The Rise of QR Code Payments in North America

How QR Code Payments Are Transforming Transactions in North America

Are you a business operator looking for simpler, lower-cost ways to accept payments? QR code payments are emerging as one such method. They’re easy to deploy, contactless, and smartphone-friendly. QR code payments are well established in Asia, and their presence in North America is growing rapidly. For business owners, utilizing QR codes for payments can lead to many business advantages.

What is a QR Code?

A QR code, i.e. Quick Response code, is a barcode made of black and white squares. It can store data which a smartphone camera or QR code scanner can read instantly. When scanned, the code directs the user’s phone to trigger a linked action: e.g. open a website, open a payment link, or launch an app.

QR Codes have made Waves in Asia

In many Asian markets, QR codes are often the default digital payment method. Juniper Research forecasts that the value of QR code payments in the Asia-Pacific region will grow by 300% by 2029 reaching $1.2 trillion.

In China, mobile apps like Alipay and WeChat Pay power daily commerce with QR code scanning at nearly every type of merchant, including street vendors and subway gates.

Such widespread adoption has created a high familiarity and trust cycle: consumers in Asia expect QR code payment options, and they’re accepted at an extremely broad range of businesses.

Are QR codes gaining traction in North America?

QR code adoption in North America started slowly but their usage is rising rapidly. In the U.S., roughly 68% of consumers report having used a QR code at least once in the past year.

Meanwhile, the U.S. QR code payments market is projected to grow strongly: the U.S. market generated about USD 2,548.8 million in 2024 and is forecast to expand to USD 11,843.2 million by 2033.

In Canada, the acceptance of QR codes as a payment method is still in the early stages of adoption. According to a report published by Payments CA in 2023, only 1 in 10 Canadians (10%) said they had made a payment using a QR code.

How Does QR Code Payment Work?

From the customer’s point of view

1. The customer opens their smartphone camera or a QR code-capable payment app (e.g. a digital wallet);
2. They scan the merchant’s displayed QR code.
3. Their phone reads the encoded data.
4. The customer enters (or confirms) the amount to pay.
5. They authorize the payment (e.g. via PIN, biometric, or app confirmation).
6. The funds are transferred (near-instantly), and the customer sees confirmation.

Making a payment via a QR code is very similar to “tap to pay”, but instead the QR code is the bridge.

From the business owner’s (merchant) point of view

1. The merchant displays a QR code at the checkout counter or on receipts, invoices, or a screen.
2. When a customer scans and pays, the merchant’s payment system receives a notification of the payment.
3. The merchant’s account (bank or payment processor) is credited.
4. The merchant’s system records the sale, updates any sales or POS records.
5. The merchant exchanges the goods or services with the customer.

Because the merchant doesn’t need a card reader or physical terminal (beyond a way to shoe the QR code), the infrastructure cost is low. All they have to do is display a QR code and receive the payment.

How Easy is it to Create a QR Code that will Receive Payments?

You do not need deep programming skills or a full IT department to create a QR code that will receive payments.

Many payment processors, banks, or fintech platforms provide a dashboard that will generate a QR code for you: you simply connect your business account and your payment details, and their system creates the code. After that, you just print the QR code or display it on a screen.

How to Create a QR Code to Receive Payments

Here’s a step-by-step guide you can follow:

1. Choose a QR code payment provider — Pick a payment processor, fintech, or POS system that supports QR-code based payments (e.g. OTT Pay, Square, PayPayl, Stripe).
2. Sign up/activate merchant account — Provide your business information, banking details, and complete any verification (KYC). After approval, you’ll get access to the dashboard or merchant portal.
3. Generate the QR code
   • In your provider’s dashboard, select “create payment QR code” or equivalent.
   • Choose whether it’s a static QR code (fixed account, customer enteres amount) or dynamic QR code (amount embedded, specific to transaction).
   • For dynamic codes, you may generate a new QR code per order or invoice.
   • Set any parameters (currency, amount, descriptions, expiry, etc.).
4. Download or display the QR code
   • Print it on receipts, stickers or signs.
   • Display it digitally (on a screen, tablet, your website).
   • You can also embed it into invoices or emails.
5. Test the flow
   • Use a smartphone to scan your QR code and perform a small test payment.
   • Confirm the funds receipt and notification behavior.
6. Inform staff and customers
   • Train staff to tell customers “scan this QR code to pay.”
   • Optionally include instructions (e.g. “Open your wallet or camera, scan, confirm amount, pay”) near the QR code.
7. Monitor and reconcile
   • Use your provider’s dashboard or reports to track transactions, refunds, disputes, and payout schedules.

Once done, you’re live — customers can scan and pay.

What are the Benefits of using QR Codes for Payments?

For your business:

• Lower hardware cost — no need for expensive card terminals or NFC readers, especially useful for kiosks, pop-up shops, or mobile setups.
• Faster checkout — customers just scan and pay, reducing manual steps.
• Contactless — valuable in a health-conscious or pandemic-aware settings.
• Broad device compatibility — any smartphone with a camera can scan.
• Flexibility & mobility — move your checkout point easily (e.g. outdoor stands).
• Simpler for small merchants — minimal setup and maintenance.
• More sales — Because customers enjoy a smoother, faster experience, businesses may see reduced abandonment at checkout and therefore increased sales.

For your customers:

• Convenience — they just use their phone, no tapping or extra device.
• Speed — scanning and making a payment is quick.
• Safety — no need to hand over their card.
• Familiarity — many users already scan QR codes for menus, info, and apps.

Conclusion

QR code payments are reshaping how commerce happens — lowering costs, simplifying checkout, and making contactless transactions widely accessible.

In Asia, QR codes have already become a dominant mode of payment; in North America, adoption is accelerating, fueled by consumer familiarity with QR code scanning.

As this technology becomes more commonplace in North America, business owners who are early adopters of delivering this seamless payment option will gain a competitive advantage.

Want to make QR code payments available to your customers? Explore how simply they are to implement with OTT Pay’s World of Payments solution.