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Payments

How to use instant payments in your business.
Navdeep Yadav
By Anisha Suvarna and 3 others
• 21 articles

How to use Atoa for payments

Atoa helps UK businesses accept both Pay by Bank and card payments in one simple platform. With Pay by Bank, customers pay directly from their banking app using secure open banking technology. Funds are typically received within seconds. You can also enable card payments (including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Apple Pay, and Google Pay), giving your customers the flexibility to pay how they prefer. How customers pay you using Atoa Atoa supports payments across in-person, remote, and online channels. 1. Scan a QR code Customers can pay you in person by scanning your Atoa QR code. How it works: - The customer scans your QR code using their smartphone - They select their bank - They approve the payment securely in their banking app using Face ID, fingerprint, or passcode - The money is sent directly from their bank to yours, often within seconds 2. Use a payment link or invoice You can send payment links remotely by SMS or email, or add a Pay now button to invoices. How it works: - You send the customer a payment link by SMS or email, or through an invoice - The customer opens the link and chooses how they want to pay - For Pay by Bank, they approve the payment in their banking app - For card payments, they enter their card details as usual - You receive confirmation as soon as the payment is made This works well for invoice payments sent through platforms such as Xero, QuickBooks, and Sage. 3. Take card payments If card payments are enabled on your account, customers can also pay by card. How it works: - Customers can tap, insert, or enter their card details depending on the payment method - Payments are processed securely through Atoa - Card payments follow your agreed payout schedule 4. Accept payments through your online checkout Atoa can also be used on ecommerce websites, so customers can pay you online at checkout. Supported platforms include: - Shopify - WooCommerce - WordPress - Magento How it works: - The customer adds items or services to their basket - They go to checkout on your website - They choose their preferred payment method, such as Pay by Bank or card - For Pay by Bank, they select their bank and approve the payment securely - For card payments, they complete the checkout using their card details - You receive the payment and can track it in your Atoa dashboard What happens after payment - You’ll receive a real-time notification as soon as the customer pays - Pay by Bank payments typically arrive within seconds - Larger businesses can opt for end-of-day payouts, where transactions are grouped into one payout every 24 hours - Card payments follow your agreed payout schedule - All payments are tracked in one dashboard, making reconciliation easier Get started You can book a free demo with our UK-based team for a guided walkthrough, or contact us at hello@paywithatoa.co.uk.

Last updated on Mar 18, 2026

How QR code receipt payments work

What is a QR code receipt? A QR code receipt is an easy way for bars or restaurants to accept payments from customers when you hand them the bill. Your guests scan to pay quickly without waiting for a member of staff to bring the card machine, which can save your business valuable time and resources. How do I use QR code receipts on Atoa? 1. Connect Atoa with your point of sale system. Scroll down the pricing page to see which POS providers we work with. All of our integrations are straightforward and only take a few minutes to complete. 2. When you accept a payment in your POS, choose Atoa and print the QR on your customer’s receipt. 3. Let them scan the QR code with their smartphone. A payment will start in their phone browser, which asks them to choose their bank app. 4. They are redirected to their bank app to complete the payment with a face or fingerprint scan. 5. The payment is instant, so your business gets funds right away. Plus, the transaction is cashed off on your POS. How does this help my business? Beyond saving you money with lower fees and faster payouts, QR code receipts can also improve service, give customers the option to pay and leave as soon as they’re eaten and help you reduce costs on front-of-house staff. 💡 If you can’t see your POS provider on our integrations page then contact us at hello@paywithatoa.co.uk and let us know who you use. We’ll try our best to make it happen!

Last updated on Sep 05, 2024

How payment links work

What are payment links? SMS payment links are shareable links that let customers make payments from their devices. They make remote payments more manageable for businesses and offer convenience to customers. Why are payment links good for my business? Atoa payment links help your business get paid faster! Funds arrive as soon as your customer pays the link. You can track paid or unpaid links at a glance. How do I send a payment link using Atoa? - Log into the Atoa Business Dashboard or Atoa Business app. - Go to the "Links" icon. - Click "New Link" or "Create payment link." - Enter the amount, phone number, and email address. You can also add an optional note (for example, what the payment is for, the customer’s name, or a reference number). Click Create and send payment link. - The link will be sent to your customer via SMS and/or email. You can also share it through other channels like social media or messaging apps. - You can set a reminder so customers receive a prompt to pay you on time. Can I add notes to my payment links? Yes, you can. When you create a payment link, there's a space to add notes below the transaction amount, which customers will see when they make the payment. How can I view the notes after the payment is made? Once the payment is successful, you can view the notes by going to the transaction page and selecting the payment details. 💡 Adding notes to your payment links is a great way to manage and reference your transactions. FAQs How can I see if my links have been paid? To see their status, you can toggle between "paid" and "unpaid" links. You will also receive a notification when payment has been received. Can I send payment reminders to customers? You can send polite payment reminders to customers using the Atoa Business app or dashboard to ensure you don't have any overdue payments. Is the payment reminder feature available on the Basic plan? You can access this feature by upgrading to our Advanced Add-on. Find out about the other features you can unlock with this plan on our pricing page.

