---
title: Overview
description: Understanding the Solana Pay protocol and implementation
---

**Solana Pay is a standard protocol and set of reference implementations that
enable developers to incorporate decentralized payments into their apps and
services.** It provides a unified approach to payments across the Solana
ecosystem, ensuring compatibility between wallets, apps, and services.

## Protocol Overview

Solana Pay defines two main types of payment requests:

### Transfer Requests (Non-Interactive)

Transfer requests describe simple SOL or SPL token transfers using URL
parameters. The wallet can directly compose and sign the transaction without
additional server communication.

```
solana:recipient?amount=1.5&spl-token=EPjFWdd5AufqSSqeM2qN1xzybapC8G4wEGGkZwyTDt1v
```

**Use Cases:**

- Simple payments and donations
- QR code payments at point of sale
- Payment links in emails or messages
- Mobile app deep linking

### Transaction Requests (Interactive)

Transaction requests enable complex interactions by having the wallet
communicate with a server to compose any Solana transaction. This unlocks
advanced use cases beyond simple transfers.

```
solana:https://merchant.com/api/payment
```

**Use Cases:**

- NFT minting at point of sale
- Dynamic pricing and discounts
- Multi-step DeFi transactions
- Loyalty program integration
- Custom business logic

## Key Benefits

### For Developers

- **Standard Protocol**: One implementation works across all Solana wallets
- **Framework Agnostic**: Use with any web framework or mobile platform
- **Type Safety**: Complete TypeScript support in the JavaScript SDK
- **Flexible**: Simple transfers to complex multi-instruction transactions

### For Users

- **Fast**: Transactions confirm in under a second
- **Cheap**: Average cost of $0.0005 per transaction
- **Secure**: No intermediaries or third-party processors
- **Universal**: Works with any Solana wallet

### For Merchants

- **No Fees**: Direct payments without processing fees
- **Real-time**: Instant settlement and confirmation
- **Global**: Accept payments from anywhere in the world
- **Composable**: Integrate with DeFi protocols and NFT marketplaces

## Technical Architecture

### URL Scheme

Solana Pay uses a custom URL scheme `solana:` that works across web browsers and
mobile operating systems:

- **Web**: URLs can be used as links or encoded in QR codes
- **Mobile**: Deep linking integration with wallet apps
- **Desktop**: Protocol handlers for seamless wallet launching

### JavaScript SDK

The `@solana/pay` SDK (built on `@solana/kit`) provides:

- **Client factories**: `createMerchantClient`, `createWalletClient`,
  `createSolanaPayClient` for composable payment flows
- **URL encoding/parsing**: `encodeURL`, `parseURL` for Solana Pay URLs
- **Transfer creation**: `createTransfer` for SOL and SPL token payment
  instructions
- **Payment validation**: `findReference`, `validateTransfer`, `watchReference`
  for detecting and verifying payments
- **QR codes**: Built-in `createQR` for generating scannable payment codes
- **Kit plugins**: `solanaPayMerchant()`, `solanaPayWallet()` for composing with
  other `@solana/kit` plugins

### Wallet Integration

Supporting wallets implement:

- URL scheme handling and parsing
- Transaction composition and validation
- User confirmation flows
- Transaction broadcasting and monitoring

## Payment Flow Examples

### Web App to Mobile Wallet

1. Web app generates QR code with Solana Pay URL
2. User scans QR code with wallet app
3. Wallet parses URL and shows payment details
4. User confirms payment in wallet
5. Wallet signs and broadcasts transaction
6. Web app detects payment confirmation

### Web App to Browser Wallet

1. Web app shows "Pay with Solana" button
2. User clicks button to launch wallet
3. Wallet extension shows payment confirmation
4. User approves transaction
5. Transaction is signed and sent
6. Web app receives payment confirmation

### Mobile App to Mobile Wallet

1. Mobile app creates payment deep link
2. Deep link launches wallet app
3. Wallet shows payment confirmation
4. User approves or rejects payment
5. Wallet returns to original app
6. App receives payment result

## Security Considerations

### For Merchants

- **Validate Transactions**: Always verify transaction details on-chain
- **Use References**: Include unique reference keys to identify payments
- **Server-side Validation**: Calculate amounts and validate payments
  server-side
- **Rate Limiting**: Implement appropriate rate limits on payment endpoints

### For Wallet Developers

- **URL Validation**: Validate and sanitize all URL components
- **User Confirmation**: Always show clear payment details to users
- **Transaction Validation**: Verify transaction contents before signing
- **HTTPS Only**: Only allow HTTPS URLs for transaction requests

## Integration Patterns

### E-commerce Checkout

1. Customer adds items to cart
2. Merchant generates payment request with order details
3. Customer scans QR code or clicks payment button
4. Wallet shows itemized receipt and total
5. Customer confirms payment
6. Merchant validates transaction and fulfills order

### Point of Sale

1. Cashier enters sale amount
2. POS system displays QR code
3. Customer scans with mobile wallet
4. Payment processes instantly
5. Receipt printed automatically

### Subscription Services

1. User subscribes to service
2. Service creates recurring payment schedule
3. Automated system generates payment requests
4. User approves payments through wallet
5. Service tracks payment status

## Best Practices

### URL Generation

- Use HTTPS for all transaction request endpoints
- Include descriptive labels and messages
- Generate unique references for payment tracking
- Validate all parameters before URL creation

### Transaction Handling

- Always validate transactions server-side
- Use appropriate confirmation counts for security
- Implement proper error handling and retries
- Log payment events for reconciliation

### User Experience

- Provide clear payment confirmations
- Show transaction status updates
- Handle wallet connection gracefully
- Support multiple wallet options

## Next Steps

Ready to integrate Solana Pay? Start with these guides:

- **[Installation Guide](/docs/tools/solana-pay/quickstart/installation)** - Set
  up the SDK and tools
- **[Transfer Requests](/docs/tools/solana-pay/quickstart/transfer-requests)** -
  Create simple payment URLs
- **[Transaction Requests](/docs/tools/solana-pay/quickstart/transaction-requests)** -
  Build interactive flows
- **[Integration Examples](https://github.com/solana-foundation/pay/tree/main/typescript/packages/solana-pay/core/example)** -
  See real-world implementations

## Resources

- **[Official Specification](/docs/tools/solana-pay/specification/version1-1)** -
  Complete protocol specification
- **[GitHub Repository](https://github.com/solana-foundation/pay)** - Source
  code and examples
- **[Brand Guidelines](https://solanapay.com/branding)** - Logos and brand
  assets