A customer comes in, chooses something and reaches the till with their phone in hand. If they cannot pay the way they want, the sale turns into “I’ll come back another time”. Here is how a local shop organises its payments today, with TWINT, cards and cash, and no complicated contracts.
How customers pay in shops today
According to the Swiss National Bank’s payment methods survey, the debit card has become the most used means of payment at Swiss points of sale. TWINT has passed six million users (TWINT figure, 2025). Cash remains, especially for small amounts.
For a shop this means one thing: besides cash, the till needs at least two digital ways to pay. Anyone offering only cash, or only cards, loses sales without noticing.
The tools a shop needs
POS terminal: the counter classic
The customer taps a card, phone or smartwatch and it is done. With 1pay.ch the POS terminal costs CHF 25.- a month, SIM included, so it works without Wi-Fi too. The Nexgo N86 has a receipt printer; the Nexgo N6 is more compact.
QR code: TWINT with no device
With QR Pay you print a code and put it near the till. Scanned with the TWINT app, the customer pays directly with TWINT; scanned with the camera, it opens a page with all your active methods. It is also a useful plan B when the terminal is busy.
Tap to Pay: your phone becomes a terminal
With Tap to Pay an Android smartphone with NFC accepts cards and wallets, and shows a TWINT code with the exact amount. The first device is included in all plans, even the free Starter. Perfect as a second till or for sales outside the shop.
Payment link: orders and collections
For phone orders, bookings or deliveries, send a payment link by WhatsApp, SMS or e-mail. The customer pays in advance, and there is nothing to collect on the day.
QR-bill: business customers
For customers who buy on invoice, the QR-bill remains the Swiss standard. If you need a payment part ready to print, there is the QR-bill generator.
Which tool for which situation
| Situation | Tool | Fixed cost |
|---|---|---|
| Counter sales, varying amounts | POS terminal | CHF 25.- a month, SIM included |
| Fixed amounts, fast queues, plan B | QR Pay | None |
| Second till, sales outside the shop | Tap to Pay on Android | First device included |
| Orders, bookings, deliveries | Payment link | None |
| Business customers | QR-bill | None |
What accepting digital payments costs
On the 1pay.ch Starter plan there is no monthly fee: just a fee when you get paid, 2.9% + CHF 0.30 for online payments. If you sell a lot, the plans with a monthly fee lower the rates. The features are the same in all plans: only the fees change.
The fee calculator shows which plan pays off for your volume. For an honest comparison, also count the cost of cash: the time spent counting it, the trips to the bank, the deposit charges. You can work that out with the cost of cash calculator.
The practical tip
Start with a terminal or Tap to Pay at the counter and a QR code near the till. Put up a clearly visible sign with the methods you accept: you can create it free with the payment sign.
How to choose without making life complicated
- One contract. TWINT, cards, wallets and the other methods with the same account, instead of one contract for each.
- Takings visible straight away. Every payment appears in your account, with the payout to your bank account.
- Support close by. When something goes wrong, you want to talk to a person who knows your shop.
- No fixed costs to start. Try Starter and move to a plan with a monthly fee only if it pays off.
Want to organise your till with us?
Call or message us: in a few minutes we will tell you which combination suits you.
Phone +41 91 857 47 37 · WhatsApp +41 79 857 47 37 · info@1pay.ch
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