search Where Thought Leaders go for Growth

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

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

By Jennifer Montérémal

Published: 20 February 2025

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

As a result, retailers, whether they are stationary 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 Eftpos terminals, here's a look at 8 offers that are sure to please 😉.

The Addition

🔎 Presentation of L'Addition

L'Addition is more than just a range of payment terminals. Through its L'Addition Pay+ solution, it provides establishments in the CHR (cafés, hotels and restaurants) 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.

When it comes to equipment, you can take advantage of Verifone's modern, secure POS terminals, suitable for a variety of needs:

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

Addition Pay+ has been developed specifically to meet the needs of restaurant and hotel operators, as demonstrated by its support for all meal voucher 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. The terminals support a wide range of payment methods, from traditional bank cards to dematerialised luncheon vouchers (Sodexo, Edenred, Swile, etc.) and contactless cards.

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

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

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

  • Quick release of funds. After a transaction, you 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 payment.

  • Specialisation 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 stand out for their accessibility and features that are perfectly suited to small and medium-sized businesses, whether they are sedentary or mobile.

With myPOS, you can quickly and securely accept payments made with any type of card, all very simply and with no monthly subscription fees.

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

  • myPOS Go 2, standalone and economical (it doesn't need a smartphone to operate and costs just €25!) ;
  • myPOS Go Combo, supplied with its own 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 all merchants' 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 is that the associated services are free: there are no recurring charges for using the terminals, and no compulsory rental contract! In fact, you only pay when customers make a transaction, which makes the offer very competitive.

  • Multi-purpose. As well as handling traditional payments, myPOS terminals can accept contactless payments via bank cards, smartphones equipped with Google Pay or Apple Pay, and electronic wallets.

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

  • Merchant account. You get a full merchant account (including a free Mastercard business card) so you can access your funds immediately after each sale.

  • Electronic receipts. myPOS offers the option of sending receipts by SMS or e-mail, eliminating the need to print tickets.

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

☹️ The disadvantages of myPOS

  • Complex transaction fees. If you don't pay a subscription fee, the charges for each transaction are sometimes 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

Revolut Reader is a mobile payment solution designed for small and medium-sized businesses that want 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, turning your smartphone or tablet into a payment terminal.

It also 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 is more economical than some of its competitors, since the commission deducted from European cards is 1% + €0.20. The machine itself is available at a one-off cost of €49.

  • Availability of funds. Once payments have been received, the 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 catalogue. Revolut Reader integrates a personalised product catalogue into the application, for faster processing of your sales.

  • Additional features. This solution includes some interesting additional features, such as tools for analysing your data and digital tip management.

☹️ The 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, the 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 the self-employed wishing to collect payments without the headache.

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

  • Mini Smile, the mini-reader you can take anywhere;
  • Smart Smile, a stand-alone Eftpos terminal for mobile use;
  • Super Smile, a stand-alone terminal with an integrated printer;
  • Maxi Smile, the traditional EFTPOS terminal, 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% personalised formula. What's more, the solution is available without commitment.

  • Quick to implement. This service is renowned for its ease of installation. You can subscribe online in just 10 minutes, and your terminals will be delivered within 72 hours in mainland France.

  • Fast payments. 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. The terminals (excluding Mini Smile) enable flexible and fluid tip management.

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

☹️ The disadvantages of Smile&Pay

  • Slightly high transaction fees. At 1.65% per standard transaction, the fees charged are high compared with those of other providers.

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

Square Terminal

Offered by financial services platform Square, Square Terminal is a stylish and easy-to-use all-in-one POS terminal that can meet 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 pick it up quickly, even if they're unfamiliar with this type of device.

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

😀 Square Terminal's key features and benefits

  • Transparent pricing. One of the major advantages of Square Terminal 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 it.

  • Top-quality customer support. Do you have a problem with your device? Square's support teams are available 24/7 by phone.

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

  • Comprehensive management system. As well as processing payments, Square Terminal integrates seamlessly with other Square software solutions, such as stock management, real-time sales reports and employee management. So you can centrally manage your business!

