Stripe POS Review: Pros, Cons, Alternatives

Stripe is properly referred to as a robust fee processing platform for e-commerce companies, however the firm additionally provides point-of-sale {hardware} and software program for in-person transactions. With Stripe Terminal, you’ll be able to combine in-person funds into your on-line fee setup, or vice versa. Its clear pricing and customizable options make it a sensible choice for online-first companies trying to prolong to in-person gross sales.

The corporate solely began providing Stripe Terminal in 2019, so it’s pretty new in comparison with a few of its opponents. Lots of its options — together with connecting {hardware} to software program — at present require coding expertise or your alternative of “no-code” integrations.

Should you’re already a Stripe consumer or are comfy with superior developer instruments, it’s a worthy extension. However in case you do most of what you are promoting in particular person or need a extra user-friendly possibility, it’s finest to go together with a extra simple POS system like Sq. or Shopify.

How does Stripe POS work?

With Stripe Terminal, you’ll be able to combine Stripe funds into your present in-person checkout stream or construct in-person funds into your present cell or web-based software. The software program works each methods, however it’s finest utilized by e-commerce retailers trying so as to add on in-person funds.

In case you have developer expertise, you’ll be able to combine your fee processing to one in every of a number of {hardware} choices by its software program growth package, or use one in every of Stripe’s no-code POS companions. A number of of those built-in companions are free to make use of.

Stripe provides EMV-certified card readers which are end-to-end encrypted and assist chip playing cards and contactless funds, together with Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Terminal works with Stripe Funds, Join and Billing so you’ll be able to handle on-line and in-person gross sales in a single place. Stripe additionally integrates with exterior purposes, together with digital wallets, Xero, Squarespace, Mailchimp and extra, and can even combine into what you are promoting’s personal cell app.

With Terminal, you’ll be able to create custom-made e-mail receipts and reader splash screens, in addition to combine into JavaScript-, iOS- and Android-based point-of-sale purposes for extra customization.

How a lot does Stripe POS value?

• 2.9% plus 30 cents per transaction for on-line funds, plus an extra 1% for worldwide playing cards or transactions the place foreign money conversion is required.

• 2.7% plus 5 cents per transaction for in-person transactions.

Stripe has three {hardware} choices obtainable to assist what you are promoting course of in-person transactions. All three are already EMV-certified and include end-to-end encryption, although they do should be linked along with your Stripe account by the Terminal SDK.

For cell funds, this battery-powered card reader accepts EMV chip, contactless and swipe funds. It connects to the cloud by way of Bluetooth and comes with an elective charging cradle and pill mount.

It is a absolutely battery-powered cell card reader that accepts EMV chip, contactless and swipe funds. It connects to Stripe purposes in your cell phone by way of Bluetooth.

For hybrid countertop and handheld use, this 5-inch touchscreen good reader additionally accepts EMV chip, contactless and swipe funds. It’s Wifi-connected with an elective dock for Ethernet connectivity and may run on each battery and plug-in.

Should you (or somebody in your crew) has developer expertise, you’ll be able to take full benefit of Stripe’s customizable checkout stream. You should utilize its API to create a fee processing setup that works for what you are promoting and combine into cell and desktop purposes.

For a extra user-friendly possibility, Stripe additionally companions with platforms that present no-code POS options, in addition to corporations that present employed specialists to do the customization for you.

Stripe’s pricing is absolutely clear, and its fee processing charges are corresponding to opponents like Sq. and PayPal. Not like many different POS programs and fee processors, there’s no month-to-month subscription charge to make use of the software program, so your solely prices will probably be an preliminary {hardware} buy and per-transaction fee processing charges.

Stripe is geared primarily for on-line companies. Its in-person point-of-sale capabilities are a reasonably new extension and aren’t intuitive for customers with out a developer background.

If what you are promoting already makes use of Stripe and also you’re trying so as to add on in-person transactions, the corporate’s 24/7 assist and no-code POS integrations can assist you get by the combination course of, however it’s not the most suitable choice for brand new or brick-and-mortar-only companies.

Even in case you’re solely utilizing Stripe’s on-line fee processing system, lots of its superior options and customization instruments require some coding. To make use of Stripe as your POS system and course of in-person funds, you’ll must arrange a Stripe Terminal SDK earlier than you’ll be able to hook up with a card reader.

There are a number of methods to do that, and Stripe supplies clear step-by-step directions on its assist web site — however with out developer expertise, this course of may be sophisticated and should take a while to be taught earlier than you can begin taking funds.

Nonetheless, Stripe does combine with over a dozen no-code POS software program choices, so in case you’re prepared so as to add on an extension, you’ll be able to bypass the SDK course of.

Shopify is one other POS possibility that, like Stripe, is on-line first and in-store second. It’s ultimate for multi-channel sellers, both in a number of on-line areas (Amazon, Fb, Etsy and so on.) or each in-person and by way of web site. Software program subscriptions begin at $29 per thirty days for a Fundamental plan; fee processing charges with that plan are 2.7% per transaction for in-person funds and a pair of.9% plus 30 cents per transaction for on-line funds.

Its fee processing charges are corresponding to Stripe’s, however Shopify makes it simpler to combine in-person and on-line gross sales with out developer expertise.

Sq. POS provides each free and paid software program choices for eating places and retail companies. It’s straightforward to be taught, mobile-friendly and comes with dozens of helpful options, together with reporting and stock administration, even within the free model.