Small merchants in India can accept digital payments without displaying a UPI QR code by collecting payment through a provider’s payment link or arranging in-person card acceptance through a payment provider and acquiring service. BHIM Aadhaar Pay is another possibility for merchants and customers who meet its biometric requirements. In every case, the service—not hardware alone—must be set up with a provider.
QR-free payment options at a glance
| Route | What the customer does | What the merchant needs | Best suited to | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Payment link | Opens a link sent by message, email, or social channel and pays through the hosted checkout. | An eligible provider account and a way to create and share links. | Remote orders, delivery, deposits, or customers who can pay on a phone. | The customer must receive and open the link. Available payment methods and fees depend on provider terms and setup. |
| POS or card acceptance | Presents a card or uses another method supported by the terminal. | An acquiring or provider relationship and a compatible, configured POS setup. | In-person checkout where customers want to pay by card. | A terminal by itself does not establish card acceptance. Confirm onboarding, costs, connectivity, settlement, and supported cards. |
| BHIM Aadhaar Pay | Completes an Aadhaar biometric authentication flow at the merchant. | A bank live on the service, a supported Android device or equivalent, and a certified biometric scanner; Aadhaar must be linked to bank accounts for both parties. | Situations where the merchant and customer can use the biometric route. | Its device, bank, and customer requirements make it a more specialized option. |
Collect remotely with a payment link
A payment link lets a merchant send a checkout link instead of asking the customer to scan a merchant QR. Razorpay describes creating and sharing links through email, text, and social channels. Its materials list card, netbanking, UPI, and wallet methods across its services, but that does not mean every method is available on every product or merchant account. Check the exact checkout options offered under your provider’s setup and terms. (Razorpay Payment Links; Razorpay Payment Gateway)
This route is useful for delivery orders, advance payments, deposits, and customers who are not standing at the counter. The customer still needs to receive and open the link, so confirm how you will send it and how you will identify the payment against the right order.
Accept cards in person with a provider-supported POS setup
For face-to-face sales, a POS arrangement can support card payments without a UPI QR. Razorpay lists POS among its in-store payment products. A generic card terminal is not enough on its own: the merchant needs an acquiring or service arrangement, an accepted terminal configuration, and provider onboarding. Ask which card types and other payment methods the specific setup accepts. (Razorpay POS)
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Before committing, compare the full operating arrangement rather than the device alone. Confirm any setup or recurring costs, how payments are settled, what happens if the connection fails, and where to get help with failed transactions, refunds, or disputes.
Consider BHIM Aadhaar Pay only if its requirements fit
BHIM Aadhaar Pay is an in-person biometric payment route, not a general-purpose substitute that every shop can enable. NPCI says a merchant must be associated with an acquiring bank that is live on the service and have a supported Android device or equivalent with a certified biometric scanner. Both the customer and merchant need Aadhaar linked to their bank accounts. The customer must also participate in the biometric authentication flow. (NPCI BHIM Aadhaar Pay product overview)
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Why RuPay credit card on UPI does not meet a strict no-QR requirement
RuPay credit card on UPI is still QR-dependent for the merchant: NPCI describes the customer paying by scanning the merchant’s UPI QR. It may offer a card-linked way to pay through UPI, but it does not remove the need for a UPI QR at checkout. (NPCI RuPay Credit Card on UPI product overview)
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Check the legal context before assuming a QR-free method is mandatory
The Income Tax Department describes Section 269SU as applying to a business whose sales, turnover, or gross receipts in the preceding year exceed ₹50 crore. Its guidance names prescribed electronic modes, including RuPay debit card and BHIM-UPI options. That threshold and statutory context do not establish that every small merchant must offer a particular QR-free payment method. If you need to determine your business’s obligations, consult the current official guidance or a qualified tax professional. (Income Tax Department: Section 269SU)
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Questions to ask a payment provider
- Am I eligible, and what documents or onboarding steps are required?
- Which payment methods will customers actually see on my link or POS checkout?
- What one-time and recurring charges apply, and are there transaction-related costs?
- When are funds settled, and how can I track them against orders?
- How are refunds and disputes handled, and what support is available?
- What connectivity or device requirements apply, and what happens if the connection or terminal is unavailable?
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