Last updated on Oct 07, 2025

Are there any risk of chargebacks on Atoa?

Pay by Bank does not support chargebacks, but APP regulations do apply... Pay by Bank payments cannot be charged back. Each payment is authorised directly in the customer’s banking app using Face ID, fingerprint or passcode, which means the bank verifies the transaction in real time. This makes Pay by Bank highly secure and protects your business from chargeback-related losses. Merchants using Pay by Bank are subject to the Authorised Push Payment (APP) reimbursement rules against misrepresentation. Under the UK’s APP framework, if a customer is tricked into sending a payment due to fraud or misrepresentation, their bank may reimburse them and recover the funds from the receiving payment service provider. As a result, merchants must ensure that the business name, payment purpose, and any supporting information shown during the payment flow accurately reflect the underlying transaction. Clear branding, transparent communication with customers, and matching bank account names help reduce the risk of APP claims and ensure compliance with the reimbursement rules. What about chargebacks for card payments? For card transactions, standard card-scheme rules apply. This means customers may raise a dispute with their card issuer. If this happens, we’ll notify you and guide you through the process. Card chargeback disputes will be handled via our card acquirer, Rapyd Payments Limited, and processed by the consumer's bank. How should disputes be handled? We encourage merchants and customers to resolve payment-related issues through clear communication wherever possible.

Last updated on Mar 04, 2026

How Atoa in-store QR code payments work

Scan, pay, go. It's that simple with Atoa's in-store QR codes. Upgrade your in-store experience, make your customers happy, and boost your bottom line with instant contactless payments. It's easier than cash and cheaper than cards. Why are Atoa in-store QR code payments good for business? - Payments are instant to keep those queues moving and the cash flowing. - Keep more of your hard-earned money with our low fees. - See your QR code transaction history in your Atoa dashboard or app. - Give your customer an easy payment experience without cash, card, or bank transfers. How to accept Atoa QR code payments in-store 1. Sign up: Create an account on the Atoa Business app or dashboard and get verified. 2. Display: Order your QR code and display it at the counter, on tables, or even on your products. 3. Customers open their phone camera and point it at the code. The Atoa payment page appears, pre-filled with the amount. They're taken to their bank app to confirm the payment with a face or fingerprint scan. 4. You get paid instantly with much lower fees than cards. How to order a new or replacement QR stand Need a new QR stand? It's on us. Read on to find out how to get your hands on one. How can I get a new QR stand? Order one for free right in the Atoa Business app or dashboard by following the steps below. 1. Go to 'My Account'. 2. Select 'QR Code settings'. 3. Tap 'Order Now' and it's yours without charge. We'll send your new QR stand straight to your business address. Can't order through the app? Email us at hello@paywithatoa.co.uk with your: - Business name - Shipping address - Registered email address Keep taking payments: While you wait for your new stand, you can still use the Atoa Business app or send payment links to your customers.

Last updated on Jul 15, 2025

How to enable API access

Ready to start accepting payments on your platform? You can easily enable your API access through your Atoa business app or dashboard. Let’s get started! 1. Go to Settings Head over to the Settings page in your Atoa account and select API Access. 2. Choose Your Environment You’ll see two toggle buttons: Sandbox and Production. - Sandbox is your testing ground. Use this to check how your payment process works and make sure that your payments are going to the right account. - Production is for when you’re ready to go live and start accepting payments from your clients. 3. Share Your URL When you toggle either Sandbox or Production, you’ll need to enter a URL. This is where your clients will be redirected after they make their payments. Note: When you paste or type out your URL, don't forget to include http:// or https:// in the beginning. 4. Access Secret Key Your Access Secret key will be hidden. You can either ‘Copy’ or ‘Share’ this key, but remember, Atoa doesn’t store this information. Keep it safe and don’t share it with anyone you don’t trust. 5. Finish Up Click on ‘Close,’ and it’s done! You’ve successfully enabled your API access. FAQs What if I lose my Access Secret Key? Don’t worry! If you lose it, you won’t be able to retrieve it, but you can generate a new one. Just click the icon next to the Access Secret and hit 'Revoke' to confirm. How do I disable Sandbox or Production API? Simply click the toggle button and select 'Disable' to confirm. This will invalidate your Access Secret key, and you’ll need to follow the steps mentioned above to enable your API access again. Are the processes different for Sandbox and Production? Nope! The steps are the same for both.

