Tap to Pay on iPhone
Accept contactless payments right on your iPhone with the Mollie app
Accept payments
Embedded payments
Grow your business
Technical resources
About Mollie
Tap to Pay on iPhone
Accept contactless payments right on your iPhone with the Mollie app
Accept payments
Embedded payments
Grow your business
Technical resources
About Mollie
Tap to Pay on iPhone
Accept contactless payments right on your iPhone with the Mollie app
Accept payments
Embedded payments
Grow your business
Technical resources
About Mollie
How does POS payment work?
How does POS payment work?
How does POS payment work?
With modern POS payment, you can offer your customers a seamless shopping experience – whether in-store or on the go.
With modern POS payment, you can offer your customers a seamless shopping experience – whether in-store or on the go.
Jul 10, 2025
Overview: POS payment
Enables card payments directly at the point of sale
Ideal for stationary and mobile business models
Works with debit cards, credit cards and contactless payments
POS payment is made in real time and increases customer satisfaction
Modern EC card readers are easy to integrate
Security and data protection are guaranteed with certified terminals
Can be combined with online shops for seamless omnichannel experiences
Enables card payments directly at the point of sale
Ideal for stationary and mobile business models
Works with debit cards, credit cards and contactless payments
POS payment is made in real time and increases customer satisfaction
Modern EC card readers are easy to integrate
Security and data protection are guaranteed with certified terminals
Can be combined with online shops for seamless omnichannel experiences
Enables card payments directly at the point of sale
Ideal for stationary and mobile business models
Works with debit cards, credit cards and contactless payments
POS payment is made in real time and increases customer satisfaction
Modern EC card readers are easy to integrate
Security and data protection are guaranteed with certified terminals
Can be combined with online shops for seamless omnichannel experiences
Enables card payments directly at the point of sale
Ideal for stationary and mobile business models
Works with debit cards, credit cards and contactless payments
POS payment is made in real time and increases customer satisfaction
Modern EC card readers are easy to integrate
Security and data protection are guaranteed with certified terminals
Can be combined with online shops for seamless omnichannel experiences
What is a point of sale (POS) payment?
Point-of-sale payment – POS payment for short – describes the payment process directly at the point of sale. Whether in brick-and-mortar shops, at trade fairs or on the go, customers pay directly to the provider by card, smartphone or smartwatch – contactless or with a PIN.
What does this mean for merchants? POS payments enable fast, secure and cashless transactions with modern card readers that accept debit and credit cards as well as digital wallets. This saves time at the checkout and builds trust with customers.
However, POS payment involves more than just the moment of payment: it refers to the entire system – from the EC card reader to payment processing via a payment service provider such as Mollie. Merchants benefit from smooth processes, automatic posting and a better overview of their daily business.
In practice, it is clear that POS payments are growing in importance, especially for providers who want to work flexibly and offer their customers modern payment methods.
Point-of-sale payment – POS payment for short – describes the payment process directly at the point of sale. Whether in brick-and-mortar shops, at trade fairs or on the go, customers pay directly to the provider by card, smartphone or smartwatch – contactless or with a PIN.
What does this mean for merchants? POS payments enable fast, secure and cashless transactions with modern card readers that accept debit and credit cards as well as digital wallets. This saves time at the checkout and builds trust with customers.
However, POS payment involves more than just the moment of payment: it refers to the entire system – from the EC card reader to payment processing via a payment service provider such as Mollie. Merchants benefit from smooth processes, automatic posting and a better overview of their daily business.
In practice, it is clear that POS payments are growing in importance, especially for providers who want to work flexibly and offer their customers modern payment methods.
Point-of-sale payment – POS payment for short – describes the payment process directly at the point of sale. Whether in brick-and-mortar shops, at trade fairs or on the go, customers pay directly to the provider by card, smartphone or smartwatch – contactless or with a PIN.
What does this mean for merchants? POS payments enable fast, secure and cashless transactions with modern card readers that accept debit and credit cards as well as digital wallets. This saves time at the checkout and builds trust with customers.
