A tipping app is a specialised software application designed to leave tips for service staff electronically without using physical cash. These applications let service providers receive, track, and distribute tips electronically without using cash. Tipping apps include QR-code apps, payment terminal integrations, and third-party service integrations like food delivery apps.
Tipping apps provide hospitality workers with a modern way to receive tips when customers have no cash. These apps work without special hardware and let customers start tipping instantly through their phones.
The best tipping app is one which provides an easy, simple, and transparent tip solution for customers to tip workers. The app should provide customers with multiple payment options and pay out tips to staff frequently and on time.
A tipping app is a specialised software application that allows customers to leave digital tips for service staff without using cash. These applications provide customers with a convenient way to tip using their mobile devices, whilst allowing staff to receive tips instantly. Tipping Apps typically support tip payments via credit and debit cards, mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay, or direct bank transfers. Tipping apps use QR code technology allowing customers to instantly access the tipping interface by scanning codes linked to a unique URL with their smartphone cameras.
Tipping apps typically enable tips to be sent directly to individuals or to a team tip pool where they are calculated and distributed according to a pre-determined formula. This application saves time on calculating, accepting and allocating tips between the customer, business and staff. Tipping apps are typically compliant with tipping laws such as the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023 in the UK.
Tipping apps have become increasingly important in the UK as these apps provide workers with a modern solution for receiving tips when customers do not carry cash at venues. According to UK Finance in the Payment Markets Report 2023, 86% of payment transactions in the UK were digital in 2022, with cash accounting for 14% of payments. The shift has increased the demand for digital tipping solutions, as approximately 2 million UK workers depend on tips for a significant part of their income, according to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
The different types of tipping apps refer to digital payment solutions categorised by their technology and integration methods for processing customer gratuities. Listed below are the three main types of tipping apps:
QR Code Tipping apps are digital payment applications that enable customers to tip employees using a QR-code with their smartphone. These apps allow businesses to generate, and process QR-based tip payments securely whilst managing the distribution of tips to service staff. Staff members are provided with a unique QR Code by verifying their account on the app ready to accept tips.
Payment terminal integrations incorporate tipping functionality directly into card payment systems. When customers pay their bill, the terminal presents tipping options to the customer before the transaction completes. These systems often connect with staff member apps where employees can track received tips, view distribution breakdowns, and access their tipping history.
Third-party service integrations embed tipping capabilities within existing platforms like food delivery or ride-sharing applications. Companies such as Uber and Deliveroo incorporate tipping functions directly in their customer interfaces, allowing users to add gratuities when paying for services. These systems connect to drivers or worker apps that notify staff of received tips and track earnings over time.
A tipping app works by processing digital tips through secure payment gateways and distributing them directly to service staff. The process begins when customers scan a QR code within the tipping application, tapping their NFC-enabled device on a compatible terminal, or selecting a tipping option within an integrated service application. This initiation automatically connects the customer’s device to the tipping platform and identifies the specific service provider or establishment. During the selection phase, customers choose their desired tip amount that typically presents pre-set percentage options (such as 15%, 20%, or 25%) alongside custom amount input fields. The app calculates the tip value in real-time and displays the total amount for customer confirmation before proceeding to payment processing.
Payment processing occurs through secure digital channels where the app interfaces with established payment gateways to handle fund transfers from the customer’s selected payment method. These payment methods include credit cards, debit cards, or digital wallets such as Apple Pay or Google Pay. The system encrypts all financial data during transmission utilising advanced encryption algorithms including SSL/TLS protocols and processes the transaction.
Tip allocation and distribution vary based on the business’ tip policy, with the app either transferring tips directly to individual staff members’ accounts or depositing them into the team tip pool. The platform manages these allocations automatically, calculating appropriate distributions based on shift schedules, service roles, or custom splitting arrangements established by management.
Once the transaction is completed digital receipts are sent to customers and real-time notifications delivered to service providers, confirming successful tip receipt and providing transaction details for record-keeping purposes.
The URocked tipping app works by separating tips from business transactions using QR codes to ensure staff receive their fair share of tips. URocked creates a cashless tipping ecosystem between customers, workers, and businesses that provides ease and convenience for customers and staff. The process begins when customers interact with URocked’s QR codes displayed on the Members Tipping App and branded QR Codes at tables and display areas. Customers scan the QR code using their smartphone camera to access the URocked tipping interface.
URocked’s technology processes the tip payment through secure digital channels that connect directly to the staff member’s accounts. This process ensures complete separation from business revenue.
The system automatically routes 100% of customer tips directly to the staff member’s URocked account. For staff with team tip pools, QR codes are generated for customers to pay the tip pool instantly and directly.
URocked’s software automatically collates, calculates and distributes tips according to the tip policy of the business. This tip policy can be based on hours worked, job role and between locations of the same business.
Staff members access and manage their tips through the URocked Members App. The app provides real-time visibility of tip earnings, transaction history, and payment schedules.
To set up a QR-Code tip screen follow the three steps below:
Step 1: Download the URocked app on iOS or Android
Download the URocked application from the appropriate app store for your mobile device operating system. For iOS devices, navigate to the Apple App Store and search for URocked, then tap “Get” to download and install the application.
For Android devices, access the Google Play Store and search for the URocked application, then select “Install” to download the app to your device.
Step 2: Generate a Unique QR Code
Access the QR code generation feature within the URocked dashboard and create unique QR codes for specific locations, staff members, or service areas within your establishment. Customise the QR code appearance by adding your business logo, selecting appropriate colours that match your brand identity, and adjusting the size for optimal scanning distance.
