Airペイ (AirPAY) review
A Japan-focused payment service with reader-based acceptance and iPhone Tap to Pay.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Airペイ is Recruit’s cashless payment service for Japanese businesses, suited to solo operators and small or mid-sized businesses that want to accept cards, electronic money and QR payments. With a supplied reader and an iPad or iPhone, merchants can process magnetic-stripe, chip and contactless cards, as well as transit e-money. Airペイ タッチ offers a separate iPhone app for contactless acceptance without a reader. The service also includes online payment links and web management.
Its payment-method breadth is a defining strength: supported options include major card networks, Apple Pay, iD, QUICPay, Japanese transit e-money, COIN+, and QR services such as PayPay, d払い, Rakuten Pay, WeChat Pay and Alipay. Airレジ integration connects checkout with order entry and sales recording. This makes Airペイ a practical fit for businesses already using Airレジ or needing several in-person payment types. The main Airペイ app is for iPad and iPhone, while Airペイ タッチ is iPhone-only; Android and offline payments are not supported.
According to the published plans, Airペイ has no initial, monthly usage or transfer fee, with transaction charges varying by payment method. In-person cards and e-money are charged at 3.24%; transit e-money is 2.95% (3.24% tax-included), COIN+ is 0.99% (1.08% tax-included), and other QR payments are 2.95% (3.24% tax-included). Airペイ タッチ has a free iPhone app, no initial or monthly fee, and a 3.24% transaction fee. Choose it if its iOS requirement and supported payment mix fit your business; consider another service if you need Android or offline acceptance.
Airペイ (AirPAY) pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Accepts cards, transit e-money and QR payments through one service
- Airペイ タッチ enables contactless acceptance using only an iPhone
- No initial, monthly or transfer fees on Airペイ
- Where it doesn't
- Mobile support is limited to iOS; Android is not supported
- Transaction fees vary by payment method and tax treatment
- Offline payments are not supported
Airペイ (AirPAY) fact sheet, pricing and score →
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