However, POS payment involves more than just the moment of payment: it refers to the entire system – from the EC card reader to payment processing via a payment service provider such as Mollie. Merchants benefit from smooth processes, automatic posting and a better overview of their daily business.
In practice, it is clear that POS payments are growing in importance, especially for providers who want to work flexibly and offer their customers modern payment methods.
Point-of-sale payment – POS payment for short – describes the payment process directly at the point of sale. Whether in brick-and-mortar shops, at trade fairs or on the go, customers pay directly to the provider by card, smartphone or smartwatch – contactless or with a PIN.
What does this mean for merchants? POS payments enable fast, secure and cashless transactions with modern card readers that accept debit and credit cards as well as digital wallets. This saves time at the checkout and builds trust with customers.
However, POS payment involves more than just the moment of payment: it refers to the entire system – from the EC card reader to payment processing via a payment service provider such as Mollie. Merchants benefit from smooth processes, automatic posting and a better overview of their daily business.
In practice, it is clear that POS payments are growing in importance, especially for providers who want to work flexibly and offer their customers modern payment methods.
How does the POS process work?
Several systems work together to ensure that POS card payments run smoothly – from the EC card reader to the final booking on the merchant's account. The following overview shows the typical POS payment process in five steps:
Start payment
The customer holds their card or mobile device up to the terminal – either contactless or by entering their PIN.
Authorisation
The payment data is encrypted and transmitted to the acquirer – the merchant's bank or payment service provider.
Forwarding
The acquirer forwards the data via the card network to the customer's card-issuing bank (issuer).
Verification and approval
The issuer checks the credit balance or credit limit. If approved, the payment is authorised and confirmed.
Receipt of payment
The amount is usually credited to the merchant's account within a few working days. This step is also handled by the acquiring bank.
The entire POS process is designed for speed, security and reliability. Whether classic card payment or mobile POS payment: the technical processes in the background remain invisible to the customer, but ensure a seamless experience at the checkout.
Several systems work together to ensure that POS card payments run smoothly – from the EC card reader to the final booking on the merchant's account. The following overview shows the typical POS payment process in five steps:
Start payment
The customer holds their card or mobile device up to the terminal – either contactless or by entering their PIN.
Authorisation
The payment data is encrypted and transmitted to the acquirer – the merchant's bank or payment service provider.
Forwarding
The acquirer forwards the data via the card network to the customer's card-issuing bank (issuer).
Verification and approval
The issuer checks the credit balance or credit limit. If approved, the payment is authorised and confirmed.
Receipt of payment
The amount is usually credited to the merchant's account within a few working days. This step is also handled by the acquiring bank.
The entire POS process is designed for speed, security and reliability. Whether classic card payment or mobile POS payment: the technical processes in the background remain invisible to the customer, but ensure a seamless experience at the checkout.
Several systems work together to ensure that POS card payments run smoothly – from the EC card reader to the final booking on the merchant's account. The following overview shows the typical POS payment process in five steps:
Start payment
The customer holds their card or mobile device up to the terminal – either contactless or by entering their PIN.
Authorisation
The payment data is encrypted and transmitted to the acquirer – the merchant's bank or payment service provider.
Forwarding
The acquirer forwards the data via the card network to the customer's card-issuing bank (issuer).
Verification and approval
The issuer checks the credit balance or credit limit. If approved, the payment is authorised and confirmed.
Receipt of payment
The amount is usually credited to the merchant's account within a few working days. This step is also handled by the acquiring bank.
The entire POS process is designed for speed, security and reliability. Whether classic card payment or mobile POS payment: the technical processes in the background remain invisible to the customer, but ensure a seamless experience at the checkout.
Several systems work together to ensure that POS card payments run smoothly – from the EC card reader to the final booking on the merchant's account. The following overview shows the typical POS payment process in five steps:
Start payment
The customer holds their card or mobile device up to the terminal – either contactless or by entering their PIN.
Authorisation
The payment data is encrypted and transmitted to the acquirer – the merchant's bank or payment service provider.
Forwarding
The acquirer forwards the data via the card network to the customer's card-issuing bank (issuer).
