Purpose-built for shared environments, KUARIO is designed to meet the needs of educational institutions, libraries, corporate offices, travel hubs, and unattended services. It enables secure and convenient transactions for students, staff, visitors, and employees while giving operators full control over pricing, reporting, and user experience. KUARIO is the only licensed mobile app solution authorised to process and settle payments directly on behalf of student services organizations and universities. At the same time, it serves as a comprehensive cashless payment platform that supports open-loop, closed-loop, and hybrid payment models.

Traditional setups require multiple contracts with banks, acquirers, and gateways, each with its own fees and admin. KUARIO replaces all that with one contract that covers open-, closed-, and hybrid-loop payments. All transactions are consolidated into a single settlement stream with unified reporting in the Management Dashboard—saving time, cost, and complexity.

Closed-loop payment systems are cloud-based platforms for schools, offices, universities, and shared environments. Users load funds into a Kuario digital wallet and pay seamlessly for services like printing, vending, catering, laundry, or parking—all within the same network. Since payments stay inside the operator’s system, KUARIO makes transactions fast, secure, and cost-efficient, while giving operators full control over pricing, reporting, and loyalty programs. For users, it’s a simple, cashless way to pay across multiple services with one account.

An open-loop payment is a transaction made through a widely accepted payment network, such as Visa or Mastercard. It allows customers to pay using bank-issued cards or digital wallets (like Apple Pay or Google Pay) that are connected to their own financial institution, rather than a specific merchant or operator.

A hybrid payment system is a flexible payment solution that combines the advantages of closed-loop wallets with the universal reach of open-loop cards (e.g.,Visa, Mastercard, and AMEX) or mobile wallets (e.g., Apple Pay and Google Pay). This hybrid payments approach gives you full control over pricing, discounts, and loyalty programmes.

A hybrid-loop payment system gives operators the flexibility to serve every type of user while simplifying day-to-day operations. It blends the universal accessibility of open-loop payments with the control and customisation of closed-loop systems. This approach ensures that visitors can pay effortlessly with their preferred contactless card or wallet, while registered users receive tailored benefits, such as discounts or loyalty rewards. It can also help reduce transaction costs by routing payments efficiently and unifying multiple payment paths into one streamlined process. The result is a seamless tap-and-go experience across vending, printing, and POS interactions, supported by a single platform that simplifies settlement, reporting, and management for all payment types.

The KUARIO app is a free, convenient way to apply discounts and other benefits. It also serves as a digital wallet for Android and iOS that lets users make secure, cashless payments in shared environments like schools, offices, universities, and libraries. With one account, they can pay for services, such as printing, vending, catering, laundry, and parking, as well as check balances, top up instantly, and view transaction history. The app supports both prepaid balances and external payment methods, offering flexibility for users and operators alike.

KUARIO offers payment terminals for both staffed and unattended environments. These include POS countertop terminals for use at cash registers and self-service terminals that integrate with vending machines, kiosks, printers, laundry machines, and other unattended services. All KUARIO terminals support HybridPay, enabling both open- and closed-loop transactions, and can be installed quickly to provide secure, cashless payments in any location.

The KUARIO Management Dashboard is a user-friendly platform that centralises discounts, user rights, product and pricing management, and device control. It supports third-party integrations, enables easy user enrollment and student card management, and provides centralised reporting for scalable operations across multiple locations.

The KUARIO POSCloud API connects directly with your existing infrastructure, such as cash registers (POS), vending machines, and self-service kiosks. It securely processes all cashless transactions, from QR codes to card payments, through a single integration. Real-time syncing and unified payouts streamline operations and reduce costs. With built-in analytics and loyalty features, it helps you innovate faster and deliver better customer experiences.

KUARIO supports a wide range of payment methods, including the KUARIO App, student or canteen cards, credit and debit cards, as well as mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay.

When paying with the KUARIO App or student card, students use their KUARIO digital wallet. Since the student card is linked to the app, the same balance can be accessed through either method, giving students the flexibility to choose how they pay. The digital wallet can be topped up anytime via the app or at top-up stations, using a variety of payment methods, such as bank cards, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.

Students can be identified in several ways: automatically through systems such as Shibboleth, eduGain, Microsoft 365, or Google; via a digital invitation sent by email from the student services organization; or in person at the info point with proof of enrollment.

Yes. KUARIO complies with all major security standards and regulations. It is PSD2- and GDPR-compliant, ISO 27001 certified, and holds an official e-money license. This ensures that every transaction and all personal data are protected to the highest international standards.

KUARIO automatically recognises different user groups, such as students, staff, and guests, and applies the correct pricing for each. It also supports loyalty programs and custom discounts, giving institutions the flexibility to reward specific groups and build long-term engagement.

KUARIO integrates with a wide range of systems, from POS platforms (TL1, Zucchetti, ViiPay) and vending machines to printers, copiers, and washing machines. It also connects with campus apps like UniNow, as well as library and access management systems.

KUARIO continues to process payments securely, even if the network goes down. Transactions are stored locally and synchronised once the connection is restored, ensuring uninterrupted service and full data protection.

KUARIO provides an automated refund process that makes it easy for users to manage their money. Students can check their balance, track expenses, and request refunds directly in the app at any time, with funds returned quickly and securely.

KUARIO is trusted by leading institutions, including Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, the University of Freiburg, and Wageningen University & Research, along with other renowned universities and colleges across Germany and Europe.