Any NFC sticker or plate that stores a valid Tithely giving URL works for contactless giving. The chip simply opens your browser to the link you program into it. This guide covers the two main hardware types: Tithely's own tap discs and third-party programmable NFC stickers, including how they differ in cost, compatibility, and long-term flexibility.
Tithely Tap Discs
Tithely Tap discs are NFC hardware products sold directly by Tithely as part of their giving ecosystem. These discs are pre-programmed to open Tithely's giving page when tapped with a compatible smartphone. They are designed specifically for churches already using Tithely Giving and are intended to work exclusively within that platform.
How Tithely Tap Discs Function
When a congregant taps their phone on a Tithely Tap disc, the device opens the Tithely giving interface directly. The disc does not process payments itself; it acts as a shortcut to the Tithely platform where the donor completes their gift using a credit card, debit card, or digital wallet. This means the transaction still flows through Tithely's payment processing infrastructure, and Tithely's standard per-gift processing fees apply to every donation collected through the disc.
Platform Lock-In Considerations
Because Tithely Tap discs are built for the Tithely ecosystem, they only function inside Tithely Giving. If a church later decides to switch to a different giving platform, such as Givelify, Pushpay, or Donorbox, the Tithely discs will stop working. This creates a form of vendor lock-in where the hardware investment is tied to a single software provider. Churches considering this option should evaluate their long-term platform strategy before purchasing, as replacing the hardware if they switch providers later incurs additional cost.
Cost Structure
Tithely Tap discs are sold as a one-time hardware purchase, but the ongoing cost comes from the Tithely platform itself. Tithely's full Elevate plan runs about $119/month, and every gift collected through the platform, whether via web, app, or tap disc, is subject to Tithely's processing fees. This means the total cost of ownership includes both the initial hardware expense and the recurring platform and transaction fees over the life of the discs.
Programmable NFC Stickers
Programmable NFC stickers are generic NFC tags that can be written with any URL, including a Tithely giving page. Unlike platform-specific hardware, these stickers are not tied to a single giving provider. A church can program a programmable NFC sticker with its Tithely link today and reprogram it with a different platform's link tomorrow if it changes providers.
How Programmable Stickers Work With Tithely
To use a programmable NFC sticker with Tithely, a church simply writes its Tithely giving URL onto the NFC chip using a free smartphone app. When a donor taps the sticker, their phone opens the Tithely page in the browser, exactly as if they had typed the URL manually. The sticker itself does not process payments or charge fees; it is purely a hardware shortcut. All payment processing and fees remain with Tithely, just as they would for any other method of accessing the giving page.
Flexibility and Future-Proofing
The primary advantage of programmable NFC stickers is flexibility. Because the chip stores a URL rather than a platform-specific command, the same physical sticker can point to Tithely, Givelify, Pushpay, or any other giving platform that provides a web link. This means if a church switches giving providers in the future, it can update the destination URL on existing stickers without buying new hardware. Tap.Giving offers custom-branded NFC plates that include this flexibility, with an optional redirect dashboard that lets churches re-point every plate to a new URL instantly, free the first year on any order and free forever at 400+ plates.
Quality and Durability Considerations
Not all NFC stickers are created equal. Cheap, generic stickers may peel, fade, or fail after a few months of use in a high-traffic church environment. Higher-quality options, such as the durable PVC plates from Tap.Giving, are double-laminated, waterproof, and built to withstand daily wear. These plates are 0.85mm thick and can be mounted with adhesive or pre-drilled screw holes, making them suitable for pew backs, chair seats, and other permanent locations. The larger 4-inch diameter also provides a bigger antenna coil, which makes the tap more forgiving and easier to detect from a sloppier angle.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Tithely Tap Discs | Programmable NFC Stickers (e.g., Tap.Giving) |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Compatibility | Tithely only | Any platform with a web URL |
| Hardware Cost | One-time purchase | One-time purchase, from $3.50 per plate |
| Monthly Platform Fee | Yes, Tithely subscription applies | No additional fee from hardware provider |
| Transaction Fees | Tithely processing fees apply | Platform processing fees apply, no extra hardware fee |
| Switching Providers | Discs stop working, must buy new hardware | Reprogram existing stickers to new URL |
| Custom Branding | Limited to Tithely design | Full custom artwork with church logo and colors |
| Durability | Standard disc format | Double-laminated PVC, waterproof, 0.85mm thick |
| Minimum Order | Varies by Tithely | 100 plates |
Key Takeaways
- Any NFC sticker or plate that stores a valid Tithely giving URL will work for contactless giving.
- Tithely Tap discs are locked to the Tithely platform and stop working if you switch providers.
- Programmable NFC stickers can be reprogrammed to point to any giving platform, offering long-term flexibility.
- Tap.Giving plates cost $3.50 to $5.00 each as a one-time purchase, with no monthly or transaction fees from the hardware provider.
- Higher-quality NFC plates with durable PVC construction and custom branding are better suited for permanent church installations than cheap generic stickers.
- The total cost of ownership includes both the hardware and the ongoing giving platform fees, so churches should evaluate the full picture before choosing.
- Tap.Giving plates include a backup QR code for older phones or cautious guests, ensuring maximum accessibility.
- Churches can design and preview their custom plates online in about 30 seconds, with free shipping and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Tithely Tap discs work with other giving platforms?
No. Tithely Tap discs are designed to function only inside the Tithely Giving ecosystem. If a church switches to a different platform, the discs will no longer work and must be replaced.
Can I use generic NFC stickers with Tithely?
Yes. Any NFC sticker or plate can be programmed with your Tithely giving URL. When tapped, it opens the Tithely page in the donor's browser, just like typing the URL manually.
Do NFC stickers process payments themselves?
No. NFC stickers are hardware only. They open a web page, and the payment is processed by the giving platform, such as Tithely, Givelify, or Pushpay. The sticker does not charge any fees.
What is the difference between a locked and unlocked NFC chip?
A locked chip prevents anyone from rewriting the URL stored on it, while an unlocked chip can be reprogrammed. Tap.Giving ships plates locked by default, but offers a redirect dashboard that lets you change the destination URL without reprinting the hardware.
How much do Tap.Giving NFC plates cost?
Tap.Giving plates are priced at $5.00 each for 100 to 199 units, $4.00 each for 200 to 399 units, and $3.50 each for 400 or more units. This is a one-time cost with free shipping and no monthly fees.
Will Tap.Giving plates work with Tithely?
Yes. Tap.Giving plates are programmed with your Tithely giving URL and open the Tithely page instantly when tapped. All donations still process through Tithely, and Tap.Giving does not add any processing fees or subscriptions.
Do donors need to download an app to use NFC plates?
No. Tapping an NFC plate opens the giving page in the phone's browser. No app download or account creation is required. This works on any iPhone from 2016 or newer and any Android phone from 2015 or later.
What happens if I switch giving platforms later?
If you use programmable NFC stickers or Tap.Giving plates, you can reprogram them to point to your new platform's URL. If you use Tithely Tap discs, they will stop working and you will need to purchase new hardware.
Conclusion
Choosing the right NFC hardware for Tithely comes down to balancing immediate functionality with long-term flexibility. Tithely Tap discs are a straightforward option for churches committed to the Tithely platform, but they lock you into that ecosystem. Programmable NFC stickers, such as the custom-branded plates from Tap.Giving, offer the same in-service giving experience with the added benefit of platform independence. If you are unsure which option fits your church's needs, you can for guidance. Tap.Giving plates are designed to work with the giving platform you already use, so you can add frictionless in-service giving without changing your software or incurring new monthly fees.