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, their iPhone, or their Apple Watch to the smartphone of the Comerciante – the payment is completed in seconds.

This guide explains how Tap to Pay works, which smartphones and operating systems are supported, how much 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 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 to 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 via NFC (Near Field Communication, range approx. 3–5 cm) from the customer's payment method to the smartphone. 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 via email or SMS.

2. Prerequisites: Which smartphones and operating systems are supported

In Switzerland, Tap to Pay is available in two variants, 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 also 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 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 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 the weekly market and farm shop

The setup is intentionally kept simple and usually takes less than 15 minutes. Using the example of Payrexx Tap to Pay (Android): First, create Una cuenta with Payrexx or log in – the free plan is sufficient for a start. 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 the card or smartphone to 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 workflow for the customer is identical: hold the card or wallet to 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 replaced Maestro), Visa and Mastercard credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay. With Payrexx Tap to Pay (Android), TWINT is added – the customer can choose directly in the app between card payment and TWINT payment.

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 (over EUR 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 optimal start: no acquisition, no rental agreement, yet card payment. 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 addition to all three variants.

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

Tap to Pay itself does not cost any 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 with 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 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 small amounts. The decisive 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 during fresh sales

Battery

Tap to Pay uses more battery than normal calling because NFC, mobile network, and screen are active simultaneously. 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 each transaction. On most Swiss weekly markets, mobile reception is sufficient. On mountain markets or very remote farm shops, it can get tight. Test the reception before the first use.

Hygiene and speed

A big 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 wrapping flowers at the same time.

Workflow at the market stall

Typical process: You weigh the goods and call out the price. Then you take the smartphone in your hand, type the amount into the app, and say "Please hold card". 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 – 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 available? 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 TWINT QR sticker as a supplement – for customers who want to pay directly via the TWINT app.

• Clearly display price tags – customers must know the amount before you enter it.

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

• Store the smartphone weatherproof – under the stall roof, never in direct sun or 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, transaction 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.