Fast and practical, contactless payment allows you to pay your commissions without having to insert your bank card into the merchant's payment terminal or enter your confidential code. However, if NFC (Near Field Communication) technology is the most used in this area, the QR code scanning system also intends to highlight its advantages.
Two technologies for the same result
Holder of the title of leader, the NFC uses short waves allowing a chip to exchange wireless information between two distant devices of less than 10 centimeters. In practice, this functionality is now fitted to most bank cards and can easily be identified thanks to its small logo representing waves. More and more smartphones also have this technology to pay contactless by mobile.
Challenger, the QR code works on the same principle as a traditional barcode, except that it can contain 300 times more information. Unlike the NFC, which requires having previously equipped equipment, this system can be used by any mobile phone. To do this, you must link your credit or debit card or your bank account to a QR code payment application.
A new boom
In all cases, the merchant must also be equipped with the technology to receive your payment. However, although NFC is widely favored in France, new initiatives tend to develop the QR code. In recent years, the Chinese solutions offered by Alipay and WeChat Pay have prompted many professionals to adapt their checkout tools in order to manage this method of payment, popular with Asian tourists.
National players have also entered the market. For example, Lyf Pay allows you to pay in store and register your loyalty cards, while Lydia couples its mobile payment application with several financial services. As for the Digiteal system, it offers to use a QR code for its invoices. Most recently, the Covid-19 pandemic and the need to apply barrier gestures have also led PayPal to launch its own QR code payment system.
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