Side by side
Alipay vs Omio
Alipay
29 positive (97%) · 1 mixed (3%) · 0 negative (0%)
Trust + time weighted: +96%
AI summary — not a quote
Alipay is considered an essential 'super app' for travelers in mainland China, where digital payments have largely replaced cash. Users report it is highly reliable for everything from luxury mall purchases to street food, and it serves as a central hub for essential services like ride-hailing, public transport, and translation.
Pros
- Supports international credit cards and registration with foreign phone numbers
- All-in-one functionality including Didi (ride-hailing), metro cards, and restaurant ordering
- Widely accepted across China, even by small street vendors
- Includes built-in translation features for text, voice, and images
Cons
- The interface and setup process can be clunky at times
- Requires invasive identity verification, including passport and face scans
Top excerpts
1. Download every single app you can for China: WeChat, AliPay, Amap, DiDi, Baidu for starters, Meituan, EleMe for food delivery and a good translate app apart from Google (microsoft should work, even deepseek). REGISTER for these apps BEFORE reaching China, so put your passport details, put your credit card info and all of that.
You need WeChat and Alipay. I just got back from China and there was ZERO places taking cash, I travelled Shenzhen, Chengdu, Chongqing and Dujiangyan
Amap, Alipay, AND WeChat all have ride hailing built in.
for foreign people Alipay can be linked with any International Card now, you can also register with a foreign number.
Download AliPay and link your credit cards in advance, else you want be able to pay for anything, you can also generate a metro card within the app. There is a Didi mini-app within AliPay so you can easily order a car if needed.
Omio
24 positive (86%) · 0 mixed (0%) · 4 negative (14%)
Trust + time weighted: +77%
Top excerpts
Otherwise, you can try buying it from Omio, which has for all major train carriers in Europe.
Use the OMIO app to book trains and buses.
Use the OMIO app to book all your city to city transportation.
Use the OMIO to book all your city to city travel.
Use the OMIO app to check schedules and book all in Spain travel.