Physical wallets are now gradually losing their place in people’s lives and are being replaced by more secure and faster solutions, such as NFC payment apps.
NFC payment apps are digital wallets in your smartphones that allow users to pay with a simple tap for every little purchase. These apps have transformed the way people interact with money, making it faster, safer, and smarter.
Let’s understand what NFC mobile payment is. All you have to do is bring your phone to the NFC-enabled POS machine and tap to complete payment.
Previously, this was done through NFC-enabled cards, but today, more people are inclining towards the NFC payment apps, looking into their convenience.
Want to know more about these apps?
Read this blog till the end and learn about the top apps powered by revolutionary NFC technology.
Why is NFC Payment Gaining Popularity Worldwide?
The whole world today is moving towards convenience, speed, and better security in terms of everything. When it comes to online payments, customers want faster checkouts, easy to use, which can be accessed from smartphones, and that create a minimum risk of cyberattacks.
For these reasons and others, NFC payments are gaining popularity in the global market. To understand the scenario better, we have shared with you some interesting stats related to NFC below.
- It is projected that the global contactless payment will witness a remarkable growth from 2022, when it was $22.40 billion, to 2032, which will be $90.6 billion.
- The global contactless payment market has experienced remarkable growth over the past decade at a CAGR of 15.4%.
- You should know that 95% of global contactless payments are actually driven by NFC technology.
- It is projected that by the end of 2025, 4.4 billion NFC-enabled devices will be out there globally.
- The market size of NFC payment devices is expected to increase by 5x, i.e., from $43.62 billion in 2025 to $216.76 billion by 2034.
- So, it is expected that during the forecast period, the global NFC payment devices market will grow at a strong CAGR of 19.5%.
So, the above statistics clearly state that the potential of tap and pay apps in the coming years will be beyond just necessity.
Top NFC Payment Apps You Must Know
It must be clear to you the importance that NFC mobile payments hold today for the global tech-savvy population, who are looking for speed and convenience. You must know that to complete contactless payments, the apps powered by NFC technology play a crucial role.
For those who are not aware of NFC payment apps, it’s high time for them to learn about these smart apps that are changing the landscape of online payments globally.
Don’t worry, we have got you covered as we have shared a list of the best NFC payment apps below for your knowledge. Check each one of them out. We have prepared a table for the apps to get a closer look.
App
Platform Availablity
Downloads
Ratings
Google Wallet
Android
1B+
4.5/5
Apple Wallet
iOS
NA
4.8/5
Cash App
Android & iOS
100M+
4.7/5 & 4.8/5
Samsung Wallet
Android
100M+
4.2/5
PayPal
Android & iOS
100M+
4.2/5 & 4.8/5
Venmo
Android & iOS
50M+
4.1/5 & 4.9/5
Revolut
Android & iOS
50M+
4.5/5 & 4.7/5
Square Point of Sale: Payment
Android & iOS
10M+
4.6/5 & 4.8/5
Xoom: Send Money & Transfer
Android & iOS
5M+
4.8/5 & 4.8/5
Curve Pay: Wallet & Cashback
Android & iOS
1M+
3/5 & 4.6/5
1] Google Wallet – Google’s Solution To Mobile Payment
Google is famous for being a leader in the field of technology, whether it is quantum technology or mobile OS. It has even shown its magic of innovation in the market of NFC and mobile payments.
Google Wallet is one of the most popular NFC payment apps in the world, and today it has a huge user base dominated by Android but available on iOS also. The easy-to-use user interface is the app’s success, which doesn’t confuse users with a complicated process.
Google Wallet had more than 48.59 million users in the US alone in 2024.
Features:
- QR code-enabled payments
- Contactless payments
- Peer-to-peer payment
- Cashback, rewards, & exciting offers
- Bank account linking
- Activity Dashboard
- Detailed transaction history
- Book tickets and manage boarding passes
2] Apple Pay
Apple Pay is one of the top names in the list of apps for NFC payments, because why not? Today, there are a huge number of iOS users globally. Even though Apple is a luxurious option, today it is capturing more of the market than before.
