POS
POS (Point of Sale) refers to the physical location where a sales transaction takes place — as well as the card terminal that processes the payment on site.
POS (Point of Sale)
POS (point of sale) refers to both the physical location of a transaction (cash register, counter, food truck) and the card terminal that processes the payment. In modern usage, POS usually refers to the card terminal or the entire POS system.
POS terminals process contactless payments (NFC), chip and PIN payments, TWINT (by QR code or NFC) and increasingly also mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay). In Switzerland, various providers offer POS terminals — from Worldline and SumUp to Payrexx (Nexgo N6 and N86).
In addition to classic hardware terminals, there is Tap to Pay (softPOS): here, an NFC-enabled smartphone is used as a card terminal — without any additional hardware. This solution is particularly suitable for mobile business models such as food trucks, craftsmen and personal trainers.
POS examples
A restaurant uses a stationary POS terminal at the checkout. Guests pay contactlessly by card or TWINT.
A food truck operator uses Tap to Pay on their iPhone — customers hold their card to the smartphone.
A retailer connects their POS terminal to the POS system (Lightspeed, ready2order) so that payments are automatically assigned to sales.
POS FAQ
What is POS?
POS (Point of Sale) refers to the physical point of sale and the card terminal that processes payments on-site. Modern POS terminals support contactless payments (NFC), chip and PIN, and mobile wallets.
What is Tap to Pay (softPOS)?
Tap to Pay uses an NFC-enabled smartphone as a card terminal — without additional hardware. Customers hold their card or their smartphone to the merchant's smartphone, and the payment is processed.
How much does a POS terminal cost in Switzerland?
POS terminals can be rented (CHF 25/month) or purchased. In addition, there are transaction fees: debit cards 0.95% + CHF 0.15, credit cards 1.25% + CHF 0.15. Tap to Pay requires no hardware costs.
Which payment methods does a POS terminal accept?
Modern POS terminals accept Visa, Mastercard, debit cards, TWINT, Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay — all via contactless NFC payment or chip-and-PIN.
