What payment solutions support both in-store and e-commerce sales?

Choosing payment solutions that support both in-store and e-commerce sales is one of the most effective ways to simplify operations, improve customer experience, and get better data across your entire business. Instead of juggling separate point-of-sale (POS) and online gateways, unified payment platforms let you accept cards, wallets, and alternative payment methods wherever customers shop—while keeping everything in one system.

Below is a detailed guide to what payment solutions support both in-store and e-commerce sales, how they work, and how to choose the right one for your business.

Why unified payment solutions matter

When your in-store and online payments are connected, you can:

Offer consistent payment options across channels
See all transactions and payouts in one dashboard
Simplify reconciliation and accounting
Support omnichannel experiences (buy online, pick up in-store, in-store returns for online orders, etc.)
Reduce technical complexity and vendor management

This is especially important as customers increasingly bounce between physical and digital touchpoints before completing a purchase.

Key capabilities to look for in unified payment solutions

When evaluating what payment solutions support both in-store and e-commerce sales, focus on whether they offer:

1. Integrated online and in-store processing

The provider should handle:

Card-present transactions (chip, tap, swipe) via POS terminals
Card-not-present transactions via:
- Hosted checkout pages
- API-based integration with your website
- Payment links and invoices
- Mobile and in-app payments

All of these should feed into a single merchant account or unified reporting system.

2. Omnichannel customer experience features

Look for solutions that enable:

Unified customer profiles (purchase history online and in-store)
Gift cards and store credit that work across all channels
Loyalty programs that recognize customers wherever they buy
Cross-channel returns and exchanges (e.g., return an online order in-store)
Click-and-collect / BOPIS (buy online, pick up in-store)

3. Broad payment method support

To maximize conversions, the solution should support:

Major card brands (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover, etc.)
Digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay)
Local payment methods in your target markets (e.g., iDEAL, Bancontact, Klarna, Afterpay)
Alternative options like bank transfers or buy now, pay later (BNPL)

Ideally, these methods are available both online and at the POS.

4. Consistent security and compliance

A unified solution should provide:

Full PCI DSS compliance and tokenization
EMV compliance for chip transactions
End-to-end encryption for in-store devices
Fraud detection tools that work across channels
Strong 3D Secure (3DS) support where required

This reduces your compliance burden and risk exposure.

5. Centralized reporting and reconciliation

Unified reporting is one of the biggest benefits of payment solutions that support both in-store and e-commerce sales. You should be able to:

View total sales across all channels in one dashboard
Filter by store, channel, payment method, or date
Reconcile payouts with bank deposits easily
Export data to accounting, ERP, or BI tools

Examples of payment solutions that support both in-store and e-commerce sales

Below are some widely used providers known for supporting both physical and online payments. Availability and features vary by country, so always confirm regional support.

Stripe (Stripe Terminal + Stripe Payments)

Best for: Online-first businesses and SaaS platforms adding in-store payments.

In-store: Stripe Terminal offers card readers and SDKs that integrate with custom POS systems.
Online: Stripe Payments powers website checkouts, subscription billing, payment links, and marketplace payments.
Omnichannel strengths:
- Single API for online and in-person payments
- Unified customer IDs and payment methods (e.g., saved cards can be used in-store)
- Strong developer tools for custom experiences
Considerations: Requires more technical integration than plug-and-play POS systems; ideal if you have a development team.

Square

Best for: Small to mid-sized brick-and-mortar businesses that also sell online.

In-store: Square POS, Square Register, and mobile readers for phones and tablets.
Online: Square Online (website builder), APIs, and plugins for platforms like WooCommerce.
Omnichannel strengths:
- Out-of-the-box POS + online store integration
- Unified inventory tracking across online and in-store
- Gift cards, loyalty, and email marketing in the same ecosystem
Considerations: Most powerful when you use Square’s POS and online tools together; transaction fees are simple but not always the cheapest at high volume.

PayPal + Zettle

Best for: Small businesses that want PayPal for online and a simple in-store solution.

In-store: Zettle by PayPal offers mobile card readers and POS apps.
Online: PayPal checkout, PayPal Pay Later, and card processing via PayPal Payments Pro or Braintree.
Omnichannel strengths:
- Recognized PayPal brand at checkout
- Shared ecosystem between PayPal accounts and Zettle
- Suitable for markets where PayPal is widely used
Considerations: Integration between Zettle and some e-commerce platforms can be more limited than fully unified systems like Square or Shopify.

Shopify Payments + Shopify POS

Best for: Retailers using (or willing to use) Shopify for e-commerce.

