Telegram Payment Request Guide
Compare payment links, Bot Payments and Telegram Stars, then choose the correct 2026 workflow for services, physical goods or digital products.
Can you send money on Telegram?
Yes, but the correct method depends on what you sell. Share an external payment link for a simple service or web checkout; use Telegram Bot Payments with an available third-party provider for physical goods and services; use Telegram Stars for digital goods and services sold inside Telegram. Telegram does not process or verify third-party payments itself.
Why Accept Payments on Telegram?
Meet customers in the conversation
Send a payment request in the same private chat, group or channel where the sale is discussed.
Instant Delivery
Messages are delivered instantly. No email delays or spam folder issues.
Provider-hosted payment handling
With Bot Payments or an external link, the selected payment provider handles sensitive payment details rather than Telegram.
Choose by product type
Keep external web sales, physical-goods Bot Payments and in-app digital-goods Stars as separate workflows.
4 Ways to Accept Payments on Telegram
Choose the method that fits your business needs — from Telegram's native Stars to payment links and automated bots.
PayRequest Payment Links
Best for freelancers & small businessesCreate branded payment links and share them directly in Telegram chats or groups.
How it works:
- 1Create a payment link in PayRequest
- 2Copy the link (e.g., payrequest.me/yourname)
- 3Paste and send in any Telegram chat
- 4Customer clicks, pays, done!
Benefits:
- No coding required
- Works in groups & channels
- Track payments
- Multiple payment methods
Telegram Bot with Payment Integration
Best for physical goods & services inside a botBuild a Telegram bot that sends native invoices through an available third-party payment provider.
How it works:
- 1Create a bot with BotFather
- 2Connect a provider available through BotFather
- 3Use Telegram's built-in payment API
- 4Customers pay directly in Telegram
Benefits:
- Native Telegram experience
- Automated workflows
- In-app payments
- Customizable
Telegram Channels & Groups
Best for creators & communitiesShare payment links in your Telegram community for products, courses, or memberships.
How it works:
- 1Create your product/service
- 2Generate a payment link
- 3Post in your channel or group
- 4Pin important payment links
Benefits:
- Reach many people at once
- Community engagement
- Easy product launches
- No website needed
Telegram Stars (Native In-App Payments)
Best for digital content & tips inside TelegramTelegram's in-app currency for digital goods and services sold through bots and mini apps.
How it works:
- 1Set up a Telegram channel, bot, or mini app
- 2Enable Stars payments via BotFather
- 3Users acquire Stars through Telegram
- 4Follow Telegram's current withdrawal and reward rules
Benefits:
- Native Telegram experience — no external links
- Works on iOS, Android, and Desktop
- No chargeback risk for digital goods
- Good for micro-transactions and tips
Quick Start: Send Your First Telegram Payment Request
Create Link
Sign up for PayRequest and create your first payment link in 60 seconds
Copy Link
Copy your personalized payment link (e.g., payrequest.me/yourname)
Send on Telegram
Paste the link in any Telegram chat — customer clicks and pays!
Who Uses Telegram Payments?
Freelance Services
Send invoices and payment requests directly to clients in your Telegram conversations.
Group Payments
Collect payments from group members for events, subscriptions, or shared expenses.
Automated Sales
Use bots to automatically send payment links when customers request products.
Digital Products
Sell ebooks, courses, or digital downloads through Telegram channels.
Coaching & Consulting
Accept payments for coaching sessions booked through Telegram.
International Clients
Reach clients in countries where Telegram is more popular than email.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to send payment links on Telegram?
A payment link can be safe when it points to the genuine HTTPS checkout of a provider you trust. Check the domain before paying and verify the resulting transaction in the payment provider. Telegram does not verify an external payment or resolve its disputes.
Can I accept payments directly in Telegram?
Telegram has a Bot Payments API that connects a merchant bot to third-party providers available through BotFather. For digital goods and services sold inside Telegram, use Telegram Stars. For a simpler external checkout, share a payment link.
What payment methods can I accept via Telegram?
When using PayRequest links in Telegram, customers can pay with credit cards, iDEAL, SEPA, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and 20+ other methods depending on your payment provider.
Can I track which payments came from Telegram?
Yes! With PayRequest, you can add UTM parameters to your links or use different payment links for different channels to track where your payments are coming from.
Does this work in Telegram groups and channels?
Absolutely. You can post payment links in groups, channels, or private messages. For channels, you can pin important payment links so they're always visible.
What about Telegram's own payment bots?
Native Bot Payments require a bot, a provider token and implementation of Telegram's invoice and payment-update flow. PayRequest's Telegram bot is the no-code route for creating and sharing hosted payment requests.
What is Telegram Pay?
Telegram Pay refers to Telegram's built-in payment system, which includes Telegram Stars (the in-app currency for digital content) and the Bot Payments API (which lets bots accept cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay via providers like Stripe). For real-money business transactions across all payment methods, most sellers use external payment links instead.
What are Telegram Stars and how do they work?
Telegram Stars are Telegram's in-app currency launched in 2024. Users buy Stars with real money (via App Store / Google Play / card), then spend them on digital content, tips, and mini-app purchases. As a creator, Stars you receive can be converted to TON cryptocurrency and then to fiat. Stars are ideal for small tips and digital goods inside Telegram — for larger business transactions, payment links give you more flexibility and payment method options.
Can I send money on Telegram for free?
Costs depend on the route, provider, country, currency and product type. Telegram says it takes no commission on Bot Payments for physical goods and services, but the connected payment provider can charge fees. Stars follow Telegram's separate pricing and reward rules. PayRequest charges 2% per successful payment, capped at €25 per transaction.
Related Guides
Start Accepting Telegram Payments Today
Create your first payment link in 60 seconds. Share it on Telegram, WhatsApp, Instagram, or anywhere else. Accept 20+ payment methods worldwide.