A POS terminal is the physical hardware used to accept card payments in person. Most modern POSs support chip, swipe, contactless, and sometimes mobile wallet payments. POS terminals connect to your payment processor and may include customer-facing displays, receipt printers, or loyalty program integrations.
If you accept in-person payments, your POS setup influences transaction speed, fraud rates, and customer experience. You should also verify that your terminal supports future upgrades like EMV, PIN-on-glass, or biometric authentication. A modern, reliable POS is essential for secure, efficient retail operations.
For more than a decade, Jessica Velasco has been a thought leader in the payments industry. She aims to provide readers with valuable, easy-to-understand resources.