☹️ The disadvantages of Square Terminal

  • Fees on certain transactions. Although fees are fixed for standard transactions, they increase for certain payments (those made with cards from outside the EEA, for example).

  • Limited hardware expansion options. Unlike some more advanced terminals, Square Terminal does not have many hardware expansion options, such as accessories for large retail chains.

SumUp

🔎 Introducing SumUp

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

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

  • Solo Lite, which works 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 the main 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 are only subject to fixed transaction costs for each payment accepted, amounting to 1.75%.

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

  • Easy configuration. The EFTPOS terminals are quick to set up, and there are online guides to help you along the way.

  • 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 its additional features such as catalogue creation and transaction tracking.

☹️ SumUp's drawbacks

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

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

Yavin

Yavin are complete, next-generation terminals designed specifically for retailers who want to modernise their customers' payment experience. They offer advanced functionalities and a wide range of 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 collect directly from your smartphone.

Note that Yavin is a 100% French company, with more than 10,000 POS terminals deployed to its credit.

😀 Yavin's key features and benefits

  • Variety of offering. Thanks to the many devices and applications available, Yavin is aimed at all professionals, across all types of business sectors and company sizes.

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

  • Customisation of the solution. You can integrate your payment system with your cash register software, your accounting solution or your loyalty programmes, to optimise the management of your business.

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

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

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

☹️ The disadvantages of Yavin

  • Subscription. Unlike many of its competitors, Yavin requires users to take out a subscription. What's more, their pricing is not transparent on their website.

  • Android dependency. As the terminals are based on Android, these solutions will not be suitable for businesses that prefer to operate via another operating system.

Zettle

🔎 Introducing Zettle

PayPal needs no introduction, but 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 supplied with printer and dock.

The devices accept many 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 a subscription, Zettle only charges a fee per transaction, amounting to 1.75% for card payments and 2.5% for using a payment link.

  • Integrated checkout application. This complete solution includes an integrated checkout 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 catalogue, for example).

  • Simple installation. The Zettle EFTPOS terminal is quick to learn, even if you're not used to this type of device.

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

  • Printer accessory. You can add a printer to issue physical receipts if required.

☹️ The disadvantages of Zettle

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

  • One-off transaction fees. Although the 1.75% commission is easy to understand, it can become more expensive in the long run for businesses handling a high volume of transactions.

Summary table of the best payment terminals

Payment terminal Eftpos terminal price Subscription Commission Payment methods accepted Cash register software compatibility Payment times
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 using NFC cards or accessories, smart cards or magnetic stripe cards 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 From the next day
Smile&Pay From €39 Subscription fee of €35/month or €348/year for the Premium offer From 0.65% (for the 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 working 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 working 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 Unknown No information
  • No contact
  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • Maestro
  • Apple Pay
  • Google Pay
  • Amex
  • Alma
  • And many more...
No information
Zettle From €199 1.75% per transaction Accepts contactless payments, all major payment cards and Apple, Google and Samsung Pay 1 to 2 working days

💡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 that transactions are profitable. So ask yourself which Eftpos terminal has the lowest charges, since some offer no-subscription options, or more or less advantageous commission costs.

  • Mobility. If you need to collect cash away from your point of sale, for example at events, the best mobile payment terminal is one with Bluetooth, 4G or Wi-Fi connectivity, to ensure 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 staff to get to grips with.

  • Customer service and support. Choose a supplier with a customer service team that is available and responsive, so that any technical problems can be resolved quickly.

What about the Eftpos terminal?

Eftpos terminals, generally from Verifone or Ingenico, are appreciated for their reliability and security, as they comply with the strict standards imposed by financial institutions. What's more, banks provide their customers with effective 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 will you have to pay monthly subscription fees, but you may also have to pay higher commissions. In fact, these terminals become advantageous as soon as you make a large number of collections (more than €10,000 per month) and it is then possible to negotiate a low direct debit percentage (less than 1%).

☝️ It's also worth remembering that modern solutions benefit from greater compatibility with third-party applications (cash register software, marketing tools, etc.), which is very useful for centralising operations in small organisations.

Article translated from French