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Glossary/Instant Payouts

Instant Payouts

Immediately disbursing funds to recipients rather than waiting for standard settlement.

What is Instant Payouts?

Instant payouts enable businesses to send funds to recipients immediately rather than waiting for standard settlement cycles. Methods include push-to-card (Visa Direct, Mastercard Send), RTP, and instant-capable wallet transfers. Use cases include gig worker pay, marketplace seller payouts, insurance claims, and any scenario where recipients value immediate access to their money.

Why It Matters

Instant payouts are a competitive advantage in attracting gig workers, marketplace sellers, and anyone who values immediate access to earnings. Workers increasingly expect same-day or instant pay options. The ability to offer instant payouts can differentiate your platform, improve retention, and justify premium pricing or fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Typically 0.5-1.5% of the payout amount, or a flat fee of $0.25-$2.00. The cost varies by method (push-to-card vs RTP) and volume.

Common practice is offering standard (free) and instant (fee) options. Many recipients willingly pay $1-2 for instant access. This can offset your costs or create revenue.

Push-to-card (Visa Direct, Mastercard Send), RTP/FedNow, and some wallet transfers. Traditional ACH does not support instant payouts.

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