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What is the best payment terminal in 2025? Find what you're looking for among these 8 terminals

What is the best payment terminal in 2025? Find what you're looking for among these 8 terminals

By Jennifer Montérémal

Published: February 20, 2025

As consumer habits change and become increasingly digitalized, cash is disappearing from our wallets... Today, most customers demand to be able to pay for their purchases by credit card, even for small transactions.

As a result, retailers, whether they are sedentary or itinerant, are obliged to adapt, and therefore to equip themselves with an Eftpos terminal (Electronic Payment Terminal).

But with so many on the market, you're probably wondering which is the best payment terminalfor your business?

From business solutions to mobile devices, not forgetting the best subscription-free TPEs, focus on 8 offers among which you're sure to find your match 😉.

The Addition

🔎 Introducing L'Addition

L'Addition is more than just a range of payment terminals. Through its L'Addition Pay+ solution, it provides CHR (cafés, hotels and restaurants) establishments not only with the hardware, but also with a software solution for cash register management, maintenance services and analysis of your data from a reporting space.

In terms of equipment, take advantage of Verifone's modern, secure POS terminals, suitable for a variety of needs:

  • e285, ultra-portable and practical for service personnel;
  • V400m, the stand-alone mobile terminal with 4G/Wi-Fi connectivity and long battery life;
  • M400, the top-of-the-range fixed terminal with a larger touch screen.

Addition Pay+ has been developed specifically to meet the needs of restaurateurs and hoteliers, as evidenced by its support for all titres-restaurant cards.

😀 Key features and benefits of L'Addition

  • Availability of payment terminals. L'Addition provides users with fast Eftpos terminals, maintains them and supplies new equipment in less than 72 hours.

  • Wide range of payment methods. Terminals support a wide range of payment methods, from traditional bank cards to dematerialized luncheon vouchers (Sodexo, Edenred, Swile, etc.) and contactless cards.

  • Analysis. Take advantage of detailed analyses of your customers' behavior to help you manage your business more effectively.

  • Centralized management. From your L'Addition software interface, you can centrally manage your fleet of payment terminals (deactivating devices, for example). Ideal if you own several establishments!

  • Advanced security. Our terminals comply with the latest security standards, including 3D Secure and EMV.

  • Fast funds release. After a transaction, you'll receive the money in your account within two days.

☹️ The disadvantages of L'Addition

  • Lack of pricing information. Unlike most of its competitors, L'Addition does not communicate directly on its website how much it charges per settlement.

  • Specialization in catering. This offer is geared towards the needs of restaurants, cafés and hotels, and is therefore not suitable for other businesses.

myPOS

🔎 Introducing myPOS

Well-known to retailers, myPOS payment terminals are distinguished by their accessibility and functionality, perfectly suited to small and medium-sized businesses, whether sedentary or mobile.

With myPOS, you can quickly and securely accept payments made with any type of card, without any monthly subscription fees.

In terms of hardware, myPOS offers a range of 4 terminals:

  • myPOS Go 2, autonomous and economical (it doesn't need a smartphone to operate and costs just €25!) ;
  • myPOS Go Combo, supplied with printing and recharging cradle;
  • myPOS Pro, the brand's most powerful POS terminal;
  • myPOS Carbon, the portable payment terminal with printer.

Each terminal is designed to meet the full range of merchant needs, with competitive transaction fees and instant payments credited to a multi-currency business account.

😀 Key features and benefits of myPOS

  • No monthly fees. One of the great strengths of myPOS lies in the fact that the associated services are free of charge: no recurring fees for terminal use, and no compulsory rental contract! In fact, you only pay when customers make a transaction, making the offer highly competitive.

  • Multi-purpose. In addition to handling conventional payments, myPOS terminals are capable of accepting contactless payments via bank cards, smartphones equipped with Google Pay or Apple Pay, and e-wallets.

  • Mobility. myPOS POS terminals are stand-alone and can connect to 4G or Wi-Fi networks. What's more, the devices are compact and lightweight. Very practical for itinerant retailers!

  • Merchant account. You get a full merchant account (including a free Mastercard business card) for immediate access to your funds after every sale.

  • Electronic receipts. myPOS lets you send receipts by SMS or e-mail, eliminating the need to print tickets.

  • Practical accessories. Some models, like the myPOS Combo, include a built-in printer.

☹️ Disadvantages of myPOS

  • Complex transaction fees. If you don't pay a subscription fee, transaction charges can be higher than with some competitors, and more complex to understand (depending on the type of card used).

  • Banking management. Some users complain that they have to receive their money in their myPOS account first.

