“Just a tap, and done.”
SoftPOS is rapidly reshaping how UK businesses take payments - even if many aren’t yet sure what it means or how it works.

The adoption snapshot

Right now, 38 percent of all UK payments - more than cash, more than chip & PIN. Almost every smartphone sold in the last five years can handle it, and the software‑only POS market is expected to grow nearly 475% by 2027. Merchants who switch report shorter queues, zero hardware costs, and more counter‑side flexibility. SoftPOS isn’t just convenient; every payment is encrypted and no card details are stored on the device.

What SoftPOS is (in one line)

SoftPOS (software point‑of‑sale) is an app that turns any NFC‑enabled smartphone into a secure card reader so you can accept tap‑to‑pay without buying extra hardware.

Getting started (3 steps)

• Register for a merchant account. The app handles PCI requirements in the background.

• Start accepting payments. Visa, Mastercard, Amex, plus digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay.

• Scale as needed. Run it on one phone or hundreds; updates roll out automatically from the app store.

How a SoftPOS payment runs in real time

1. The customer taps their card or phone on your device.

2. The app encrypts and tokenises the data; nothing sensitive lives on your phone.

3. The payload goes to a secure cloud processor, which checks with the card network.

4. In about two seconds, you see an approval and can display or email the receipt.

Features merchants care about

• No separate hardware. No terminals, wires, or paper rolls — just a smartphone with NFC.

• Instant setup. Download, register, and go live in minutes; no shipping or engineer visits.

• Lower costs. No monthly rental or maintenance; pay a subscription and minimal per‑transaction fees.

• Anywhere payments. Table‑side, market stall, on delivery — no fixed till required.

• Easy device swapping. Lose a phone? Log in on another and keep trading.

• AI & digital tools. Access features like sales predictions and customer trends (e.g., with platforms like Tapp).

• Eco‑friendly by default. Send receipts by SMS or email; no auto‑printing.

Security by design

SoftPOS relies on tokenisation, so the real PAN never touches your device, and is PCI DSS v4.0 compliant from the start.

• Need PIN for higher amounts? PIN entry on screen is available.

• Phone lost? Remote disable the app; no card data is stored locally.

SoftPOS limitations you should know about

SoftPOS brings flexibility to digital payments, but several limitations still affect its practicality and reach:

• Limited Compatibility with Non-Contactless Cards
  Many payment cards still do not support contactless functionality. As a result, SoftPOS cannot process these transactions unless an external card reader is used, reducing its plug-and-play advantage.

• Dependence on NFC-Enabled Smartphones
  SoftPOS requires smartphones with NFC capability, which not all devices have. Merchants with incompatible phones must upgrade their hardware, which can be a cost barrier for some.

• Perceived Security and Familiarity Issues
  Some customers are uncomfortable tapping their cards on a personal device, especially if they are unfamiliar with SoftPOS. This hesitation can impact transaction flow and trust.

• Future-Proofing and Technological Shifts
  SoftPOS apps depend on evolving smartphone features and OS updates. Long-term compatibility may be uncertain, especially for merchants using older or less frequently updated devices.

• Reliance on Connectivity and Battery Life
  SoftPOS needs a stable internet connection for processing. Poor connectivity or heavy device use can cause delays and drain battery, affecting business operations.

What's the real difference between SoftPOS and a traditional card machine?

SoftPOS vs. Traditional POS in a nutshell: 

SoftPOS runs on an NFC-enabled phone, activates in minutes, and updates remotely, cutting hardware spend. Traditional POS needs dedicated terminals, takes days to deploy, and stays counter-tied. SoftPOS uses tokenised, cloud-processed payments with digital receipts; classic terminals manage data locally and print on board. Unless your operation lives or dies by an attached receipt printer, clinging to legacy hardware means paying extra for yesterday’s tech.

Sign up now for Tapp, and get a free gift worth £100+ when we launch!

Why merchants pick SoftPOS (8 reasons)

1) Cut hardware costs
Use the phone you already own; no terminal purchases, repairs, or paper rolls.

2) Serve faster
Take payments wherever customers are; typical approvals land in ~2 seconds to keep queues short.

