*A stable internet and Bluetooth connection may be required for PayPal Point of Sale and Tap to Pay products.
Running a small business means juggling a lot, that’s why accepting payments should feel seamless. Whether you’re serving customers at a pop-up, behind a counter, or between tables, you need a point-of-sale system that works the way you do. If you’re trying to choose the right POS system for your small business, PayPal Point of Sale offers flexible tools that can grow with you over time.
If you’re wondering what a POS system actually is and how it works, you’re in good company. Most small business owners ask the same question when they’re getting started.
A great POS system should feel like a helping hand, not another task to manage. It should make checkout easy, keep your day running smoothly, and let you stay focused on your customers instead of your equipment.
For many small businesses, the right point-of-sale system also supports the everyday details, from tracking sales to keeping product information organized. PayPal Point of Sale brings all of that together by combining in-person payments with intuitive tools that fit naturally into your workflow.
No two small businesses operate the same way. Some days, you need fast, mobile checkout. Other days, you need tools that help keep products, sales, and staff in sync. PayPal POS is designed to meet you in all those moments. Our flexible hardware and intuitive software make it easy to run checkout your way and keep the back office moving wherever business takes you.* With three different ways to accept payments in person, you can choose the setup that matches how you sell now and be confident knowing you can adapt and adjust as your needs change.
So, what is Tap to Pay? It’s a simple way to start accepting in-person payments right on your phone, no extra hardware needed. For many sellers, it’s one of the easiest ways to get up and running.
After a quick setup in the PayPal POS app, your phone is ready to accept contactless cards and digital wallets. Customers tap their card, phone, or smartwatch to your device, and their payment completes in seconds.
Tap to Pay on the PayPal app is available for iPhone or Android. You can accept contactless payments wherever you work and keep things moving without the need to manage extra devices or cords. It’s also a great backup for businesses that want to speed up checkout during rushes.
Mobile sellers, pop-ups, creators, service providers, and new businesses that want to start taking payments quickly with minimal setup and no hardware costs.
PayPal’s Card Reader is one of the most familiar ways to accept in-person payments. Quick for customers, simple for teams, and easy to fit into any setup, the Card Reader lets customers pay the way they choose, whether they want to tap, insert, or swipe.
Once connected to the POS app on your phone or device, the PayPal Card Reader is ready for transactions. Customers tap, insert, or swipe, and the screen guides them clearly through each step.
It keeps checkout quick for customers and easy for staff, supports all major in-person payment types, and fits seamlessly into a busy counter setup. It also integrates with many existing tools you currently have.
Boutiques, cafés, salons, food trucks, and quick-service restaurants that want a straightforward, reliable payment device that won’t overcomplicate things.
The PayPal Terminal is a complete point-of-sale system in one portable device. It brings together payments, product management, inventory tools, and reporting so you can run key parts of your business from wherever you’re working.
After a quick setup, the built-in PayPal POS app gives you access to payments, product details, inventory information, and optional accessories like a barcode scanner or receipt printer. With both Wi-Fi and SIM options, the Terminal is a standalone device that doesn’t need to be within range of another device to work.
The PayPal Terminal combines mobility with the depth of a full POS system, helping teams stay organized and responsive throughout the day.
Retailers, restaurants, coffee shops, and growing teams that want an all-in-one POS experience for both countertop and on-the-floor service.
The right POS setup should fit naturally into your workflow and make things easier for everyone, from front of house to behind the scenes. Use this simple chart to see which option best fits your needs.
Option | Best for | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
Tap to Pay | Mobile sellers, pop-ups, new businesses | No hardware needed. Quick, flexible, and easy to use. |
Card Reader | Boutiques, cafés, quick-service counters | Works with multiple payment types. Compact, simple, and familiar. |
Terminal | Retail, restaurants, businesses with steady foot traffic | A portable full POS system in one device. Payments, inventory, barcode scanning, and receipt-printing capabilities. |
One of the easiest ways to understand PayPal POS is by looking at the businesses that rely on it every day. Here’s how two teams found setups that matched their pace, their space, and the way they serve customers.
Jilian’s Produce
At Jilian’s Produce, a family-run farmstand with steady foot traffic, keeping checkout smooth was just as important as keeping the produce fresh. They wanted a POS system that reduced clutter, stayed reliable in the rush, and didn’t get in the way of customer conversations.
“The PayPal Terminal is much more convenient than our previous setup. We love using it. The design is beautiful, I don’t have to worry about renewing prepaid phones or charging more than one device, and I love not having a lot of cords all over the counter.”
– Jilian Heldt, Jilian’s Produce
Win Win Coffee
As a mobile café, Win Win Coffee has a different rhythm. They use Tap to Pay with the PayPal POS app to stay nimble, keep checkout moving, and reduce the admin work that can slow a business down.
“One thing that has been leading to our success is working ON the business, not IN the business. PayPal frees you up to be able to work ON the business...there’s so many things that I don’t have to worry about now because [PayPal] made it so easy for us to do.”
– Matt Nam, Win Win Coffee
The right POS system for a small business makes getting paid the easiest part of your day, so you can stay focused on serving customers and achieving your business goals. PayPal POS is designed to support you at every stage, from your first sale to your biggest milestones ahead.
Explore your options and choose the POS setup that works for you.