What are the deployment options when developing a Tap To Pay solution?
When planning to launch a Tap To Pay service, choosing the right deployment strategy is crucial for your timeline, budget, and customer experience. Whether you are an acquirer or a Merchant Service Provider (MSP), understanding the differences between standalone solutions and integrated services can help you make an informed decision.
Here is an overview of the primary deployment options for Tap To Pay solutions.
1. Launching a Standalone White-Label App
The fastest route to market is often relying on a standalone, off-the-shelf solution. White-label Tap To Pay applications provide a turnkey service that includes a fully customizable app alongside service administration and management web portals for both your team and your merchants.
What are the advantages of an off-the-shelf solution?
By choosing a standalone configuration, you bypass lengthy development cycles. Most components are already built and tested, enabling you to launch your Tap To Pay service rapidly. This time saved can be used to experiment with the technology in the field, allowing you to better understand the exact needs of your merchants.
This configuration perfectly addresses the needs of smaller merchants who require a straightforward, easy-to-deploy method for accepting contactless payments. They benefit from an app installed directly on their existing mobile devices and a dedicated web portal to view and manage their in-person payments.
2. An Integrated Tap To Pay Service: SDK or App-to-App
Another powerful option is integrating Tap To Pay functionality directly into an existing Electronic Cash Register (ECR) or Point of Sale (POS) application. This is typically achieved through a Software Development Kit (SDK) or an App-to-App integration.
While these integrated configurations require more time for implementation compared to a standalone app, they offer specific advantages.
SDK Integration
Integrating an SDK provides the most frictionless user experience. The merchant only needs to download and interact with a single application that handles both their POS operations and the payment acceptance.
However, integrating an SDK means your application will fall under the scope of security evaluations from payment schemes and PCI CPoC/MPoC. Obtaining these certifications can add months to your time-to-market and significantly increase development costs.
App-to-App Integration
If SDK integration provides a frictionless experience, why consider an App-to-App approach? The answer lies in the current regulatory and certification landscape.
With an App-to-App implementation—specifically an Android Intents-based integration—the user downloads two apps: their ECR/POS app and a separate, pre-certified Tap To Pay app.
While having two apps can create a slight friction in the merchant onboarding journey, this approach allows you to completely bypass the need to carry out a complex security certification for your own software. Assuming the Tap To Pay solution provider offers a white-label app that is already appropriately certified, you can save a considerable amount of time and investment.
Conclusion: Which to Choose?
If you want to come to market faster than the competition while keeping costs low, a standalone white-label app or an App-to-App integration are highly effective strategies. The time and resources saved can be redirected toward piloting the solution and learning from real-life merchant experiences.
If your priority is a completely seamless, single-app experience and you have the budget and timeline for compliance certifications, an SDK integration may be the right choice.
To explore the best deployment options for your business, learn more about how MarketPay's Tap To Pay solutions can accelerate your mobile payment strategy.
