This page has an average rating of %r out of 5 stars based on a total of %t ratings
Reading Time 6 Minutes Reading Time 6 Minutes

Choosing the right payment terminal: a decision-making guide for SMEs in Switzerland

06.05.2026

You want to collect payments easily and securely, but the choice of payment terminals can quickly appear complex – especially when you’re evaluating a POS solution for the first time. This guide will help you find a tailored all-in solution for your company. After all, it’s not just a question of accepting card payments; it’s about reliable processes, transparent fees and dependable payments to your business account.

At a glance

  • The right terminal solution depends above all on the payment volume, place of use and business processes
  • Mobile terminals are suitable for use on the go or at customers’ tables, while stationary or hard-wired and securely mounted devices are designed for fixed checkout areas or counters
  • Depending on the situation, factors such as processing power, battery performance and display size are decisive when choosing a terminal
  • TWINT, debit cards and credit cards are now standard in many industries
     
Get non-binding advice

Why choosing a terminal is crucial

At first glance, a payment terminal looks like a simple device. But from a retailer’s perspective, it’s crucial that payments run smoothly, cost-efficiently and without errors. Many SMEs initially focus on the device and only realize in day-to-day operations that it’s not the terminal, but the entire set-up behind it that determines efficiency and costs.

A poorly chosen set-up often leads to:

  • Additional manual work
  • Checkout errors
  • Unclear invoicing
  • Delays in payouts
  • Lack of support services
  • No direct contact person
  • Loss of revenue due to missing payment methods (especially TWINT)
  • Unnecessary fees

It is therefore worth taking the time you need to choose the right overall solution.

The four key factors when choosing your payment terminal

Before deciding on a specific terminal, it’s worth taking a look at four fundamental factors. 

Transactions

The number of transactions determines what level of processing power and battery performance your terminal needs. The more transactions you record on your terminal, the higher the performance should be.

Payment volumes

Payment volumes, on the other hand, have an impact on the choice of cost model. For companies with fluctuating revenues, such as market stalls or seasonal operations, models without fixed monthly costs are often a sensible option, as costs are incurred primarily on a per-transaction basis. The situation is different for companies with steady transaction volumes, such as hair salons, bakeries, restaurants or retailers, as transaction fees soon add up here. In these cases, a model with fixed monthly costs and lower variable fees can be much cheaper in the long term.

Another important factor is the complexity of your processes.

Smaller businesses with a single checkout area and clear processes often only need a simple terminal without integration. Solutions like these are quick to set up, require little training and usually work immediately.

In growing companies, the situation is often different. Multiple employees, multiple checkout areas or high customer frequency lead to errors when entering amounts manually. Typical consequences are incorrect amounts, double entries or time-consuming reconciliation in accounting. In such cases, it’s worth integrating the terminal into the checkout system. That way, amounts are transferred automatically, errors are reduced and processes become much more efficient.

The location also influences the choice of a suitable terminal.

In companies with a fixed checkout area – for example, in the retail sector or bakeries – stability, speed and clear processes are the main focus. Terminals that are stationary or integrated into the checkout system are often used here.

The situation is different in sectors where payments are taken directly from customers. Mobile terminals offer clear advantages in the catering sector, for mobile services or at events. They enable payment collection directly at the table or at the customer’s premises and reduce unnecessary back-and-forth. Here, the terminal can also be used to place orders and as a mobile checkout. In this case, the display size is an important factor.

Useful to know

The terminal also needs to have sufficient battery power, especially when collecting payments in outdoor areas. 

Select the payment methods you need at your terminal. In Switzerland, debit cards, credit cards, mobile wallets and TWINT are standard today. TWINT, in particular, plays a key role in many industries – without this payment method, many SMEs would miss out on relevant revenue. The PostFinance Card is also a popular payment method in Switzerland. TWINT and the PostFinance Card are already preconfigured for PostFinance payment terminals, meaning that no additional contract needs to be concluded for these payment methods.

Go to the post “Which payment methods make sense for my online shop and which are not mandatory?”

Comparing costs correctly: fees, fixed costs and extras

Many SMEs underestimate the extent to which different fee models have an impact on overall costs. A realistic comparison therefore takes several factors into account.

1. Transaction fees (variable)

Transaction fees are charged for each payment. They usually consist of a percentage of the amount, although there is sometimes a minimum amount per transaction.

2. Fixed-cost models (basic monthly fee)

Fixed-cost models include a basic monthly fee per terminal. They are particularly attractive when the card payment volume is high and stable. From an annual volume of around 100,000 francs, models with fixed costs tend to be cheaper in the long term.

3. One-off costs (hardware and set-up)

There are also one-off costs for hardware and set-up, such as the purchase price of the terminal or accessories such as docking stations. These costs are usually less decisive than the ongoing fees – what matters most is that they are shown transparently.

4. Extras and hidden costs

Additional costs should also be taken into account. These include additional fees for certain payment methods, service and support packages or costs for export functions and accounting interfaces.

Practical examples for typical SME scenarios

Many entrepreneurs face the same question: which terminal and cost model is best suited to my day-to-day business? The following examples show typical real-life scenarios and the advantage of an all-in solution from PostFinance, i.e. it offers a terminal, payment processing and a business account from a single source.

Many card payments are processed daily in companies with stable customer volumes. Here, it’s often worth using a device with a docking station and a cost model with fixed monthly costs, as the transaction fees per payment are lower.

