BidKit Payments offers two ways to accept credit cards during your event: Tap to Pay and the Stripe M2 Card Reader. This guide explains the differences, compatible devices, purchasing information, and common questions.
Need installation and setup instructions?
👉 Hyperlink here: How to Set Up & Use BidKit Payments & M2 Reader
Tap to Pay is available for phones (Android/ios) with the M2 Reader it's Mobile phones and tablets (Android & ios) only, and is NOT laptop compatible.
BidKit Payments is ClickBid's mobile app for processing credit cards at your event. It works with the M2 card reader for tap or insert payments, and supports Tap to Pay directly on Android & iOS devices. This guide walks through getting the app installed, pairing your reader, and checking in bidders.
Direct Link to Install the App on Your Device
Tap here to Download on iPhone/iPad
Tap here to Download with android phone/tablet on the Google Play Store
ℹ️ BidKit Payments App is available for both iOS and Android. The app is branded as BidKit Payments on both platforms.
💳 Understanding Your Payment Options
Before getting started, here is a quick overview of both options so you can choose what works best for your team.
| Tap to Pay (+App / no card reader) | M2 Card Reader + App | |
|---|---|---|
| Extra hardware needed | Mobile phones (iOS or Android) only | M2 reader + iOS or Android phone, tablet, or iPad |
| Accepts contactless/tap | Yes, Android and iOS phones | Yes, Android and iOS phones, Android tablets, iPads |
| Accepts chip cards | No | Yes |
| Accepts swipe | No | Yes |
| Available in US, Canada, and Australia | Yes | No, United States only |
| Best for | Teams that want zero extra hardware | Teams that want to accept every card type (tap, chip, swipe) |
Tap to Pay is available through the BidKit Payments app on iOS and Android. Tap to Pay uses NFC (Near Field Communication) to communicate wirelessly with cards and digital wallets. Most modern smartphones support NFC, but older or budget devices may not. If Tap to Pay is not working, check that NFC is enabled on your device first.
💳 Compatible Payment Methods
Both options accept all major credit and debit cards including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover, as well as digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay. The M2 reader additionally accepts chip and swipe payments.
📦 About the M2 Card Reader (Optional)
The M2 is a compact, battery-powered Bluetooth card reader made by Stripe. It pairs with the BidKit Payments app and is about the size of a deck of cards, weighing just under 3 ounces, easy to carry during an event.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) |
| Compatible devices | iOS and Android phones, tablets, and iPads |
| Battery life | Up to 28 hours of active use |
| Standby time | Up to 42 hours |
| Charge time | Approximately 2 hours |
| Charging connection | USB-C |
| Security | End-to-end encryption, P2PE ready |
| Availability | United States only |
Compatible Devices for the M2 Card Reader
iPads: Any iPad running iPadOS 17 or later. The BidKit Payments app supports any iPad using the 3 latest iOS Software Versions. This includes but is not limited to iPad Air (M3 or later), iPad Mini (6th generation or later), iPad Pro (M3 or later), and standard iPad (9th generation or later).
Android Tablets: Any Android tablet running Android 8.0 (Oreo) or later, including Samsung Galaxy Tab series and Google Pixel Tablet.
ℹ️ Not sure which version your device is running? Check under General > About (iPad) or Settings > About Phone (Android) to confirm your operating system version.
⚠️ Tap to Pay (using your device directly as the reader) is only available on phones, not tablets. Most tablets do not support the NFC technology that Tap to Pay requires.
❓How to Purchase an M2 Card Reader
🚨If your organization is tax exempt, submit your exemption certificate to Stripe Support before purchasing your M2 card reader. If you have already purchased and were charged tax, you can request a refund from Stripe. For more information click here: How to Apply a Tax Exemption for Stripe M2 Terminal Hardware Orders
M2 card readers are available for purchase directly through Stripe at $59 + shipping and tax where applicable. You will be able to purchase through Software Settings > Auction Settings > Payment Settings. For more information view 💳 How to Order a Stripe M2 Card Reader
⚠️ Charge your M2 reader fully before your event and check the battery level before you start. Download the BidKit Payments app and pair the M2 to your device ahead of time so you know everything is working, you do not want to be troubleshooting at the door.