QR code payment or card payment? Differences and when to use each

07 June 2026 · 5 min read read

When you want to collect money, you have several options — two of the most common are SEPA QR code payments and card payments. Neither is "better" in general; each fits different situations. Let's compare them on cost, speed, security and what you need to use each.

How each one works

Card payment requires a POS terminal (in store) or a payment processor (online), a merchant account and per-transaction fees. A SEPA QR payment is a pre-filled bank transfer: the client scans the code with their banking app, checks the details and confirms — the money goes straight to your IBAN.

Cost

  • Card: usually a per-transaction fee (percentage + fixed amount) and, sometimes, terminal/subscription costs.
  • SEPA QR: no processing fees — it is a bank transfer. Just check any transfer costs your bank may have.

Speed

  • Card: instant confirmation at the merchant.
  • SEPA QR: fast; the money arrives depending on your bank — often the same day, or instant if your bank supports SEPA Instant.

What you need

  • Card: a POS terminal or online processor + a merchant account.
  • SEPA QR: just an IBAN. You generate the code for free with the SEPA payment QR code generator.

Security

Both are safe. With card payments, the card data passes through a processor. With a QR code, the client enters no card data — they confirm a transfer from their own account after checking the beneficiary and amount. Details in the article on the safety of QR payments.

In short: cards suit high-volume retail and in-person payments with a terminal; SEPA QR codes are ideal when you want zero infrastructure and no fees — freelancers, sole traders, NGOs, invoices and small shops.

When to use each

  • Choose the card if you have a busy physical store or sell online at scale and already have a processor.
  • Choose the SEPA QR code if you want to collect money simply, with no costs and no equipment — on an invoice, a poster or online.

The two are not mutually exclusive: you can offer both. To get started with the QR code, see how to pay with a SEPA QR code and how to put it on an invoice.

Frequently asked questions

Is a QR code payment cheaper than card payment? +
Usually yes for the one getting paid: a SEPA QR payment is a direct bank transfer, without the processing fees typically charged on card payments. Check your bank transfer terms, though.
Which method is faster? +
Both are fast. A card confirms the payment instantly at the merchant, while a QR transfer arrives depending on your bank and SEPA processing (often same day, or instant if your bank supports SEPA Instant).
Can I use QR payments without a POS terminal? +
Yes. The big advantage of the QR code is that you do not need a POS terminal or a merchant account — you only need an IBAN. That is why it suits freelancers, sole traders and small organisations.
Does QR payment work online? +
Yes, the code can be shown on an invoice, a website or social media. Card payments online need a payment processor, whereas a SEPA QR code only needs your IBAN.

Generate your SEPA payment QR code

Free, no account. Beneficiary, IBAN and amount — and your code is ready to download.

Open the generator

Read also

How to pay with a SEPA QR code — step by step

Scan the code with your banking app, check the pre-filled details and confirm. Here is the whole process, step by step.

What is GiroCode and the EPC standard (and who supports it)

GiroCode is the European standard format for payment QR codes. See what it contains and how banking apps read it.