What is a Pay Range?
A pay range is a mobile payment solution that enables cashless transactions at unattended machines such as vending machines, laundromats, arcade games, parking meters, and coffee machines through a smartphone app. The technology uses Bluetooth connectivity to establish communication between the user's phone and the machine, allowing payment to be sent with a simple swipe gesture on the phone screen.
Pay range operates without requiring network connectivity at the machine level, instead leveraging the user's smartphone connectivity to process transactions. The app supports multiple funding sources including credit cards, digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay, EBT, gift cards, cryptocurrency, and buy-now-pay-later options.
Related terms: cashless payment, mobile payment app, self-service retail, unattended commerce
How does PayRange work?
PayRange connects your smartphone to a machine using Bluetooth technology. Users download the free PayRange app, create an account, add a payment source, and then select the machine they want to pay. Payment is sent to the machine with a simple upward swipe gesture on the phone screen.
The app automatically detects PayRange-enabled machines when the user enters their range, requiring no pairing or configuration. Users can swipe left or right on the phone screen to select different machines nearby, then swipe up to complete the payment. The machine must be equipped with PayRange hardware for the app to function.
What machines accept PayRange?
PayRange is enabled on over 500,000 machines across the United States and Canada in multiple industries. The system accepts payments at laundry machines, vending machines, arcade games, parking meters, coffee machines, and various other unattended retail equipment.
Machines that accept PayRange display the PayRange icon, which indicates compatibility. The app automatically detects enabled machines when users are within Bluetooth range, showing available machines on the phone screen for selection.
What payment methods does PayRange accept?
PayRange supports over 80 payment integrations including all major credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Paze digital wallet, Venmo, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, store gift cards from hundreds of brands, college cards, and EBT in specific states. The app accepts EBT in AL, AZ, CA, FL, HI, ID, KY, LA, ME, MO, MT, NH, NM, NV, NY, OR, RI, VT, WA, and WV.
The platform uses a secure PCI-compliant processor to protect payment information. At no time does PayRange send personal information to the machine itself, ensuring user privacy and security during transactions.
How much does PayRange cost to use?
PayRange is free to download and use for consumers. There are no subscription fees or hidden charges for using the app to pay at machines. Users simply pay the machine's listed price for the service or product they are purchasing.
For machine operators, PayRange is 3.5 times more affordable than traditional card readers. The technology eliminates expensive hardware, connectivity costs, and costly transaction fees through its prepaid balance system, making it cost-effective to scale across entire operations.
Can you use PayRange and quarters together?
PayRange does not allow users to combine app payments with coin payments for a single transaction. If the PayRange account balance is insufficient to cover the full cost of a machine cycle, users cannot pay the difference in quarters. The account must contain enough funds to pay the entire transaction amount, or users must pay entirely in coins.
This limitation means any remaining balance in the PayRange account that is less than the cost of a machine cycle remains unusable until additional funds are added to reach the required transaction amount.
What are the benefits of using PayRange?
There are 7 key benefits of using PayRange:
- Eliminates the need to carry coins or cash for machine payments
- Provides touchless, contactless payment for enhanced hygiene and safety
- Offers end-of-cycle alerts for laundry, eliminating wait time
- Enables users to check machine availability before visiting the location
- Provides in-app rewards, offers, and discounts to save money
- Supports buy-now-pay-later functionality for payment flexibility
- Allows earning of credits through surveys, games, and tasks in the Marketplace
The app also displays remaining cycle time so users do not need to set separate timers or make multiple trips to check on laundry status.
How does PayRange benefit machine operators?
PayRange delivers measurable business improvements for machine operators including a 30% increase in revenue, 20% reduction in operational costs, and access to over 8 million active users across 350 cities who have completed over 2 billion transactions.
The technology reduces operational costs by minimizing or eliminating coin collection requirements. Operators receive automatic weekly bank deposits and automated sales reports, allowing them to choose between hands-on management or automated business operations.
PayRange's plug-and-play hardware requires no network connection, eliminating telemetry and data connection costs while providing extremely reliable operation. The hardware is built to last longer than the machine itself and receives over-the-air firmware updates without requiring technician visits.
What is the PayRange Marketplace?
The PayRange Marketplace is an in-app feature that allows users to earn instant credits by completing tasks such as taking surveys, playing games, and performing other simple activities. These earned credits can be applied toward future PayRange transactions, effectively providing users with free purchases.
The Marketplace provides an additional way for users to fund their PayRange wallet beyond traditional payment methods, offering opportunities to reduce out-of-pocket costs for machine services.
What are end-of-cycle alerts in PayRange?
End-of-cycle alerts are notifications sent through the PayRange app when a laundry cycle is complete. Users receive an alert on their phone as soon as their washing or drying cycle finishes, eliminating the need to wait in the laundry room or make multiple trips to check on progress.
This feature allows users to engage in other activities during the laundry cycle and return only when the cycle is complete, improving time management and convenience.
How does PayRange compare to similar concepts?
PayRange is often compared to 3 related payment technologies:
| Related Term | Key Distinction | Usage Context |
|---|---|---|
| Card Reader | Card readers require network connectivity and cost 3.5x more; PayRange uses smartphone Bluetooth and has lower total cost of ownership | Traditional machine payment upgrades |
| Digital Wallet | Digital wallets are general-purpose payment tools; PayRange is specialized for unattended machine payments with machine-detection features | Broad retail and online transactions |
| Coin Operation | Coin operation requires physical currency and regular collection; PayRange eliminates coins entirely with digital payments and automated deposits | Traditional laundry and vending machine payments |