QR code payments: A guide for Singapore businesses (2026)

Key Takeaways:

• Singapore has some of the highest QR payment adoption in Southeast Asia. SGQR, the national unified QR standard, lets you display a single code that accepts PayNow, GrabPay, Alipay+, and other methods at once.

• The right QR payment mix depends on who your customers are: local residents, Chinese tourists, regional visitors, and international online buyers each use different payment methods.

• Airwallex Payments lets you accept PayNow and 160+ other local payment methods through a single integration, so you can serve both Singapore customers and international buyers.

QR code payments are now a standard part of how Singapore businesses get paid.

From hawker centres to eCommerce checkouts, customers across the country scan to pay daily, using PayNow, GrabPay, Alipay+, and other methods depending on who they are and where they are from.

This guide explains how QR code payments work, covers the major QR payment methods available to Singapore businesses, and helps you decide which ones you actually need.

If you want a deep dive on PayNow QR specifically, see our dedicated guide to PayNow QR codes for Singapore businesses.

What is a QR code payment?

A QR code payment is a digital payment made by scanning a Quick Response (QR) code with a smartphone.

The customer opens their banking app or e-wallet, scans the merchant's code, and confirms the payment. No card, no cash, and no card terminal required.

QR codes come in two types:

• A static QR code holds fixed information; the customer scans it and enters the amount manually.

• A dynamic QR code is generated per transaction with the exact amount already embedded; the customer just confirms.

How QR code payments work

The basic flow is the same across all QR payment methods:

• You display a QR code printed on a stand, shown on a screen, embedded in an invoice, or shared via a payment link.

• The customer opens their banking or e-wallet app and taps the scan function.

• They scan your code, review the payment details, and confirm.

• The payment processes through the relevant network (PayNow, GrabPay, Alipay+, or another network) and you receive confirmation.

The whole process takes seconds. For online checkouts, the flow is the same but the customer scans from their screen or receives a payment link.

Why QR code payments matter for Singapore businesses

QR payments remove the need for card terminal hardware, work across in-person and online channels, and let customers pay using whatever method they already have on their phone.

Singapore's national QR standard, the Singapore Quick Response Code (SGQR), means a single code at your counter can accept payments from multiple schemes at once, so your customers never need to ask "do you take this?"

Singapore QR code payment methods

Singapore's QR payment ecosystem is built around SGQR, the national QR standard, with several payment methods that businesses can accept through it. Here’s a quick overview:

SGQR

SGQR (Singapore Quick Response Code) is Singapore's national QR payment standard, developed by MAS and IMDA.¹

Instead of displaying separate QR codes for different payment methods, merchants display a single SGQR label that supports multiple schemes, including PayNow, GrabPay and others.

You apply for an SGQR label through a participating bank or payment provider, which registers your business and issues the QR code for display at your counter.

SGQR also supports cross-border QR initiatives, allowing eligible overseas payment apps to connect through the same merchant QR code as new linkages become available.

PayNow QR

PayNow QR lets customers pay your business directly from their Singapore bank account using instant FAST transfers.

Businesses register through PayNow Corporate, link their UEN to a business bank account, and can then accept payments via a static or dynamic QR code.

For a step-by-step guide, see our article on PayNow QR codes.

GrabPay QR

GrabPay QR gives businesses access to Grab's large user base across ride-hailing, food delivery and digital payments.

Customers can pay using their GrabPay wallet and earn GrabRewards, while merchants can also offer Grab's PayLater instalment option for eligible purchases.

International QR code payment methods

If your business serves tourists or sells to overseas customers, two QR payment methods matter most: Alipay+ and WeChat Pay. Both are used by visitors from China and across Asia.

Alipay+

Alipay+ is a unified wallet gateway from Ant International. One integration connects your business to over 2 billion consumers globally.³

Instead of signing up separately with each e-wallet, a single Alipay+ connection lets you accept payments from customers using:

• Alipay (China)

• AlipayHK (Hong Kong)

• TrueMoney (Thailand)

• GCash (Philippines)

• DANA (Indonesia)

• And many more³

Customers pay by scanning your QR code with their home e-wallet app. You display one code, and Alipay+ handles the rest. Both static (print and display) and dynamic (amount pre-filled) QR formats are supported.³

Singapore merchants typically access Alipay+ through a payment gateway like Airwallex rather than signing up directly.

WeChat Pay

WeChat Pay is the payment service built into WeChat. It has over 800 million monthly active users globally⁴.

WeChat Pay offers two QR payment modes for merchants:⁵

Both modes are available by default after signing up with WeChat Pay.⁵

Singapore merchants access WeChat Pay through an authorised local acquirer or payment gateway; WeChat Pay does not directly onboard most overseas merchants.

How to choose the right QR code payment methods for your business

Not every business needs every QR payment method. The right mix depends on who your customers are and how they pay. Use this as a starting point.