Verification and approval
The issuer checks the credit balance or credit limit. If approved, the payment is authorised and confirmed.
Receipt of payment
The amount is usually credited to the merchant's account within a few working days. This step is also handled by the acquiring bank.
The entire POS process is designed for speed, security and reliability. Whether classic card payment or mobile POS payment: the technical processes in the background remain invisible to the customer, but ensure a seamless experience at the checkout.
Advantages and disadvantages for merchants
When working with a modern provider such as Mollie, merchants benefit from simple setup, fast credit transfers and a transparent fee structure for all card payments, from EC cash payments to credit card payments. Nevertheless, it is worth taking a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of POS payments in order to make the right decision for your business model.
One clear advantage is that customers pay faster, which reduces waiting times and can increase sales. At the same time, the introduction of a card payment system brings with it new processes. The main disadvantages of POS payments include dependence on functioning technology and transaction fees – but both of these can be easily managed with a reliable partner at your side.
Overview: Advantages and disadvantages of POS payments
Category | Advantages | Disadvantages |
Customer experience | Fast, convenient payment | Some customers still prefer to pay in cash |
Payment security | Reduced cash holdings, lower risk of theft | Dependence on functioning technology |
Sales potential | Higher spontaneous purchases, fewer abandoned purchases | Card payments are not free everywhere |
Integration | Can be connected to online shops and POS solutions | Setup can require some initial effort |
Transparency | Better overview of income | Payment flows are subject to bank processing times |
When working with a modern provider such as Mollie, merchants benefit from simple setup, fast credit transfers and a transparent fee structure for all card payments, from EC cash payments to credit card payments. Nevertheless, it is worth taking a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of POS payments in order to make the right decision for your business model.
One clear advantage is that customers pay faster, which reduces waiting times and can increase sales. At the same time, the introduction of a card payment system brings with it new processes. The main disadvantages of POS payments include dependence on functioning technology and transaction fees – but both of these can be easily managed with a reliable partner at your side.
Overview: Advantages and disadvantages of POS payments
Category | Advantages | Disadvantages |
Customer experience | Fast, convenient payment | Some customers still prefer to pay in cash |
Payment security | Reduced cash holdings, lower risk of theft | Dependence on functioning technology |
Sales potential | Higher spontaneous purchases, fewer abandoned purchases | Card payments are not free everywhere |
Integration | Can be connected to online shops and POS solutions | Setup can require some initial effort |
Transparency | Better overview of income | Payment flows are subject to bank processing times |
When working with a modern provider such as Mollie, merchants benefit from simple setup, fast credit transfers and a transparent fee structure for all card payments, from EC cash payments to credit card payments. Nevertheless, it is worth taking a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of POS payments in order to make the right decision for your business model.
One clear advantage is that customers pay faster, which reduces waiting times and can increase sales. At the same time, the introduction of a card payment system brings with it new processes. The main disadvantages of POS payments include dependence on functioning technology and transaction fees – but both of these can be easily managed with a reliable partner at your side.
Overview: Advantages and disadvantages of POS payments
Category | Advantages | Disadvantages |
Customer experience | Fast, convenient payment | Some customers still prefer to pay in cash |
Payment security | Reduced cash holdings, lower risk of theft | Dependence on functioning technology |
Sales potential | Higher spontaneous purchases, fewer abandoned purchases | Card payments are not free everywhere |
Integration | Can be connected to online shops and POS solutions | Setup can require some initial effort |
Transparency | Better overview of income | Payment flows are subject to bank processing times |
When working with a modern provider such as Mollie, merchants benefit from simple setup, fast credit transfers and a transparent fee structure for all card payments, from EC cash payments to credit card payments. Nevertheless, it is worth taking a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of POS payments in order to make the right decision for your business model.
One clear advantage is that customers pay faster, which reduces waiting times and can increase sales. At the same time, the introduction of a card payment system brings with it new processes. The main disadvantages of POS payments include dependence on functioning technology and transaction fees – but both of these can be easily managed with a reliable partner at your side.
