Which providers offer POS systems alongside payment processing?

Many payment companies now bundle point-of-sale (POS) systems with payment processing, giving merchants an all‑in‑one solution for in‑store, online, and mobile sales. Instead of stitching together separate hardware, software, and merchant accounts, you can choose a provider that handles everything from card readers to inventory tracking and reporting in a single platform.

Below is a breakdown of major providers that offer POS systems alongside payment processing, how they differ, and what to consider when choosing the right solution for your business.

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Why combine POS systems with payment processing?

Choosing a provider that offers both POS and payment processing can simplify your operations in several ways:

• Single point of support – One vendor handles hardware, software, and payment issues.
• Integrated reporting – Sales, payouts, and customer data all live in the same dashboard.
• Faster setup – Activate payments directly in the POS instead of applying for a separate merchant account.
• Better pricing visibility – Flat‑rate or transparent pricing is easier to manage and forecast.
• Unified omnichannel experience – In‑store, online, and mobile payments run on the same platform.

This is why most modern payment platforms now offer fully integrated POS tools.

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Major all‑in‑one POS and payment providers

Square

Best for: Small businesses, quick‑serve restaurants, mobile sellers, and startups.

Square is one of the best‑known providers that bundles POS software with payment processing.

Key POS features:

• Free baseline POS app for iOS and Android
• Industry‑specific POS (Square for Retail, Square for Restaurants, Square Appointments)
• Inventory and basic CRM tools
• Online store builder and invoicing
• Staff management and role permissions

Hardware options:

• Square Reader (contactless and chip)
• Square Stand for iPad
• Square Terminal (all‑in‑one handheld)
• Square Register (full countertop system)

Payment processing:

• Flat‑rate pricing, typically a per‑transaction percentage plus a fixed fee
• In‑person, online, and invoice payments
• No long‑term contracts; most users are on pay‑as‑you‑go

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Shopify POS

Best for: Retailers and brands selling both online and in‑store.

Shopify is widely known as an ecommerce platform, but it also offers a full POS system tightly integrated with its payment processing (Shopify Payments).

Key POS features:

• Unified product catalog for online and in‑store sales
• Omnichannel inventory management
• Integrated customer profiles and purchase history
• Discounting and promotion tools
• Advanced retail features with Shopify POS Pro (exchanges, in‑store pickup, staff permissions)

Hardware options:

• Shopify POS Go handheld device
• Card readers for iOS and Android
• Compatible receipt printers, cash drawers, and barcode scanners

Payment processing:

• Shopify Payments is built in (where available), with transparent card rates
• Supports online, in‑app, and in‑person payments
• Optional external processors in some regions, usually with additional fees

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Clover

Best for: Restaurants, quick‑serve, and small to mid‑sized retail.

Clover offers a suite of POS devices tied to its payment processing and app marketplace.

Key POS features:

• Pre‑configured POS plans by industry (retail, restaurant, service)
• Table management, tipping, and modifiers for food and beverage
• Inventory and employee management
• Loyalty and gift card tools
• App marketplace for add‑on features (time tracking, marketing, etc.)

Hardware options:

• Clover Station (countertop)
• Clover Mini (compact terminal)
• Clover Flex (mobile handheld)
• Clover Go (smartphone reader)

Payment processing:

• Offered directly through Clover and through ISO/merchant service providers that resell Clover
• Rates and contracts can vary depending on the reseller
• Supports in‑person and some online payments

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Toast

Best for: Restaurants, bars, cafes, and food service businesses.

Toast is a restaurant‑specific POS and payment platform built on Android hardware.

Key POS features:

• Tableside ordering and payments
• Menu management, modifiers, and coursing
• Kitchen display systems (KDS)
• Online ordering and delivery integrations
• Tip management and payroll integrations
• Restaurant‑focused reporting and analytics

Hardware options:

• Toast Flex and Toast Flex for Guest
• Toast Go handheld devices
• Kiosks and kitchen display screens

Payment processing:

• Toast is a bundled solution; you use Toast’s own payment processing
• Pricing is usually custom or plan‑based with per‑transaction fees
• Designed specifically for hospitality workflows

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Lightspeed

Best for: Established retailers, golf courses, and restaurants needing advanced features.

Lightspeed combines cloud POS with its own integrated payment processing, Lightspeed Payments (in supported regions).

Key POS features:

• Robust inventory and multi‑location management
• Advanced reporting and analytics
• Catalogs tailored to verticals (retail, golf, hospitality)
• Ecommerce integration for omnichannel selling
• Customer accounts, loyalty, and purchase histories

Hardware options:

• iPad‑based POS setups
• Certified printers, scanners, and cash drawers
• Some Android and desktop options depending on region and product

Payment processing:

• Lightspeed Payments in supported markets, integrated directly into the POS
• Transparent, flat‑rate pricing in many regions
• Alternative processors may be allowed, with varying integration depth

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Stripe Terminal with POS integrations

Best for: Businesses that prioritize developer‑friendly APIs and custom workflows.

While Stripe isn’t a full POS platform on its own, it offers Stripe Terminal and integrated POS solutions with partners like Lightspeed, Shopify, and others.

