# Direct Debit or card auto debit: which one to use

> Bayarcash collects recurring payments by FPX Direct Debit. Cards take one-off payments only. Compare the two and pick the right one.
>
> Source: https://docs.bayarcash.com/direct-debit-vs-card/

Bayarcash collects recurring payments by FPX Direct Debit only. Card payments with Bayarcash are one-off payments: Bayarcash does not keep a card to charge it again later. This page compares Direct Debit and card auto debit, so that you can choose the correct method.

## What each one does

The two methods move money in different ways:

| | FPX Direct Debit | Card auto debit |
|---|---|---|
| **Who runs it** | PayNet, through the customer's bank | The card network (Visa or Mastercard) and the bank that issued the card |
| **How the customer agrees** | One time: the customer approves an e-Mandate in their online banking, then the bank approves it | The first payment with an OTP (3-D Secure), and an agreement that the merchant can charge the card again |
| **Accounts** | Current, savings and credit card accounts at participating banks. Not debit cards | Credit and debit cards |
| **Amount and frequency** | Set in the e-Mandate: weekly (on Friday), monthly or yearly. RM 5.00 to RM 30,000.00 for each deduction | Set in the agreement with the customer. The amount can change if the agreement says so |
| **Approval of each charge** | No new approval. Each deduction follows the e-Mandate | The card bank approves or declines each charge |
| **Why a charge can fail** | Not enough money or credit limit in the account, or the e-Mandate is not active | The card expired or was replaced, no credit limit or money left, or the bank declined the charge |
| **How to cancel** | The customer ends the e-Mandate. See [Change or end a Direct Debit](/direct-debit-maintenance-termination/) | The customer tells the merchant, or asks the card bank to stop the charges |
| **Disputes** | The customer contacts their bank | The customer can dispute a charge with the card bank, for a limited time |
| **Fees** | A fixed fee for each enrolment, change and deduction. See the [Payout calculator](/payout-calculator/) | Usually a percentage of each charge |
| **On Bayarcash** | Yes | No. Bayarcash cards take one-off payments only |

> **Note**
> DuitNow AutoDebit is a different PayNet product. Bayarcash does not offer it.

## When to use Direct Debit

Use Direct Debit for a payment that repeats on a fixed schedule:

- Subscriptions, memberships and course fees, every week, month or year.
- Recurring donations.
- Instalments with the same amount each time.

The customer approves once, and the deductions continue until the e-Mandate ends.

## When to use a card or another one-off channel

Use a card, FPX or DuitNow for a payment that happens one time:

- A single purchase or a single donation.
- A payment with an amount that changes each time.
- A customer who does not want an e-Mandate.

You can send the customer a new payment link for each payment. See [Payment channels](/payment-channels/).

## What your customer does

The steps for your customer are different for each method.

### With Direct Debit

1. Your customer opens the enrolment page from your shop or from your link, and chooses their bank.
2. They sign in to their online banking and approve the e-Mandate.
3. The bank checks and approves the e-Mandate. At Bayarcash, this usually takes 3 to 5 days.
4. The deductions start on the schedule. Your customer does nothing more for each deduction.

### With a card

1. Your customer types their card details on the Bayarcash payment page.
2. They confirm the payment with the OTP from their bank.
3. For the next payment, they pay again in the same way.

## Set up recurring payments

Bayarcash gives you these ways to start Direct Debit:

- **One customer at a time:** in the merchant dashboard, open **Transactions**, then **e-Mandates**, then **New Enrollment**. See [Enrol a customer in Direct Debit](/direct-debit-enrollment/).
- **A WooCommerce shop:** use **Bayarcash Direct Debit** with WooCommerce Subscriptions. See [WooCommerce](/woocommerce/).
- **GiveWP donations:** use the GiveWP Recurring Donations add-on. See [GiveWP](/givewp/).
- **Your own system:** use the Direct Debit API. See [Developers](/developers/).

## Tips

- **Tell your customer the schedule.** Say the amount and the day of each deduction before they approve the e-Mandate.
- **Watch the first deduction.** Check [Direct Debit transactions](/direct-debit-transactions/) after the first deduction date, then follow up on any failure.

## Common issues

### Can Bayarcash charge my customer's card every month?

No. Bayarcash takes card payments one at a time, and it does not keep cards for later charges. For a payment every week, month or year, use Direct Debit. See Enrol a customer in Direct Debit (/direct-debit-enrollment/).

### Which is cheaper for a subscription?

Direct Debit has a fixed fee for each deduction. A card payment usually has a fee that is a percentage of the amount. For the Bayarcash fees, see the Payout calculator (/payout-calculator/).

### Can I take daily payments by Direct Debit?

No. Bayarcash offers Direct Debit every week, every month or every year. A weekly deduction is on a Friday. See When Direct Debit deductions happen (/direct-debit-deduction-schedule/).