A new study from Juniper Research predicts a dramatic surge in the global value of Soft POS (point-of-sale) transactions, forecast to grow from $23.9 billion in 2025 to an impressive $540 billion by 2030.
Soft POS set to reach $540 billion
This explosive growth reflects the transformative impact of Soft POS technology in unlocking digital payment capabilities for small and micro businesses worldwide.
Soft POS enables merchants to accept contactless payments directly via NFC-enabled smartphones or tablets, eliminating the need for traditional card readers or payment terminals.
By turning everyday mobile devices into tap-to-pay acceptance tools, soft POS dramatically lowers the cost of entry for merchants in emerging markets and digitally underserved areas.
Juniper’s analysis highlights this hardware-free model as a pivotal factor in accelerating the decline of cash usage globally.
With Apple’s recent adoption of Soft POS on iPhones, alongside soaring global digital wallet usage and smartphone penetration, the conditions are set for rapid mainstream adoption.
More Than a Payment Acceptance Method
Yet, the study stresses that Soft POS is more than a mere payment acceptance method — it represents a holistic business-enabling platform.
Through integration with point-of-sale software, Soft POS can empower merchants with advanced capabilities such as inventory tracking, customer loyalty management, and real-time sales analytics.
These functions, once exclusive to large enterprises with sophisticated payment systems, are now becoming accessible to even the smallest street vendors and independent retailers.
To remain competitive against dominant players like PayPal and Square, alternative Soft POS providers must offer bundled solutions that combine payment functionality with business insights.
Juniper recommends a focus on affordability and modular design, enabling integration with third-party software solutions that address the diverse operational needs of SMEs.
“Bundled POS software reduces financial barriers, making advanced technology more accessible and helping businesses scale efficiently,” explained Daniel Bedford, the study’s author.
He argues that success in this rapidly evolving sector will depend on strategic partnerships and a deep understanding of the SME market’s nuanced demands.
As the payments ecosystem becomes increasingly software-defined, Soft POS is emerging as a disruptive force capable of reshaping how payments are accepted and how small businesses engage with their customers.
With $540 billion in transaction value on the horizon, vendors and regulators alike must ensure that infrastructure, compliance frameworks, and security standards evolve in tandem to support it.
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