payabl. rolls out Android‑based “Tap to Pay” SoftPOS, targeting micro‑ and SME merchants across Europe
European fintech provider payabl. announced the launch of “Tap to Pay,” a software‑only point‑of‑sale (SoftPOS) offering that lets merchants accept contactless card transactions directly from NFC‑enabled Android smartphones. The solution eliminates the need for dedicated card‑terminal hardware, positioning payabl. to serve the growing segment of micro‑ and small‑business operators that require flexible, low‑cost payment acceptance.
The SoftPOS model, already gaining traction in markets such as the United States and Latin America, is now being introduced to European merchants through payabl.’s ecosystem. By converting a standard Android device into a PCI‑DSS‑compliant payment terminal, the company claims businesses can start processing in‑person contactless payments within minutes of installing the app.
A new way to take card payments on the go
The SoftPOS model, already gaining traction in markets such as the United States and Latin America, is now being introduced to European merchants through payabl.’s ecosystem. By converting a standard Android device into a PCI‑DSS‑compliant payment terminal, the company claims businesses can start processing in‑person payments within minutes of installing the app.
How the product works
After downloading the Tap to Pay application and completing a brief activation process, merchants can accept contactless card payments, issue e‑receipts, and capture PIN entries where required. The platform supports the full transaction lifecycle—including sales, refunds, reversals and tip adjustments—through a single interface.
Integration with payabl.one, the firm’s existing online payment gateway, consolidates both digital and physical sales data into a unified dashboard. According to payabl., this single‑view approach simplifies reconciliation, gives merchants real‑time visibility of payouts, and reduces the operational overhead associated with managing multiple payment providers.
Executive perspective
“Payments should adapt to the way merchants operate, not the other way around,” said Ugne Buraciene, Group CEO of payabl., in the company’s announcement. “Tap to Pay gives businesses a simple way to accept in‑person payments using the devices they already rely on every day, whether that’s in‑store or out on the move. Combined with payabl.one, merchants can see and manage both online and in‑store transactions in one place, giving them clearer visibility and control over their money flow.”
Buraciene’s remarks underscore a strategic shift toward embedded finance solutions that blur the line between online and offline commerce. By offering a hardware‑free terminal, payabl. hopes to lower entry barriers for merchants that have traditionally been priced out of card‑payment acceptance.
Early adopters report quick uptake
Nafais, a boutique fragrance retailer, was among the first to implement the new SoftPOS solution. Director Nikos Panagiotou described the onboarding process as “simple and smooth,” noting that the system was operational within a few days of launch. “Now we can focus more on helping customers rather than worrying about payments,” he added.
Since going live, Nafais reports that 65 % of its transactions are processed digitally, a figure the retailer attributes to faster checkout times and a smoother in‑store experience. The case study illustrates how rapid deployment can mitigate the risk of payment disruption for merchants opening new locations or expanding into pop‑up formats.
Contactless payments on the rise
The launch arrives at a moment when contactless card usage is accelerating across the United Kingdom and the broader European market. In July, the UK’s £100 contactless spending cap was removed, allowing individual banks and card issuers to set their own limits. Industry analysts predict that this regulatory change will further boost contactless adoption.
Data from the UK Payments Administration shows that 94.6 % of in‑store card payments under £100 were completed via contactless technology. Across Europe, payabl.’s own “State of the European Checkout” report indicates that 41 % of consumers prefer paying in person with a contactless debit or credit card, while 21 % favor mobile wallets such as Apple Pay or Google Pay.
Breno Oliveira, Chief Product Officer at payabl., highlighted the relevance of these trends for small businesses: “Micro and small businesses need the flexibility to accept payments wherever their customers are, whether that’s markets, pop‑up events, or on the move, especially for delivery services and drivers. Tap to Pay by payabl. removes the need for additional hardware and turns the mobile phones merchants already carry into secure payment terminals. For businesses that operate beyond a fixed location, it means faster setup and fewer operational barriers.”
Competitive landscape and market implications
Payabl.’s SoftPOS entry adds another layer to an increasingly crowded European payments arena. Established players such as Worldline, Nets, and Adyen already offer hardware‑free solutions, while newer entrants like Stripe and Square have been expanding SoftPOS capabilities in select markets. Payabl.’s differentiator appears to be its tight integration with the payabl.one gateway, which promises a seamless bridge between e‑commerce and brick‑and‑mortar sales.
Analysts note that the ability to consolidate transaction visibility of payouts across channels can be a decisive factor for merchants seeking to optimize cash flow and reduce reconciliation errors. “Unified reporting reduces the friction that traditionally separates online and offline revenue streams,” said a senior payments analyst at a European consultancy (name withheld). “If payabl. can deliver on that promise at a competitive price point, it could capture a meaningful slice of the micro‑SME segment, which is still under‑served by legacy terminal providers.”
Regulatory and security considerations
SoftPOS solutions must meet stringent security standards, including PCI‑DSS compliance and EMVCo certification for contactless card acceptance. Payabl. states that its Android implementation adheres to these requirements, though the company has not disclosed the specific certification bodies involved. The removal of the UK contactless cap may increase transaction volume, but also raises the stakes for ensuring that software‑based terminals remain resistant to skimming and other fraud vectors.
European regulators have been supportive of innovation in the payments space, provided that consumer protection and data privacy standards are upheld. The European Payments Initiative (EPI) and the European Central Bank’s digital euro project both signal a broader policy environment that encourages secure, interoperable payment solutions—an ecosystem in which SoftPOS can play a complementary role.
Availability and roadmap
Tap to Pay is currently available on Android devices that support NFC. Payabl. has indicated that an iOS version is slated for release later in the year, expanding the addressable market to include iPhone users. Pricing details were not disclosed in the announcement, but the company emphasized the elimination of upfront hardware costs as a primary benefit for cost‑sensitive merchants.
What this means for fintech stakeholders
For fintech investors and industry observers, payabl.’s move reflects a continued shift toward software‑centric payment infrastructure. By lowering the barrier to entry for card acceptance, SoftPOS platforms can accelerate merchant digitization, potentially increasing the volume of data available for value‑added services such as analytics, credit underwriting, and loyalty programs.
From a merchant perspective, the ability to accept contactless payments without a separate terminal could reduce capital expenditure and simplify staff training. However, businesses will need to assess the reliability of their mobile devices, battery life considerations, and the robustness of the underlying network connectivity—factors that can affect transaction success rates in high‑traffic environments.
Looking ahead
As contactless adoption deepens and regulatory frameworks evolve, the demand for flexible, low‑cost payment acceptance tools is likely to grow. Payabl.’s Tap to Pay positions the company to capture a segment of this demand, particularly among micro‑enterprises that have historically struggled with the cost and complexity of traditional POS hardware.
Whether the solution can scale beyond early adopters like Nafais will depend on its ability to deliver consistent performance, maintain security standards, and integrate smoothly with the broader fintech ecosystem. For now, the launch adds a notable option to the European SoftPOS market and underscores the ongoing convergence of online and offline commerce channels.
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