So, to accommodate the users of iOS devices, Apple Pay was introduced. This will make it convenient for the users as they don’t have to carry other payment apps on their Apple devices. Apple’s easy-to-use OS makes this payment app a game-changer.
Features:
- Apple Ecosystem synchronization
- Apple Pay later – BNPL integration
- Second-factor authentication
- Fully encrypted secure enclave to keep info safe
- Information tokenization
3] Cash App
Cash App is an NFC payment application that is a representation of innovation in the evolving digital finance. This app makes sure people don’t have to dig into their wallet or swipe cards, just tap their phone on the go.
This app today allows users to send money to anyone they want in no time. So, the Cash App is getting bigger to become a complete financial ecosystem on smartphones. The app is fast, contactless, rewarding, and cool, which strengthens the cashless future.
Features:
- Cash App Card: the bridge of NFC payments
- Tap and go secure payment
- Direct deposit & banking features
- Invest in stocks & bitcoins without a commission fee.
- Share expenses with friends
- Offers and discounts
4] Samsung Wallet (Samsung Pay)
Now we have the Samsung Wallet, previously known as Samsung Pay, which comes with a huge user base, but is strictly available to Samsung users. The core NFC technology of this app makes it easy for users to pay anywhere with just a tap.
This app offers its users access to the benefits of Samsung’s world-class security. Samsung Wallet acts as a digital pocket that holds your credit cards, debit cards, digital keys, IDs, and more. With this app, carry the future of convenience right in your pocket.
Features:
- Secure data vault
- Peer-to-peer payment
- Integration with Digital Keys
- Digital wallet storage
- Royalty, rewards, and offers.
5] PayPal – Pay, Send, Save
The fifth place on the list of NFC contactless payments apps is secured by PayPal, which was co-founded by Elon Musk. PayPal has been the pioneer in the landscape of digital payments, and has now successfully entered the landscape of NFC technology.
So, with time and adapting innovative trends, PayPal is offering users a faster, simpler, and more secure way to pay with a tap. This app recorded wider usage, so this app can be used anywhere. It has inspired many to create such secure and smart payment apps.
Features:
- Safe international payment for cash pickup
- PayPal tap and pay
- Requesting money from friends and family
- Bill splitting feature
- Rewards and offers
- Manage risk and fraud
6] Venmo
Venmo is the next in the list, which holds the place for being one of the most used e-wallets in the USA. The buzz of this app is defined by the features and functionality it offers to its users. This app allows its users to pay at stores, connect with shopping apps, and much more.
As Venmo enters the world of NFC payments, it redefines the way people use the app. This makes the functionality of the app smooth as butter, which people can use on the go and complete their payment with just a tap.
Features:
- Direct deposits
- Invest in cryptocurrency
- Peer-to-peer payment
- Bill payment
- Split payment
- Personalise payment
7] Revolut
Revolut is the seventh app in our list of contactless payment apps that comes with a broader scope for the users. Don’t just tap and pay, convert your currencies in seconds and proceed to pay anywhere in the world.
This app gives the perfect example of the phrase “spend smart.” So, whether you are in France, Rome, or London, shopping will never stop. Revolut has given its users freedom, security, and control over expenses that fit in pockets.
Features:
- Can convert over 25 currencies
- P2P payments
- Send money globally
- Bill payments
- Invest in crypto, stocks
- Rewards and cashbacks
8] Square Point of Sale – Payment
Square is one of the popular names in the US and is one of the largest fintech companies as well. Square points of sale (POS) are specifically designed for businesses that need to manage operations, accept payments, and track sales.
This is a perfect app for a business that is planning to integrate the NFC functionality into its POS system. You should know that Square is more than just a medium for businesses to receive money. This helps businesses build relationships, smoothen sales, and catapult growth.
