Physical POS

What is a physical POS?

A physical POS (Point of Sale Terminal), commonly known as a physical card terminal, is a device used in stores to accept in-person payments. It is the standard system in physical shops, restaurants, and businesses with direct customer service, where the transaction takes place on-site.

How does a physical POS work?

The payment process with a physical POS takes just a few seconds and follows these steps:

• The customer inserts the card into the terminal (EMV chip), swipes it through the magnetic stripe, or makes a contactless payment (NFC).
• The POS encrypts the transaction information and sends it to the acquiring bank via the payment processor.
• The card network (as Visa or Mastercard) connects with the customer’s issuing bank to request authorization.
• The issuing bank validates the transaction and returns an approval or denial response.
• The physical POS displays the transaction result in real time and, if applicable, prints or sends a payment receipt.
  

Types of physical POS

There are different devices for in-person payments, adapted to the needs of each business:

Attended POS

Designed for environments with direct customer service, such as retail stores, hospitality, and restaurants, where staff assists the customer during payment.

Unattended POS

Ideal for self-service systems or locations without direct staff interaction, such as kiosks, gas stations, parking lots, or vending machines. These devices allow the customer to complete the purchase and payment autonomously and quickly.

Payment methods supported by a physical POS

PaynoPain physical POS devices support a wide range of payment methods. With over 50 payment options available, they adapt to both business needs and customer preferences. Main payment methods include:

• Credit and debit cards: Supports major brands like Visa and Mastercard.
• Contactless payments: Includes tap-to-pay from physical cards or mobile devices. Digital wallets such as Apple Pay or Google Pay are also supported.
• Local payment methods: Adapted to each country, such as Bizum in Spain or MB Way in Portugal, ensuring customers can pay in the most common and reliable way for their region.
  

Differences between physical POS and virtual POS

Understanding the difference between a physical POS and a virtual POS is essential for any business that wants to accept customer payments:

• Physical POS: Designed for in-person payments in stores, restaurants, hotels, or any physical establishment where the customer interacts directly with the terminal.
• Virtual POS: Designed for online payments in ecommerce, marketplaces, or any digital platform, meaning payments are made over the internet. It does not require a physical device at the point of sale, but rather an online version.