Compare supermarket payment processing machines, from self-checkout to POS terminals, and learn how to cut fees, stop fraud, and speed up checkout lines.
A cash register works fine if you run a small, cash-heavy business with simple, steady sales. A POS system is the better choice if you take cards, want to track inventory, or plan to grow, since it handles payments, reporting, and customer data in one place. Most small businesses that accept cards end up choosing a POS system.
Walk into almost any retail store or restaurant today and you'll see the same device sitting at the counter: a touchscreen, a card reader, and a small printer spitting out receipts. That's a POS machine, and it's quietly become one of the most important pieces of equipment a business owns.
U.S. merchants typically pay 1.5% to 3.5% per credit card transaction, depending on the pricing model, card type, and how the payment is taken. Payment processing covers the full system of accepting, authorizing, and settling card payments. Choosing the right merchant services partner can reduce your effective rate, protect against chargebacks, and simplify how funds reach your account.