Small merchants in India can accept digital payments without displaying a UPI QR code by sending customers a payment link or arranging in-store card acceptance through a payment provider. BHIM Aadhaar Pay is another possibility for eligible merchants and customers, but it requires specific equipment and Aadhaar-linked bank accounts. A payment service and merchant onboarding matter more than simply buying a terminal.
Which QR-free payment route fits your shop?
| Route | What the customer does | What the merchant needs | Best suited to | Key limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Payment link | Opens a link shared by message, email, or social channel, then pays through the hosted checkout. | An eligible provider account and a payment-link workflow. | Remote orders, delivery, deposits, or customers who can use a phone. | The customer must receive and open the link. Available payment methods and fees depend on provider setup and terms. Razorpay payment links; Razorpay payment methods. |
| POS/card acceptance | Presents a card or uses another method supported by the terminal. | An acquiring or service-provider arrangement and a compatible POS setup. | In-person checkout where customers expect to pay by card. | A terminal by itself does not establish acceptance. Confirm onboarding, supported cards and methods, connectivity, costs, and settlement with the provider. Razorpay POS. |
| BHIM Aadhaar Pay | Authorizes the payment through Aadhaar biometrics at the merchant. | A live acquiring bank, a supported Android device or equivalent, and a certified biometric scanner. Both customer and merchant need Aadhaar linked to bank accounts. | Cases where the merchant and customer can meet the service’s biometric requirements. | Its equipment, banking, and customer-participation requirements make it a narrower option. NPCI BHIM Aadhaar Pay. |
Accept payment remotely with a payment link
A payment link lets you request payment without displaying a merchant QR code. You create a link using a provider’s service and send it to the customer by a supported channel, such as email, text, or social media. The customer opens the link and completes payment on the provider’s checkout page. Razorpay describes this link-sharing workflow and lists payment methods across its services, including cards, netbanking, UPI, and wallets. The exact methods available to your business depend on the product you use, its setup, and provider terms. Razorpay payment links; Razorpay payment methods.
This route is useful when the customer is not standing at your counter—for example, to collect for an order, delivery, or deposit. It depends on the customer being able to receive and open the link, so check what happens if the customer cannot use a phone or the message does not arrive.
Take cards in person with a provider-supported POS setup
For counter sales, a POS arrangement can let a customer pay by card or another method supported by the terminal. The merchant needs a compatible setup supplied or supported through an acquiring or payment-service relationship; purchasing a generic terminal alone does not activate card acceptance. Razorpay lists POS as an in-store payment product, but that does not establish that every merchant qualifies or that every terminal accepts the same methods. Razorpay POS.
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Before committing, ask the provider what onboarding is required, which cards and other payment methods the specific setup accepts, whether connectivity is needed, and how settlement works. Confirm all applicable costs directly; comparable current fees and eligibility are not established by the product descriptions cited here.
Consider BHIM Aadhaar Pay only if its requirements work for both sides
BHIM Aadhaar Pay is an in-person biometric payment option, not a general-purpose replacement that every shop can switch on. NPCI says merchants must be associated with an acquiring bank that is live on the service and use a supported Android device or equivalent with a certified biometric scanner. Both the customer and merchant need Aadhaar linked to bank accounts. NPCI’s BHIM Aadhaar Pay requirements.
Rank #2
- Use the, easy-to-use, and customizable POS to get started.
- Accept contactless payments, chip cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay from anywhere, with improved connectivity, extended battery life, and enhanced security. Pay one low rate for every tap or dip.
- No long-term commitments or contracts, no monthly fees- and with offline payments, keep taking payments for up to 24 hours.
- Safely and securely accepts payments anywhere. Plus, get data security, 24/7 fraud prevention, and payment-dispute management at no extra cost.
- Use the, easy-to-use, and customizable POS to get started.
That makes it relevant only where the acquiring bank, equipment, merchant, and customer can all use the service. Ask the acquiring bank about availability and setup before relying on it at checkout.
Why RuPay credit card on UPI does not meet a strict no-QR requirement
RuPay credit card on UPI may sound like a way to take card-funded UPI payments, but NPCI describes the customer flow as scanning the merchant’s UPI QR. If your requirement is to accept payment without a UPI QR code, this route does not satisfy it. NPCI’s UPI product overview.
Rank #3
- Get your money as soon as the next business day.
- Get set up quickly with no long-term commitments. Download the Square Point of Sale app for free, create an account, and start taking payments anywhere.
- Run your business all in one place with the free Square Point of Sale app. Track your sales, manage inventory, accept tips, send receipts digitally, and more.
- Works with Apple devices with a Lightning connector.
What to confirm with a payment provider
Compare the practical terms rather than assuming every provider or product offers the same service. Ask about:
- Eligibility and onboarding: whether your business and location can use the service, and what documents or bank arrangements are required.
- Payment methods: which cards, wallets, netbanking, or other options are enabled for your specific account and setup.
- Costs: any one-time, recurring, or transaction charges, and whether costs differ by product or payment method.
- Settlement: when funds reach your account and how holidays, refunds, or disputes affect that timing.
- Operations: connectivity or device requirements, how you reconcile transactions, and what support is available if a payment fails.
Know the limited scope of the statutory electronic-payment rule
The Income Tax Department’s guidance on Section 269SU describes a requirement for a business whose sales, turnover, or gross receipts in the preceding year exceed ₹50 crore to provide prescribed electronic payment modes. Its listed modes include RuPay debit card and BHIM-UPI options. This threshold and statutory context do not establish that every small merchant must offer a particular QR-free option. Check the current official guidance and obtain appropriate professional advice if you need to determine how the provision applies to your business. Income Tax Department: Section 269SU.
Quick Recap
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