By customer type

Different customers use different payment apps. Matching your QR methods to your actual customer mix avoids turning away buyers who can't pay:

By business type

Your business model determines which QR setup you need. Not every business needs a full payment gateway from day one:

• Physical store (local customers only): Start with SGQR. It covers PayNow and GrabPay in one label and handles the vast majority of local customer payments.

• Physical store (tourist-facing): Add Alipay+ and WeChat Pay on top of SGQR. Tourists from China and Southeast Asia cannot use PayNow.

• eCommerce store: Use a payment gateway to generate dynamic QR codes per transaction. This handles reconciliation automatically and lets you accept PayNow alongside cards and international wallets in one checkout.

• Invoicing and social commerce: Use Payment Links. Generate a QR code or shareable URL instantly, send via WhatsApp or email, and customers pay via PayNow or their preferred method.

5 benefits of QR code payments for businesses

QR payments offer practical advantages over both cash and card terminals, particularly for small and mid-sized businesses in Singapore.

1. No hardware needed

A printed QR code is all you need to accept digital payments in person. No card terminal, no monthly hardware fees, no waiting for a device to arrive.

This makes QR payments one of the lowest-cost ways to go cashless, especially for hawker stalls, pop-up stores, and freelancers.

2. Less friction at checkout

Customers scan and confirm in seconds. They do not need to enter bank details, fumble for a card, or wait for a terminal to process. Fewer steps at checkout means fewer abandoned transactions.

3. Works across channels

The same QR payment method works at your counter, on your eCommerce checkout page, in your invoices, and via payment links. You do not need different infrastructure for each channel.

4. Instant settlement for local payments

PayNow runs on Singapore's FAST network, which processes transfers in near real-time, 24 hours a day.⁶ Funds land in your account immediately.

5. Easier entry into new markets

Offering the QR payment method a customer already uses, whether that is GrabPay, Alipay+, or WeChat Pay, removes a barrier to purchase. This matters especially when you start serving tourists or expanding online to regional markets.

Accept QR code payments with Airwallex

Instead of managing separate integrations for PayNow, GrabPay, Alipay+, WeChat Pay, and other payment methods, Airwallex lets you accept 160+ local payment methods across 180+ countries through a single integration.

For eCommerce

Accept QR payments directly at checkout through Airwallex Payments. Customers simply scan the dynamic QR code, confirm the pre-filled amount, and pay using their preferred method.

Airwallex integrates with platforms such as Shopify, or you can use the API to build your own checkout experience.

For invoices and payment requests

If you don't have a website, Airwallex Payment Links let you create a shareable payment page in seconds. Send it by email, WhatsApp, or SMS, and customers can pay by scanning a QR code or opening the payment link.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What QR code payment methods should my Singapore business accept?

Start with PayNow: it covers the majority of local customers and is free to set up via your bank. Add GrabPay via SGQR if you serve frequent Grab users. If your business is tourist-facing or you sell online to regional customers, add Alipay+ and WeChat Pay to cover visitors from China and Southeast Asia.

What is the difference between SGQR and PayNow QR?

PayNow QR is a code linked specifically to the PayNow transfer service. SGQR is the national unified QR label that can combine PayNow with other payment schemes (GrabPay, NETS, and others) into a single displayed code. Most merchants use SGQR so customers with different apps can all scan the same code.

Can tourists pay using QR codes in Singapore?

Yes, but not via PayNow; that requires a Singapore bank account. Tourists from China can pay using Alipay or WeChat Pay via QR. Visitors from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines can pay using their local e-wallets through Alipay+ if your gateway supports it. Singapore also has cross-border QR linkages with Malaysia (DuitNow), Thailand (PromptPay), and India (UPI) for fund transfers.⁷

How do I set up QR code payments for my business?

For in-person PayNow and GrabPay, register for PayNow Corporate via your bank and apply for an SGQR label through your acquirer. For Alipay+ and WeChat Pay, sign up through a licensed payment gateway that supports both. For eCommerce, use a payment gateway that generates dynamic QR codes at checkout and handles reconciliation automatically.

Are there fees for accepting QR code payments?

PayNow transfers received directly through your bank account are free for most businesses. Fees apply when you use a payment gateway: each provider charges a per-transaction processing fee that varies by method. GrabPay, Alipay+, and WeChat Pay all carry transaction fees set by their respective gateways or acquirers.

What is the safest way to display a QR code for payments?

Use a QR code provided by your bank, acquirer, or licensed payment gateway; never generate one from a third-party QR generator for payment purposes. For dynamic QR codes, each code is unique per transaction, which reduces the risk of tampering. Check your SGQR label regularly to ensure it has not been covered or replaced.

Sources

1. https://www.mas.gov.sg/development/e-payments/sgqr

2. https://www.grab.com/sg/merchant/payment-solutions/

3. https://www.alipayplus.com/merchant/

4. https://pay.weixin.qq.com/index.php/xphp/v/coversea_partner_search/view_search?ishttp=1&type=service_providers&area=702

5. https://pay.weixin.qq.com/index.php/public/wechatpay_en

6. https://www.abs.org.sg/e-payments/fast

7. https://www.abs.org.sg/e-payments/pay-now