Why QR Code Transactions Are the Future of Payments

Apple embedded QR code scanners in the iOS 11 Beta’s native camera app in 2017, and the majority of other brands followed suit shortly after that. This innovative feature was said to be “QR codes’ second chance”, giving this technology hope to avoid repeating CurrentC mobile payment app’s downfall.

Fast forward to 2020, when 1.5 billion people worldwide used QR codes to conduct purchases, as the demand for contactless transactions surged due to the pandemic. What’s more, QR codes don’t seem to be going anywhere even as COVID-19 steps down, with 30% of mobile users forecasted to be using them as a payment method by 2025. Read on to find out why this technology is experiencing such a consistent upward trend and what potential it holds.

What Are QR Code Payments?

QR (Quick Response) codes were created in 1994 by a Japanese company, Denso Wave. Since then, they’ve been used in many contexts, including marketing, information sharing, shipment tracking, quality control, and, of course, mobile payments.

How QR Code Purchases Work

Every part of the QR code contains several information layers that get put together in the right order once it’s scanned through a compatible application. The square markings in the corners signal the app what the correct orientation of the code is so that the consumers could scan it from any angle. Unlike barcodes, QR codes can be read not only from paper but also from a screen.

There are several ways for a business to accept a QR code payment:

1. The consumer scans a merchant’s QR code. When a customer scans the code with their device’s camera or a compatible app, a link pops up. The shopper then has to click it to be redirected to a web payments form where they can choose a preferred payment method.
2. The merchant uses a customer’s QR code. It’s also possible for a merchant to scan a QR code from the client’s device without any special equipment - a smartphone is enough. This code is generated by the consumer’s bank or payment app and contains their encrypted card details.
3. An app-to-app payment. Both the customer and the merchant have to open their apps. The client then scans the unique QR code that is generated in the seller’s application and confirms the amount to be paid.

The Advantages of Accepting QR Code Payments

QR code payments offer plenty of benefits for both merchants and customers. Here are some reasons to integrate them into your business operations:

• Convenience. A QR code can be placed virtually anywhere: outside a store, on the website, in a social media post, or in an email. This means that the clients can conduct purchases conveniently wherever they prefer.
• Simple setup. QR codes eliminate the need for bank cards and payment terminals. A merchant only needs a mobile device to start accepting payments.
• Affordability. Such payments are extremely cost-effective and come with smaller transaction charges. Besides, merchants don’t need to purchase any additional hardware to facilitate QR code transactions.
• Top-notch security. Did you know that QR codes are among the most secure payment methods? This is due to the fact that all sensitive information is encrypted, and no customer details are stored on file.
• High accessibility. Any person who has a mobile device and a banking app can easily conduct QR code payments.
• Faster transactions. The processing of a QR code payment typically takes no longer than three seconds, which has a positive influence on the user experience.

Future Prospects for QR Code Payments

The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated to the world that there is an undeniable need for a convenient contactless payment method, and QR codes have proven themselves to cater to such demand.

Payment industry experts forecast the number of QR code payment users to reach 2.2 billion globally by 2025. Thus, it’s safe to assume that this technology is successfully adapting to modern standards and has everything it takes to be an integral part of the future of payment methods.