mPOS — How to Choose the Right Mobile POS System

mPOS — How to Choose the Right Mobile POS System
Take credit card payments on the go with a mobile point-of-sale. Here's what to look for in a mobile POS and how to choose the best mPOS for your business
by square Dec 30, 2016 — 2 min read
mPOS — How to Choose the Right Mobile POS System

What is mPOS (mobile point of sale)?

An mPOS or mobile POS is a portable point of sale (POS) on a smartphone or tablet that functions as a register for taking payments. A mobile POS system is an ideal way for businesses such as food trucks, home and repair services, market stalls, etc. to take credit card payments on the go.

How Does mPOS Work?

By selecting mPOS software for your business, you can download the POS app, connect your reader to a mobile device and start taking payments instantly.

Choosing the right mobile POS system for your business

When shopping for the best mobile POS for your business, look for one that is secure, easy to use and affordable.

Security

A secure mPOS is PCI compliant, lets you take encrypted payments like chip cards and NFC payments like Apple Pay and offers chargeback protection to fight payment disputes on your behalf. (Square offers free chargeback protection on eligible chargebacks up to £250 per month, and has no PCI-compliance fees.)

Simplicity

Look for a mobile POS system that’s simple to use with an intuitive interface so it’s easy to get employees trained quickly.

Affordability

It’s important for your mobile POS to be affordable, so make sure you know what you’ll be paying. In addition to hardware costs and the processing fee for each credit card transaction, there could be other fees to be aware of. For example, some mPOS companies charge monthly fees as well as other costs. (Square doesn’t have any monthly fees or hidden costs.)

How Square revolutionised the mPOS industry

Square started with the simple idea that everyone should be able to accept credit cards. Even now, many mobile businesses remain “cash only” because standard POS terminals are clunky and certainly not portable. Plus, signing up with a traditional credit card payment processor can be prohibitively expensive, especially for seasonal or micro businesses. Square is here to provide an alternative option.

We make mobile POS software and compatible hardware that work together seamlessly, allowing sellers to take debit and credit card payments on the go.

Affordable mPOS solutions for any business

Square charges just 1.75% for chip and PIN, contactless and mobile paymemts like Apple and Samsung Pay. There are no monthly fees, commitments or surprises.

Start accepting payments with your Square mPOS

  1. Sign up for your free account and then download our free POS app, a powerful point of sale that’s easy to use.
  2. Key in credit card payments at 2.5% per transaction, or use a reader for lower rates (1.75%) and protection against eligible chargebacks.
  3. For chip and PIN cards or contactless payments like Apple Pay, make sure your Square Reader is paired with your mobile device. Select an item from the item library, or key in an amount and tap Charge. Then insert the chip card in the slot or have your customer touch the device to the reader for an NFC payment.

A POS that plays nice with others

Square’s mobile POS system integrates beautifully with third-party apps to help you run your entire business on the go or in your back office. Simplify your accounting with Xero. E-commerce integrations are easy with BigCommerce. If you need a custom mPOS, you can work with developers to create a tailored solution for your business using our Point of Sale API.

Is a mobile POS the right solution for your business?

Mobile POS systems are ideal for businesses on the go that want to take credit card payments, such as food trucks, plumbers, landscape architects, mobile beauty businesses, electricians, movers and artisans at craft fairs, among others.

Now you know what you need to consider when choosing the right mPOS for your business.

square
The square Editorial Team is dedicated to telling stories of business, for business owners. Our team comes from a variety of backgrounds and share a passion for providing information that helps businesses to start, run, and grow. The team is based in San Francisco, but has collaborators all over the country.

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