PIX
DEFINITION
PIX is Brazil's instant payment system, letting a payer send money directly from their bank account to a recipient in seconds.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
RELATED TERMS
PIX is Brazil's instant payment system, which lets a payer send money directly from their bank account to a recipient in seconds, at any time of day. Rather than paying by card, a customer authorizes a PIX transfer through their banking app, often by scanning a QR code, and the funds move between accounts almost immediately.For merchants selling to Brazilian customers, PIX has become a common and expected way to pay, so supporting it can matter for local conversion. Because PIX is an account-to-account transfer that settles in real time, its processing and cost profile differ from card payments, and its interaction with recurring billing depends on how repeat charges are authorized. A subscription platform such as Recurly can present PIX and PIX Automatico for recurring billing where it is supported and reconcile the transfer against the customer's invoice
For merchants selling to Brazilian customers, PIX has become a common and expected way to pay, so supporting it can matter for local conversion. Because PIX is an account-to-account transfer that settles in real time, its processing and cost profile differ from card payments, and its interaction with recurring billing depends on how repeat charges are authorized. A subscription platform such as Recurly can present PIX and PIX Automatico for recurring billing where it is supported and reconcile the transfer against the customer's invoice.
Why PIX matters for subscription businesses
Offering a payment method customers already use is a direct lever on conversion, and in Brazil PIX and PIX Automatico is widely adopted across many types of buyers. A merchant that offers only cards may lose Brazilian customers who would have completed a purchase using PIX, especially for lower dollar amounts where Brazilian Debit cards are harder to convert. Adding it can widen the reachable market and reduce checkout friction for local shoppers.
Because PIX settles in real time and moves funds directly between accounts, it can also affect cost and cash flow compared with cards. The recurring question is how a real-time transfer method supports repeat billing. PIX supports only one-time transactions, while PIX Automatico is the separate product that supports recurring payments. Which product a subscription uses determines whether a charge can renew on its own or is better suited to an initial payment.
How PIX works
A PIX payment at checkout generally follows these steps:
The customer chooses PIX or PIX Automatico and is shown a QR code or a payment key.
The customer confirms the mandate, if signing up for a subscription, and authorizes the payment transfer inside their trusted banking environment.
The customer confirms the mandate, if signing up for a subscription, and authorizes the transfer inside their trusted banking environment.
The funds move from the payer's account to the recipient in seconds.
The merchant receives confirmation and marks the order or invoice paid.
For future recurring billings, the customer receives a pre-renewal notice ahead of their payment date, and the payment is authorized a day or two later.
Because the transfer happens inside the customer's bank, the merchant never handles account credentials. For subscriptions, recurring charges run through PIX Automatico rather than re-presenting a QR code each cycle.
Benefits and examples
Supporting PIX and PIX Automatico can offer:
Higher checkout conversion among Brazilian customers who expect it.
Real-time settlement, so funds arrive quickly rather than on a card-clearing cycle.
Access to customers who prefer account-to-account transfers over cards.
A broader payment mix that reduces reliance on cards alone.
As an illustration, a subscription merchant entering Brazil might add PIX Automatico so a new customer can start a plan from their banking app and then continue recurring payments through it. This example is illustrative and not tied to any specific merchant result.
Frequently asked questions
What is PIX? It is Brazil's instant payment system, which lets a customer pay by transferring money directly from their bank account to the recipient in seconds, usually by scanning a QR code or entering a payment key in their banking app.
Can PIX be used for subscriptions? A subset of PIX, PIX Automatico, can support subscription businesses. General as a payment method, does not carry renewals directly and needs a recurring-authorization arrangement for repeat billing.
How fast does a PIX payment settle? PIX and PIX Automatico are designed to move funds in real time, typically within seconds, at any hour, which is one of their main advantages over slower transfer methods and card-clearing cycles.
Why offer PIX if I already accept cards? Because many Brazilian customers expect to pay by PIX, offering it can raise conversion in that market. A card-only checkout can lose customers who would have completed the purchase with their preferred local method.
