Top-ups
How to add money to your account: open banking vs card top-up
Most people have two ways to fund a payment app: a bank account and a bank card. This guide explains how each works and when to use which.
What is open banking?
Open banking is a secure way for regulated apps to connect to your bank with your permission, so you can share information or make payments directly from your bank account.
What makes it different:
Regulated providers. Open banking payments are made through providers regulated by authorities such as the FCA in the UK, or their European equivalents.
Your consent, every time. You decide what to approve, and no money leaves your account without your confirmation.
Strong authentication. Your own bank checks it's really you, with biometrics or a passcode, before any payment is made.
How an open banking top-up works in ODIX Pay
In ODIX Pay, open banking sits under Bank & Local Payment. It takes four steps:
Choose Bank & Local Payment. In the app, tap Add money, enter the amount and choose Bank & Local Payment.
Pick your bank. Select your bank from the list. You're taken securely to your bank's app or website.
Approve with your bank. Log in the way you always do, with Face ID, fingerprint or passcode, and confirm the payment.
Money in your account. You're brought back to ODIX Pay and the money is added to your balance.
ODIX Pay also supports local ways to add money in many countries. See Bank & Local Payment.
What is a card top-up with Visa Direct?
Visa Direct is a Visa service that sends money straight to an eligible Visa card using the card number, instead of a bank account. With ODIX Pay it works in two ways:
From your own card: add money in the ODIX Pay app using a Visa debit card you hold at another bank.
From someone else: friends, family or anyone who owes you money can send it straight to your ODIX card from a bank or app that supports Visa Direct. They only need your 16-digit card number.
Visa Direct top-ups work with ODIX Visa cards: Odix White, Odix Black and Odix Rose Metal. The money is added to your card balance. Learn more on Visa Direct.
And a bank transfer to your IBAN?
You can also add money from your bank to your ODIX account using your ODIX IBAN, and others can pay you the same way. It suits regular income such as a salary. Our guide What is an IBAN? explains how it works, and the virtual IBAN page shows how to get yours.
Open banking vs card top-up vs IBAN transfer at a glance
Open banking (Bank & Local Payment) | Card top-up (Visa Direct) | Bank transfer to your IBAN | |
|---|---|---|---|
Money comes from | Your own bank account | Your own Visa debit card at another bank, or someone else's card | Any bank account, yours or someone else's |
What you share | Nothing to type: you approve in your banking app | Your 16-digit ODIX card number only | Your name and IBAN |
How it is approved | In your bank's app, with its usual security | By the sender, in their bank, app or the ODIX Pay app | By the sender, in their bank |
Where it lands | Your ODIX Pay balance | Your ODIX Visa card balance | Your ODIX Pay balance |
Typical timing | Most top-ups arrive within minutes; it can depend on your bank | Usually within minutes; it can depend on the sender's bank or app | Depends on the sender's bank and payment network |
Good for | Topping up from your own bank without card details | Receiving money from people who know only your card number | Salary, client payments, regular income |
Stay safe while adding money
Check the amount before you confirm. A bank payment you have approved usually can't be cancelled.
Approve open banking payments only inside your own bank's app.
To receive money on your card, share only your card number. Never share your CVV, expiry date, PIN or one-time codes.
Limits set by your bank apply, and some banks ask for an extra confirmation step. Card and top-up limits apply too; you can always see yours in the ODIX Pay app.
Disclaimer: This guide is provided for general information only. It is not legal, financial, investment or other professional advice. Features, steps and availability depend on your country and eligibility, and they may change when the app is updated. Where fees or limits apply, the ODIX Pay app shows them before you confirm.
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