Overview: Advantages and disadvantages of POS payments
Category | Advantages | Disadvantages |
Customer experience | Fast, convenient payment | Some customers still prefer to pay in cash |
Payment security | Reduced cash holdings, lower risk of theft | Dependence on functioning technology |
Sales potential | Higher spontaneous purchases, fewer abandoned purchases | Card payments are not free everywhere |
Integration | Can be connected to online shops and POS solutions | Setup can require some initial effort |
Transparency | Better overview of income | Payment flows are subject to bank processing times |
POS terminals: EC card readers from Mollie
For professional POS payments at the point of sale, you need the right POS device – whether mobile, stationary or particularly compact. Mollie offers three modern solutions that support all common payment methods and can be easily integrated into existing systems.
1. Mobile EC card reader
This flexible POS terminal is particularly suitable for merchants with changing locations – for example, at markets, in field service or in pop-up stores. The EC card reader connects via Wi-Fi or 4G and is ready to use immediately.
Compact, lightweight and mobile
Supports contactless payments, chip and magnetic cards
Ideal for changing locations or small shops
Price: €350 (instead of €550), from €20/month per active terminal
2. Stationary EC card terminal
For fixed cash register locations or self-service solutions, Mollie has a robust point-of-sale terminal in its portfolio that connects via Ethernet. It is particularly suitable for retail outlets with high throughput.
Vandal-proof and easy to install
For permanently installed cash registers
Price: €350 (instead of €550), from €20/month per active terminal
3. Tap
Mollie Tap is a compact POS device for anyone who has limited space or is new to POS payments. It allows merchants to accept contactless payments at a particularly low cost. Tap combines modern technology with flexible pricing.
Small, robust, ideal for simple set-ups
Two payment models:
Pay as you go: 1.2% debit / 2.0% consumer & business
Subscription (€20/month): 0.7% debit / 1.7% consumer & business
Hardware price: £95 without subscription, £45 with subscription
All three devices enable secure, fast and modern POS payments – whether by card, smartphone or smartwatch. The direct connection to the Mollie payment dashboard ensures full transparency and easy management.
For professional POS payments at the point of sale, you need the right POS device – whether mobile, stationary or particularly compact. Mollie offers three modern solutions that support all common payment methods and can be easily integrated into existing systems.
1. Mobile EC card reader
This flexible POS terminal is particularly suitable for merchants with changing locations – for example, at markets, in field service or in pop-up stores. The EC card reader connects via Wi-Fi or 4G and is ready to use immediately.
Compact, lightweight and mobile
Supports contactless payments, chip and magnetic cards
Ideal for changing locations or small shops
Price: €350 (instead of €550), from €20/month per active terminal
2. Stationary EC card terminal
For fixed cash register locations or self-service solutions, Mollie has a robust point-of-sale terminal in its portfolio that connects via Ethernet. It is particularly suitable for retail outlets with high throughput.
Vandal-proof and easy to install
For permanently installed cash registers
Price: €350 (instead of €550), from €20/month per active terminal
3. Tap
Mollie Tap is a compact POS device for anyone who has limited space or is new to POS payments. It allows merchants to accept contactless payments at a particularly low cost. Tap combines modern technology with flexible pricing.
Small, robust, ideal for simple set-ups
Two payment models:
Pay as you go: 1.2% debit / 2.0% consumer & business
Subscription (€20/month): 0.7% debit / 1.7% consumer & business
Hardware price: £95 without subscription, £45 with subscription
All three devices enable secure, fast and modern POS payments – whether by card, smartphone or smartwatch. The direct connection to the Mollie payment dashboard ensures full transparency and easy management.
For professional POS payments at the point of sale, you need the right POS device – whether mobile, stationary or particularly compact. Mollie offers three modern solutions that support all common payment methods and can be easily integrated into existing systems.
1. Mobile EC card reader
This flexible POS terminal is particularly suitable for merchants with changing locations – for example, at markets, in field service or in pop-up stores. The EC card reader connects via Wi-Fi or 4G and is ready to use immediately.
