In a ground breaking move, Vipps MobilePay has launched its “tap with Vipps” payment solution in Norway, becoming the first company globally to offer a viable alternative to Apple Pay on iPhone.
Vipps MobilePay launch first Apple Pay alternative
The launch follows a landmark agreement between the European Union and Apple, finalised in July, which opened up access for other mobile wallets to operate on iPhones.
This innovation marks a significant milestone in the payments industry, providing Norwegian consumers with more choice in mobile payment options – exactly what the Commission was hoping to achieve.
“We have fought for years to be able to compete on equal footing with Apple, and it feels almost surreal to finally be able to launch our very own solution,” comments Rune Garborg, CEO of Vipps MobilePay.
“This will now be a very exciting battle between the world’s biggest brand and Vipps.”
One Payment App for All Transactions
The “tap with Vipps” feature allows users to pay in stores by simply tapping their phones on card terminals, just as they would with a physical card or other mobile payment solutions.
Beyond in-store payments, the Vipps app supports a wide range of functionalities, including sending money to friends, online payments, joining customer clubs and even raising funds for private purposes.
Garborg highlighted the convenience of using a single app for all payment needs: “We believe that Vipps users find it advantageous to only have to deal with one payment app and finally have the opportunity to use Vipps in situations where they would normally use their plastic card.”
Extensive Initial Reach
At launch, customers of SpareBank 1, DNB and over 40 other local banks – covering about 70% of Norwegian bank customers – will have access to the service.
Vipps MobilePay is actively working to onboard more banks to expand its reach further.
Initially compatible with Norway’s BankAxept payment system, “tap with Vipps” will soon support Visa and Mastercard cards, allowing users to make payments worldwide.
This update is slated for release Q2 2025, further solidifying Vipps’ competitive position in the global market.
Expanding Across the Nordics
Vipps MobilePay plans to roll out the tap-to-pay solution to Denmark, Finland and Sweden by end 2025, marking the beginning of its expansion across the Nordic region.
By introducing the first competing payment solution on iPhone, Vipps MobilePay is set to challenge Apple Pay’s dominance. This milestone underscores Vipps’ ambition to become a leading force in the digital payments landscape, both in Norway and beyond.
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