TESS Payments
TESS Payments is a Qatar-based FinTech founded in 2018 providing online payment gateway and POS solutions to e-commerce, hospitality, and retail merchants, supporting multiple payment methods, PCI DSS-compliant infrastructure, and bank-agnostic bi-weekly settlements.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersDoha, Qatar
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What TESS Payments does
TESS Payments is a Qatar-based FinTech company founded in 2018 that operates an online payment gateway and point-of-sale (POS) solution targeting merchants in Qatar's e-commerce, hospitality, and retail sectors. The company enables digital payment acceptance through both online channels—hosted payment pages, REST/SOAP APIs, Checkout SDK, and Hosted Payment Fields—and physical retail via POS terminals, supporting a broad range of domestic and international payment methods including major card networks, Apple Pay, Google Pay, NAPS debit, and OM Wallet.
The platform architecture centers on a PCI DSS-compliant payment gateway with 3D Secure 2.0 authentication, fraud prevention, and smart routing through payment cascading across multiple Merchant Identification Numbers (MIDs) to improve authorization rates. Integration options span developer-friendly self-service paths—native iOS and Android SDKs, PHP and .NET server-side SDKs, a JavaScript Checkout SDK, and one-click CMS plugins for WooCommerce, Magento, PrestaShop, and OpenCart—alongside enterprise implementations requiring custom API workflows. Settlement infrastructure supports bi-weekly fund transfers to any bank in Qatar, eliminating bank-specific onboarding requirements and providing consistent cash flow for merchants.
TESS generates revenue through transaction-based processing fees on payment volume. The go-to-market combines a product-led growth motion (developer documentation, self-serve SDK/plugin installation, developer portal at docs.tesspayments.com) for SMB adoption with enterprise field sales targeting larger merchants. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and follows a quote-based sales model. In September 2024, the company received strategic foreign direct investment from Singapore-based Fingular—the first major FDI in Qatar's FinTech sector—with the partnership aimed at developing a fully digital neobank and originating over $600 million in loans to Qatari residents within three years, materially expanding the company's addressable market beyond payment processing.
TESS Payments firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- TESS Payments
- Legal name
- TESS Payments Services
- Website
- https://tesspayments.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- TESS Payments is a Qatar-based FinTech founded in 2018 providing online payment gateway and POS solutions to e-commerce, hospitality, and retail merchants, supporting multiple payment methods, PCI DSS-compliant infrastructure, and bank-agnostic bi-weekly settlements.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
TESS Payments industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Payment Processing
- NAICS
- Financial Transactions Processing, Reserve, and Clearinghouse Activities (522320)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Merchant Payment Gateways (API/Hosted Checkout) (FSAMACAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- POS Payment Software & Middleware (Terminal OS, Apps, Device Management) (FSAMADAC), Omnichannel POS Financing (Unified Online + In-Store) (FSAKAFAE)
Keywords
Where TESS Payments is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Doha
- HQ country
- Qatar
- HQ region
- Middle East
Offices1 record
Markets served
TESS Payments business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Payment Processing Fees: Transaction-based revenue model charging merchants fees for processing electronic payments through the payment gateway. The company facilitates online payments, POS transactions, and various payment methods including cards, digital wallets, and alternative payment methods.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
TESS Payments product offering
Product offeringCore offering
TESS Payments provides an online payment gateway and point-of-sale (POS) solution that enables Qatar-based merchants to accept cashless payments via cards, digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay), and alternative methods (NAPS, OM Wallet). The platform is integrated through hosted payment pages, REST/SOAP APIs, mobile SDKs (iOS/Android), Checkout SDK, and CMS plugins, with fraud prevention, recurring billing, and bi-weekly bank-agnostic settlements.
Product overview
TESS Payments is a Qatar-based FinTech company established in 2018 providing a comprehensive digital payment platform. The core offering consists of an Online Payment Gateway and Point of Sale (POS) solution that support domestic and international payment methods. The platform offers multiple integration pathways including Hosted Payment Page, REST/SOAP APIs, Checkout SDK, Hosted Payment Fields, and Mobile SDKs (iOS, Android), along with CMS plugins for WooCommerce, Magento, PrestaShop, and OpenCart. Additional modules include fraud prevention, recurring payments, and bi-weekly settlement with bank-agnostic flexibility. The company recently partnered with Singapore's Fingular for digital neobank development.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Online Payment Gateway Core payment gateway that enables Qatar-based online merchants to accept cashless payments via cards, digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay), and alternative payment methods (NAPS, OM Wallet), with fraud prevention, recurring payments, smart invoicing, refunds management, an admin panel, and bi-weekly bank-agnostic settlement.
