xPressTap’s mobile app turns an NFC-enabled device into a contactless card reader – with no additional hardware required.
Accessory payment card readers are widely available – Officeworks and other retailers sell Square's device – but it’s now possible to drop the add-ons and use the near-field communication (NFC) hardware built into many smartphones and tablets.
xPressTap has chosen Australia and New Zealand as the first markets for its Tap2App app, which works with all major contactless payment card brands including MasterCard PayPass, Visa payWave, American Express Expresspay, and China UnionPay QuickPass.
At this stage, it only works with contactless cards, though support for mobile wallets including Android Pay, Apple Pay, and Samsung Pay is promised.
“Small businesses are the backbone of every economy, yet too many despise the cost and hassle of the payments process and the cumbersome hardware. So much so, that a large percentage remain ‘cash only’ and off the grid,” said xPressTap CEO Joe Lynam.
“We look forward to enabling on-the-go sellers with a convenient, cashless capability using the power and simplicity of their own mobile phone.”
There are no upfront or monthly fees for the merchant. Transaction charges are 2.25 percent plus 15 cents, or 2.75 percent plus 15 cents if the card details are entered manually.
The app includes support for processing cash payments, catalogue functionality, multiple users within one business, and quotations, invoices and receipts.
Although Tap2App was launched here last week, at the time of writing the app was not available from Google Play or the App Store – xPressTap was offering “early access” via its website.
xPressTap says its technology can also be used to provide “card present” payment capability for online stores, saving customers from having to type in their card details.
