If you're running an e-commerce business that also integrates with offline retail, you'll need to consider how to accept card payments.
Whether you have a permanent physical store, a pop-up shop, or you're selling at an event, mobile POS devices offer an agile solution.
In this article, we'll review the four leading mobile POS devices, including iZettle alternatives, and explore the advantages of using these devices.
Key Takeaways
Mobile POS devices offer an agile solution for accepting card payments in offline retail settings.
iZettle, SumUp, PayPal Here, and Shopify Tap, Chip, and Swipe are all leading mobile POS devices.
Consider the advantages of each device to determine which one is the best fit for your business.
iZettle Alternatives
If you are looking for alternatives to iZettle, there are several options available in the market.
Mobile POS devices offer many benefits, including portability, flexibility, and ease of use. With a mobile POS device, you can accept payments from anywhere, whether you're on the go or at a fixed location.
Additionally, mobile POS devices are typically easy to set up and use, making them a great option for small businesses. In this article, we'll take a closer look at iZettle, SumUp, PayPal Here, and Shopify Tap, Chip, and Swipe, and help you determine which one is the best fit for your business.
Here are some of the top alternatives to iZettle:
SumUp
SumUp is a mobile card reader that connects to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth. It is a great alternative to traditional card readers as it is affordable, easy to use, and does not require a merchant account. SumUp also offers a free point of sale (POS) app that allows you to manage your sales, inventory, and customers. The app is available for both iOS and Android devices. SumUp offers competitive transaction fees and supports multiple payment methods, including contactless payments.
Square
Square is a popular mobile card reader that is widely used by small businesses. It is a versatile POS system that offers a range of features, including inventory management, analytics, and customer support. Square also offers a free POS app that is user-friendly and easy to set up. The app is available for both iOS and Android devices. Square offers competitive transaction fees and supports multiple payment methods, including contactless payments.
PayPal Here
PayPal Here is a mobile card reader that connects to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth. It is a great alternative to traditional card readers as it is affordable, easy to use, and does not require a merchant account. PayPal Here also offers a free POS app that allows you to manage your sales, inventory, and customers. The app is available for both iOS and Android devices. PayPal Here offers competitive transaction fees and supports multiple payment methods, including contactless payments.
Shopify Tap, Chip and Swipe
Shopify Tap, Chip and Swipe is a mobile card reader that connects to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth. It is a great alternative to traditional card readers as it is affordable, easy to use, and does not require a merchant account. Shopify Tap, Chip and Swipe also offers a free POS app that allows you to manage your sales, inventory, and customers. The app is available for both iOS and Android devices. Shopify Tap, Chip and Swipe offers competitive transaction fees and supports multiple payment methods, including contactless payments.
Overall, these iZettle alternatives offer affordable, user-friendly, and feature-rich solutions for small businesses. They are perfect for businesses that are looking for a mobile POS system that can be used on the go.
The Advantages of Mobile POS Devices
Mobile point-of-sale (mPOS) devices have become increasingly popular among small businesses due to their portability, affordability, and ease of use. One of the main advantages of mobile POS devices is that they allow retailers to process card payments instantly and securely, without the need for expensive, bulky, and traditional card readers that require a merchant account.
Mobile card readers connect to a mobile device (Apple or Android) via Bluetooth and use the device's 3G or 4G data connection to process transactions. This means that retailers are no longer tied to a specific location, but can take their card readers on the go.
Mobile POS devices are ideal for itinerant merchants like food vendors, delivery services, and creatives who take their wares to markets or other events, and thus far have been tied to cash only.
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Mobile POS devices also offer new opportunities for established brick-and-mortar retailers who want to become more mobile and take advantage of trade events, pop-ups, and markets. Startups can also get started quickly and with minimal setup fees and hardware investment.
Some of the key features of mobile POS devices include real-time inventory visibility, immediate store transfer, increased mobility, and access to analytics. With a POS system in your hand, you have the information and tools you need to serve customers better. Mobile POS devices also offer a range of payment methods, including contactless payments, online payments, and chip and PIN.
Mobile POS devices are also highly secure and PCI compliant, ensuring that transactions are processed safely and securely. They also offer a range of third-party integrations, allowing retailers to connect their POS system to other software and services, such as e-commerce platforms, virtual terminals, and inventory management systems.
In terms of pricing, mobile POS devices are typically more affordable than traditional card readers, with lower transaction fees and no setup or monthly fees. They are also user-friendly and easy to set up, with many providers offering free plans and live chat customer support.
Overall, mobile POS devices offer a range of advantages for small businesses, including increased mobility, ease of use, affordability, and security.
With a mobile POS device, you can process transactions anytime, anywhere, and offer your customers a range of payment options.
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iZettle
iZettle is a mobile POS pioneer that offers a compact card reader that works with a smartphone app to enable businesses to accept payments anytime and anywhere. The system works on a pay-as-you-go model, which is a breakthrough in the card payments industry.