Compact, lightweight and mobile
Supports contactless payments, chip and magnetic cards
Ideal for changing locations or small shops
Price: €350 (instead of €550), from €20/month per active terminal
2. Stationary EC card terminal
For fixed cash register locations or self-service solutions, Mollie has a robust point-of-sale terminal in its portfolio that connects via Ethernet. It is particularly suitable for retail outlets with high throughput.
Vandal-proof and easy to install
For permanently installed cash registers
Price: €350 (instead of €550), from €20/month per active terminal
3. Tap
Mollie Tap is a compact POS device for anyone who has limited space or is new to POS payments. It allows merchants to accept contactless payments at a particularly low cost. Tap combines modern technology with flexible pricing.
Small, robust, ideal for simple set-ups
Two payment models:
Pay as you go: 1.2% debit / 2.0% consumer & business
Subscription (€20/month): 0.7% debit / 1.7% consumer & business
Hardware price: £95 without subscription, £45 with subscription
All three devices enable secure, fast and modern POS payments – whether by card, smartphone or smartwatch. The direct connection to the Mollie payment dashboard ensures full transparency and easy management.
For professional POS payments at the point of sale, you need the right POS device – whether mobile, stationary or particularly compact. Mollie offers three modern solutions that support all common payment methods and can be easily integrated into existing systems.
1. Mobile EC card reader
This flexible POS terminal is particularly suitable for merchants with changing locations – for example, at markets, in field service or in pop-up stores. The EC card reader connects via Wi-Fi or 4G and is ready to use immediately.
Compact, lightweight and mobile
Supports contactless payments, chip and magnetic cards
Ideal for changing locations or small shops
Price: €350 (instead of €550), from €20/month per active terminal
2. Stationary EC card terminal
For fixed cash register locations or self-service solutions, Mollie has a robust point-of-sale terminal in its portfolio that connects via Ethernet. It is particularly suitable for retail outlets with high throughput.
Vandal-proof and easy to install
For permanently installed cash registers
Price: €350 (instead of €550), from €20/month per active terminal
3. Tap
Mollie Tap is a compact POS device for anyone who has limited space or is new to POS payments. It allows merchants to accept contactless payments at a particularly low cost. Tap combines modern technology with flexible pricing.
Small, robust, ideal for simple set-ups
Two payment models:
Pay as you go: 1.2% debit / 2.0% consumer & business
Subscription (€20/month): 0.7% debit / 1.7% consumer & business
Hardware price: £95 without subscription, £45 with subscription
All three devices enable secure, fast and modern POS payments – whether by card, smartphone or smartwatch. The direct connection to the Mollie payment dashboard ensures full transparency and easy management.
Payment security at the POS: what matters when it comes to terminals
Customers expect secure and reliable processing for every POS payment, regardless of whether they pay by card, smartphone or wearable. Mollie terminals meet all relevant standards, including PCI DSS certification, and are specially designed for POS card payment systems.
The devices are tamper-proof, regularly updated and enable encrypted data transmission. Technical components such as hardware protection, secure software architecture and compliance checks are part of a comprehensive approach to payment security.
Merchants benefit from a stable infrastructure that secures both the EC card readers used and the POS payment itself – regardless of whether it is mobile or stationary.
Customers expect secure and reliable processing for every POS payment, regardless of whether they pay by card, smartphone or wearable. Mollie terminals meet all relevant standards, including PCI DSS certification, and are specially designed for POS card payment systems.
The devices are tamper-proof, regularly updated and enable encrypted data transmission. Technical components such as hardware protection, secure software architecture and compliance checks are part of a comprehensive approach to payment security.
Merchants benefit from a stable infrastructure that secures both the EC card readers used and the POS payment itself – regardless of whether it is mobile or stationary.
Customers expect secure and reliable processing for every POS payment, regardless of whether they pay by card, smartphone or wearable. Mollie terminals meet all relevant standards, including PCI DSS certification, and are specially designed for POS card payment systems.
The devices are tamper-proof, regularly updated and enable encrypted data transmission. Technical components such as hardware protection, secure software architecture and compliance checks are part of a comprehensive approach to payment security.