Revolut Reader

🔎 Introducing Revolut Reader

The Revolut Reader is a mobile payment solution designed for small and medium-sized businesses wishing to manage their customers' transactions with ease, even when on the move.

Compact and easy to use, this reader works in conjunction with the Revolut Business application, transforming your smartphone or tablet into a payment terminal.

What's more, it supports a variety of payment methods:

  • contactless payments ;
  • Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay chip and PIN payments.

😀 Key features and benefits of Revolut Reader

  • No monthly fees. Revolut Reader also stands out for its advantageous fee system: no monthly subscription is required, you only pay a commission deducted from each transaction.

  • Economical POS terminal. In some cases, this payment terminal proves more economical than some of its competitors, since the commissions deducted from European cards are 1% + €0.20. The machine itself is available at a one-off cost of €49.

  • Availability of funds. Once payments have been received, funds are credited to your merchant account and available within 24 hours.

  • Mobility. Thanks to its lightweight design and long battery life, Revolut Reader is the perfect companion for professionals on the move.

  • Product catalog. Revolut Reader integrates a personalized product catalog within the application, for faster processing of your sales.

  • Additional features. This solution includes interesting additional features, such as data analysis tools and digital tip management.

☹️ Disadvantages of Revolut Reader

  • Limited compatibility. Revolut Reader only works for users of the Revolut Business application.

  • High fees on certain transactions. While this payment terminal is financially advantageous for European card payments, fees are rather high for international card transactions (2.8% + €0.20).

Smile&Pay

🔎 Introducing Smile&Pay

French company Smile&Pay positions itself as a simple, cost-effective and accessible solution for small businesses and freelancers wishing to collect payments without headaches.

Founded in 2015, this startup offers several terminal models, suitable for all types of business:

  • Mini Smile, the take-anywhere mini-reader;
  • Smart Smile, a stand-alone terminal for mobile use;
  • Super Smile, a stand-alone terminal with an integrated printer;
  • Maxi Smile, the traditional TPE, also with a printer.

Mini Smile connects via smartphone and requires Bluetooth pairing. The other devices, on the other hand, operate via 4G or Wi-Fi. All support contactless payments, by bank card (CB, Visa, Mastercard, Amex) or mobile solutions such as Apple Pay and Google Pay.

😀 Key features and benefits of Smile&Pay

  • Flexible pricing. With Smile&Pay, you benefit from flexible pricing. It offers subscription and non-subscription packages, and even a 100% customized formula. What's more, the solution is available without commitment.

  • Fast implementation. This service is renowned for its ease of installation. You can subscribe online in just 10 minutes, and benefit from terminal delivery within 72 hours in mainland France.

  • Fast cashouts. Funds are quickly transferred to your bank account within 24 to 48 hours.

  • Quality customer service. Smile&Pay stands out for the quality of its customer service. Its teams, based in Paris, are available and responsive to assist users.

  • Tip management. Smile&Pay's terminals (excluding Mini Smile) enable flexible, fluid tip management.

  • Integrations. Boost your business with a selection of tools from the Smile Store. You'll find cash register software, payment services, marketing platforms and banking and insurance solutions.

☹️ Smile&Pay disadvantages

  • Slightly high transaction fees. At 1.65% per standard transaction, fees are high compared to other providers.

  • Expensive advanced options. Top-of-the-range models, such as the Super Smile, are more expensive and represent a substantial investment for smaller companies.

Square Terminal

Offered by financial services platform Square, Square Terminal is an elegant, easy-to-use all-in-one POS terminal capable of meeting the needs of any type of business.

Compact and portable, it lets you accept payments by card (including contactless) or smartphone, and print receipts, all with a single device. What's more, with its sleek design and intuitive interface, users will quickly get the hang of it, even if they're unfamiliar with this kind of device.

Finally, the device is renowned for its reliability: it fully complies with current security standards and operates offline for 24 hours in the event of connection problems.

😀 Square Terminal's key features and benefits

  • Transparent pricing. One of Square Terminal's major assets lies in its transparency in terms of costs. Processing fees remain fixed (1.65% per transaction for a face-to-face payment), regardless of the card category used.

  • All-in-one device. The device accepts all types of payment (chip, contactless, mobile) and prints receipts, without the need for additional equipment.

  • Mobility. As we have seen, the terminal also works offline. And thanks to its powerful battery, you can use it all day long without needing to recharge.

  • Quality customer support. Do you have a problem with your device? Square's support teams are available 24/7 by telephone.

