Tap to Pay at the weekly market and farm shop in Switzerland: Collect payments with your smartphone

Tap to Pay transforms an NFC-enabled smartphone into a card terminal – without any additional hardware. For market stallholders and farm shops in Switzerland, this is an attractive middle-ground solution: cheaper than a physical terminal, but more versatile than just a TWINT QR sticker. Customers tap their debit or credit card, iPhone, or Apple Watch against the merchant's smartphone – 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 the smartphone to accept contactless card payments. The smartphone takes on the role of the Lector de tarjetas. The merchant enters the amount into an app, the customer holds their card or smartphone against 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: 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 data encrypted to the payment provider, who authorizes the transaction. The merchant receives a confirmation on the screen; the customer can receive an electronic receipt via email or SMS.

2. Requirements: 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: 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. 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 via 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

Setup is deliberately kept simple and usually takes less than 15 minutes. Taking Payrexx Tap to Pay (Android) as an example: First, create a Payrexx account or log in – the free InStore 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 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 process for the customer is identical: hold 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 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 functionality (older cards that must be inserted), cash, and – on the iPhone – no TWINT. For larger amounts (over EUR 80 with some cards), PIN entry may be required – this is done directly on the smartphone screen.

5. Tap to Pay vs. card terminal vs. TWINT QR: Which fits direct marketing?

For many market stallholders, Tap to Pay is the ideal entry point: no purchase, no rental contract, yet still accepting card payments. Those who operate regularly at markets 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 for all three options.

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

Tap to Pay itself incurs no additional device fee – you use your own smartphone. Transaction fees apply, which vary depending on the provider. With Payrexx Tap to Pay, the same fees apply as with the physical terminal – in the InStore plan (EUR 0), 1.65% + EUR 0.15 for cards and 1.30% for TWINT; with the Better Fees add-on (EUR 9/month), the rates are shown in the table:

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

• 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 an account 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 backup is sensible for a full market day.

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

• Store the smartphone weatherproof – under the stall roof, never in direct sunlight or in the rain.

If you have an Android smartphone and want to accept TWINT, cards, and mobile wallets via a single app, Payrexx Tap to Pay offers a solution without a hardware purchase. The app is included in the free InStore plan; with the Better Fees add-on (EUR 9/month), 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. More at payrexx.com/products/tap-to-pay.

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

Battery

Tap to Pay consumes more battery than regular phone calls because NFC, cellular connection, and screen are active simultaneously. For a market day (6–10 hours), plan for a full charge plus a power bank. Tip: Turn off unnecessary apps and notifications to save battery.

Mobile reception

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

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 3–5 cm away from it. This is hygienic, fast, and practical when you are weighing vegetables or packing flowers at the same time.

Workflow at the market stall

Typical process: You weigh the goods and state the price. Then you pick up the smartphone, type the amount into the app, and say "Please tap card here." The customer presents their card or smartphone, the payment confirms with a beep. Duration: under 10 seconds. Tip: Place the smartphone on a raised, 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