# ACH

The **ACH API** allows you to process electronic bank-to-bank payments using your customer's checking or savings account information. This API provides a secure alternative card-based payments for businesses that prefer bank transfers.

The ACH transactions are not processed in real time and require completion of the banking process before funds are confirmed.

### ACH transaction processing steps

Unlike card transactions, ACH payments are not approved in real time. Transactions are submitted and processed in batches through the banking network.

After transaction submission, they move through the following statuses:

* The transaction is created with a **Pending** status
* The transaction enters the processing queue
* The transaction status updates to **Settling** during processing
* The transaction completes as:
  * **Settled** – Funds are successfully cleared
  * **Returned** – Transaction failed (for example, insufficient funds or invalid account)

### Integration options

The following integration methods also support ACH payments:

* [Paylink](https://docs.xplorpay.com/api-reference/api/payments/gateway-settings/paylink) - Supports ACH direct debit payments.
* [JavaScript SDK](https://docs.xplorpay.com/guides) - Supports ACH credit and direct debit payments.

{% hint style="info" %}
Paya and DCS, third-party service providers, handle ACH transactions and reporting.
{% endhint %}

* [ACH Transaction](/api-reference/api/payments/ach/ach-transaction.md)
* [ACH Vault (Token)](/api-reference/api/payments/ach/ach-vault-token.md)


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