Payment terminal - Best payment terminals comparison
The best payment terminal for a company, association, or private individual – a free comparison is always worthwhile.
An affordable payment terminal ensures that as little as possible is taken from payment transactions. The best payment terminal comparison through us guarantees the best possible outcome.
What is the best payment terminal in 2025?
New payment terminals 2025
Here are the new payment terminals that I have tested and found to be functional and suitable for Finnish businesses:
- ERPLY payment terminals (Castles AMS1 and Castles S1F2)
- Tap to Pay for smartphones
- Adyen
- Restolution payment terminals
Other wireless payment terminals
Payment terminals are not limited to popular choices like SumUp and Zettle - there are dozens of other options available.
I believe these payment terminals are also worth considering:
- Nets payment terminal
- OP payment terminal
- MyPOS payment terminal
- FlatPay payment terminal
- Worldline payment terminal
- Elisa payment terminal
- DNA payment terminal
- Telia payment terminal
- Point payment terminal
I have written a separate review for each of the above payment terminals.
In general, Nets payment terminal is the most popular in Finland, especially among large companies—its commission is only 1% per card payment.
Meanwhile, FlatPay is a next-generation payment terminal with zero startup costs, and its transaction commission starts at 0.99% per payment.
"FlatPay is an affordable payment terminal that boosts competition in Finland."
Payment terminal for businesses
Choosing a payment terminal for a business should be based on the type of operations it conducts. A business payment terminal can be a minimal investment, starting at just a few dozen euros.
In general, the best payment terminal for freelancers or small businesses is iZettle.
SumUp is a good option for small businesses, but it also serves large companies processing millions in transactions.
How to Choose a Payment Terminal for a Business:
- What type of business do you operate?
- How large is your company's transaction volume?
- Do you need a wireless or fixed payment terminal?
- Does your business require a POS system?
Payment terminal for associations
Getting a payment terminal for an association is just as easy as for a business. An association can either acquire a full POS system or just a wireless payment terminal.
SumUp, Zettle, and Verifone are all proven options for associations.
At best, the commission fee is under 1%, keeping the costs manageable for the association.
Things to Consider for an Association Payment Terminal:
- Does the association need the terminal daily?
- What is the association's budget?
- Is there a need for a full POS system?
- Should the payment terminal also include anonline store?
Payment terminal for individuals
A payment terminal for individuals is possible and does not require complicated processes. However, payment limits are usually lower than for business customers.
Based on my experience, the daily payment limit is around €1,000 or close to that.
I recommend iZettle for individuals because its affordable pricing makes it a cost-effective option.
Summary: Payment Terminal for Individuals
- Individual users have payment limits (usually €1,000/day).
- Accept card payments as an individual.
- Use the payment terminal with a mobile app.
- Request a customized offer, for example, from iZettle!
Affordable payment terminals for businesses, associations, and individuals through comparison.
How does a payment terminal work?
In short, a payment terminal processes a customer's card payment by first transferring the payment to the service provider's account (e.g., SumUp), which then forwards it to the business's account after deducting a commission.
The connection for a payment terminal can be either wired or wireless.
Payments are always secure and encrypted, typically using the PCI DSS encryption algorithm.
Essential Components for Using a Payment Terminal:
- Card reader – a physical payment terminal or a mobile app.
- Connection module / wireless network – e.g., WiFi.
- Keypad and other necessary components.
For large businesses, I recommend investing in a full POS system with a large display, while a freelancer, such as a massage therapist, may only need a wireless payment terminal.
Steps for a payment transaction
The payment process is familiar to everyone, as payment terminals are used in all grocery stores. However, from an entrepreneur's perspective, the transaction follows these steps:
- Enter the product or service price into the payment terminal.
- Hand the terminal to the customer.
- The customer taps their card (contactless payment) or inserts it into the reader.
- The payment is confirmed.
- The payment is transferred to the service provider's account.
- The business owner receives the payout within 1–2 days.
- Finances can be tracked in real-time via the app.
I've noticed that modern payment terminals also allow for cash transactions.
For example, with an iZettle payment terminal, you can log a cash payment, which then appears on your transaction report, and a receipt can be sent to the customer via email.
Payment terminal on your phone in just a few minutes
Nowadays, setting up a payment terminal on your phone is possible in just a couple of minutes. I've noticed that SumUp, with over 10 million downloads on Google Play, is the most popular mobile payment terminal.
How to Install a Payment Terminal on Your Smartphone:
- Go to Google Play or the App Store.
- Download the payment terminal app for free – it takes about a minute.
- Log in or create a profile.
- Follow the payment terminal setup instructions.
- You're all set! You can now use the payment terminal on your phone.
I've noticed that the profile creation usually happens in a new window, often through a web browser instead of directly within the app.
A mobile payment terminal can, of course, process transactions, but it also allows businesses and associations to track their finances in real time.
Based on my experience, a phone is not the only option—you can also use a payment terminal on an iPad or an Android tablet.
"A payment terminal on your phone can be set up quickly from the app store, and downloading the app is always free."
How is the payment terminal defined?
The best payment terminal is determined by how well the terminal and/or POS system serves your specific business needs. While the cheapest option is often the right choice, that's not always the case.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Payment Terminal:
Payment Terminal Price – The cost varies, with the cheapest terminals starting at around €10–20 and more advanced POS systems costing several hundred euros. However, it's crucial to check the transaction fees (commission per card payment).