- Point of Sale (POS) Physical retail point-of-sale terminal solution enabling Qatar merchants to accept cashless payments with comprehensive transaction management, fraud prevention, refunds, and bi-weekly settlement to any bank in Qatar.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over $600 million in loans to be issued to Qatari residents within 3 years through partnership with Fingular
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use TESS Payments
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles3 records
TESS Payments technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration8 records
Feature11 records
TESS Payments partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights6 records
TESS Payments competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Adyen: Adyen is a global unified commerce platform combining online, POS, and payment processing through a single API. It competes with TESS for enterprise merchants seeking omnichannel acquiring in the Middle East.
- Tap Payments: Tap Payments is a MENA-focused payment gateway and acquirer offering online checkout, POS, and developer APIs across the GCC. It is the most directly comparable regional peer to TESS Payments in product scope and target market.
- PayTabs: PayTabs is a MENA-origin payment gateway providing hosted checkout, mobile SDKs, and POS solutions across multiple GCC and emerging markets. It competes head-to-head with TESS in merchant acquiring and developer-led integration.
- HyperPay: HyperPay is a leading payment service provider in MENA offering online payment gateway, POS, recurring billing, and digital wallet support. Its product breadth and regional footprint closely mirror TESS Payments' offering.
- Checkout.com: Checkout.com is a global payment gateway with an established MENA presence, offering APIs, hosted checkout, fraud tools, and multi-currency processing. It competes for the same enterprise merchants TESS targets in Qatar.
- Stripe: Stripe is a global payment platform offering hosted checkout, APIs, mobile SDKs, and POS (via Stripe Terminal). It is the benchmark for developer-led payment infrastructure and competes with TESS for cross-border e-commerce merchants in Qatar.
Broad incumbents
- PayPal: PayPal is a broad incumbent in digital payments with checkout, Braintree gateway, and POS offerings. While not regionally specialized, it competes with TESS for any cross-border e-commerce merchant in Qatar.
Regional players
- Network International: Network International is a leading MENA payment processor and acquirer offering gateway, POS, and merchant services across the GCC. It is a regional incumbent whose infrastructure overlaps with TESS's target merchant base.
Emerging players
- Moyasar: Moyasar is a Saudi-based emerging payment gateway offering APIs, hosted checkout, Apple Pay, and mada support. It is a comparable emerging-market peer focused on the Arabian Peninsula.
Others
- Qatar National Bank (QNB) Merchant Services: QNB, Qatar's largest bank, offers merchant acquiring and payment processing services. It represents the local incumbent distribution channel and potential competitor for enterprise payment volumes.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
TESS Payments social profiles
Digital presenceTESS Payments compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
TESS Payments financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
TESS Payments leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
TESS Payments funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
TESS Payments M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about TESS Payments
What does TESS Payments do?
TESS Payments provides an online payment gateway and point-of-sale (POS) solution that enables Qatar-based merchants to accept cashless payments via cards, digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay), and alternative methods (NAPS, OM Wallet). The platform is integrated through hosted payment pages, REST/SOAP APIs, mobile SDKs (iOS/Android), Checkout SDK, and CMS plugins, with fraud prevention, recurring billing, and bi-weekly bank-agnostic settlements.
Is TESS Payments a public or private company?
TESS Payments is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was TESS Payments founded?
TESS Payments was founded in 2018. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is TESS Payments based?
TESS Payments is headquartered in Doha, Qatar, in the Middle East region.
How does TESS Payments make money?
One revenue line is on record: payment Processing Fees.
Who are TESS Payments's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Adyen, Tap Payments, PayTabs, HyperPay, Checkout.com and Stripe. PayPal is listed as a broad incumbent. Network International is listed as a regional player. Moyasar is listed as an emerging player. Qatar National Bank (QNB) Merchant Services is listed as an others.
Does TESS Payments have an API?
Yes. TESS Payments offers multiple integration protocols: (1) Checkout Integration - hosted payment page with REST API for authentication sessions; (2) S2S CARD - server-to-server protocol for card payments with full PCI DSS compliance, supporting SALE, AUTH, CAPTURE, VOID, REFUND operations, 3D-Secure, and recurring payments; (3) S2S APM - server-to-server protocol for alternative payment methods; (4) REST and SOAP APIs for payment gateway integration; (5) Mobile SDKs for iOS and Android; (6) Checkout SDK for custom payment page development. The platform supports webhooks/callbacks for transaction notifications. Developer documentation is at docs.tesspayments.com.
What industry is TESS Payments in?
TESS Payments's product category is Payment Processing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAMACAA, Merchant Payment Gateways (API/Hosted Checkout), with a secondary code of FSAMADAC, POS Payment Software & Middleware (Terminal OS, Apps, Device Management). Its NAICS code is 522320.