Digital wallets
Digital wallets store payment information on smartphones and enable payments online and in person — e.g. Apple Pay, Google Pay, TWINT and PayPal.
Digital Wallets
Digital wallets — also known as e-wallets or digital wallets — store payment information such as credit cards, debit cards or bank details on the smartphone. Users can use them to pay online and on-site without physical cards or cash.
In Switzerland, TWINT (over 5 million users), Apple Pay and Google Pay are the most widely used digital wallets. Internationally, PayPal is the best-known provider. The wallets differ in how they work: TWINT connects directly to the bank account, while Apple Pay and Google Pay tokenize the stored credit card.
For Comerciantes, digital wallets are an important conversion driver in mobile commerce: the checkout is accelerated because customers do not have to enter card details manually. At the POS, wallets enable fast contactless payment via NFC.
Digital wallet examples
A customer pays in an online shop via Apple Pay — one click, confirm Face ID, paid. No card entry necessary.
A TWINT user scans the QR code on a restaurant's bill and pays directly in the TWINT app.
A business traveller pays for his hotel via Google Pay — contactless at the terminal, confirmed via fingerprint.
Digital Wallets FAQ
What are digital wallets?
Digital wallets are apps or software that store payment information and enable payments online and in person — e.g. Apple Pay, Google Pay, TWINT and PayPal.
Which digital wallets are relevant in Switzerland?
TWINT is the most widely used digital wallet in Switzerland with over 5 million users. Apple Pay and Google Pay are also popular among smartphone users. PayPal is relevant for international payments.
How secure are digital wallets?
Very secure. Digital wallets use tokenization (the actual card details are never transmitted), encryption and biometric authentication (Face ID, fingerprint).
Should my online shop accept digital wallets?
Yes, especially TWINT and Apple Pay/Google Pay. They speed up the checkout, increase conversion in mobile commerce and are expected by more and more Swiss customers.