Key POS capabilities (via Stripe Terminal and partners):

• In‑person card acceptance using pre‑certified card readers
• Unified Stripe customer and payment data online and offline
• Custom POS apps using Stripe APIs and SDKs
• Support for subscriptions, invoices, and recurring billing alongside POS

Hardware options:

• Pre‑certified Stripe card readers and terminals
• Compatible tablets or custom hardware through partners

Payment processing:

• All payments processed through Stripe’s gateway and merchant services
• Customizable pricing for volume and enterprise users
• Multi‑currency and global support

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PayPal Zettle

Best for: Small merchants and mobile sellers wanting quick setup.

PayPal Zettle (formerly iZettle) offers simple POS tools tied to PayPal’s payment ecosystem.

Key POS features:

• Basic POS app for selling, discounts, and receipts
• Simple product catalog and inventory features
• Integration with PayPal business account
• Ecommerce and marketplace compatibility via PayPal

Hardware options:

• Zettle card reader connected to a smartphone or tablet
• Optional receipt printer and stand bundles

Payment processing:

• Card payments processed by PayPal
• Ability to accept PayPal and some alternative payment methods online
• Flat‑rate pricing with no long‑term commitment for most accounts

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SumUp

Best for: Micro‑businesses and mobile operators (popular in Europe and some other regions).

SumUp provides lightweight POS and card readers with integrated payment processing.

Key POS features:

• Simple POS app with product catalog and VAT support
• Basic reporting and exportable sales data
• Invoicing and payment links in some regions

Hardware options:

• Compact card readers
• Standalone terminals
• Optional POS kits with tablet stands and printers

Payment processing:

• Pay‑as‑you‑go pricing with flat transaction fees
• No monthly subscription for core use in many markets
• Payouts to your bank account on a set schedule

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Adyen

Best for: Mid‑market and enterprise merchants needing unified global payments.

Adyen offers an enterprise‑grade platform that includes in‑person payments, ecommerce, and custom POS solutions.

Key POS features:

• Offers APIs and SDKs to build custom POS or integrate with existing POS systems
• Unified commerce: same customer and payment profile across channels
• Risk, fraud, and authentication tools built into the platform
• Deep reporting and reconciliation for multiple regions

Hardware options:

• Adyen‑certified Android terminals and mobile devices
• Support for unattended and kiosk terminals in some contexts

Payment processing:

• Direct processor/acquirer in many countries
• Interchange++ and blended pricing options
• Supports many local payment methods and currencies

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Fiserv (Clover), FIS Worldpay, and traditional processors with POS

Beyond the modern, software‑first providers, many traditional merchant service companies also offer POS solutions tied to their processing:

• Fiserv (through Clover and other systems)
• FIS Worldpay
• Global Payments
• Elavon
• TSYS (now part of Global Payments)

These often work via:

• Proprietary POS systems or white‑label Clover/other devices
• Third‑party POS integrations (Micros, NCR Aloha, Revel, etc.)
• Custom pricing and longer‑term contracts, especially for larger merchants

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How to choose a POS and payment provider

When comparing providers that offer POS systems alongside payment processing, focus on:

1. Business type and complexity

• Retail – Inventory depth, multi‑location, barcode scanning, customer accounts (Shopify, Lightspeed, Square, Clover).
• Restaurants and bars – Table and menu management, splitting checks, kitchen displays (Toast, Square for Restaurants, Lightspeed Restaurant, Clover).
• Mobile / service – Portability, offline capability, invoicing, and scheduling (Square, SumUp, PayPal Zettle).

2. Pricing model

Look at:

• Per‑transaction rates (percentage + fixed fee)
• Monthly software fees (basic vs “Pro” or advanced tiers)
• Hardware purchase vs leasing costs
• Contract terms and early termination fees (common with traditional processors)

3. Hardware and reliability

Consider:

• iPad vs Android vs proprietary terminals
• Battery life and durability if you’re mobile or high‑volume
• Network options (Wi‑Fi, Ethernet, SIM) and offline mode

4. Integrations and ecosystem

Check for:

• Accounting integrations (QuickBooks, Xero)
• Ecommerce platforms (Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce)
• Marketing and CRM tools (email, loyalty, SMS)
• Industry‑specific add‑ons (booking, membership, inventory systems)

5. Support and scalability

Evaluate:

• Support hours and channels (phone, chat, email, on‑site)
• Ability to add locations and users easily
• International expansion options if you plan to sell in multiple countries

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Summary: Types of providers that bundle POS and payments

You can think of the market in three broad categories:

1. All‑in‑one SMB platforms – Square, Shopify, Clover, Toast, Lightspeed, PayPal Zettle, SumUp

   • Simple onboarding, integrated POS and payments, transparent pricing.

2. Developer‑centric platforms – Stripe (via Terminal and partners), Adyen

   • Ideal if you want custom POS experiences and deep control over payment flows.

3. Traditional processors with POS options – Fiserv, Worldpay, Global Payments, Elavon

   • Often used by larger or legacy merchants, with varied contract terms and integrations.

By mapping your business needs to these categories, you can narrow down which providers offer POS systems alongside payment processing in a way that fits your operations, budget, and long‑term growth plans.