The Terminal and POS System – If you need a comprehensive POS system, it's best not to choose the cheapest option. Compare different payment terminals and POS systems to find the one that fits your business best.
Payout Speed – Some terminals offer same-day payouts, while others may take 2–5 days to transfer funds.
Online Store & Invoicing Service – The best payment terminal often provides additional services like invoicing and e-commerce integration. Even if you don't need these features now, it's good to have the option.
Customer Support & Problem-Solving – In my opinion, fast customer support (available every day) is essential. If the terminal freezes during peak hours, you should be able to resolve the issue within minutes.
Other Features – Do you need a wireless or fixed terminal? Do you prefer to rent or buy the terminal? Is it important for customers to leave a tip during payment?
By comparing different options, you'll find the best payment terminal for your needs.
For small businesses, price is often the main factor, whereas large businesses (with million-euro revenues) may prioritize additional features over cost.
For example:
SumUp offers a Lite POS system, suitable for businesses like gyms or clothing stores. Verifone V400m is currently the smallest payment terminal on the market, making it perfect for events or trade shows, as it easily fits in a pocket.
Read payment terminal reviews - Sumup vs. Zettle vs. other terminals
There are countless payment terminal reviews available online, but most comparisons focus on SumUp vs. Zettle.
However, I believe that choosing the right payment terminal for a business truly matters.
Which Payment Terminal is the Best? Based on general user experiences Zettle is often rated as the best overall option.
SumUp has received slightly more positive feedback for its usability and interface.
From my own testing, these two perform equally well. Following closely behind are other popular terminals like: Verifone payment terminal, FlatPay payment terminal and OP payment terminal.
Each of these has received both positive and negative user reviews.
Read SumUp Payment Terminal Reviews:
- https://keskustelu.suomi24.fi/t/15167788/sumup-korttimaksuasiakas
- https://fi.trustpilot.com/review/sumup.com
Read Zettle Payment Terminal Reviews:
- https://keskustelu.suomi24.fi/t/13707123/izettle---korttimaksujen-vastaanotto
Other experiences with payment terminals:
"It's worth reading payment terminal reviews so you can find the best terminal for your needs."
Best payment terminals for businesses
In my opinion, the best payment terminal for a business or association comes down to two main choices: SumUp or Zettle.
Choose SumUp if:
- You need an affordable card reader and/or POS system.
- You value fast payouts.
- A low 0.69% transaction fee sounds good.
- You prefer a British payment service with over 10 years of experience.
- You want to join a network of over 4 million businesses!
Choose iZettle if:
- You want to simplify your daily operations with flexible payment and POS solutions.
- You need bank payouts within 1–2 days.
- You want a card payment terminal for just €19.
- You trust a highly popular and secure payment system under PayPal.
- You prefer a customized offer tailored to your business needs.
Both payment terminals are suitable for a wide range of businesses, associations, and even individuals.
For businesses with high transaction volumes, I currently recommend SumUp because its commission fees are generally lower than iZettle's.
NordenPayments.com compares the best payment terminals
NordenPayments.com compares and presents the best payment terminals for businesses, associations, and individuals. The site is led by Jenna Turunen, who has 15 years of experience in the field.
I strive to provide honest payment terminal reviews, even though the site may collaborate with companies that offer payment terminals.
It's important to note that I do not own a company that manufactures payment terminals.
Find the Best Payment Terminal for You in 2025. Compare options, try the service, and enjoy a simpler and more cost-effective business experience!
"An affordable payment terminal is an entrepreneur's best friend - right after a skilled accountant."
– Jenna Turunen (CEO), NordenPayments
Payment terminal - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a Payment Terminal?
A payment terminal is a physical device or a mobile application installed on a smart device that processes card payments from customers to a business's bank account.
How Does a Payment Terminal Work?
A payment terminal reads debit and credit card details, deducting the transaction amount from the customer's bank account. The payment is then transferred to the business's account with a delay of 1–2 days, after deducting the service provider's commission fee.
How Much Does a Payment Terminal Cost?
A payment terminal device can cost as little as €19 (e.g., iZettle). Alternatively, it can be rented through a monthly subscription. In addition to the device cost, businesses should consider the transaction fees charged by the payment service provider.
Which Payment Terminal is the Most Affordable?
Currently, iZettle is the cheapest payment terminal, priced at €19. In terms of transaction fees, the most affordable option is SumUp, with a low 0.69% commission.
What is the Best Payment Terminal?
In general, the best payment terminal for a business is one of the following:
- Zettle
- SumUp
- Nets payment terminal
- Verifone payment terminal
Does a Payment Terminal Always Allow Tipping?
Yes, a payment terminal can enable tipping for customers. Tipping is gradually becoming more common in Finland, so this feature is worth considering.
Is Payment Terminal Rental Possible?
Yes, payment terminal rental is available throughout Finland from various providers. NordenPayments recommends Worldline (formerly Bondora) for rental services.
Which is the Best Payment Terminal for a Business or Individual?
- For large businesses, the best option is Nets payment terminal.
- For small businesses, SumUp is the recommended choice.
- For individuals, iZettle is the best option.
Of course, preferences vary, so it's always a good idea to compare payment terminals carefully before making a decision!
I'm Jenna, also known as "Jensku," a Finnish entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience and a master's degree. My goal is to showcase the best payment terminals for entrepreneurs across various industries and associations.