  • Security. The security of the payment solution is ensured by monitoring suspicious activity and blocking fraudulent transactions.

  • Comprehensive management system. In addition to processing payments, Square Terminal integrates seamlessly with other Square software solutions, such as inventory management, real-time sales reports and employee management. So you can centralize the management of your business!

☹️ Square Terminal disadvantages

  • Fees on certain transactions. Although fees are fixed for standard transactions, they increase for certain payments (e.g. those made with cards from non-EEA countries).

  • Limited hardware expansion options. Unlike some more advanced terminals, Square Terminal does not offer many hardware expansion options, such as accessories for large chain stores.

SumUp

🔎 Introducing SumUp

Over the years, SumUp payment terminals have become popular solutions for small businesses and the self-employed. And with good reason: they provide them with a simple, affordable way of accepting card payments.

Designed to be mobile, these POS terminals stand out for their flexibility and ease of use. Models include :

  • Solo Lite, operating via a connection to your smartphone or tablet ;
  • Solo, which manages payments autonomously;
  • Solo and printer, which, as the name suggests, comes with a battery/printer and two rolls of paper.

These terminals accept all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Maestro, Google Pay, Apple Pay, etc.) as well as NFC payments.

😀 SumUp's key features and benefits.

  • Fixed commission. With SumUp, zero headaches when it comes to understanding what your fees are. You're only subject to fixed transaction costs for each payment accepted, amounting to 1.75%.

  • Mobility and autonomy. The devices work anywhere, thanks to Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity. What's more, each model has a long operating time before recharging.

  • Easy configuration. TPEs can be set up quickly, and online guides are available to support you.

  • Fast payments. Funds are credited to your account the very next day.

  • Broad compatibility. SumUp accepts a variety of credit cards and contactless payment solutions.

  • Additional features. This multi-functional solution appeals to users thanks to additional features such as catalog creation and transaction tracking.

☹️ SumUp's drawbacks

  • Limited customer support. Although SumUp offers e-mail support and an online knowledge base, some users have reported lengthy response times.

  • Functional limitations. TPEs do not support CONECS cards/restaurant tickets.

Yavin

Yavin are complete, next-generation terminals, specifically designed for merchants wishing to modernize their customers' payment experience. They feature advanced functionalities and numerous integrations.

Yavin also stands out for its wide range of POS terminals:

  • Mini X, the compact mobile device;
  • Yavin X, the latest-generation mobile terminal (also available in black);
  • Mini X Pro, both compact and powerful;
  • PinPad Yavin, designed for over-the-counter cash dispensing;
  • PinPad Pro, the advanced version of PinPad ;
  • Yavin Borne, for kiosks,
  • SoftPOS, developed to cash directly from your smartphone.

Note that Yavin is a 100% French company, with over 10,000 TPEs deployed to its credit.

😀 Yavin's key features and benefits

  • Variety of offering. Thanks to the wide range of devices and applications available, Yavin caters to all professionals, across all business sectors and company sizes.

  • Diversity of payment methods. Yavin is compatible with all cards, even luncheon vouchers.

  • Customization of the solution. You can integrate your payment system with your cash register software, your accounting solution or your loyalty programs, to optimize the management of your business.

  • Payment in instalments. With Yavin's three-installment payment option, you can encourage purchases... and boost your sales!

  • Offline mode. Lost your connection? No problem, Yavin ensures continuity of payment.

  • Tip management. A dedicated tip management application is available directly on POS terminals.

☹️ Yavin's disadvantages

  • Subscription. Unlike many competitors, Yavin imposes a subscription fee on its users. Moreover, their pricing is not transparent on their website.

  • Android dependency. As the terminals are Android-based, these solutions will not suit businesses preferring to operate via another operating system.

Zettle

🔎 Introducing Zettle

If PayPal needs no introduction, are you familiar with Zettle, its payment terminal offering? This all-in-one device is designed to meet the needs of merchants looking for a practical payment solution that goes further than just cashing out.

With Zettle, you can choose to purchase :

  • either the terminal alone;
  • or the terminal with printer and dock.

The devices accept numerous payment methods (however, not magnetic stripe) and operate via a Wi-Fi connection (or 3G/4G when Wi-Fi is out of range).

😀 Zettle's key features and benefits

  • Transparent pricing. Available without subscription, Zettle charges only a per-transaction fee, amounting to 1.75% for card payment and 2.5% when using a payment link.

  • Integrated cash register application. This complete solution includes a cash register application that simplifies sales and inventory management, and provides detailed activity reports.

