Electronic payment terminals (EPTs) have become important to French businesses and professionals for processing card payments. In 2024, card payments—including contactless payment—became the preferred payment method in France. They surpassed the number of cash transactions for the first time, with 48% of customers preferring card payments over 43% preferring cash.

To benefit from this customer habit and ensure fast, flexible, and secure card payments, businesses need payment terminals. In this article, we provide information about payment terminals, how they work, their advantages, and how to choose the best device for your business.

What’s in this article?

• What is an electronic payment terminal (EPT)?
  
• Who needs an EPT?
  
• Why use an EPT?
  
• How do EPTs work?
  
• What different types of payments are accepted by EPTs?
  
• What are the different types of EPTs?
  
• How Stripe Terminal can help
  
• How much does an EPT cost?
  
• Choosing the right EPT
  

What is an electronic payment terminal (EPT)?

An EPT is a device that lets businesses and professionals accept card payments. Available as either hardware units or apps, EPTs provide fast, flexible, and secure payment solutions and can collect different types of payment (e.g., chip card, magnetic strip card, contactless card, digital wallet, etc.).

EPTs that process cards involve the customer, business, issuing bank, acquiring bank, and payment processor. EPTs read, secure, and transfer information for each transaction.

In general, an EPT has the following:

• Screen: Either touch or nontouch

• Keyboard: To enter amount and personal identification number (PIN)

• One or more card readers: Using chips or magnetic strips

It might also include a printer to print card receipts as an accessory or integrated into the system.

Even though EPTs have become important for collecting payments in France, not every business has one. However, as points of sale become digitized, professionals are increasingly using payment terminals. In 2022, there were more than 2.6 million EPTs throughout France.

Who needs an EPT?

Payment terminals are necessary tools for any professional who carries out in-person B2C transactions, no matter what industry. Businesses, professionals of all types, entrepreneurs, and associations can all benefit from using EPTs.

EPTs can be used in many businesses, including the following:

• Convenience stores

• Supermarkets and big-box retailers

• Bars, cafés, and restaurants

• Roving businesses (e.g., food trucks, delivery drivers, market vendors)

• Artisans

• Taxis or chauffeured cars

• Associations

• Professionals that meet customers at their own offices or visit customers at home (e.g., osteopaths, nurses, estheticians, hairstylists)

To obtain an EPT that processes cards, the following is required:

• A business bank account

• An establishment directory identification system (SIRET) number

Not having a SIRET number can prevent individuals from obtaining an EPT.

Why use an EPT?

EPTs have had a big impact in digitizing points of sale. They can simplify payment processes while responding to customers’ expectations of speed, security, and flexibility. They also improve the customer experience and can lead to a boost in business revenue.

The following are the main advantages of an EPT:

• Flexibility: This reader makes it possible to accept all types of card payments, including credit and debit cards, chip cards, magnetic strips, contactless payments, and mobile payments.

• Compatibility: All EPTs are Europay, Mastercard, Visa (EMV) certified. Depending on the model, they can also accept foreign currencies and many international cards (e.g., American Express, UnionPay, JCB, Maestro, etc.).

• Mobility: EPTs are not restricted to a specific area and can be transported—without losing connectivity—to accept payments worldwide.

• Secure transactions: For EPT collections, information is encrypted and protected end-to-end, ensuring maximum security for the customer and business. The customer can be sure that their transaction will only be finalized once they have entered their PIN. The business can be sure that each payment is recorded, reducing the risk of unpaid transactions, theft, and fraud.

• Enhanced payments: EPT payments are faster than payments made by check or cash, making it possible to increase the transaction volume processed each day.

• Improved customer experience: With EPTs, customers no longer have to withdraw cash for purchases and can pay directly with their cards or phones. In addition, by speeding up the payment process, the card terminal reduces the wait between each transaction. Payment speed and flexibility can improve the customer experience and encourage repeat purchases.

• Increased revenue: Offering the option to pay by card can increase revenue. Customers are likely to spend more when using a card as opposed to cash.

• Improved accounting: EPTs record every transaction. Therefore, each sale can be tracked and cash flow can be managed more efficiently.

It’s important to note that, for some businesses, a card payment device is now a requirement. This is true for taxi drivers (Thévenoud Law of 2014) and electric vehicle charging stations (EU regulation 2023/1804).

How do EPTs work?

An EPT securely transfers payment information among the customer, business, and financial institutions. This process is the same for all payment terminals and follows specific protocols to guarantee fast and secure transactions.

