Countertop vs Portable vs Mobile Card Machines

A countertop terminal sits in one place, usually beside the till, and connects through your broadband. It is the most straightforward option for shops, convenience stores, takeaway counters and any business where the customer comes to a fixed point to pay.

A portable terminal connects to a base station and works across your premises. Restaurants, pubs, hotels and salons use them so payment can be taken wherever the customer is sitting, rather than asking them to walk to a counter.

A mobile terminal uses a mobile network, so it works away from your premises entirely. Tradespeople, market traders, mobile therapists, delivery businesses and pop-up retailers rely on them.

Many businesses use a combination — a countertop unit at the till and a portable or mobile terminal for everything else. The right mix comes down to how your customers reach the point of paying.