PayPal Zettle POS launch offers a boost for small businesses

PayPal's new Zettle point-of-sale (POS) system offers small businesses a complete, full-service sales setup
PayPal's new Zettle point-of-sale (POS) system offers small businesses a complete, full-service sales setup (Image credit: PayPal)

PayPal is launching its Zettle point-of-sale (POS) system in the US -- a move designed to offer small businesses a more complete, full-service sales setup.

Zettle was purchased by payment processing giant PayPal two years ago to sit alongside the likes of Venmo and Braintree in its product portfolio. Small businesses stand to benefit from the latest move because the company will be offering a complete point-of-sale system, augmented by Zettle’s new POS reader.

PayPal Zettle has been developed to meet the growing demand for online sales, which continue to increase as online shoppers bypass traditional bricks and mortar outlets. However, the benefit of the PayPal Zettle POS system is that it lets small businesses accept payments in-store too.

Payment processing is just one part of the new package though. Adding to the appeal, PayPal Zettle will allow small business owners to manage their sales, keep track of inventory and also carry out detailed reporting on sales transactions.

PayPal Zettle

There’s added flexibility too as more consumers expect a wider range of payment methods, so business owners can offer PayPal and Venmo QR code payment options alongside the more conventional debit and credit cards. The system also works in tandem with digital wallets, which have also become increasingly popular following the global pandemic.

Best of all for small businesses owners is the way that they have access to PayPal’s other payment processing products, along with ecommerce tools that promote smoother business transactions.

PayPal Zettle has the additional benefit of being compatible with other ecommerce, accounting and POS software providers. Zettle already works with the likes of BigCommerce, Lightspeed, QuickBooks Online and SalesVu to name but four. Additional partners will be announced in due course.

According to PayPal, businesses should have access to funds from transactions typically within one day, with in-person and online sales all viewable via a PayPal business account.

Small business owners keen to keep a handle on costs following the pandemic will also get the benefit of competitive pricing. There’s a $29 first-time purchase fee for the PayPal Zettle card reader, with additional readers costing $79. The current transaction rate for PayPal Zettle users in the US is $2.29 plus 0.09%. Meanwhile, PayPal QR Code transactions have been set at 1.9% plus $0.10 using PayPal Zettle.

"Consumers want seamless and integrated digital experiences no matter where they shop. As a result, small businesses need access to omnichannel payment and commerce tools to help them effectively compete and meet their customers wherever they are – in-person, online and in-between," said Jim Magats, SVP, Omni Payments, PayPal.

"We believe in the power of small businesses, and we will leverage PayPal Zettle to better serve in-person businesses and enable them to go digital seamlessly." 

Rob Clymo

Rob Clymo has been a tech journalist for more years than he can actually remember, having started out in the wacky world of print magazines before discovering the power of the internet. Since he's been all-digital he has run the Innovation channel during a few years at Microsoft as well as turning out regular news, reviews, features and other content for the likes of TechRadar, TechRadar Pro, Tom's Guide, Fit&Well, Gizmodo, Shortlist, Automotive Interiors World, Automotive Testing Technology International, Future of Transportation and Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Technology International. In the rare moments he's not working he's usually out and about on one of numerous e-bikes in his collection.