Last updated on Nov 18, 2024

How to link and manage in-store QR codes

Whether you’re running one shop or many, it’s easy to link the physical QR codes to your Atoa business account or active integration. Why should I link my QR code to Atoa? If you want to start accepting payments through your QR code, linking it to your Atoa account is the first step. Without this step, your QR code won’t be able to process payments. Linking your QR code with Atoa is essential for unlocking its full potential. When you connect it, you can tie your QR code to your preferred locations—perfect if you have multiple stores—and link it directly to your bank account. Once that’s done, your customers can simply scan, pay, and go—making their experience quick and hassle-free! Let’s show you how to set it up. How do I link the in-store QR code to Atoa? Once you order in-store QR code, linking it to Atoa is super simple—just use your Dashboard or the Atoa business app! On the Dashboard 1. Head over to ‘Settings’ and select the ‘Manage QRs’ tab 2. Click the ‘Link QR code’ button 3. Choose a store (select the location if you have multiple) 4. Enter the QR reference number (you’ll find it at the bottom right of your QR stand) 5. Give it a nickname and hit ‘Link QR code’ On the Atoa business app 1. Tap the ‘Menu’ button 2. Go to ‘QR code settings' 3. Select the ‘Link QR code’ button 4. Scan the QR code to connect it to your Atoa account 5. Choose a store (select the location if you have multiple) 6. Give it a nickname and hit ‘Finish linking’ Once linked, you’ll be able to see the funds collected from customers in the 'Payments' section for each location. This makes it easy to keep track of all transactions made through your physical QR code. How do I link my in-store QR code with my active POS integration? To link your QR code to your active POS integration, just follow the steps above and check the box that says ‘Link this QR with your POS’ for your preferred location. FAQs How do I modify my QR code’s nickname? Modifying your QR code’s nickname is simple. 1. Just tap on any QR code in the Atoa business app or click the modify icon on the dashboard. 2. A pop-up will appear where you can change the nickname of the QR. 3. Once you’re happy with it, just hit ‘Save changes’—and you’re done! How do I unlink my QR code integration? 1. Tap on any QR code in the Atoa business app or click the modify icon on the dashboard. 2. Select the ‘Unlink from {pointOne}’ button. 3. Click ‘Unlink’ to confirm and it’s done. Remember that once you unlink the QR code from your POS integration, it will become a standalone QR stand. But don’t worry—you can relink it anytime in the future if you need to. How do I delete a QR code from my Atoa account? To delete a QR code, just tap on any QR code in the Atoa business app or click the modify icon on the dashboard. Click the ‘Delete’ button. Just a heads-up: once you do this, you won’t be able to accept payments with that QR code anymore

Last updated on Nov 19, 2024

What is Pay by Bank?

