How Are QR Code Payments Transforming Online and Offline Businesses in 2026?

Just a few years ago, the QR code was used primarily as a quick way to access a website, menu, or additional information. Today, the technology has a much broader range of applications and is increasingly becoming part of the payment process itself.

In 2026, QR code payments are being used in physical retail locations as well as for remote sales, invoices, deliveries, and various services. Customers simply scan the code with their smartphone, while businesses no longer need to tie the payment process to a specific device or location.

Combined with Open Banking, QR technology allows payments to be initiated directly from the customer’s bank account. This creates a convenient bridge between physical and digital commerce and gives businesses more opportunities to accept payments wherever their customers are.

The QR Code Revolution: Why Has Scanning a QR Code Become the New Normal?

One of the main reasons behind the widespread adoption of QR code technology is its simplicity. Customers do not need a special device – a smartphone and its camera are enough to start the process.

This makes QR codes suitable for a wide variety of situations. They can be:

displayed on a screen;
placed at a checkout counter or reception desk;
included on an invoice;
sent by email;
added to a document;
used during delivery;
displayed directly on a mobile phone.

Unlike the traditional separation between online and offline payments, a QR code can connect the two experiences. A customer may be standing in a physical store while completing the payment digitally through their smartphone.

This flexibility is precisely what makes QR payments suitable for an increasing number of business models.

How Do QR Code Payments Work Across Different Business Models?

With QR code payments, the merchant generates a code that contains or links to the information required for a specific payment. Depending on the solution used, the QR code may be linked to a specific amount, order, invoice, or payment reference.

The customer scans the QR code with their smartphone camera and proceeds to the payment process. With an Open Banking-based solution, they select their bank, are redirected to their mobile or online banking environment, and authorize the transaction there.

There is no need to manually enter an IBAN, recipient name, amount, or payment reference when this information has already been included in the payment request.

Use in Physical Retail Stores, Restaurants, and Other Locations

QR payments allow brick-and-mortar businesses to offer an additional way to accept payments without requiring customers to use a bank card.

The technology can be used in:

retail stores;
restaurants and cafés;
hotels and guest houses;
medical and dental practices;
salons and service centers;
auto repair shops;
courier and logistics services;
events;
services provided at the customer’s location;
and many other scenarios.

The merchant can generate a QR code for a specific payment, while the customer scans it with their smartphone and confirms the amount through their bank.

This turns the smartphone itself into the main tool for initiating and completing the payment.

E-commerce Integration and Faster Checkout Without Entering Card Details

QR technology is not limited to physical locations. It can also be used in an online environment as an additional way to initiate a payment.

For example, a customer can open an online store on their computer and scan the displayed QR code with their smartphone. The payment then continues on the mobile device and can be authorized through the customer’s banking app.

With an Open Banking payment, customers do not need to enter:

card number;
expiration date;
CVV code.

This reduces manual data entry and creates a convenient connection between desktop shopping and mobile banking.

Simplifying Household Expenses: Easy Online Bill Payments and Invoice Payments

One practical application of QR technology is online bill payments and invoice payments.

Instead of receiving an invoice and then manually entering the bank details, customers can receive a document containing a QR code linked to the specific amount due.

The process can therefore be reduced to just a few steps:

The customer receives the bill or invoice.
They scan the QR code.
They select their bank.
They review the pre-filled payment information.
They confirm the payment.

This approach can be used both by companies that issue large volumes of invoices and by businesses that collect recurring payments.

A QR code can be added to a digital or printed invoice, email, message, or other document, making online bill payments more accessible for customers and reducing the need to manually enter payment information.

Benefits of QR Payments for Businesses in 2026

The main advantage of QR payments is their flexibility. The same principle can be applied at different points of the customer journey – from a physical store to an invoice, delivery, or remote sale.

Key benefits include:

easy implementation;
greater convenience for customers;
the ability to accept payments both in person and remotely;
minimal steps required to initiate a payment;
the option to pre-fill payment information;
easier transaction tracking;
compatibility with different business models;
integration with other digital processes.

For companies operating both online and offline, the QR code can become one of the tools that connects different sales channels.

No Investment in Expensive POS Hardware and Maintenance

With QR payments based on direct bank transfers, merchants do not need a physical POS terminal to offer this specific payment method.

This means businesses can avoid costs associated with physical hardware, such as purchasing or renting a device, installation, and maintenance, where such costs apply under the provider’s terms.

A QR code can be generated digitally and displayed directly on a mobile device or another screen. This is particularly practical for mobile merchants, on-site services, small businesses, and companies with multiple employees or payment acceptance points.

It is important to remember that the payment service itself may still involve fees. When comparing different solutions, businesses should therefore consider the total cost of accepting payments rather than focusing solely on the absence of physical hardware.

Fast Transfer of Funds to the Business Account Through Open Banking

With QR payments based on Open Banking and A2A technology, funds are transferred directly from the customer’s bank account to the merchant’s account.

This distinguishes the model from traditional card infrastructure and enables a more direct payment process.

When the banks and payment infrastructure involved support instant transfers, funds can arrive very quickly. This allows businesses to receive timely payment information and move on to the next step – for example, processing an order, confirming a reservation, or providing a service.

Faster movement of funds can also support more efficient day-to-day cash flow and liquidity management.

Security and Fraud Protection When Paying by QR Code

Convenience should never come at the expense of security. This is why it is important to distinguish between the QR code itself and the payment infrastructure behind it.

The QR code serves as a way to initiate the process. The security of the payment depends on the technology and payment provider through which the transaction is processed.

With Open Banking solutions, customers authenticate themselves within the secure environment of their own bank.

This means that:

they do not enter bank card details on the merchant’s website;
the payment is authorized within the banking environment;
biometrics or a PIN can be used depending on the bank’s authentication method;
communication between systems takes place through secure banking connections;
the merchant does not need to process card details for this type of payment.

Customers should still always check the amount, recipient, and information displayed in their banking application before authorizing a transaction.

Implement Innovative QR Payments in Your Business with IRIS Pay

IRIS Pay offers QR code payments based on Open Banking and direct A2A payments that can be used in both physical and digital environments.

With IRIS Pay by QR, merchants can generate a QR code for a payment, which customers can scan with their smartphone. They then select their bank and authorize the transaction through their mobile or online banking.

For merchants who want to manage payments directly from a smartphone, IRIS Pay for Merchants enables them to create and manage payment requests without the need for a physical POS terminal.

Depending on the business model, IRIS Pay also offers other ways to accept payments:

IRIS Pay by Click – for direct integration into an online store checkout;
IRIS Pay by Link – for sending payment links;
IRIS Pay by QR – for QR code payments;
ready-to-use e-commerce plugins;
API integrations;
ERP connectivity.

This allows businesses to combine different payment channels according to the way they sell and communicate with their customers.

In 2026, QR payments are no longer simply a technology trend. They are a practical tool that connects online and offline commerce, facilitates remote payments, and gives businesses greater flexibility in how they organize their payment acceptance processes.

With a solution such as IRIS Pay, a single QR code can turn a smartphone, invoice, screen, or physical point of sale into a convenient starting point for a secure direct bank payment.