How to Create a Payment QR Code

Two Main Types of Payment QR Codes

Payment QR codes fall into two types: platform-specific codes (like WeChat Pay, Alipay, PayPal collection codes) generated through each platform's app and scannable only within that app; and universal payment link codes that encode a payment URL containing amount and recipient information as a standard QR code, completing payment in a browser after scanning with better compatibility.

WeChat Pay / Alipay Collection Codes

These are the two most mainstream payment QR code solutions in China, and must be generated through each platform's merchant dashboard or app:

• WeChat Pay: find your collection QR in WeChat app under "Receive/Send Money," download and print for display
• Alipay: get the collection QR in Alipay app under "Receive Money," also downloadable for printing
• Merchant version: after applying for a merchant account, get a collection code with more features (like auto-filled amounts)

PayPal Payment Codes

PayPal provides payment link formats that can be encoded as QR codes. You can create a link to your PayPal payment page and convert it with a standard QR code generator. A cleaner approach is to use PayPal's "Request Money" feature, which generates a payment link with a specified amount — encode that link as a QR code.

Cryptocurrency Payment Codes

Cryptocurrency wallet addresses can be encoded directly as QR codes; after scanning, the sender's wallet app auto-fills the receiving address. The Bitcoin payment URI format is bitcoin:address?amount=amount. Standard format:

bitcoin:1A1zP1eP5QGefi2DMPTfTL5SLmv7Divf?amount=0.001

Ethereum follows a similar format: ethereum:address. Most mainstream cryptocurrencies have corresponding URI formats.

Security Considerations

Payment QR codes face a security risk of being replaced. In public locations, bad actors may cover the original QR code with a sticker containing their own collection code. Prevention measures: use tamper-evident stickers or anti-tampering materials; regularly check that displayed collection codes have not been tampered with; for physical stores, use the tamper-evident display stands provided by payment platforms.

Fixed Amount vs. Amount-Free Codes

Payment links can pre-set an amount (suitable for fixed-price products or services) or have no pre-set amount (letting the payer enter it manually, suitable for restaurants or flexible-priced services). Pre-set amount codes reduce steps and eliminate input errors, but each price requires a different code; amount-free codes are more flexible but require the payer to manually enter the amount, adding steps.

Best Locations to Display Collection QR Codes

• Checkout counter: customers scan naturally at payment time
• Table stands: used for self-service checkout in restaurants or cafes
• Bottom of invoices or receipts: for online businesses, embed collection codes in PDF invoices
• Email signature: provide a quick payment channel