Surfboard Payments

Surfboard Payments: What Merchants Need To Know
Evaluating in-person payment solutions today often means combining hardware, SoftPOS, local payment methods, and developer tooling. Surfboard Payments is a paytech provider focused on cloud-managed, card-present acceptance with both hardware terminals and SoftPOS. On its official website, Surfboard Payments highlights a single API across devices and payment methods, near-term settlement, and centralized reporting.
Company Overview
Surfboard Payments is a Sweden-based payment institution that builds cloud-based payments for physical environments. The company was founded in 2019 and positions its platform for ISVs, acquirers, banks, and enterprises that need modern terminals, SoftPOS, or unattended acceptance. Official materials emphasize:
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Cloud-first architecture for in-store payments.
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One API for multiple payment methods and terminal types.
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Unified reporting of all transactions.
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Settlements within a short window (the site references settlements within two days).
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Options for both brandable SoftPOS and Surfboard-branded hardware.
Surfboard Payments also operates Surfpay, a product used by small businesses for smartphone-based acceptance, and maintains a public Help Center and Knowledge Hub that cover features, supported methods, and compliance.
Product Portfolio
SoftPOS: CheckoutX and Tap To Pay On iPhone
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CheckoutX SoftPOS turns NFC-enabled Android devices and iPhone into contactless acceptance points without additional hardware. The app is delivered as a white-label solution for partners that need their own branding and distribution.
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Tap to Pay on iPhone is supported via CheckoutX, enabling merchants to accept contactless cards and wallets directly on compatible iPhone devices through a partner-enabled app.
Use cases
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Mobile staff checkout in retail.
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Queue busting and pop-up retail.
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Field services, delivery, and events.
Countertop and Mobile Terminals
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SurfTouch and SurfPad are part of the in-person terminal lineup described on the official site. These devices are managed in the cloud and are intended for card-present, contactless-first acceptance, with OTA (over-the-air) updates and centralized configuration.
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SurfPrint is referenced as a companion device where printed receipts are required.
Use cases
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Traditional retail counters, cafes, and hospitality.
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Mobile pay-at-table or line-busting with a printer accessory.
Unattended Acceptance
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SurfAlone is the unattended payment terminal built for EV charging, vending, ticketing, and other self-service scenarios. The device integrates with kiosks and connected machines and supports contactless payments in ruggedized deployments.
Supported Payment Methods
Surfboard Payments documents support for a broad set of card brands and regional payment methods across its products:
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Global card brands and wallets: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover; Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay.
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Nordic and European local methods: Swish (SE), Vipps (NO), Dankort (DK), BankAxept (NO), Klarna, and Pay by Bank.
Availability can depend on commercial setup and the acquiring arrangement in each market. The Help Center notes that acceptance of American Express and Discover may vary by payment service configuration. Merchants should verify exact brand enablement during onboarding.
Merchant Experience
Settlement and Reconciliation
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The site communicates settlements within two days, with all transactions consolidated into a single report. This is aimed at reducing reconciliation overhead when merchants mix SoftPOS with hardware terminals.
Reporting and Portal
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Transactions from multiple devices and methods appear in one portal. Centralization is useful for multi-site retailers, franchises, and partners distributing branded SoftPOS to merchant portfolios.
Branding Options
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Partners can white-label CheckoutX, offering SoftPOS under their own brand while Surfboard Payments handles certification, security, and ongoing updates.
Unattended Operations
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SurfAlone targets 24/7 environments where no staff is present, with integrations into EV chargers, vending, and transport systems. If you run a mixed estate (attended and unattended), the single platform simplifies estate management.
Developer Experience
One API Across Devices
Surfboard Payments promotes a single API for terminals and SoftPOS, plus OTA updates. For ISVs and PSPs, a unified integration can cut time to market compared to separate SDKs per terminal family.
Key integration elements to validate in discovery:
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Transaction flows for card, mobile wallets, and local methods.
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Webhooks or data exports for ERP and accounting.
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Device fleet management and remote configuration options.
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Error handling and offline behavior for both terminals and SoftPOS.
Tap To Pay On iPhone Considerations
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Integration for Tap to Pay on iPhone follows Apple’s program requirements via a supported app. For enterprise or ISV rollouts, confirm device compatibility, iOS version requirements, and staff onboarding steps.
Security, Compliance, and Certifications
Surfboard Payments publicly states the following controls and certifications:
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PCI DSS compliance for its card processing environment.
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PCI PIN certification, covering secure PIN capture and management in supported configurations.
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Participation in Tap to Pay on iPhone, which leverages iPhone’s Secure Element and Apple’s security architecture when used through a partner-enabled app.
These attestations are foundational for card-present acceptance. Merchants and partners that undergo their own PCI scope reviews should request current AOC documentation as part of due diligence and align terminal deployment models with their internal PCI program.
Geographies and Local Methods
Surfboard Payments’ supported methods include several Nordic schemes (Swish, Vipps, BankAxept, Dankort), indicating a strong focus on Northern Europe alongside global card brands and wallets. Merchants operating across multiple European countries should map each acceptance method to their target markets and confirm scheme enablement, interchange incentives, and refund or dispute flows.
When Surfboard Payments Fits
Surfboard Payments is a fit for merchants and platforms that want a single card-present stack spanning SoftPOS, attended terminals, and unattended devices, with cloud management, local European methods, and rapid rollout via one API. It is also appropriate for ISVs and PSPs that plan to white-label SoftPOS and manage multi-market portfolios where mobile wallets and local schemes matter.
If you require a published fee schedule, large online gateway features, or specialized alternative payments beyond those documented by Surfboard Payments, include those needs explicitly in your RFP. As with any provider, the best outcome comes from a pilot that measures authorization rate, tap-to-approved speed, and operational support in your real environment.
PayXpert: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does Surfboard Payments support Apple Pay and Google Pay?
Yes. Surfboard Payments supports Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay. Availability depends on your configuration and the acquiring setup.
Can I accept American Express and Discover with Surfboard Payments?
Yes, although support for American Express and Discover depends on the payment service enabled for your account.
Is there a published pricing page for Surfboard Payments?
No. The official Surfboard Payments and Surfpay sites do not list standard pricing. Merchants should contact sales for a customized quote.
Does Surfboard Payments offer unattended terminals?
Yes. Surfboard Payments provides an unattended solution called SurfAlone, designed for EV charging, vending, and other self-service environments.