Tap to Pay turns an NFC-enabled smartphone into a card terminal – without additional hardware. For market traders and farm shops in Switzerland, this is an attractive middle-ground solution: cheaper than a physical terminal, but more versatile than a pure TWINT QR sticker. Customers hold their debit or credit card, their iPhone or their Apple Watch against the Comerciante's smartphone – and the payment is completed in seconds.

This guide explains how Tap to Pay works, which smartphones and operating systems are supported, what it costs and for which sales situations in direct marketing it is suitable.

1. What is Tap to Pay and how does it work?

Tap to Pay (also known as SoftPOS) uses the NFC chip in the smartphone to accept contactless card payments. The smartphone takes on the role of the Lector de tarjetas. The Comerciante enters the amount in an app, the customer holds their card or smartphone against the device, and the payment is authorised via the mobile network. The process takes 3–5 seconds – faster than counting cash and giving change.

Technically, the following happens: The payment data is transmitted from the customer's payment method to the smartphone via NFC (Near Field Communication, range approx. 3–5 cm). The app forwards the encrypted data to the payment provider, who authorises the transaction. The Comerciante receives a confirmation on the screen, and the customer can receive an electronic receipt by email or SMS.

2. Prerequisites: Which smartphones and operating systems are supported

In Switzerland, Tap to Pay is available in two versions, depending on the operating system and payment provider:

Android (e.g. Payrexx Tap to Pay)

Operating system: Android 8.1 or higher. Hardware: NFC-enabled smartphone with Google Mobile Services. Special feature: In addition to contactless cards, Payrexx Tap to Pay supports TWINT directly in the app. The smartphone must have a secure device configuration (Trusted Execution Environment) – most current Android devices meet this requirement. No separate terminal, no hardware purchase required.

iPhone (Apple Tap to Pay)

Operating system: Latest iOS version. Hardware: iPhone XS or newer. Special feature: Apple Tap to Pay has been available in Switzerland since March 2025 – however, not directly via Payrexx, but through partners such as SumUp, Worldline, Stripe, Nexi, Adyen and Mollie. TWINT is not supported on the iPhone. For TWINT, you also need a QR sticker or an Android device.

3. Setting up Tap to Pay: Step-by-step for weekly markets and farm shops

The setup process has deliberately been kept simple and usually takes less than 15 minutes. Using the example of Payrexx Tap to Pay (Android): First, create or log into Una cuenta with Payrexx – the Free plan is sufficient to get started. Second, download the Payrexx Tap to Pay app from the Google Play Store. Third, connect the app to the Payrexx account. Fourth, enter the amount and choose the payment method (card or TWINT). Fifth, the customer holds their card or smartphone against your device. Sixth, transaction confirmed – appears immediately in the Payrexx Dashboard.

For Apple Tap to Pay on the iPhone: You need a compatible app from a supported payment provider (e.g. SumUp, Worldline). Install the app, create Una cuenta with the provider and activate Tap to Pay in the settings. The process for the customer is identical: hold the card or wallet against the iPhone.

4. Which payment methods your customers can use via Tap to Pay

Tap to Pay accepts all contactless payment methods: Visa Debit and Debit Mastercard (the new Swiss debit cards that have replaced Maestro), Visa and Mastercard credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay. With Payrexx Tap to Pay (Android), TWINT is also available – the customer can choose between card payment and TWINT payment directly in the app.

What Tap to Pay does not accept: Cards with Chip-and-PIN without contactless function (older cards that must be inserted), cash, and – on the iPhone – no TWINT. For higher amounts (above EUR 80 with some cards), a PIN entry may be required – this is done directly on the smartphone screen.

5. Tap to Pay vs. card terminal vs. TWINT QR: Which is best for direct marketing?

For many market traders, Tap to Pay is the ideal entry point: no purchase costs, no lease agreement, yet still accepting card payments. Those who stand at markets regularly and need a robust setup with a receipt printer are better off using a physical terminal. And the TWINT QR sticker remains useful as a free supplement for all three variants.

6. Costs: What Tap to Pay costs per transaction at weekly markets or farm shops

Tap to Pay itself does not cost an additional device fee – you use your own smartphone. Transaction fees apply, which vary depending on the provider. With Payrexx Tap to Pay, the POS fees are the same as with a physical terminal:

With SumUp (without a subscription), debit cards cost 1.50% and credit cards 2.50% – with no fixed fee per transaction. For a EUR 15 purchase by debit card: SumUp EUR 0.23, Payrexx EUR 0.29. For credit card: SumUp EUR 0.38, Payrexx EUR 0.34. The differences are small for minor amounts. The deciding factors are whether you need TWINT (only Payrexx on Android) and which smartphone you use (iPhone only via SumUp/Worldline etc.).

7. Practical tips: Battery, reception, hygiene and speed during fresh-food sales

Battery

Tap to Pay uses more battery than normal phone use because NFC, mobile data, and the screen are active simultaneously. Plan for a full charge plus a power bank for a day at the market (6–10 hours). Tip: Turn off unnecessary apps and notifications to save battery.

Mobile reception

Tap to Pay requires an internet connection for every transaction. At most Swiss weekly markets, mobile reception is sufficient. On mountain markets or very remote farm shops, it can be tight. Test the reception before the first deployment.

Hygiene and speed

A major advantage over cash: Contactless payment is touch-free. The customer does not touch your smartphone – they hold their card or phone at a distance of 3–5 cm. This is hygienic, fast and practical when you are simultaneously weighing vegetables or wrapping flowers.

Workflow at the market stall

Typical workflow: You weigh the goods and state the price. Then you pick up the smartphone, tap the amount into the app and say "Please present your card". The customer holds their card or smartphone against it, and the payment is confirmed with a beep. Duration: under 10 seconds. Tip: Place the smartphone on an elevated, stable surface at the stall – this leaves both hands free for the goods.

8. Checklist: Tap to Pay for your weekly market, farm shop or seasonal sales stall

• Check your smartphone: NFC present? Android 8.1+ or iPhone XS+? Battery capacity for a market day?

• Decide: Do you need TWINT? If yes, choose Payrexx Tap to Pay (Android). If no, you also have iPhone options (SumUp, Worldline).

• Create Una cuenta with the payment provider and install the app – takes about 15 minutes.

• Perform a test payment: Ask someone to pay with a contactless card. Check reception and speed.

• Pack a power bank – a reserve is useful for a full market day.

• Hang up the TWINT QR sticker as a supplement – for customers who want to pay directly via the TWINT app.

• Clearly display price tags – customers need to know the amount before you type it in.

• Display card symbols at your stall (Visa, Mastercard, contactless symbol) – signals that you accept card payments.

• Keep your smartphone protected from the elements – under the stall roof, never in direct sun or in the rain.

If you have an Android smartphone and want to accept TWINT, cards, and mobile wallets through a single app, Payrexx Tap to Pay offers a solution without a hardware purchase. The app is included in the Free plan, transactions fees are 0.95% + EUR 0.15 (Debit) or 1.25% + EUR 0.15 (Credit). All payments appear in the same Dashboard as online payments, QR-Pay, and POS terminal transactions. Learn more at payrexx.com/products/tap-to-pay.