Mobile payment expands its leading position in payment methods

In Switzerland, mobile devices such as cell phones, tablets or smartwatches are used most frequently for payment. According to the study published on Tuesday by the ZHAW and the University of St. Gallen, this includes not only Twint but also payments with e-wallets such as Apple Pay, Samsung Pay or Google Pay.

Compared to the last survey in May 2024, the total number of all transactions based on mobile devices has increased again by 3.9 percentage points to a share of 30.7%. Meanwhile, the use of debit cards has decreased by 1.8 percentage points to 24.4% and cash payments by 1.5 percentage points to 24.2%.

In terms of turnover, cash has also been pushed off the podium by credit cards. After mobile devices with a turnover share of 25.6% (+2.2 percentage points) and debit cards with 24% (+1.0 percentage points), credit cards follow in third place with 23.8% (+2.0 percentage points).

Cash dominates in stores

When it comes to in-store payments, however, cash is once again the preferred method of choice. The use of cash has decreased by 1.7 percentage points to 28.2% of all transactions. However, the use of debit cards fell even more sharply by 2.1 percentage points to 28.0%.

And here too, mobile payment is catching up fast. With an increase of 4.3 percentage points, mobile devices already account for 24.4% of all transactions.

The Swiss Payment Monitor is published every six months and is based on representative survey data and public data from the Swiss National Bank. It is published by the Swiss Payment Research Center of the ZHAW School of Management and Law and the Swiss Payment Behavior Lab of the University of St.Gallen.