{"id":13051,"date":"2026-11-14T14:15:00","date_gmt":"2026-11-14T13:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.1pay.ch\/?p=13051"},"modified":"2026-11-14T16:09:02","modified_gmt":"2026-11-14T15:09:02","slug":"tap-to-pay-or-pos-terminal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.1pay.ch\/en\/tap-to-pay-or-pos-terminal\/","title":{"rendered":"Tap to Pay or a POS terminal: which one? Three questions"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n

Question 1: how many sales do you make a day?<\/h2>\n

Few, or irregularly<\/strong> (a few call-outs, one market a month): Tap to Pay<\/a> is perfect. No extra device, and with 1pay.ch one device is included free in every plan.<\/p>\n

Lots, every day<\/strong> (shop<\/a>, bar<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n

Question 2: do you need a printed receipt?<\/h2>\n

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<\/a>, the most complete model offered by 1pay.ch. If an email receipt is enough, Tap to Pay or the compact terminal are just fine.<\/p>\n

Question 3: how many people take payments?<\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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In short<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Tap to Pay and terminal compared<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/th>\nTap to Pay<\/th>\nPOS terminal<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Hardware<\/td>\nYour Android smartphone<\/td>\nDedicated terminal<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fixed cost<\/td>\nFree on one device<\/td>\nCHF 25.- a month, SIM included<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Paper receipt<\/td>\nNo (email receipt)<\/td>\nYes, with the printer model<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
TWINT<\/td>\nYes, with a QR code for the exact amount<\/td>\nYes, on the terminal<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fees<\/td>\nIn-person (like the terminal)<\/td>\nIn-person<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Best for<\/td>\nFew payments, working on the move<\/td>\nCounter, payments all day<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

The exact fees for each plan, at the terminal and with Tap to Pay, are on the Pricing<\/a> page. If you take a lot of payments, read Free plan or monthly fee? When to move to Small, Medium or Large<\/a> as well.<\/p>\n

What if I want both?<\/h2>\n

You can, and many do: a terminal in the shop, Tap to Pay for deliveries or for fairs and markets<\/a>. With 1pay.ch every payment ends up in the same admin area, with one contract and one payout to your account.<\/p>\n

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Not sure which to choose?<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Phone<\/strong> +41 91 857 47 37<\/a> \u00b7 WhatsApp<\/strong> +41 79 857 47 37<\/a> \u00b7 info@1pay.ch<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Start with Tap to Pay, free<\/p>\n

Sign up with no upfront costs. If you need a terminal later, you can add it whenever you like.<\/p>\n

Sign up for free<\/a><\/div>\n

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