Pay by Bank is a secure way for customers to pay a business directly from their bank account. Instead of entering card details, the payment is approved through the customer’s own banking app. It’s quick, secure, and usually completed in just a few taps. How does paying by bank work? It's simple. Once you click on the payment link or you scan a QR code: 1. Select Pay by Bank as the payment method 2. Choose your bank from the list 3. You’ll be taken to your bank app or online banking 4. Log in and approve the payment Once approved, the payment is sent directly from the customer’s bank account to the business. Is Pay by Bank safe? Yes. Pay by Bank uses secure open banking technology, which is regulated in the UK. Payments are authorised inside the customer’s own banking app using security checks such as: - Face ID or fingerprint - Banking passcodes - Bank-level authentication Because customers approve the payment in their bank app, no card details or bank details need to be shared with the business. How is my data protected? When a payment is made through Atoa, the authorisation happens directly within the customer’s bank. Atoa does not store sensitive banking information, such as: - Bank login credentials - Full bank account details - Personal banking security data This means your financial information stays protected within your bank’s secure systems. How much does Pay by Bank cost businesses? Pay by Bank is typically lower cost than traditional card payments. Atoa’s standard Pay by Bank rate is 0.7% per transaction, which works out to around 70p in fees for every £100 paid. This can help businesses reduce payment processing costs, especially for higher-value transactions. Atoa also supports card payments (Visa and Mastercard) with competitive pricing, giving businesses flexible payment options. Can customers still pay by card? Yes. Businesses using Atoa can accept both Pay by Bank and card payments. Pay by Bank offers a fast and low-cost way to get paid directly from a customer’s bank, while card payments provide an additional option when needed. How quickly are Pay by Bank payments received? Pay by Bank payments are usually confirmed instantly once the customer approves the payment in their banking app. In most cases, the funds are sent directly from the customer’s bank to the business and are available quickly, depending on the business’s payout setup. Where can customers use Pay by Bank? Customers can pay using Pay by Bank in several ways, including: - Payment links sent by SMS or email - QR codes displayed in-store - Online checkout pages - POS terminals - Invoice payments with a “Pay now” button, such as invoices sent through Xero, QuickBooks, or Sage This gives businesses flexibility to accept payments in person, online, or directly from invoices. Which banks support Pay by Bank? Most major UK banks support Pay by Bank through the open banking network. This includes banks such as: - Barclays - HSBC - Lloyds Bank - NatWest - Santander - Monzo - Starling Bank Customers simply select their bank and approve the payment securely in their banking app.

Last updated on Mar 13, 2026

What are Payment Pages?

Payment Pages let you accept and manage payments from multiple customers, all in one place. You can collect customer details, share a single link or QR code, and track every payment in real time. Why is this feature useful for my business? Payment Pages make it easy to collect the information you need from each customer, whether it’s their name, email, or phone number. Instead of sending separate links for each payment, you can create one reusable link or QR code and share it with multiple people. Every payment made through the page is tracked in real time, so you always have full visibility over what’s coming in. It’s a simple way to streamline how you collect and manage payments. Is this feature available on the Basic plan? You can access this feature by upgrading to our Advanced Add-on. Find out about the other features you can unlock with this plan on our pricing page. How do I access Payment Pages? - Click on the ‘Payment Pages’ tab in the left-hand menu - Select ‘Set up Payment Pages’ You’ll then be redirected to the below page, where you can customise the page. How to create a Payment page? - Click on ‘New page’ - Enter the amount and give your page a unique title. Add a description for clarity Advanced options: - Customer info to collect: Tick the checkboxes to collect name, email, or phone number. - Custom fields: Need specific info? Tick ‘Add custom fields’ to let customers type answers or choose from dropdown options you provide. - Once everything looks good, click ‘Save and publish’ to start accepting payments. How to make a Payment Page live or disable it? Each page has a toggle button labelled ‘Live’ - Turn it on to start collecting payments - Turn it off to disable the page anytime

Last updated on Aug 05, 2025

Why am I not receiving payment notifications?

If you’re not getting payment notifications from Atoa, don’t worry, you can follow these steps to fix it. If you’re using Google Chrome - Click the Manage icon (or site information icon) next to the website address in Chrome. - Click Reset permissions. - If you don’t see this option, click Site settings. - Click on Reset permissions. - Go back to Atoa and you’ll see a flash message on the Payments page asking if you want to enable notifications. - Click Enable notifications to turn them on again. When your browser shows a banner asking for permission, click Allow. After this, you should start receiving browser notifications from Atoa. If you’re using Microsoft Edge Option 1: Manage notifications directly from the address bar - Click the View site information icon (next to the address bar). - Select Permissions for this site - Under Notifications, select Allow from the dropdown menu. - Go back to Atoa and simply refresh the page. Option 2: Remove or block notifications in Edge settings - Click Settings and more (⋯) in the top-right corner of your browser window. - Select Settings. - In the left menu, click Privacy, search, and services. - Click Site permissions. - Select All sites. Choose Atoa from the list of sites. - Under Notifications, select Allow from the dropdown menu. - Go back to Atoa and refresh the page. Once you’ve completed these steps, your Atoa notifications should start working again. If you’re using Safari - In the menu bar, go to Safari → Settings. - Click the Websites tab and select Notifications from the sidebar. - Find Atoa in the list and change its status to Allow. - Go back to Atoa and refresh the page. After this, Safari will allow payment notifications from Atoa. FAQ: Why is my payment status not updating? If a payment has already gone through but still shows as “To be paid” on your web dashboard, your browser may not be auto-refreshing the page. You can manually refresh the page using one of the methods below: - Google Chrome: Press Ctrl + F5 (Windows) or Cmd + R (Mac). - Microsoft Edge: Press Ctrl + F5 (Windows) or Cmd + R (Mac). - Safari: Press Cmd + R (Mac). - Firefox: Press Cmd + R (Mac). You can also click the refresh button at the top-right corner of your screen (see image below) to update your page. Once refreshed, you’ll see a green tick confirming that the payment is successful.