Terminal

A suitable terminal in this scenario is the PAX A920Pro. This device has a docking station and can print receipts thanks to its integrated receipt printer. 

Cost model

Many companies opt for the Checkout POS bundle. This model combines the terminal, payment methods and fee structure in a way that allows even large volumes of card payments to be processed efficiently.

Ideal for

Hairdressing salon, cosmetics studio, café, small retail outlet

In restaurants, payments are often made directly at the table. A mobile terminal makes this process easier.

Terminal

A typical device in this situation is the PAX A77, as it is lightweight, powerful and easy to handle.

Cost model

Checkout POS bundles are also frequently chosen in the catering sector, because it makes sense to combine fixed costs and lower transaction fees when there is a high payment volume.

Ideal for

Restaurants, bars, cafés or catering businesses with table service

Checkout POS bundle: the complete payment solution with a terminal and everything you need

When choosing a terminal, you should also compare the fees and services that are associated with it. PostFinance offers you comprehensive solutions – such as the Checkout POS bundle with these attractive conditions:

  • 25 percent discount on the payment terminal
  • Three years of free account management
  • PostFinance Card included
  • One contract for all relevant payment methods

Companies with multiple locations often work with integrated checkout systems. This is where the terminal is connected directly to the checkout.

Terminal

One example of this is the PAX A35, a compact terminal integrated into the checkout system. It is connected directly to the POS system and is particularly suitable for high transaction volumes.

Cost model

In such cases, Checkout Flex is often used. This model enables individual payment methods and flexible conditions for larger companies.

Ideal for

Retail chains, larger stores or branch operations

Disclaimer: The examples are intended solely as an initial guide and do not constitute conclusive recommendations. Individual needs and requirements should always be carefully considered. Our advisors will be happy to help you at any time should you require any personal advice or support with your selection.

A brief overview

Business modelSales volume in CHFTerminalCost model
Business model

Market stall/event

 Sales volume in CHF

Up to around 100,000

 Terminal

PAX A50s

 Cost model

Checkout All-in-One
Business model

Hairdresser/small shop

 Sales volume in CHF

Around 100,000-500,000

 Terminal

PAX A920 Pro

Cost model

Checkout POS bundle
Business model
Catering business
 Sales volume in CHF

Medium volume

 Terminal

PAX A77

 Cost model

Checkout POS bundle
Business model

Branch operations/retail

 Sales volume in CHF

>1 million

 Terminal

PAX A35

 Cost model

Checkout Flex
Go to the terminal comparison

Conclusion: the choice of terminal depends on your business model

Choosing the right payment terminal is not just a hardware comparison, but rather an evaluation of your processes, volumes and needs:

  • The number of transactions and the sales volumes define which fee model makes sense.
  • The complexity of business structures determines whether integration is necessary.
  • The payment situation determines whether a mobile or stationary device makes sense.
  • Payment methods have a direct impact on your revenue.

Many retailers want an integrated all-in solution – i.e. a one-stop shop for terminal, payment processing and outpayments – as it reduces complexity, saves time and ensures stable day-to-day operations.

PostFinance payment terminals

PostFinance offers various terminal and payment solutions for different business models – from simple mobile solutions for small sales volumes to integrated POS solutions for larger companies or branch operations. This allows you to choose the solution that best suits your business.

Good advice on payment collection

We would be happy to discuss your questions about our terminal solutions with you personally: 

Arrange a consultation

FAQs

  • No. A payment terminal can also be operated without a checkout system. For simple business models with just one checkout area, a stand-alone terminal is often completely sufficient. However, as soon as your processes become more complex – e.g.  multiple employees or high frequencies – it becomes worthwhile to integrate your terminal into the checkout system. That way, amounts are transferred automatically, errors are reduced and processes become more efficient.

  • In most cases, yes. TWINT is now standard equipment in Switzerland. 

  • As a rough guide:

    • Under approx. 100,000 francs/year → models without fixed costs make more sense
    • From approx. 100,000 francs/year → fixed-cost models are often cheaper

    The reason: transaction fees quickly add up when volumes are higher, so lower fees per payment save more in the long term than the cost of the basic monthly fee.

  • In addition to the device itself, you should also factor in the following costs:

    • Transaction fees per payment
    • Fixed monthly costs (depending on the model)
    • One-off costs for hardware and set-up
    • Additional costs for, e.g. : additional payment methods (e.g.  American Express, TWINT), support and service packages, export functions or accounting interfaces

    Important: hidden or ongoing additional costs often make the biggest difference in everyday life.

  • A modern terminal should cover at least the following payment methods:

    • Debit cards including the PostFinance Card
    • Credit cards
    • Mobile wallets (e.g. Apple Pay, Google Wallet)
    • TWINT

    This combination is now standard in many sectors and prevents loss of revenue due to limited payment options.

  • A mobile terminal is always worthwhile if you’re not tied to a fixed checkout area.

    Typical situations:

    • Catering services (payment at the table)
    • Services on the customer’s premises
    • Events, markets or food trucks

    Advantages:

    • Payment collection directly from the customer
    • Less back-and-forth
    • Faster processes

    However, for traditional high street retail outlets with a fixed checkout, stationary or integrated terminals usually make more sense.

This page has an average rating of %r out of 5 stars based on a total of %t ratings
You can rate this page from one to five stars. Five stars is the best rating.
Thank you for your rating
Rate this article

This might interest you too