Paying by QR code in a restaurant: pros, cons and how to avoid fees

Paying by QR code is when a guest scans a code, sees their bill and pays it from the phone via monobank, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Convenient, but there are nuances owners should know.

Pros of QR payment

• The guest doesn't wait for a waiter with a terminal — table turnover is higher.
• The bill can be split "everyone for themselves" in a couple of taps.
• Tips for the team in one touch, by percentage or amount.
• Fewer errors and less cash, transparent reporting.

The downside of paying by QR code

The main downsides are about money and data, not convenience:

• Service fee. Many QR platforms take a percentage of every payment (e.g. 1.3–2% of the bill) on top of bank acquiring.
• Money via an intermediary. If payment goes to the service's account rather than the venue's, payouts can be delayed.
• Dependence on the guest's internet and the need for a clear interface.

How to avoid fees: payment straight to the venue's account

With UA-Pro, payments run through your own merchant account: money arrives straight to the venue's account the same day, and the platform takes no percentage — you pay only the bank's direct acquiring rate. Guests can still split the bill and tip, and you don't lose part of your turnover to an intermediary.

Bottom line

QR payment saves time and boosts table turnover. The key is choosing a system where money goes straight to you without an extra platform fee. Connect your venue and set up payments with no platform cut.