One of the advantages of iZettle is that it offers two types of card readers. The displayless "Lite" reader is free, while the advanced "Pro" reader supports contactless payments, including Apple Pay. Another advantage is that iZettle accepts a wide range of credit and debit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, Visa Electron, Maestro, and American Express. There are no monthly fees involved, and the transaction fee decreases as usage goes up.
However, there are also some disadvantages to using iZettle. For instance, if you want a receipt printer, you will need to pay an additional cost. Additionally, iZettle is not the cheapest POS device on the market.
If you're looking for a receipt printer compatible with iZettle, you can consider the Star Micronics TSP100III or the Epson TM-m30. Square Terminal is a similar product to iZettle, while Zettle by PayPal is the new name for iZettle after it was acquired by PayPal. Zettle Terminal is an all-in-one touchscreen POS and payment terminal for on-the-spot sales and seamless payments. Square POS is another popular POS system that offers similar features to iZettle.
SumUp
SumUp is a payment processing system that allows merchants to accept card payments using a card reader and an app. SumUp offers two types of card readers: SumUp Air and SumUp Solo. The SumUp Air is a portable card reader that connects to a smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth, while the SumUp Solo is a standalone device that connects to the internet via Wi-Fi.
To use SumUp, you simply enter the balance to pay on the app, the customer inserts their card into the reader and confirms payment by entering their PIN number. Once the payment has gone through, an email or SMS receipt is sent out to the customer. SumUp will initiate payments to your bank account daily, but it can take 3–6 working days for payments to be credited to your account.
One of the advantages of SumUp is its additional online dashboard feature for accounting and business decision purposes. It enables users to access sales data and export the history for a particular day, week, or month to an Excel file. Another advantage is that there are no fixed monthly fees or minimum transaction volumes.
However, there are also some disadvantages to using SumUp. For those who want to offer paper receipts, compatible printers are only available at an additional cost. Additionally, the card reader does not process transactions via swiping a card’s magnetic strip, so if you have customers from the USA, this could cause a problem.
Overall, SumUp is a simple and easy-to-use payment processing system that is suitable for small businesses.
PayPal Here
If you are a small business owner looking for a card reader with a low initial cost and no monthly fees, PayPal Here might be the solution for you. With PayPal Here, you can take payments almost anywhere by using a PayPal Here card reader and downloading the free app. The card reader connects to your mobile phone via Bluetooth, making it easy to use on the go.
One advantage of using PayPal Here is that you can track payments for both cheque and cash, and you can issue invoices and/or receipts through the app. Additionally, PayPal payments can be integrated with eBay sales, which is ideal for small businesses that already operate through PayPal. Payments can be integrated from cards (Chip & PIN, NFC contactless, swipe and manual entry), cash, cheques, PayPal and eBay.
However, it's worth noting that PayPal Here is a little more expensive than some of its competitors. For instance, if your transaction volume hits a certain limit per month, you would not benefit from the sliding transaction fees like you can get with iZettle. Instead, PayPal Here charges 2.75% for Chip and PIN regardless of monthly sales. Interactions with their customer service team can also at times be a pain.
Overall, if you are a small business owner looking for a flexible and easy-to-use payment solution, PayPal Here might be worth considering. With its ability to track payments and integrate with eBay sales, it could be a great option for market stall vendors and traders.
Shopify Tap, Chip, and Swipe
The Shopify Tap, Chip, and Swipe mobile POS is a wireless device that is perfect for on-the-go point-of-sale solutions. This device accepts contactless cards, Apple Pay, and Android Pay by simply tapping the device. Additionally, it accepts chip cards by inserting them into the device and magstripe cards by swiping them through the side of the device.
Advantages of the Shopify Tap, Chip, and Swipe mobile POS include its integrated PIN pad, which provides full EMV chip card support. It can also use iPads or iPhones to capture customer signatures. Furthermore, the device can accept chip cards, contactless cards, and magstripe cards.
However, there are some disadvantages to consider.
The Shopify Tap, Chip, and Swipe mobile POS is currently only available for US-based merchants. Additionally, this POS will only work for those who are already using Shopify as a platform for their online store.
Overall, if you are a US-based merchant using Shopify as your platform, the Shopify Tap, Chip, and Swipe mobile POS could be an excellent choice for your on-the-go point-of-sale
needs.
Conclusion
After reviewing the four mobile POS devices, it is clear that they all have similarities and differences. Choosing the right device for your business depends on your specific needs. Transaction costs and functionality are the two main areas to focus on when deciding on the perfect mobile POS.
Zettle and SumUp are two popular options, but there are also alternative mobile POS devices available. It is important to research and compare different options to find the best fit for your business. Additionally, Shopify offers a variety of services for small businesses, including creating a new store. Take advantage of the increasing capabilities of smartphones and peripherals to process card payments on the go.
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