Comparing the two payments apps to help you pick the right one for Hong Kong.
| Octopus for Tourists | AlipayHK | |
|---|---|---|
| Description | Hong Kong's stored value card in app form. Add Octopus to Apple Wallet, top up with your home Visa, Mastercard or UnionPay, and tap for the MTR, buses and convenience stores. | Hong Kong's most used QR wallet, accepted in taxis, wet markets, cha chaan tengs and on buses. It runs separately from mainland China's Alipay app. |
| Essential? | Yes | No |
| Pro Tip | The tourist app is iPhone only. Android users can add an Octopus card through Google Wallet instead. Contactless bank cards now work at MTR gates, but Octopus is still needed on minibuses and at many food stalls. Refund your remaining balance before flying home. | AlipayHK is built for residents and topping up without a local bank is awkward. Most visitors do fine with a contactless Visa or Mastercard plus Octopus. If you already use mainland Alipay or an Alipay+ partner wallet, that works at many Hong Kong merchants too. |
| App Store | Download | Download |
| Play Store | - | Download |
We recommend Octopus for Tourists for payments in Hong Kong. The tourist app is iPhone only. Android users can add an Octopus card through Google Wallet instead. Contactless bank cards now work at MTR gates, but Octopus is still needed on minibuses and at many food stalls. Refund your remaining balance before flying home.
Octopus for Tourists is our top recommendation for payments in Hong Kong. Hong Kong's stored value card in app form. Add Octopus to Apple Wallet, top up with your home Visa, Mastercard or UnionPay, and tap for the MTR, buses and convenience stores.
Octopus for Tourists vs AlipayHK in Hong Kong