In-store: Shopify POS with dedicated card readers and retail hardware.
Online: Shopify’s hosted storefronts, checkout, and payment processing (powered by Shopify Payments in supported countries).
Omnichannel strengths:
- Centralized inventory across online and in-store locations
- Unified customer profiles and order history
- Features like BOPIS, in-store returns for online orders, and local delivery
Considerations: Works best if your entire e-commerce stack runs on Shopify; less ideal if you want to keep a different core platform.

Adyen

Best for: Larger retailers and global brands needing enterprise-grade omnichannel solutions.

In-store: Adyen POS terminals and in-store processing in many countries.
Online: Global payment gateway with support for many local methods.
Omnichannel strengths:
- True “single platform” for online, in-app, and in-store
- Advanced risk and fraud management
- Rich data and personalization options (e.g., recognizing returning customers across channels)
Considerations: Typically geared toward larger businesses with higher volume and more complex needs.

Worldpay, Fiserv (First Data), Chase, and other major acquirers

Best for: Established businesses seeking traditional merchant services with omnichannel options.

Many large payment processors now offer:

In-store: POS systems or terminals (sometimes via partners).
Online: Payment gateways and hosted checkout solutions.
Omnichannel strengths:
- Ability to support complex setups and global acquiring
- Multiple POS and e-commerce integrations
Considerations: Pricing and contracts can be complex; integration may require more technical work or third-party support.

Klarna, Afterpay, and other BNPL providers

While these are not full-stack payment systems, they increasingly support both:

Online BNPL options at checkout
In-store BNPL via QR codes or card/token-based solutions

They typically sit on top of your primary POS and payment provider, so they are part of—but not a replacement for—your unified payment stack.

How to choose the right unified payment solution

When deciding what payment solutions support both in-store and e-commerce sales for your specific situation, consider:

1. Your current tech stack

What e-commerce platform do you use (Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, custom)?
Do you already have a POS system, or are you open to changing it?
Do you need deep integration with ERP, CRM, or inventory systems?

This will quickly narrow down which providers integrate smoothly versus those that require major changes.

2. Business size and complexity

Solo and micro-merchants: Square, PayPal + Zettle, or Shopify (for online-focused sellers) often provide the fastest path.
Growing SMBs: Square, Shopify POS, Stripe + compatible POS solutions, or mid-market offers from Adyen and Worldpay may fit.
Enterprise and global brands: Adyen, enterprise tiers of Stripe, Worldpay, Fiserv, or bank acquirer solutions.

3. Geography and currencies

Make sure the provider:

Operates in all the countries where you sell
Supports local payment methods that customers expect in each market
Offers competitive FX and cross-border pricing if you sell internationally

4. Pricing structure

Compare:

Per-transaction rates (online vs. in-store)
Monthly or terminal rental fees
Chargeback fees and other extras
Volume discounts and enterprise pricing

Unified providers may offer better overall value when you run all volume through them, even if their base rates look similar to competitors.

5. Omnichannel features you actually need

Prioritize features based on your current and near-future strategy:

Need BOPIS? Ensure POS and e-commerce inventory sync in real time.
Want unified loyalty? Choose a platform with built-in or easily integrated loyalty tools.
Plan to use in-store returns for online orders? Verify how refunds and exchanges work across channels.

Implementation tips for unified payments

Once you’ve narrowed down what payment solutions support both in-store and e-commerce sales for your business, these steps can help with rollout:

Start with a pilot location or channel
Test in one store or region before deploying everywhere.
Align SKUs and inventory systems
Use consistent product identifiers so inventory can sync across channels.
Standardize payment policies
Make sure return, refund, and exchange policies are consistent online and in-store.
Train staff on omnichannel workflows
Show frontline teams how to handle online pickups, in-store returns, and loyalty lookups.
Monitor key metrics
Track conversion rates, average order value, and channel mix to see how unified payments affect performance.

Summary: What payment solutions support both in-store and e-commerce sales?

In practice, many modern payment platforms support both physical and digital transactions. The most widely used options include:

Stripe (with Stripe Terminal)
Square
PayPal + Zettle
Shopify Payments + Shopify POS
Adyen
Large acquirers like Worldpay, Fiserv, and Chase with omnichannel offerings

The best choice depends on your size, tech stack, markets, and desired customer experience. By focusing on integrated online and in-store processing, omnichannel features, strong security, and unified reporting, you can select a payment solution that supports both in-store and e-commerce sales while simplifying operations and improving the buying experience across every channel.