Here is what happens during an EPT payment:

• The business enters the transaction amount using a cash register or enters it directly on the EPT’s keyboard if the terminal is not connected to a register.

• The customer inserts their card and enters their PIN or places their card on the near-field communication (NFC) reader if they are using contactless payment.

• At this stage, the EPT might propose various options (e.g., enter an email address or phone number to send a receipt, add a tip or donation, etc.).

• The EPT reads the card’s information (i.e., card number, expiration date, etc.), encrypting it throughout the entire transaction. Then, it sends the information and the request for payment to the issuing bank or payment processor, such as Stripe.

• The bank or payment processor verifies the card data and sufficient funds. Then, it validates the transaction or rejects it.

• The EPT records the transaction and provides an option for customer and business receipts. Depending on the EPT model, receipts might be provided in physical or digital format (e.g., via short message service [SMS] or email).

• Once per day, the EPT performs a collection transaction transfer, sending the business’s bank all transactions up to that point. The EPT can directly synchronize transactions using a secure server rather than storing them on the device.

What different types of payments are accepted by an EPT?

An EPT can accept a wide variety of payments:

• French debit and credit cards: Carte Bancaire (CB), Visa, and Mastercard are accepted, whether they use chips or magnetic strips.

• International bank cards: These include American Express, UnionPay, Japan Credit Bureau (JCB), Discover, and Maestro.

• Digital wallets: More and more EPTs accept various digital wallets, such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, etc.

• Prepaid cards: In general, EPTs also accept prepaid cards issued by companies.

• Ticket-restaurant cards: Since ticket-restaurant cards have been digitized, some EPTs accept cards from Edenred, Swile, Glady, Conecs, Up Déjeuner, etc.

• Gift cards and coupons: Some EPTs can also accept these forms of payment.

Note that some EPTs allow installment payments and the display of quick response (QR) payment codes. Some also have the ability to generate payment links.

What are the different types of EPTs?

There are four main types of EPTs, with each type targeted to specific industries and business needs:

• Countertop

• Portable

• Mobile

• Virtual

Countertop EPT

Countertop payment terminals are the most common EPT in France. This device is connected by a wire, linked to a network via the internet (e.g., Ethernet, Wi-Fi) or phone line, and plugged into an electrical outlet. This EPT type generally accepts all card payment types as well as payment by digital wallet.

Designed to be stationary, it’s ideal for businesses that have one or more dedicated points of sale (e.g., counter, welcome desk, payment station, checkout counter) and who manage a large volume of transactions. It does not have a battery and is often integrated into a full point-of-sale (POS) system to facilitate a global collection process. It can be used continually at high volumes and can directly issue payment receipts, since a printer is usually integrated as part of the device.

A countertop EPT is ideal for local shops, supermarkets, big-box stores, and health services.

Portable EPT

A portable EPT is very similar to a countertop EPT, except that it has a battery that allows it to be used untethered within a business’s physical space. Connected to a network via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, this device can be used to collect payments directly from customers. Once a transaction has been finalized, the device is recharged at a dock that plugs into an electrical outlet.

This portability can greatly improve the customer experience by speeding up the payment process. As a result, this EPT is best for businesses that collect payments from seated customers (e.g., cafés, bars, restaurants) or that cover a large physical space (e.g., hotels). However, to ensure that a portable device works correctly on a continuous basis, it must remain within network range.

Mobile EPT

A mobile EPT is a more modern version of the portable EPT and is no longer constrained by network range. This EPT device is connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data, providing unrestricted use—no cables, registers, or impediments. It operates wherever a company or business is located.

This terminal provides a high degree of independence. It can be equipped with a subscriber identity module (SIM) card (e.g., 3G, 4G, 5G) and can be easily connected to an Android or iOS device. However, for it to work efficiently, it must be charged regularly and have a good connection to the internet or a mobile network.

This EPT type is light, compact, easy, and fast to use. It is ideal for use by small business owners, artisans, taxi drivers, and mobile microentrepreneurs or at temporary events (e.g., food trucks, market vendors, pop-up shops). Its flexibility and ease of use also makes it practical for traditional commerce—such as in bars or restaurants—continually speeding up the customer payment experience.

Virtual or Tap to Pay EPT

The virtual terminal—also called Tap to Pay— is an innovative payment method that allows payment collection to occur directly on a smartphone (e.g., Android or Apple) using an app. It transforms any smartphone into a payment terminal. This type of EPT only accepts contactless payments by card or digital wallet.

