DBS Bank (formerly DBS MAX) card reader review 2026: tap to pay fees and rating
The first bank in Singapore with Tap-to-Phone for merchants. The technology comes from the Malaysian enabler Soft Space, which is also in the comparison. Merchants activate the service in three steps in the app.
The score measures transparency, reach and certification of the offer — not how well the app works. See the formula
DBS Bank offers Tap-to-Phone in the DBS MAX app for iOS + Android. Transaction fee: from 2.50%; monthly fee: none. Security certification: MPoC (Partner). Available in: Singapore.
DBS Bank terms in full
| Product name | Tap-to-Phone in the DBS MAX app |
|---|---|
| Provider type | SoftPOS + hardware |
| Headquarters | Singapore |
| Founded | 1968 |
| Platforms | Android 12+ ('Android OS 12 and above supports full functionality'); limited on iOS ('iOS does not support card collection.') |
| Certification | n/a (technology partner Soft Space is PCI MPoC certified) |
| Transaction fee | 2.50% for contactless card payments according to the DBS MAX app fee table; the table does not name Tap-to-Phone explicitly |
| Monthly fee | 0 SGD ('Zero cost') |
| Setup cost | 0 SGD |
| Contract term | k.A. |
| Cards accepted | Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay |
| PIN entry on screen | n/a |
| Transaction limit | n/a |
| Target customers | SMEs in Singapore, especially pop-up stalls and businesses without POS hardware |
| Available markets | Singapore |
| Website | dbs.com.sg |
| Data source | Open primary source ↗ |
Alternatives to DBS Bank
Comparable providers in Asia-Pacific:
- Westpac — from 1.25%, Rating 2.4
- Zeller — from 1.40%, Rating 2.5
- stera tap (SMBC GMO PAYMENT) — from 1.98%, Rating 2.5
- 2C2P (Antom / Ant International) — on request, Rating 3.3
- Techcombank — on request, Rating 3.4
Compare all providers in Asia-Pacific →
Frequently asked questions
DBS Bank tap to pay: do I need any extra hardware?
Not necessarily. DBS Bank sells card terminals as well, but its tap to pay product works on a phone you already own, with no extra hardware. Supported platforms: iOS + Android.
Which countries is DBS Bank available in?
By our records: Singapore. Availability changes, and the date above the table is when we last checked.