What we know today as "cash" - that is, notes and minted coins made of less precious metal - was once put into circulation as a replacement for heavy gold coins. So "cashless payment" is not an invention of the digital age. Discount, balance and many words relating to banking and financial transactions are of Italian origin. In Venice - the center of medieval world trade - a "cashless" payment transfer developed for the first time. Instead of the aforementioned gold coins, securities served as a means of payment.
At that time the "replacement money" was introduced for practical reasons. Paying this new way seemed easier and safer overall. Even today, security is an important issue in everyday life. In the long run, however, cash will not disappear. However, the digitization of "cash sales" is already on the advance.
Table of Content
- Near Field Communication - This Is How Contactless Payment Works
- Is NFC Really Safer?
- The Top Online NFC Payment Apps
- Conclusion
Near Field Communication - This Is How Contactless Payment Works
NFC means "near field communication". What is meant is a new method of contactless payment with the smartphone that offers certain advantages over other technologies. If you want to pay at a crowded supermarket checkout, hold your NFC enabled smartphone or your credit or bank card with an NFC chip up to a distance of a few centimeters from the reader and the amount will be debited automatically. When it comes to small amounts, you can do so without having to give your card out of your hand and without having to look over your shoulder when entering your PIN. You keep your "digital cash" as close to you as your wallet. At least that is how the proponents of this method explain it.
Is NFC Really Safer?
As the term "near field communication" already suggests, the devices - your mobile phone and the reader - must be close to one another, which promises significantly more security in wireless data transmission. This is an advantage because no one can remotely spy on your entire bank account when you are in line at a till.
But that can be a disadvantage if someone steals your smartphone or NFC card. In this case, thieves can access your money just as easily as they can access the cash compartment of your stolen wallet. In our opinion, however, you are by no means automatically liable if thieves shop with a stolen smartphone or an NFC card. If the security precautions of the app or card or of the merchant are too weak, the bank has to answer for you as a customer for damages.
For this reason, the amount for individual NFC transactions that take place without entering a PIN at the checkout is limited. To be on the safe side, a PIN query is made after a certain number of such payments.
You could prevent losses by having the cards blocked immediately or reporting the loss of your smartphone.
The Top Online NFC Payment Apps
Instead of wallet, more and more people prefer to pull out their smartphones or smartwatches at the supermarket checkout and use them to pay. For good reason: it just goes faster. There is no longer any need to search for change and no one has to wait for change. According to a Statista survey, the most popular were in 2021 are PayPal, Apple Pay and Google Pay. But the smaller providers are catching up. Mobile payments can be made wherever cash registers are already NFC-enabled: You can recognize this by the wave symbol, which looks like a WLAN symbol lying on its side. There are also solutions that work with special apps, such as a QR code. Not every mobile payment service is suitable for every user. The best online NFC payments apps are listed below:
1) Swatch Pay
You want to pay just as elegantly as Apple Watch users, but the smartwatch is too expensive for you? Then take a look at Swatch Pay. At the end of 2019, the Swiss watch manufacturer launched analog watches that can be used to pay. The Swatch Pay watches are available from 75 euros and they do not need a charger. Their battery lasts just as long as normal wristwatches. In order for it to work, in addition to the watch you also need a smartphone on which you can install the Swatch Pay app.
2) VIMpay
Although the app is not a mobile payment solution, the virtual credit card is a prerequisite for mobile payment for some smartwatch and sports watch providers. With some devices, you can pay with a virtual credit card via VIMPay. Fitbit users can also pay with their watches via VIMPay. This works with the Fitbit Charge 3 Special Edition, the Fitbit Versa 2 as well as the Fitbit Versa Ionic and Special Edition.
3) Payback Pay
The Payback payment service works via a smartphone app. So, you don't need new hardware for this. However, you cannot pay everywhere with Payback Pay, only with selected partners. Users collect Payback points with every purchase. The scan be redeemed at partners or converted into airline miles. The practice check reveals how Payback Pay works in detail and what you should consider when it comes to data protection. By the way, your mobile phone does not need NFC: Payment works via a QR code on the mobile phone display.
4) Google Pay
To pay with Google Pay via smartphone, you need an Android smartphone with NFC and at least Android 5.0. If you are still looking for one thing: All smartphones on the mobile phone leaderboards are fit for Google Pay. You also need the Google Pay app and a compatible credit card or PayPal account.
5) Apple Pay
If you already own an iPhone or Apple Watch, Apple Pay is ideal. The service very popular and the list of compatible credit cards is now gratifyingly long. It is definitely one of the best and most secured NFC payment pay.
Conclusion
Newer technologies keep making our lives easier. You can now make payments is stores and supermarkets quickly and securely. This is achievable with the advent of NFC. Our top app developers at Hyperlink InfoSystem can assist you with the required solutions to ensure that your customers do not have any problem about making payment.