Last updated on Nov 18, 2025

Do you support MOTO payments?

No. Atoa does not support Mail Order or Telephone Order (MOTO) card payments. What is a MOTO payment? A MOTO payment is a card-not-present transaction where a merchant manually enters a customer’s card details on their behalf. This usually happens when a customer shares their card number, expiry date, and CVV verbally over the phone or via email, and the merchant types those details into a payment system to complete the transaction. Because the customer is not completing the payment themselves, there is no PIN, biometric check, banking app approval, or real-time customer authentication involved. Why doesn’t Atoa support MOTO payments? MOTO payments carry a higher level of risk because the merchant enters card details on behalf of the customer, rather than the customer authorising the payment directly with their bank. As a result, MOTO payments are more exposed to: - Fraud, as there is no PIN, biometric check, or banking app verification - Chargebacks, where the merchant is fully liable if a customer disputes the payment - Data handling risks, as card details must be stored or entered manually - Higher processing fees, due to the elevated risk profile Over time, these risks can lead to lost revenue, penalties, and operational strain for merchants. What should I use instead of MOTO? Instead of manually entering card details, Atoa recommends using secure payment links, sent by SMS or email. These links allow customers to complete payments themselves, either by: - Pay by Bank, or - Card payment via secure payment link In both cases, the merchant never enters or handles card details. How do secure payment links work? When a customer opens a payment link: - The payment is completed by the customer, not the merchant - The customer may receive an SMS or push notification from their bank - They may be asked to enter a one-time password (OTP) or tap “Approve” in their banking app - This authentication step is performed by the customer’s bank to protect against fraud Because the payment is authorised directly by the customer with their bank, this provides stronger proof of consent and significantly reduces fraud and chargeback risk. Funds are confirmed in real time, and no sensitive card details are shared, stored, or handled by your team. Do you still support card payments? Yes. Atoa continues to support card payments and Pay by Bank payments across the platform. For remote payments, we recommend using secure payment links wherever possible, as they allow customers to authenticate payments directly with their bank and remove the need for merchants to enter card details manually.

Last updated on Jan 30, 2026

My card settlement is delayed, why?

What is Settlement? “Settlement” is when Atoa pays out funds to your nominated business bank account. The timing of settlement depends on the payment method (Pay by Bank or card payments) and the terms agreed in your order form. Card Payment Settlement - Funds collected via card payments (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) are settled to the merchant's bank account on business days only (Monday–Friday, excluding Public Holidays). - For example, If you are on "T+2" settlement (i.e. two business days), transactions taken on Monday will typically settle on Wednesday. Transactions taken on Thursday, will settle on the following Monday. Why would a card settlement be delayed? Card settlement to a merchant’s bank account can occasionally take longer than expected due to normal operational factors within the payment and banking ecosystem. - Clearing file or processor delays – Issues in the settlement file or processing queue from the card acquirer can slow payout timing - Bank cut-off times – Transactions processed after daily cut-offs, weekends, or public holidays may roll to the next business day - Scheme/network timing – Card networks (Visa/Mastercard/AMEX) and interbank processes can introduce short delays in settlement cycles - Compliance or risk checks – Routine monitoring (e.g. fraud or AML checks) may briefly hold funds for review - Batching and reconciliation timing – Variations in when transactions are batched, reconciled, and released for payout In the vast majority of cases, these are short-term timing delays which are typically resolved in 1-2 business days. Your funds remain secure while settlement is completed. Important Note on Card Settlement Timings - Please note that card settlements can arrive at any time during the agreed settlement day. - Please wait until the next business day before escalating the matter to Customer Care. Accessing support on settlement issues - You can view card settlement details by visiting the Card payouts section within your Atoa dashboard. - If you need additional support, please contact our Care Team via Live Chat or email (hello@paywithatoa.co.uk). - To help us resolve your query as quickly as possible, please include the following details: Are you querying a Pay by Bank or Card settlement? What is the date of the transactions that have not been settled? Share your business name and contact details so we can reach out to you.

Last updated on Mar 17, 2026