payment method.² Despite this, physical cash, the Rupiah, is still the primary payment method for the majority of the population, especially outside major cities.³

How to pay in Indonesia

Each country has its own way of moving money, and choosing the right method can sometimes be difficult. That’s why we have curated the most popular and best payment options for you to use in Indonesia.

Payment method	Description	Type
Wise	Wise provides international money transfer services. It is known for offering transparent, low-cost currency exchange rates and fast transfers. Wise uses the real mid-market exchange rate and charges a small, upfront fee, making it a cost-effective alternative to traditional banks for sending money abroad. The platform also offers multi-currency accounts, allowing users to hold and manage money in multiple currencies.	Online/in-person
Digital Wallets (GoPay, OVO, DANA)	Digital wallets are an extremely popular payment method for e-commerce, food delivery, ride-hailing, and in-store QR code payments. GoPay, OVO, and DANA are the market leaders.¹	Online/in-person
Bank Transfers (Virtual Accounts)	Bank transfers, often via a "Virtual Account" number, are a primary payment method for e-commerce checkouts. This method is trusted and widely used.²	Online
Cash (Rupiah)	Cash is still a king in Indonesia and is the most essential payment method for the majority of the population, especially in traditional retail and outside major cities.³	In-person
Cards (Debit/Credit)	Debit cards are common for ATM withdrawals and payments in formal retail. Credit card penetration is lower but they are used for online shopping and by more affluent consumers.⁵	Online/in-person

Is PayPal available in Indonesia?

Yes, PayPal is accepted in Indonesia.⁴

Cover all your international travel expenses with the Wise Multi-Currency Card

Whatever you need to buy during your trip, whether it’s a travel adapter, train ticket or an extra bottle of sunscreen, the Wise Multi-Currency Card has you covered.

You can spend like a local in 150+ countries, as this clever contactless card automatically converts currency at the mid-market exchange rate whenever you spend - for just a small conversion fee.

And for extra convenience, you can add your Wise Multi-Currency Card to your Google Wallet or Apple Wallet. Then you can travel even lighter and pay using just your phone, with no need to pack the physical card.

Get started with Wise

*Wise is not a bank. The Wise Multi-Currency Card is issued by our sponsor Bank(s), member(s) FDIC. Fees and T&C apply. See https://growth-layer.live/%3C/a%3E for details.

Sources:

GoPay - Gojek

BCA Virtual Account - Bank Central Asia

The Role of Bank Indonesia in the Payment System - Bank Indonesia

PayPal Indonesia

Payment System Statistics - Bank Indonesia

*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.