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⚡ Quick Answer
DuitNow is Malaysia’s national real-time payment network, run by PayNet. It lets you send money instantly using just a phone number, IC number, or business registration number — no account number needed. It’s free, works across all major banks and e-wallets, and should be your default way to transfer money in Malaysia.
What Is DuitNow?
DuitNow is Malaysia’s instant fund transfer service, launched by Payments Network Malaysia (PayNet) — the national payment infrastructure company owned by Bank Negara Malaysia and the major banks.
Think of it as Malaysia’s version of Singapore’s PayNow or India’s UPI. Instead of needing someone’s full bank account number and routing code, you only need their DuitNow ID — which can be a phone number, IC number, passport number, or business registration number.
Transfers are settled in real time, 24/7, 365 days a year — including public holidays. There’s no waiting until the next business day.
DuitNow Transfer vs DuitNow QR vs DuitNow AutoDebit
Many Malaysians don’t realise “DuitNow” actually refers to three separate but related services:
1. DuitNow Transfer
This is the peer-to-peer instant transfer feature. You send money to another person’s DuitNow ID. The recipient’s bank account gets credited within seconds regardless of which bank they use.
Supported DuitNow IDs:
- Mobile phone number (most common)
- NRIC/MyKad number
- Passport number
- Army/police ID
- Business registration number (for companies)
The recipient must register their DuitNow ID with their bank first before they can receive funds this way.
2. DuitNow QR
DuitNow QR is the merchant payment side. When you scan a QR code at a shop, hawker stall, or online checkout, you’re using DuitNow QR. The key feature: one QR code works across all participating banks and e-wallets.
So whether you’re paying via Maybank’s MAE app, CIMB Clicks, TNG eWallet, GrabPay, or BigPay — they all scan and pay through the same national QR standard. Merchants only need one QR code displayed.
3. DuitNow AutoDebit
This is the recurring payment mandate service — similar to a direct debit. You authorise a merchant or service provider to pull money from your account on a schedule. Common uses include insurance premium payments, loan repayments, and subscription services.
Unlike standing instructions of the past, DuitNow AutoDebit is real-time and gives you control to cancel mandates directly from your banking app.
How to Register Your DuitNow ID
Registration is simple and done through your bank’s app or internet banking portal. Here’s the general process:
- Open your bank’s mobile app (Maybank2u, CIMB Clicks, RHB Mobile, etc.)
- Go to Settings or Profile — look for “DuitNow” or “Register ID”
- Choose the ID type you want to link (phone number is the most convenient)
- Select which account to receive funds into
- Confirm the registration via OTP or TAC
You can only link one bank account per DuitNow ID at a time. If you want to change which account receives the money (e.g. you switch primary banks), you can update your registration in your new bank’s app.
Which Banks and E-Wallets Support DuitNow?
All major Malaysian banks and most large e-wallets are on the DuitNow network:
| Type | Participants |
|---|---|
| Traditional banks | Maybank, CIMB, Public Bank, RHB, Hong Leong, AmBank, Alliance, UOB, OCBC, Standard Chartered, HSBC, Bank Islam, Bank Muamalat, Bank Rakyat, BSN, Affin Bank |
| Digital banks | GXBank, RytBank, AEON Bank, Boost Bank |
| E-wallets | TNG eWallet, GrabPay, MAE (Maybank), BigPay, ShopeePay, Boost |
In practice, if someone uses a legitimate Malaysian bank or major e-wallet, they’re on DuitNow. You don’t need to know which bank they use — just their phone number.
DuitNow Transfer Limits
Transfer limits vary by bank, but here are the standard daily limits across most institutions:
| Bank / App | Default Daily Limit | Can Increase To |
|---|---|---|
| Maybank (MAE) | RM5,000 | RM30,000+ |
| CIMB Clicks | RM5,000 | RM30,000 |
| RHB Mobile | RM5,000 | RM30,000 |
| Public Bank | RM5,000 | RM30,000 |
| TNG eWallet | RM1,000–RM5,000 | RM9,500 (verified) |
| GXBank | RM10,000 | RM50,000 |
For large transfers (above RM5,000), you may need to increase your limit first via your bank’s app — this usually requires a brief verification step. GXBank has notably higher defaults, one of its advantages as a digital bank.
