POS Systems vs. Merchant Services: What’s the Difference?

See also: How to Prevent Data Breach: A Guide For eCommerce Retailers

Merchant services also sometimes refer broadly to the businesses that facilitate the transactions. Again, these businesses are also often referred to as credit card processors, or, simply, processors. For their part, the processor is the business that takes a small percentage of each transaction.

What Is a POS System?

A point of sale system or POS system is a combination of software and hardware installed at the cash wrap counter (or digitally through an eCommerce checkout page) that allows businesses to accept payments from customers for goods and services.

You may also want to read How to Grow eCommerce Customer Loyalty: 7 Tips for Online Stores

When you turn to an experienced merchant services provider, you’ll need to be supported every step of the way as you implement this integral part of your business into your operations.

• A payment processor: A payment processor/merchant service provider handles the credit card transaction process by acting as an intermediary between the merchant and the financial institutions involved. The processor charges a small fee on each transaction. This cost varies between processing solution, so choosing a payment processor that is fair and transparent is imperative. 
• A merchant account: Simply put, a merchant account is a commercial bank account that allows a business to accept and process electronic payment card transactions. Merchant accounts require a business to partner with an acquiring bank that helps facilitate all communications in an electronic payment transaction. Merchant account partnerships are also critical for online businesses.
• A payment gateway: Payment gateways read and transfer eCommerce payment information from a customer to a merchant’s bank account. Its purpose is to capture the data, ensure that funds are available, and get the merchant paid. All online businesses must establish a reliable and secure payment gateway through their website.
• A credit card processing terminal: The credit card processing terminal allows the merchant or customer to insert, swipe, or tap their payment method. They are typically connected to point of sale system through a simple integration.

Some businesses start by working first with a merchant service provider. In this case, they get the business set up with their credit card processing and find a compatible POS solution. In other cases, businesses start with a POS solution and then find an integrated merchant service provider afterward. 

Today, many POS and merchant service providers have combined their operations into one solution. While it’s perhaps more convenient to have a single system, this almost always comes at a premium: such solutions charge inflated processing rates, often costing business additionals thousands of dollars each month.

Understanding commissions and other fees is important when choosing your merchant services provider. Interchange fees make up the majority of credit card processing fees. These are transaction fees that the merchant’s bank account must pay when a customer uses a credit/debit card to make a purchase at their store.  This fee is paid to the card-issuing bank to cover processing costs, fraud and bad debt costs, and payment approval risks. After all, if the consumer never pays the credit card bill or pays late for the goods purchased, the issuing bank will be deprived of those funds.  The amount and types of fees you are charged as a merchant vary depending on several factors, including the following:

• The type of business you run is generally determined by the merchant category code (MCC)
• Card number swiped or keyed in
• The riskiness of the business type
• In-person retail sales (card present) or Internet, mail order, or telephone transactions (MOTO or card not present)
• Credit score and merchant history

On top of the interchange fee, merchants must also pay all processing fees (going to the merchant service provider) and a minor fee for the card networks (VISA, Amex, etc.). There are also various one-time charges that some merchant service providers charge, such as cancellation fees, surcharges, and other avoidable costs. It’s best to look for a solution that doesn’t include these additional expenses.

Merchant account providers are usually companies that enable you to open a merchant bank account. They can also help you accept payments, such as a credit card terminal, payment gateway, and point of sale system.

Payment service providers, on the other hand, operate differently. Rather than giving each company its own merchant account, payment service providers place the funds of all the companies they work with into a single merchant account and then allocate them accordingly to each company’s bank account.

There are a few things to consider when choosing your POS provider. Ultimately, the decision comes down to the features, service, and cost.

Contactless payments are possible via most credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Android Pay, Google Pay, and other various devices that use near field communication (NFC) or radio frequency identification (RFID).

Mobile payments are payments made for a product or service through a portable electronic device such as a tablet or cell phone. Mobile payment technology can also be enabled through applications such as PayPal and Venmo.

A modern POS should accept a wide variety of payment methods in order to provide additional convenience for their customers.

A good point of sale software should be able to offer you the integrations necessary for your specific business to function properly. Such POS integrations commonly enable eCommerce capabilities, accounting/payroll, scheduling, loyalty, and CRM solutions.

Still, there are a variety of more niche integrations that many retailers look for.

Likewise, there is a wide range of POS features that businesses must consider when shopping for their point of sale. These often include inventory management, product and sales reporting, employee management, customer relationship management, and many more. Make a list of your most important features prior to starting the shopping process.

Finally, the price matters. POS hardware and software come in a wide price range. Determine your budget beforehand. Part of the cost will be your credit card processing. While there are some ways to lower your fees, the most important step is finding a fair and reliable merchant service provider. KORONA POS is one of the few remaining point of sale solutions that allow businesses to choose any major credit card processing solution. Having such a choice allows them to find more affordable options, avoid long-term contracts, and negotiate against fees and surcharges. Learn more about credit card processing cost comparison with KORONA POS in the video below.