Payment link, QR code or donation page: which one should you use?
All three lead to exactly the same secure payment, but each meets a different need: the payment link is shared remotely, via WhatsApp, SMS, email or social media; the QR code is displayed in person, on a poster, a flyer or at an event; the donation page serves as a permanent collection point, much like your association itself. All three are free, and nothing prevents you from using them together.
This article compares the three tools and helps you choose the one that suits each situation.
The three at a glance
| Question | Payment link | QR code | Donation page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ideal context | Remote: WhatsApp, SMS, email, social media | In person: posters, flyers, events | Lasting presence, all year round |
| How the donor gives | They click the link and pay in a few clicks | They scan the code with their phone's camera | They visit your page and choose their amount |
| Lifespan | For the duration of a campaign or reminder | As long as the material is displayed | Permanent, like your association |
| Concrete example | Membership fee reminder in the members' group | Poster at the entrance to an event | "Donate" button on your website |
In all three cases, the donor can pay by bank card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or PayPal, and the money goes directly into your association's Stripe or PayPal account: Donoor never holds the funds.
The payment link: for sharing remotely
This is a unique address, for example donoor.org/pay/your-association, created automatically with your account. Copy it and paste it wherever you like: in a WhatsApp message, an SMS, an email or a social media post. It is the quickest tool for a one-off reminder, a membership fee collection or a call for donations sent directly to your members. To find out everything about customising and sharing it, read how payment links work.
The QR code: for in-person use
The Donoor QR code is displayed on a poster, a flyer, a stand or a screen at an event. The donor scans it with the native camera of their phone, with no app to install: their browser opens the donation page directly. You can create several QR codes, for example one per event or per venue, and customise their design with your logo and colours. See how to create and use donation QR codes.
The donation page: your permanent collection point
How do I receive online donations for my association?
Sign up for free on Donoor: you immediately get your payment link, which is also your personalised donation page, with your logo, your colours, a banner and a description of your project. This same page is what we call a "donation page" when we refer to it as a permanent collection point: displayed in your Instagram bio, embedded on your website, or simply kept open all year so that everyone can give whenever they wish.
Good to know: the payment link and the donation page are the same page. We say "link" when you share it occasionally, and "donation page" when you keep it as a lasting presence, for example on your website.
What about recurring donations or a crowdfunding campaign?
The payment link and the QR code both offer, by default, the choice between a one-off donation and a recurring donation. A crowdfunding campaign, on the other hand, only collects one-off donations, with no recurring option.
| Tool | Recurring donation offered |
|---|---|
| Payment link | Yes, by default (can be disabled in the link's options) |
| QR code | Yes, by default |
| Crowdfunding campaign | No, one-off donations only |
If your project is more about a measurable goal and a story to tell (works, purchase of equipment, a collective project), a crowdfunding campaign is often more suitable: see how to create an online crowdfunding campaign for an association. To find out everything about activating and running recurring donations, read how to set up recurring donations for my association.
Important: a recurring donation cannot be offered if your association has only connected PayPal, without Stripe. You must then connect Stripe to activate it.
In practice, combine all three
Most associations use all three tools at the same time, each in its own place:
- the donation page in the Instagram bio and on the website, all year round;
- the QR code on posters and stands, at events;
- the payment link sent by WhatsApp, SMS or email, for each campaign or reminder.
And if your association is eligible for tax-deductible donations, the tax receipt is generated and sent automatically to the donor whichever tool is used. See how tax receipts work.
Key takeaways
- All three tools lead to the same secure payment and are free.
- The payment link suits remote sharing, the QR code suits in-person use, and the donation page suits a permanent presence.
- The donation page and the payment link are in fact the same page, used differently depending on the context.
- Recurring donation is offered by default on the payment link and the QR code, but not on a crowdfunding campaign.
- Associations often combine all three depending on the moment and the channel.