QR codes for payments: PayPal, Cash App, Venmo, UPI, SEPA and Pix explained
A payment QR code puts your details into the payer's app so nobody types an account number wrong. The right code depends on where your customers are and which apps they already have.
The main kinds
| Code | Opens | Best for | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| PayPal.me | PayPal with your name and optional amount | Freelancers, stalls, invoices | Worldwide |
| Cash App | Cash App to your $cashtag | Tips, small sales | US, UK |
| Venmo | Venmo to your username | Splitting bills, tips | US |
| UPI | Any UPI app with your ID and amount | Shops, autos, donations | India |
| SEPA transfer | Banking app with IBAN, amount and reference filled | Invoices, club fees | Euro area (EPC QR) |
| Pix | Any Brazilian bank app | Everything | Brazil |
| Bitcoin | A wallet with your address | Donations | Worldwide |
Fixed amount or open?
For a product, fix the amount so the payer only confirms. For tips and donations leave it open. SEPA and UPI codes can carry a reference or note, which makes matching payments to invoices automatic.
Safety: the swapped-sticker problem
The known scam is a thief sticking their own code over yours. Protect against it: print the code on the item rather than a loose sticker, show your name under the code so payers can check the app displays the same, and glance at your codes when you open up. Static payment codes can't be hijacked remotely; the content is in the pattern.
Make it obvious
- Caption it: 'Pay with PayPal', 'Tip the band', 'Scan to pay'.
- Use the app's recognisable colour as an accent, not as the whole code.
- Keep it 4 cm or bigger on counters, 2.5 cm on invoices.
- Pick the code your customers' apps support. Ask three customers which app they'd use.
- Enter your details and, if you like, an amount and reference. Everything is checked before download.
- Print it on the counter card or invoice with your name under it. Not on a loose sticker.
- Test it with a real one-cent payment. Then put it to work.