  • Barcode scanner. Thanks to the barcode scanning functionality included in your device, you save a lot of time on many operations (adding items to your catalog, for example).

  • Easy to install. The Zettle POS terminal is quick to learn, even if you're not used to this type of device.

  • Compatible with several payment methods. This TPE accepts all major bank cards, as well as contactless payments via Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc.

  • Printer accessory. You have the option of adding a printer to issue physical receipts if required.

☹️ Zettle's disadvantages

  • Not available abroad. You can't use Zettle abroad or in French overseas departments and territories.

  • One-time transaction fees. Although the 1.75% commission is easy to understand, it can become more expensive over the long term for companies handling a high volume of transactions.

Summary table of the best payment terminals

Payment terminal TPE price Subscription Commission Payment methods accepted Cash register software compatibility Payment terms
L'Addition No information No information No information
  • Restaurant cards
  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • American Express
  • Maestro
  • Alipay
  • JCB
  • Credit Union
  • Diners Club International
  • Discover
  • Apple Pay
  • Bancontact
  • WeChat Pay
2 days
myPOS From €25 Between 1.69% + €0.05 and 2.89% + €0.05 Accepts contactless payments by NFC card or accessory, smart card or magnetic stripe card Immediate
Revolut Reader 49 € Between 1% + €0.20 and 2.8% + €0.20 Accepts contactless payments and Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay chip and PIN payments Next day
Smile&Pay Starting at €39 Subscription fee of €35/month or €348/year for Premium offer From 0.65% (for subscription offer)
  • Contactless
  • CB
  • Visa
  • V PAY
  • Mastercard
  • Maestro
  • American Express
  • Apple Pay
  • Google Pay
  • Paylib
  • Samsung Pay
  • PLBS Caution
  • Conecs
  • Swile
  • Pass Restaurant
  • Ticket Restaurant
  • Bimpli
1 to 2 business days
Square Terminal 115,5 € 1.65% per transaction for in-store payments
  • Contactless payments
  • Credit card payments
  • Mobile payments, including Apple Pay and Google Pay
  • Digital meal voucher payments (Edenred, Swile (Bimpli, Natixis), Sodexo and UpDéjeuner)
1 business day
SumUp From €25 1.75% per transaction
  • Contactless
  • Visa
  • V Pay
  • Mastercard
  • Maestro
  • American Express
  • Discover
  • Diners Club
  • Union Pay
  • Google Pay
  • Apple Pay
3 hours
Yavin No information No information
  • No contact
  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • Maestro
  • Apple Pay
  • Google Pay
  • Amex
  • Alma
  • And many more...
Unknown
Zettle From €199 1.75% per transaction Accepts contactless payments, major payment cards and Apple, Google and Samsung Pay 1 to 2 business days

💡To note: the rates shown in the article were raised in September 2024.

Which payment terminal to choose? Selection criteria

To choose the payment terminal best suited to your business, there are several criteria to consider 👉.

  • Cost. It's vital to assess the overall cost of the terminal, to ensure profitable operations. Ask yourself which Eftpos terminals charge the least, since some offer no-subscription options, or more or less advantageous commission costs.

  • Mobility. If you need to cash outside your point of sale, for example at events, the best mobile payment terminal is one with Bluetooth, 4G or Wi-Fi connectivity, for maximum flexibility. Battery life should also be taken into account.

  • Compatibility with your management system. Some EFTPOS terminals integrate easily with your cash register or CRM software, making it easier to manage transactions and customer data.

  • Transaction security. Make sure, among other things, that the device complies with PCI-DSS security standards, to protect your customers' payment information.

  • Ease of use. An intuitive terminal, with a touch screen or simple buttons, will naturally make it easier for your teams to get to grips with.

  • Customer service and support. Choose a supplier with available, responsive customer service, to quickly resolve any technical problems.

What about the POS terminal?

TPE banking terminals, generally of the Verifone or Ingenico brands, are appreciated for their reliability and security, since they comply with the strict standards imposed by financial establishments. What's more, banks provide their customers with efficient support and technical maintenance. In short, the quality of service they provide makes them an attractive option for professionals.

However, the cost of Eftpos terminals is often higher than that of modern alternatives. Not only do you have to pay a monthly subscription fee, but you may also have to pay higher commissions. In fact, these terminals become advantageous when you make a significant number of cash receipts (over €10,000 per month), and you can then negotiate a low direct debit percentage (less than 1%).

☝️ It should also be remembered that modern solutions benefit from extended compatibility with third-party applications (cash register software, marketing tools, etc.), which is very useful for centralizing operations in small organizations.

Article translated from French