Smartphone or a real terminal? It’s one of the questions we’re asked most often. The answer isn’t “one is better than the other”: it depends on how you work. Answer these three questions and you’ll know in a minute.
Question 1: how many sales do you make a day?
Few, or irregularly (a few call-outs, one market a month): Tap to Pay is perfect. No extra device, and with 1pay.ch one device is included free in every plan.
Lots, every day (shop, bar, kiosk): a dedicated terminal is more practical. It doesn’t drain your phone, doesn’t interrupt you with calls and messages, and always stays on the counter.
Question 2: do you need a printed receipt?
If your customers ask for a paper receipt (hospitality, businesses that need to justify the expense), choose a terminal with a printer, such as the Nexgo N86, the most complete model offered by 1pay.ch. If an email receipt is enough, Tap to Pay or the compact terminal are just fine.
Question 3: how many people take payments?
If two or three of you take turns at the till, a shared terminal saves someone from having to use their personal phone. If you work alone, your smartphone is already your terminal.
In short
Tap to Pay: no fixed costs, ideal for low volumes and for people on the move. POS terminal: CHF 25.- a month (SIM included), ideal if you take payments all day or want a printed receipt.
Tap to Pay and terminal compared
| Tap to Pay | POS terminal | |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware | Your Android smartphone | Dedicated terminal |
| Fixed cost | Free on one device | CHF 25.- a month, SIM included |
| Paper receipt | No (email receipt) | Yes, with the printer model |
| TWINT | Yes, with a QR code for the exact amount | Yes, on the terminal |
| Fees | In-person (like the terminal) | In-person |
| Best for | Few payments, working on the move | Counter, payments all day |
The exact fees for each plan, at the terminal and with Tap to Pay, are on the Pricing page. If you take a lot of payments, read Free plan or monthly fee? When to move to Small, Medium or Large as well.
What if I want both?
You can, and many do: a terminal in the shop, Tap to Pay for deliveries or for fairs and markets. With 1pay.ch every payment ends up in the same admin area, with one contract and one payout to your account.
Not sure which to choose?
Tell us how you work: in five minutes on the phone we’ll tell you whether your smartphone is enough or you need a terminal.
Phone +41 91 857 47 37 · WhatsApp +41 79 857 47 37 · info@1pay.ch
Start with Tap to Pay, free
Sign up with no upfront costs. If you need a terminal later, you can add it whenever you like.