DuitNow vs IBG vs JomPay: What’s the Difference?
These three are all used for payments in Malaysia but work differently:
| Feature | DuitNow | IBG (Interbank GIRO) | JomPay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | Instant (real-time) | Next business day | Same or next day |
| Use case | P2P transfers, QR pay | Large bank-to-bank transfers | Bill payments |
| Identifier needed | Phone/IC/account no. | Account number + bank code | Biller code + ref number |
| Free? | Yes | Yes (online) | Yes |
| Limits | RM5k–RM50k/day | Higher (up to RM1M) | Varies by biller |
When to use each:
- Use DuitNow for sending money to friends, family, or paying at shops
- Use IBG only if you need to transfer an amount that exceeds your DuitNow limit
- Use JomPay for paying utility bills, insurance premiums, and other billers with a biller code
DuitNow Request Money Feature
Beyond sending money, DuitNow also lets you request money from someone. This is useful for splitting bills, collecting payment from customers, or reminding someone they owe you.
How it works: You initiate a “Request” from your bank app, enter the amount and the payer’s DuitNow ID, and they receive a notification. They can accept or decline. If they accept, the money transfers to you instantly.
This feature is supported on most major bank apps and some e-wallets. It’s particularly useful for freelancers and small business owners collecting payment from customers without needing a dedicated payment gateway.
Is DuitNow Safe?
DuitNow transactions are processed through PayNet’s infrastructure, which meets Bank Negara Malaysia’s security requirements. Key safety features:
- Confirmation screen: You always see the recipient’s name before confirming any transfer
- OTP/biometric: Every transaction requires authentication
- Cooldown periods: New payees may have a 12-hour cooling-off period on first transfer (bank-dependent)
- Scam warnings: Banks display scam alerts when you add a new payee
The main risk isn’t the technology — it’s social engineering. Scammers impersonating Shopee, Lazada, or government agencies trick you into authorising transfers yourself. Always verify the recipient name on the confirmation screen before sending.
If you’re concerned about digital banking security, pairing your main bank account with a separate digital account (like GXBank — referral code BENN226) for daily spending can help limit exposure.
Our Recommendation
DuitNow is the best way to transfer money in Malaysia — it’s instant, free, and works everywhere. If you haven’t registered your DuitNow ID yet, do it today through your bank’s app. Link your phone number for the easiest experience.
For QR payments, DuitNow QR works at most merchants in Malaysia. Use it instead of carrying cash — but keep RM50–100 for hawker stalls that haven’t adopted QR yet.
For bill payments, JomPay remains the standard — don’t confuse it with DuitNow. Use the right tool for the right job.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DuitNow free to use?
Yes — DuitNow transfers are free for consumers across all participating banks and e-wallets. Merchants may pay a small merchant discount rate (MDR) for accepting QR payments, but as a payer you pay nothing extra.
Can foreigners use DuitNow in Malaysia?
Yes — foreigners with a Malaysian bank account or e-wallet can use DuitNow. They register using their passport number as the DuitNow ID. However, sending limits may be lower for non-resident accounts.
What’s the maximum amount I can send via DuitNow?
It depends on your bank, but most banks start at RM5,000 per day and let you increase to RM30,000 or more through in-app settings. Some digital banks like GXBank start at RM10,000 by default.
What happens if I send money to the wrong DuitNow ID?
Contact your bank immediately. Banks have a dispute resolution process for erroneous transfers, but recovery isn’t guaranteed if the recipient has already withdrawn the funds. This is why you should always verify the recipient’s name on the confirmation screen before hitting send.
Can I use DuitNow to pay overseas?
DuitNow is currently domestic only. For international transfers, use Wise or BigPay — they’re significantly cheaper than bank TT transfers. See our BigPay vs Wise Malaysia 2026 comparison for details.
