Payment Radar
Revolut Pilots 0% Fee Facial Recognition Checkout in UK
Revolut is piloting a facial recognition checkout feature called 'Pay with Smile' in London, starting September 24, 2026, with coffee chain Kiss the Hippo as the initial merchant.
Payment RadarOriginal source: The Paypers · linked publisher media; native reuse rights require confirmation 
What changed
Revolut is piloting a facial recognition checkout feature called ’Pay with Smile’ in London, starting September 24, 2026. The pilot uses the Revolut Register terminal to verify customer faces against onboarding data and process account-to-account (A2A) payments. Revolut claims 0% processing fees for these transactions and states that merchants do not store biometric data. However, the wider availability of this feature depends on the commercial launch of the Revolut Register terminal, for which no timeline has been provided. This introduces a new checkout method that relies on specific hardware and limits immediate applicability for most merchants outside the pilot.
Why a business should care
The 0% fee structure represents a direct cost benefit for eligible transactions, while the facial recognition checkout offers a novel, potentially faster payment method. However, the hardware dependency and pilot status mean most merchants cannot adopt this immediately. The reliance on a specific terminal and the lack of a rollout timeline create uncertainty.
Who it affects
Merchants using or considering Revolut Register terminals in the UK are primarily affected, specifically those interested in biometric checkout and fee reduction. The pilot is currently limited to London and specific partners like coffee chain Kiss the Hippo.
What to consider doing
No immediate action is required for the general merchant population as the pilot is restricted to specific locations and partners. If you operate a UK-based retail or food and beverage location and use Revolut Register terminals, wait for the commercial launch announcement before making any changes.
Uncertainty and risks
The biometric nature of the payment introduces privacy considerations, though the evidence states merchants do not store the data. The requirement for specific Revolut Register hardware and the lack of a commercial rollout timeline severely limit immediate applicability for most merchants outside the pilot. Revolut introduced a new checkout method (Pay with Smile) using facial recognition on its Register terminal, offering 0% processing fees for these transactions. The pilot is currently limited to London and specific merchants.
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