Step 3: Print and Share Unique QR Codes
Print or display the generated QR codes on appropriate surfaces such as tables, receipts, or digital screens where customers can easily scan them with their mobile devices. Test the QR code functionality by scanning with various smartphone models and operating systems to ensure compatibility and proper loading of the tip screen interface.
Verify that the payment processing workflow functions correctly by completing test transactions and confirming that funds are properly allocated to staff accounts or tip pools according to your configured distribution settings.
To set up a tip screen on a payment terminal follow the four steps below:
Step 1: Verify payment terminal compatibility
Confirm that your payment terminal supports tip screen functionality by checking the device specifications and software version. If your payment terminal and service provider doesn’t support tip payments then change providers.
Modern payment terminals from providers such as URocked and Paynt offer the tipping capability on all card terminals.
Step 2: Access terminal settings and configuration
Navigate to the payment terminal’s administrative settings through the device menu. Access the tipping configuration section within the terminal’s software interface.
Log in using your merchant administrator credentials to modify tip screen parameters and ensure you have appropriate permissions to adjust terminal functionality.
Step 3: Configure tip screen options and amounts
Set up tip percentage options that will display to customers, typically including 15%, 18%, 20%, and 25% alongside a custom amount option.
Configure the tip screen appearance by adjusting display settings, adding your business name or logo if supported, and setting the screen timeout duration.
Step 4: Test the tip screen functionality
Process test transactions to verify that the tip screen appears correctly during customer checkout and displays the configured percentage options. Test various payment methods including chip cards, contactless payments, and mobile wallets to ensure tip functionality works across all payment types.
Verify that tips are properly recorded in transaction reports and distributed according to your configured settings. Confirm staff members receive accurate tip amounts in their designated accounts or through your payroll system.
The best tipping app is URocked’s tipping app which provides an easy, simple, and transparent tip solution for customers to tip workers without cash. URocked is the leading cashless tipping platform in the UK and EU, serving thousands of merchants across diverse hospitality sectors including restaurants, bars, pubs, and salons.
URocked’s QR code tipping system makes it easy for customers to scan codes with their smartphones. Staff tips are allocated instantly, trackable through a mobile app, and paid out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, improving transparency and cash flow.
Tips paid into team tip pools are automatically collected, calculated, and fairly distributed to staff according to a business’s tip policy, reducing administrative burden. URocked’s tipping app is compliant with the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023, ensuring businesses meet legal requirements.
For customers, URocked’s QR code tipping platform makes tipping simple and transparent through smartphone-based payments.
The best free tipping app for iPhone is the URocked tipping app that enables immediate tip collection without app fees or setup costs. The platform allows iPhone users to sign up instantly and start collecting digital tips through personalised QR codes. The URocked tipping app does not require customers to download the app. Customers simply scan the unique QR code displayed and complete their tip payment on a secure payment page with digital wallets such as Apple Pay. The free tipping app supports direct bank transfers with scheduled payouts every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, ensuring secure tip processing and reliable cash flow for service professionals.
URocked’s iPhone application accommodates both individual service professionals and team-based environments through flexible tip pooling options that automatically distribute tip earnings. These tips can be allocated based on pre-determined formulas such as hours worked, job role and business location.
The best tipping app for pubs is URocked’s tipping app which enables customers to send digital tips to bar staff and servers instantly without requiring cash. Staff can monitor their tip earnings in real-time through the mobile app, view individual transactions, and track both personal tips and pooled tips between all bar staff.
Below are the features which makes URocked the best tipping app for pubs:
The best tipping app for hotels is URocked’s tipping app which enables hotel staff to receive digital tips from guests instantly whilst tracking individual and team earnings through transparent reporting systems. Staff can monitor their tip earnings in real-time through the mobile app, view individual transactions, and track both personal tips and pooled distributions across different hotel departments including housekeeping, reception, and service teams. Hotel staff receive automatic tip payouts every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with complete transparency of all transactions.
Below are the features which makes URocked the best tipping app for hotels:
Yes, there are free tipping apps available such as URocked’s Tipping App. URocked offers a free signup option that allows businesses and its staff members to immediately begin accepting tip payments via QR code without subscription fees or setup costs. To use URocked’s free tipping solution, businesses must complete a simple registration process on the platform.
Once registered, staff members need to download the URocked app from either the iOS App Store or Google Play Store. Each employee must then create their personal account and link their bank account to receive direct tip transfers.
The platform operates on a simple model where the business incurs no monthly charges, while providing the essential functionality needed for digital tipping. This makes it particularly suitable for small independent venues like cafés, pubs, or salons that want to offer cashless tipping options without additional overhead costs.
To sign up to URocked’s tipping app as a business owner, visit the URocked website and sign up by completing the registration form with your company details and completing the easy onboarding process. Configure your tipping settings including team structures, then download your custom QR codes for display at your establishment.
To sign up to URocked’s tipping app as staff members, download the URocked app from the iOS App Store or Google Play Store, create an account and complete your profile, then link your bank account for receiving tip payouts.
Yes, the URocked tipping app is available for Android users through the Google Play Store. Android device users can download the URocked app to track their tip earnings, view individual transactions, and monitor payout schedules in real-time. The Android version provides full functionality including earnings transparency, transaction history, and automated tip distribution tracking, ensuring Android users have complete access to all URocked platform features.
Staff members receive their tips on a regular schedule with URocked’s payment system. The platform processes tip payouts three times per week, with scheduled runs occurring on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Welcome to the URocked movement
Where cashless tipping meets legal ease and transparency!
