Link is used by people who need to move money between their own bank accounts, or who are sending money to someone else through a bank transfer
Link is a payment network that moves money between bank accounts using the ACH system (Automated Clearing House). It is not a payment app or a digital wallet — it is the infrastructure that banks use to send money from one account to another. When you use Link, you are routing a transaction through your bank and the recipient's bank, which means the money takes one to three business days to arrive.
Link is used most often by people paying bills, sending money to family or friends, or moving their own money between accounts at different banks. It is also used by employers to send payroll, by government agencies to send tax refunds or benefit payments, and by businesses to pay vendors. If you have ever set up a bill payment through your bank's website or app, you have likely used Link without knowing it by name.
Key Takeaways
- Link is the ACH network that banks use to move money between accounts — it is not an app or service you sign up for separately.
- Transactions through Link take one to three business days because the money moves through a clearing house, not instantly.
- Link is used for bill payments, payroll, peer transfers, government payments, and business-to-business transactions.
- You access Link through your bank's bill pay feature, a payment app, or a business's payment portal — never directly.
- Link transactions are protected by your bank's fraud policies and by ACH rules, though disputes take longer to resolve than credit card disputes.
People who pay bills through their bank
If you log into your bank's website or mobile app and set up a bill payment to your electric company, mortgage lender, or insurance company, that payment usually goes through Link. Your bank sends the money to the biller's bank, and the biller's bank deposits it into their account. This is the most common use of Link for individual people.
Bill payments through Link are free at most banks, and they are scheduled in advance — you tell your bank when you want the money to leave your account, and the bank sends it a day or two early so it arrives on time. This is different from paying a bill with a credit card or debit card, which processes instantly but may cost you a fee.
Employers sending payroll
When your employer deposits your paycheck into your bank account, that deposit almost always comes through Link. Your employer's payroll system sends a batch of ACH transactions to their bank, which routes them through the clearing house to each employee's bank. This is why paychecks take one to two business days to show up in your account after your employer processes payroll, even though the money left their account immediately.
Link is the standard for payroll because it is cheap for employers, reliable, and works across all banks. Some employers offer same-day payroll through a different system, but that costs them more and is not yet standard.
Government agencies sending refunds and benefits
Tax refunds from the IRS, unemployment benefits, Social Security payments, and stimulus payments all move through Link. When you provide your bank account information to a government agency, they use that information to send money to your account via ACH. This is why a tax refund can take several weeks even after the IRS approves it — the money is in a queue with millions of other transactions moving through the clearing house.
Government agencies use Link because it is the only system that can reliably reach every bank in the country, and because it is the cheapest way to send money to millions of people at once.
Peer-to-peer payment apps and services
Apps like Venmo, PayPal, Square Cash, and Zelle all use Link behind the scenes when you send money to someone else's bank account. When you enter someone's bank account number and routing number into one of these apps, the app sends the money through Link. The recipient's bank receives it one to three business days later.
These apps add a layer on top of Link — they handle the user interface, store your contact list, and let you add a note to the transaction. But the actual movement of money is still happening through ACH and Link. Some of these apps also offer instant transfers, which use a different, faster network, but those usually cost a fee.
Businesses paying vendors and contractors
When a business pays an invoice to a vendor, contractor, or supplier, that payment often goes through Link. A business owner logs into their accounting software or bank, enters the vendor's bank account information, and schedules a payment. The money moves through Link and arrives in the vendor's account one to three business days later.
Businesses use Link for vendor payments because it is cheaper than wire transfers, more reliable than checks, and leaves a clear digital record. Wire transfers are faster but cost $15 to $50 per transaction, so most businesses reserve them for urgent or large payments.
What happens if a Link payment goes wrong
If you send money through Link to the wrong account, or if money is taken from your account without your permission, you have rights under ACH rules. You can dispute the transaction with your bank, and your bank must investigate. However, ACH disputes take longer than credit card disputes — usually 10 to 20 business days instead of 2 to 3.
If you sent money to the wrong person intentionally (you gave them your account number and they took more than you authorized, for example), the process is slower. Your bank will contact the receiving bank and ask them to recover the money, but if the recipient has already spent it, recovery may not be possible. This is why it is important to verify account numbers and amounts before you authorize a Link payment.
Link versus other payment methods
| Payment Method | Speed | Cost | Who Uses It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Link (ACH) | 1–3 business days | Usually free | Bill payments, payroll, peer transfers, government payments |
| Wire transfer | Same day or next day | $15–$50 | Urgent payments, large amounts, international transfers |
| Credit or debit card | Instant | Free or 2–3% fee | Retail, online shopping, bill payments to companies that accept cards |
| Check | 3–7 business days | Free or $0.50–$2 per check | Rent, some vendors, people who prefer paper records |
| Instant ACH | Minutes to hours | $0.50–$2 | Peer transfers, urgent payments, apps offering same-day service |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Link to send money internationally?
No. Link only works between U.S. bank accounts. To send money to another country, you need an international wire transfer, which your bank can arrange. International transfers take longer and cost more than domestic ACH transfers.
Is Link safe?
Link is as safe as your bank's security. If someone gains access to your bank account login, they can send money through Link without your permission. Your bank is required to investigate unauthorized ACH transactions and may reverse them, but the process takes time. Use a strong password and enable two-factor authentication on your bank account to protect yourself.
Why does my Link payment take so long?
ACH transactions move through a clearing house that processes batches of transactions at set times during the day. Your bank may also hold the transaction for a day before sending it. This is why a payment you schedule on Friday may not arrive until Tuesday — the clearing house does not process on weekends.
Can I cancel a Link payment after I send it?
It depends on timing. If you cancel before your bank sends the transaction to the clearing house (usually within a few hours), the payment can be stopped. Once it enters the clearing house, you cannot cancel it — you can only ask the receiving bank to return the money, which they may refuse if the recipient has already spent it.
Do I pay a fee to use Link?
Most Link transactions are free for individuals. Your bank may charge a fee for bill payments if you use a service like expedited delivery, but standard ACH bill payments are free. Businesses sometimes pay a small fee per transaction, depending on their bank's pricing.