Aplauso is designed so that any guest - regardless of tech-savviness - can leave a tip in under 30 seconds. No app download, no account, and no cash required.
The Guest Experience Step by Step
Step 1 - Scan a QR Code (or Open the Link)
The guest scans the Aplauso QR code displayed on a table card, door hanger, kiosk screen, or handed to them by the employee. Their phone opens the Aplauso kiosk directly in their browser - no app download needed.
They can also open a tip link shared via text or email: k.aplauso.io/{shortCode}
Step 2 - See the Employee's Profile
The kiosk shows the employee's name, photo, job title, and (if enabled) a brief bio. On department or outlet pages, the guest sees a directory of on-shift staff and selects who they'd like to tip.
Step 3 - Leave a Star Rating (Optional)
The guest can rate their experience from 1 to 5 stars. Ratings are optional - guests who want to tip without reviewing can skip ahead.
If the rating is 3 stars or below, a brief comment box appears, giving managers visibility for service recovery.
Step 4 - Choose a Tip Amount
The guest selects from preset tip amounts:
- $5 · $10 · $15 · $20 · $25 (default presets, customizable by the venue)
- Custom amount - the guest enters any value
- No tip - allows guests to leave a rating without a payment
Venue managers: You can change the preset amounts in Manage → Outlets → [Outlet] → Tip Settings to match the tipping norms at your property.
Step 5 - Select a Payment Method
The guest chooses how to pay:
| Payment Method | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Apple Pay | iPhone or Mac with Face ID / Touch ID; Safari |
| Google Pay | Android device; Chrome |
| Credit / Debit Card | Any device; Stripe-powered checkout |
| Charge to Room | Requires PMS integration; guest enters room number |
Apple Pay and Google Pay are one-tap - no card entry required, making them the fastest path to payment.
Step 6 - Confirm and Pay
A payment summary screen shows the tip amount and total. The guest confirms (and the payment is authorized via Stripe).
Step 7 - Thank You Screen
A confirmation screen appears with a thank-you message and optional confetti animation. The guest knows their tip went through.
What Happens After a Tip is Submitted
- The employee is notified - they receive a push notification in the Aplauso mobile app showing the tip amount and any rating/comment left.
- The tip appears in their wallet - funds accumulate in their Aplauso balance in real time.
- The manager can see it - the tip is immediately reflected in the management analytics dashboard.
- Payout happens on Stripe's schedule - typically the next business day for connected accounts in standard payout mode.
Privacy and Security
- Guests do not need an Aplauso account - no personal data is stored unless they voluntarily provide it.
- All payments use Stripe's PCI-compliant infrastructure. Card numbers are never stored by Aplauso.
- Ratings and comments are attributed to a session ID, not personally identifying information, unless the guest chooses to share their name.
Common Guest Questions
"Do I need to download an app?"
No. The tipping experience is entirely in the guest's mobile browser.
"Is my payment secure?"
Yes. Payments are processed by Stripe, which is PCI Level 1 certified - the highest standard for payment security.
"Can I tip anonymously?"
Yes. By default, the employee sees the tip amount and rating, not the guest's name or card details. See Can I tip anonymously? for details.
"Can I get a refund?"
Refund requests should be directed to the venue. See How to get a refund on an Aplauso tip.