2026 Guide to Alternative Payment Methods
Alternative Payment Methods (APMs) are payment options beyond traditional card entry, and they are one of the most overlooked ways to increase income. When I worked at a movie theater from 2012 to 2023, our payment setup was simple: a point-of-sale system that accepted cash, gift cards, and credit/debit cards. But what happened when a customer ordered everything, then asked, “Do you accept Apple Pay?” Simple: I said, “No,” and that customer walked away without buying anything.
When you meet customers where they are through alternative payment methods, you’re able to reduce checkout friction, retain more customers, and provide a better experience to those who want to do business with you. In this 2026 Guide to Alternative Payment Methods, I’ll explain different types of Alternative Payment Methods, the industries that benefit most from them, and the ways that Wingman Payments implements them.
Digital Wallets
Digital Wallets store tokenized (secure) card credentials on a phone or web browser wallet. Examples include Apple Pay, Google Pay, and the Samsung Wallet. Consumers adds their card info to the mobile application or web browser, so when they need to pay for something, they can tap their phone or click on their computer to pay instead. This is the most common form of alternative payment. By the end of 2025, 63% of consumers used a mobile wallet to make a purchase. Digital Wallets are a best fit in locations that value speed and conversion. Retail, Quick Serve Restaurants, Convenience Stores, Box Offices, and Service Businesses are the most common places to implement them. Wingman Payments utilizes many payment solutions that implement Digital Wallets.
Mobile Payment Applications
With Mobile Payment Applications let customers pay a recipient through a wallet network. Examples of this are PayPal, Venmo, and Cash App. Customers select which wallet network they want to use, then set up an account and get it approved. Then they send money through the application to other application users. Mobile Payment Applications have person-to-person transactional uses, with some use cases in small businesses. In 2023, 49.7% of all households used Pay With App services. Wingman Payments seeks technologies that integrate with many Mobile Payment Applications, even if they are currently niche in business environments. This allows customers to pay businesses using their Mobile Payment Applications.
Bank Payments
Bank Payments like Automated Clearing House (ACH) are account-to-account bank transfers. An example is a payment from your current bank account to the Merchant’s bank account. Merchants initiates an ACH payment. Then consumers authorize it and merchants receive payment. This is the most common form of payment for business-to-business (B2B) invoicing and recurring payments. Bank Payments are as common as Digital Wallets, and are a best fit in B2B and Healthcare environments where there are a high volume of invoices and recurring billing. In 2024, 60% of businesses used ACH to make or receive payments to other organizations, consumers, employees, etc. Wingman Payments integrates bank payments into every solution we offer.
Real-Time Payments
Real-Time Payments are near-instant bank payments through a bank-integrated overlay. An example of this is Zelle. Senders initiate payment in a bank/fintech app, the receiver gets confirmation, and funds are delivered to the account. At the moment, Real-Time Payments are used for person-to-person transactions, but they are slowly finding their way into the business environment. 45% of Real-Time Payments occur outside of normal business hours, making them viable as a bill pay solution. Wingman Payments currently does not integrate Real-Time Payments into our payment solutions, but we are always looking for potential solutions to integrate them.
Buy Now, Pay Later
Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) offers installment financing at checkout. Examples of this are companies like Klarna, Affirm, and Afterpay. The consumer chooses BNPL, and after approval, they select the installment plan. BNPL providers pay the merchants. Consumers pay the BNPL providers in installments. BNPL is a great fit into businesses with high average order values, such as electronics and home goods. In 2024, 15% of Americans used Buy Now, Pay Later. Wingman Payments currently does not offer Buy Now Pay Later options, but are looking for solutions to integrate into our point-of-sale solutions.
Barcode Cash Payments
Barcode Cash Payments are when customers start a payment digitally and completes the order with cash at a participating retail location using a barcode provided to them. Consumers place an order and receive a barcode, which they then take to the retail location, confirms the order, and then pays the retail cashier. Barcode Cash Payments are great in environments that have cash-preferring customers. Wingman Payments currently doesn’t offer Barcode Cash Payments.
Prepaid/Gift Cards
Prepaid/Gift Cards are closed loop (single business) or open loop (many businesses) cards with stored value. Consumers buy the closed or open loop cards, then redeem it in-store or online. Once the business verifies the funds on the card, the value is applied to the transaction. Prepaid/Gift cards are great in the retail and restaurant industries with loyalty programs, promotions, and store credit. As of 2025, 64% of consumers purchased a gift card, 41% gave them as holiday gifts, and 64% of gift cards were closed loop. Wingman Payments offers solutions that can provide memberships and take Prepaid/Gift cards.
Crypto/Stablecoin Payments
Crypto/Stablecoin payments are any payments using a crypto wallet. Consumers pay using their crypto wallet, and after payment confirmation, merchants receive payment (in crypto or USD) into their merchant account. Crypto is a fascinating alternative payment method, because it currently see’s little use. In 2024, less than 2% of consumers paid with crypto. It is niche in general retail and the digital goods space, but 88% of merchants reported that customers inquired about crypto payments. Because Crypto has potential to be the next big alternative payment method, Wingman Payments is looking into solutions that integrate Crypto/Stablecoin payments (and that convert to USD for the merchant). Currently, however, we do not offer Crypto as an alternative payment method.
Conclusion
McDonald’s didn’t start accepting card payment until 2003. In 2015, the chip in payment cards helped tap-to-pay take off. Alternative payment methods are constantly evolving as technology evolves, and merchant service providers must stay on top of the industry in order to stay ahead of the curve. At Wingman Payments, we stay ahead of the curve by partnering with solutions that can provide Alternative Payment Methods that are not only the most popular now, but might become the most popular in the future. We provide our customers what they want in terms of payment methods, and by pairing that with staying ahead on technology, we look to implement new alternative payment solutions.
For more information, Contact Us at 470-822-8683, or visit our website at www.wingmanpayments.com.
Written by: Weston Kintz