If you're running or growing a business and accepting payments in India, you probably already know that UPI is everywhere. But not all payment methods are the same. You have three choices: UPI Intent, Dynamic QR, or Static QR. Each option matters. They may sound similar, but they function differently, and those differences impact your customers, your team, and your profits. Let’s break it down clearly, so you know exactly what to pick and why.

UPI Intent

Let’s start with UPI Intent. What this means is that when someone checks out on your platform, you trigger a link that takes them directly to their UPI app like Google Pay, PhonePe, or another app with their payment details already filled in. They tap “pay” and return to your site or app with confirmation.

Here’s why this matters. First, it reduces typing mistakes because customers don’t have to enter your UPI ID or type an amount. Second, customers stay in a familiar and trusted environment their bank’s or app’s interface. That typically leads to fewer support inquiries and fewer abandoned checkouts.

The downside? It’s limited to mobile devices. Desktops or offline environments don’t work here. Integrating the deep link requires some engineering effort to ensure it functions smoothly.

Static QR

Now, let’s discuss static QR codes. You can show these any where on a screen, a printed poster, or a sticker on your counter. The QR code contains your UPI ID. The customer opens any UPI app, scans it, enters how much they owe you, and presses pay.

Here’s what makes this method appealing: it’s simple. No backend support is needed. It doesn’t require internet access to display. And everyone can use it, whether they're offline or online.

But there’s a trade-off: every time someone scans it, you must wait for them to enter the amount people often make mistakes. Plus, there’s no tracking available. You won’t know how many people scanned it, when they scanned, or from what device. If your UPI ID changes, you have to replace the QR code everywhere.

Dynamic QR

Next, we have dynamic QR codes. Each transaction gets its own QR code, which includes the amount and metadata. You generate a new code for every payment. The customer scans it, sees the exact amount, and just hits pay. Done.

This solves the typing problem and provides you with analytics. You can see who scanned it, when, and how many times, and even connect it to campaigns or customer behavior. If designed well, you could change where the code points behind the scenes without needing to reprint it.

Yes, this requires more setup. You’ll essentially operate a small server to generate codes on demand. If your system crashes or the process fails, the code could break. And, of course, it requires internet access to work at the time of scanning.

Customer Experience Impact

When you strip away the tech for a moment, the main question your customer cares about is, “Was paying easy?” Each method tells a different story.

With UPI Intent, the handoff to their UPI app feels quick and personal. It’s familiar because they already trust the app they use every day. The drawback? If the intent flow fails maybe the app isn’t installed or the link is broken they might get stuck.

Static QR requires customers to do more work scan, type the amount, double-check the UPI ID. For some, that’s acceptable. But for others, especially if they're in a hurry, it becomes a hassle.

Dynamic QR eliminates that extra step by pre-filling the amount and details. That feels smooth, but only when the QR code loads instantly. A slow internet connection can disrupt the experience.

The key point is that a payment method isn’t just a technical choice. It becomes part of your customer’s memory of shopping with you.

Security Considerations

We can’t discuss payments without addressing security. Here’s how it breaks down.

Static QR is the easiest to clone or tamper with. Someone could swap your sticker with theirs, and you might not notice until money starts disappearing. This means you need physical security placing codes in locations where they can’t be easily replaced.

Dynamic QR reduces that risk since the codes are generated on demand and expire quickly. Even if someone takes a picture, it may not work later.

UPI Intent is the most secure because you’re passing the transaction directly to the customer’s banking app. This minimizes fraud attempts, though phishing links that pretend to be UPI deep links are still a risk.

In summary, all three methods are safe when implemented correctly, but they each have different vulnerabilities that you need to protect against.

What This Really Means for You

Consider UPI Intent as your tech-savvy friend. It’s great when customers shop on smartphones, in-app, or on mobile web. It allows for a smooth handoff. It’s quick and familiar, but it doesn’t work everywhere.

Static QR is like the reliable local option. It works anywhere, anytime, with no dependencies. However, it lacks detailed information you’ll never know who’s scanning or how often. Manual entry also opens the door to human errors.

Dynamic QR is ideal for those who want detailed data. It gives precise amounts, is trackable, and flexible but it requires infrastructure. You gain insights and can optimize campaigns, but you must invest in the setup.

Choosing What’s Right

Here’s how I would approach it, based on your business:

If your audience primarily checks out from mobile and your app or site integrates with UPI apps, UPI Intent may be your best choice.

If you're a small local business, café, or stall where speed and simplicity are essential, Static QR works best. No maintenance and no hassle.

If you're tracking campaigns, selling at events, managing multiple QR posters, or want clear data on operations Dynamic QR provides the insights you need, but ensure you have a solid system in place.

About Castler

Here’s why having a platform like Castler is important: you don’t want multiple systems doing everything poorly. Castler allows you to plug into all three UPI flow - Intent, Static QR, Dynamic QR so you can use the right method when it makes sense. No patchwork solutions. You get visibility, reliability, and options all in one place.