Merchants benefit from a stable infrastructure that secures both the EC card readers used and the POS payment itself – regardless of whether it is mobile or stationary.
Customers expect secure and reliable processing for every POS payment, regardless of whether they pay by card, smartphone or wearable. Mollie terminals meet all relevant standards, including PCI DSS certification, and are specially designed for POS card payment systems.
The devices are tamper-proof, regularly updated and enable encrypted data transmission. Technical components such as hardware protection, secure software architecture and compliance checks are part of a comprehensive approach to payment security.
Merchants benefit from a stable infrastructure that secures both the EC card readers used and the POS payment itself – regardless of whether it is mobile or stationary.
This is how POS payment fees are structured
The cost structure of a POS payment depends on various factors such as the terminal selected, the payment provider and the type of card. POS payment fees often consist of a fixed amount per transaction and a variable percentage.
With a POS payment solution from Mollie, merchants benefit from a transparent model: there are no setup fees, no long-term contracts and the transaction costs are clearly itemised. Differences arise depending on whether your customers use a debit or credit card, whether it is a consumer or business card and whether a subscription model has been chosen.
For a better overview, we recommend taking a look at the card payment fee comparison. This will help you quickly and easily find the POS payment terms that suit your business model.
Omnichannel: connect POS payments with your online shop
More and more merchants are combining brick-and-mortar sales with online retail, creating a seamless shopping experience for their customers. For this strategy to work, you need a system that brings POS payments and online payments together in one interface.
This is exactly where Mollie comes in: the EC card readers can be seamlessly connected to the online shop. Payments in-store and online run on the same infrastructure – including joint payouts, uniform settlement and central reporting in the Mollie payment dashboard.
For merchants, this means:
less effort in accounting
a clearer overview of sales
the ability to serve customers across channels
At the same time, customers benefit from consistent payment methods, whether in-store or at checkout.
Mollie is therefore ideal for omnichannel strategies – whether as a complete solution for new business models or as a supplement to existing systems.
The combination of on-site POS payments and digital checkout ensures maximum flexibility in the payment process.
How much do POS payments cost for merchants?
POS payments incur different costs depending on the provider. Merchants usually pay a fixed amount per transaction plus a variable percentage. Mollie offers transparent fees – with or without a subscription – and no hidden additional costs.
What payment methods should a POS system support?
A good POS system should support common debit and credit cards, contactless payments, Apple Pay, Google Pay and other digital wallets. This makes POS card payments more convenient for customers – and merchants don't miss out on potential sales.
What is the difference between mobile and stationary POS terminals?
A mobile POS terminal is wireless and suitable for flexible use, for example at trade fairs or in the field. A stationary POS terminal is permanently installed, often more robustly built and usually connected to the POS system via Ethernet.
More updates
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Which SumUp alternative is right for you?
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Card payment fees in comparison: What merchants need to know
What card payment fees can merchants expect? Our comparison shows costs, differences, and advantages, with specific scenarios for brick-and-mortar stores and omnichannel providers.
EC-Cash for merchants: Features, pitfalls and alternatives
EC Cash and Girocard payments offer significant advantages, but also pitfalls. This guide shows what merchants should pay attention to when using them.
The right omnichannel strategy for retail: what you need to consider
With the right omnichannel strategy for retail, you can offer customers a seamless shopping experience – across all channels, efficient and competitive.
How does POS payment work?
With modern POS payment, you can offer your customers a seamless shopping experience – whether in-store or on the go.
Which SumUp alternative is right for you?
The right solution for your business needs to do more than just accept card payments. Here you will find SumUp alternatives that grow with your business.
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Table of contents
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Table of contents
Table of contents
Simplify payments and money management
Drive revenue, reduce costs, and manage funds with Mollie.
Simplify payments and money management
Whether you want to grow internationally or focus on a specific market, everything is possible. Mollie supports all known payment methods, so you can grow your business regardless of location.
Simplify payments and money management
Drive revenue, reduce costs, and manage funds with Mollie.