Integrated into a smartphone—similiar to mobile EPTs—it can collect payment quickly and securely anywhere a Wi-Fi or mobile connection is available. In addition, it’s easy to integrate with other payment applications.

Eliminating the need for physical equipment, this card payment terminal is ideal for use by small businesses, roving professionals, and companies that occasionally need to process payments with a terminal.

How Stripe Terminal can help

Stripe Terminal allows businesses to grow revenue with unified payments across in-person and online channels. It supports new ways to pay, simple hardware logistics, global coverage, and hundreds of POS and commerce integrations to design your ideal payments stack.

Stripe powers unified commerce for brands like Hertz, URBN, Lands’ End, Shopify, Lightspeed, and Mindbody.

Stripe Terminal can help you:

• Unify commerce: Manage online and in-person payments on a global platform with unified payments data.

• Expand globally: Scale to 24 countries with a single set of integrations and popular payment methods.

• Integrate your way: Develop your own custom POS app or connect with your existing tech stack using third-party POS and commerce integrations.

• Simplify hardware logistics: Easily order, manage, and monitor Stripe-supported readers, wherever they are.

Learn more about Stripe Terminal, or get started today.

How much does an EPT cost?

The purchase price of a payment terminal varies on average between €50–€700 plus tax. The cost of renting an EPT is €15–€80 plus tax per month. The price depends on the type of EPT, model, brand, features offered, subscription, accessories, and transaction fees.

In general, a countertop EPT and a virtual EPT are the least expensive devices. The countertop EPT does not have a battery, and the virtual EPT does not require hardware. The portable and mobile EPTs are more modern and convenient and are also more expensive.

Various fees are added to the base price, specifically the commissions for each transaction. Fees vary according to the type of payment, card used, number of transactions, service provider, or bank used. These fees can add several hundred additional euros to the purchase or rental price of a payment terminal. There can be fees for the following:

• Interchange

• Card network

• Payment service provider

• Installation

• Chargebacks

• Maintenance

Choosing the right EPT

Choosing the right EPT means choosing the device that matches your business and your needs. It should also provide secure and fast transactions as well as optimal customer satisfaction. Here are the main criteria to consider:

Industry

For supermarkets and bars or restaurants, a countertop EPT could be ideal for continuous processing of a large number of transactions. For roving professionals or small business owners, a mobile EPT could be the best solution because it provides the most freedom of movement. If you have a hybrid business that has both in-person and remote payments, a virtual EPT could be the ideal solution to facilitate both of these payment types.

Location of collection

If you have a specific area for payment collection, a countertop EPT can be the easiest device to use. Conversely, a portable or mobile EPT could be the best option if you collect payments where customers are located. For roving payment collection, you should opt for a mobile or virtual EPT.

Connectivity

Your EPT must be able to easily connect to the network with a dependable connection in any circumstance. You should also verify that your EPT can connect via Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), or 3G, 4G, or 5G networks.

Features

An EPT should have all the functionality that your business needs. This can include printing receipts, splitting bills, using installment payments, reading QR codes, displaying tips or donations, using preauthorizations, converting currency, or making credit card imprints. You should also verify whether your EPT has a separate keyboard or printer, depending on your business requirements.

Payment methods accepted

Choose a terminal that accepts the types of payments your business needs. These could include national or international debit or credit cards (i.e., contactless or not), digital wallets, gift cards, ticket-restaurant cards, or more modern payment methods (e.g., biometric payments, cryptocurrency payments, etc.).

User-friendly integration

If you use separate software applications to collect and record payments—including a register, register software application, or invoicing application such as Stripe Invoicing—make sure your EPT easily integrates with your existing system. This can help you further simplify transactions and reduce the risk of error.

Security

Security is a key criteria when choosing a payment terminal. Payment data protection must be guaranteed throughout the entire transaction. Opt for an EPT that has EMV certification and uses Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) as well as fraud detection and prevention tools, such as Stripe Radar. Also make sure the EPT has dependable security updates to keep it protected from emerging threats.

Capacity

If you opt for a portable or mobile EPT, make sure that it’s able to hold a charge for a long period of time. Ideally, the EPT should be able to last for an entire workday without requiring a recharge. You should also look at a device’s capacity features, such as being able to charge on a docking or charging station or having a standby mode to conserve energy.