3) Sell anywhere, stay in sync
Each sale appears instantly in your store/accounting/dashboards — no end‑of‑day CSVs.

4) Keep trading if a phone goes missing
Sign in on another device and continue — no engineer call‑outs or terminal swaps.

5) Accept multiple payment types
Tap‑to‑pay cards/phones, Apple Pay/Google Pay/Samsung Pay, QR codes, payment links, manual entry, and cash tracking.

6) Built‑in security & compliance
PCI CPoC/SPoC apps, end‑to‑end encryption, and tokenisation — nothing sensitive stored on the phone.

7) Fits any business size
From solo traders and food trucks to multi‑site retail; flexible, scalable, and affordable.

8) Take payment where the sale happens
Doorstep, shop floor, delivery route, salon chair — SoftPOS moves with you.

How To Choose The Right SoftPOS Provider

Not all SoftPOS solutions are built the same.

The right provider should make payments secure, setup effortless, and scaling simple without adding extra hardware or complexity. 

As you evaluate your options, here’s what to look for:

1) Is it fully certified and compliant

SoftPOS should meet all security and regulatory standards from the start.

• PCI CPoC certified to ensure the app passes card-network security requirements

• Visa Tap to Phone and Mastercard Tap on Phone logos indicate scheme-level endorsement

Vendors like Tapp embed all required controls at onboarding, so you're ready to accept payments without additional paperwork

2) Will it work with the phones your team already uses

SoftPOS should work with the devices your team already uses.

• It must support Android 10 and Iphones.

• Auto-updates via Google Play or App Store to stay current and secure

Tapp’s onboarding tool checks for NFC compatibility in seconds, verifying devices instantly

3) How is the pricing structured, and what’s included

Choose a pricing model that aligns with your transaction flow and business model.

• Per-transaction pricing for occasional or seasonal sellers

• Flat monthly SaaS plans for businesses with steady volume

• Review for additional costs like support, compliance, or maintenance fees that may be listed separately

4) What kind of support and reporting will you get

Day-to-day reliability depends on both strong support and access to operational data.

• It should provide 24/7 customer support through phone or live chat

• Real-time dashboards showing sales, refunds, and payout status

• CSV export options for accountants

• Webhook integrations for developer teams needing automation or custom reporting

Pick the provider that meets all four points, and you’ll be tapping, tracking, and reconciling payments in less time than it takes to brew the morning espresso.

Sign up now for Tapp, and get a free gift worth £100+ when we launch!

Conclusion & Next Steps

Card acceptance isn’t about bulky terminals anymore.

It’s about mobility, zero hardware costs, and built-in security with every tap.

If you’re planning to grow in 2025, a countertop box won’t keep up. 

You need a SoftPOS system designed for smartphones and ready to scale with your business.

Tapp gives you exactly that:

• PCI CPoC certified from day one

• Works on Android and iOS, with instant NFC checks

• No hardware required

• Self-serve onboarding and checkout

• Real-time dashboards and round-the-clock support

Want it live before your next trading day?

Join Tapp now,

Frequently asked questions

1) What’s the difference between POS and SoftPOS?
Traditional POS relies on separate card‑reader hardware. SoftPOS is an app that turns an NFC‑enabled phone into the terminal - no extra kit or engineer visits.

2) What are the benefits for small businesses?
Lower costs (no terminal rental), quick setup (live in minutes), and total mobility — take payments at the counter, table, or market stall using the phone you already own.

3) Is SoftPOS secure enough for EMV chip cards?
Yes. Leading SoftPOS apps carry PCI CPoC certification and use end‑to‑end encryption plus tokenisation, meeting the same EMV security standards as countertop readers.

4) Which phones can run SoftPOS apps?
Most Android 10+ handsets with NFC enabled. A few providers — including Tapp’s upcoming release — are running limited iOS pilots.

5) Who are notable SoftPOS providers in 2025?
Options include Tapp (launching UK), Stripe Terminal Tap to Pay, Viva Wallet, and myPOS Glass. Each differs on fees/features, so compare plans before you sign.