Features:
- POS System Integration
- Highly Secure Payment
- Detailed Transaction Record
- Custom solutions for businesses
- Bank-level security
9] Xoom: Send Money & Transfer
Xoom is one of the NFC payment app that allows users to make international payments. This app successfully bridged the gap between distance, borders, and cash, making it the perfect solution for instant contactless money movement.
The best thing about Xoom is that it allows users to send money across continents to more than 120 countries securely. Users can even receive finds by tapping their phone or an NFC-enabled card to verify and complete transactions.
Features:
- Seamless international payments
- Top-notch security standards
- Deposit directly to the bank
- Fast verification with NFC
- Global payment network
10] Curve Pay
Curve Pay is the next-generation NFC payment app that turns your smartphone into a wallet, replacing the physical one. You can merge debit and credit cards into a smart card that remembers, rewards, and responds to every tap.
It is not just another app linked with NFC technology, but it has revolutionised the way users spend, earn, and control their money. Every payment made through this app uses tokenization, so the real card details will stay private.
Features:
- One tap for every card
- Cashback that pays instantly
- Convert more than 150 currencies
- Bank-level security
- Contactless payments
- Curve flex
NFC Payment vs eWallet QR Code
NFC payment is a new game-changing technology that doesn’t match the eWallet QR code, which you are familiar with. You should know the difference between the two.
The ease of payment has encouraged large users to shift from the eWallet QR code to the NFC contactless payment method.
For a clearer understanding, we have created a comparison table below for NFC Payment and eWallet QR code payment.
Aspects
NFC Payment
eWallet QR Code Payment
Technology
NFC Wireless Communications
QR code with payment information
Convenience
Quick and requires minimal user interaction
Requires generating and scanning QR codes
Security
Generally secure with encryption and tokenization
Though secure with encryption, can create risk if the QR is tampered with
Speed
Faster for in-person transactions
It is slower due to scanning QR codes
Compatibility
Both payers and payees need NFC-enabled devices
Compatible with any device, you just need a camera and QR codes
You must be thinking, who is the winner of the online payment game, NFC payment apps or QR codes? Let’s be clear, both technologies have their significance in the online payment landscape and have parallel uses.
So, to offer versatility to the users and enhance the contactless features of digital payment apps, they offer both eWallet and NFC payment functionality.
Conclusion
The future of online payment apps is fast, secure, and contactless with the integration of NFC technology. NFC payment apps have already taken charge of digital transactions with instant tap-to-pay convenience, and they will grow even stronger in the future.
You have now learned about the top 10 successful apps that ensure safe and fast NFC transactions. Each brings its own mix of innovation and ease, turning every transaction into a seamless, contactless experience.
Now, take the chance and create an NFC-enabled secure payment app with the help of the best fintech app development company for the successful future of your fintech business.
FAQs
NFC payment apps refer to mobile applications that rely on near-field communication technology to enable financial transactions between two devices. This can be two mobile phones, or a mobile phone and a payment machine.
NFC is one of the most secure payment technologies that the majority of top eWallet app development companies use in their solutions. All information is encrypted and protected by tokenization and encryption from third parties.
There are several NFC payment apps available globally. Some of the best NFC payment apps include:
- Samsung Pay
- PayPal
- Zelle
- Venmo
- Square Wallet
- Xoom
- Cash App
Yes, the majority of credit card companies and banks offer credit cards and debit cards that are NFC-enabled. These cards have made transactions in malls, petrol stations, and other places convenient and safe. If you don’t have one, ask for an updated one from your bank.
All modern banks support NFC-based payments. The NFC payment option can be accessed either through their own mobile banking app or by integrating with other digital wallets. It enables global-standard, secure, contactless, and convenient transactions.
Niketan Sharma, CTO, Nimble AppGenie, is a tech enthusiast with more than a decade of experience in delivering high-value solutions that allow a brand to penetrate the market easily. With a strong hold on mobile app development, he is actively working to help businesses identify the potential of digital transformation by sharing insightful statistics, guides & blogs.
