The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for supporting heterogeneous communication in a wireless power transmission system. The present disclosure discloses a wireless power receiver comprising: a power pickup unit configured to receive, from a wireless power transmitter, a digital ping signal or wireless power by magnetically coupling with the wireless power transmitter at an operating frequency, and to convert an alternating current signal generated by the wireless power into a direct current signal; a communication/control unit configured to receive the direct current signal from the power pickup unit, and to perform at least one of an in-band communication using the operating frequency and an out-band communication using a frequency other than the operating frequency; and a load configured to receive the direct current signal from the power pickup unit. As a heterogeneous communication protocol can be selected at an early stage of power transmission between the wireless power transmitter and the wireless power receiver, it is possible to support various applications of wireless power transmission.