A study by MegaFon and Kontur shows that data traffic on cashless tipping websites in cafes and restaurants has increased 2.5 times over the past two years. In the summer of 2026, the average tip amount reached 330 ₽. Men account for 25% more traffic on these specialized platforms compared to women.
The largest user group for digital tipping systems consists of individuals aged 35–44, making up 41% of the audience. Millennials aged 25–34 represent 22%, while those aged 45–54 account for 20%. Younger users, including Gen Z and Generation Alpha, show the lowest engagement with these services.
In 2026, peak activity on tipping platforms occurred in March, with traffic exceeding monthly averages by 20%. During Valentine's Day and International Women's Day, data volume surged 3.5 times above the annual average. Conversely, traffic dropped by 73% on January 1, 2026.
Moscow leads in total data usage on tipping platforms, followed by the Krasnodar Territory and St. Petersburg. The top 10 regions also include the Rostov, Samara, Sverdlovsk, Kaliningrad, and Voronezh regions, as well as the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug and North Ossetia.
During the summer of 2026, average tips remained stable, ranging from 315 ₽ in July to 330 ₽–340 in June and August. Tipping is most common in local bars, grill bars, casual dining cafes, hotels, and retail outlets, where service speed and personal interaction are key factors.
