Tap to Pay turns an NFC-enabled smartphone into a card terminal – without any 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, iPhone or Apple Watch to the merchant'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 which sales situations in direct marketing it is suitable for.

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

Tap to Pay (also known as SoftPOS) uses the NFC chip in a smartphone to accept contactless card payments. The smartphone takes on the role of the card reader. The merchant enters the amount into an app, the customer holds their card or smartphone to the device, and the payment is authorized 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 authorizes the transaction. The merchant receives a confirmation on the screen, and the customer can receive an electronic receipt by email or SMS.

2. Requirements: 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: Payrexx Tap to Pay supports TWINT directly in the app, alongside contactless cards. The smartphone must have a secure device configuration (Trusted Execution Environment) – most current Android devices meet this requirement. No separate terminal, no hardware purchase necessary.

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 through Payrexx, but through partners such as SumUp, Worldline, Stripe, Nexi, Adyen, and Mollie. TWINT is not supported on the iPhone. For TWINT you will additionally need a QR sticker or an Android device.

3. Setting up Tap to Pay: Step-by-step for the weekly market and farm shop

The setup process is kept simple and usually takes less than 15 minutes. Using Payrexx Tap to Pay (Android) as an example: First, create a Payrexx account or log in – 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 your Payrexx account. Fourth, enter the amount and choose the payment method (card or TWINT). Fifth, the customer holds their card or smartphone to your device. Sixth, the transaction is confirmed – it 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 an account with the provider, and activate Tap to Pay in the settings. The workflow for the customer is identical: hold card or Wallet to the iPhone.

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

Tap to Pay accepts all contactless payment methods: Visa Debit and Debit Mastercard (the new Swiss debit cards that replaced Maestro), Visa and Mastercard credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay. With Payrexx Tap to Pay (Android), TWINT is also supported – 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 need to be inserted), cash, and – on the iPhone – no TWINT. For higher amounts (above CHF 80 with some cards), a PIN entry can be required – this is done directly on the smartphone screen.

5. Tap to Pay vs. Card Terminal vs. TWINT QR: What fits direct marketing?

For many market traders, Tap to Pay is the ideal start: no purchase, no rental agreement, yet card payment is accepted. If you regularly trade at markets and need a robust setup with a receipt printer, you are better off with a physical terminal. And the TWINT QR sticker remains a useful free supplement for all three options.

6. Costs: What Tap to Pay costs per transaction at the weekly market or farm shop

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 same POS fees apply as for the physical terminal:

With SumUp (without subscription), debit cards cost 1.50% and credit cards 2.50% – without a fixed fee per transaction. For a CHF 15 purchase by debit card: SumUp CHF 0.23, Payrexx CHF 0.29. For credit card: SumUp CHF 0.38, Payrexx CHF 0.34. The differences are small for small amounts. The deciding factor is 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 in fresh sales

Battery

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

Mobile Reception

Tap to Pay needs 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 using it for the first time.

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 weighing vegetables or packing flowers at the same time.

Workflow at the Market Stall

Typical workflow: You weigh the goods and state the price. Then you take the smartphone in your hand, type the amount into the app and say «Please hold your card here». The customer holds their card or smartphone, the payment is confirmed with a beep. Duration: under 10 seconds. Tip: Place the smartphone on an elevated, stable shelf at the stall – so you have both hands free for the goods.

8. Checklist: Tap to Pay for your weekly market, farm shop or seasonal market 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 an account with the payment provider and install the app – takes approx. 15 minutes.

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

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

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

• Attach price tags clearly – customers must know the amount before you type it in.

• Attach card symbols at the stall (Visa, Mastercard, contactless symbol) – signals that you accept card payment.

• Store your smartphone weatherproof – 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 any hardware purchase. The app is included in the Free plan, and the transaction fees are 0.95% + CHF 0.15 (Debit) or 1.25% + CHF 0.15 (Credit). All payments appear in the same Dashboard as online payments, QR Pay, and POS terminal transactions. More at payrexx.com/products/tap-to-pay.