What Is a Mobile Point of Sale (mPOS)?

A mobile point-of-sale (mPOS) system is a portable device or application that lets retailers process transactions and manage sales directly from a smartphone, tablet, or other mobile device. It provides flexibility and convenience for both customers and retailers.

Any good business must meet its customers where they are. A mobile point-of-sale (mPOS) system helps retailers — especially those without brick-and-mortar locations or who need to conduct transactions “on the go” — to do just that.

Unlike traditional point-of-sale (POS) systems that are stationary (such as cash registers), mPOS systems and POS cloud solutions offer mobility and flexibility, so businesses can process transactions from anywhere they have internet service.

In this guide, we dig into the basics of mPOS, from how they work to how to choose the very best system for your business.

What you’ll learn:

• How does mPOS work?
• mPOS benefits
• Challenges of and solutions for implementing an mPOS system
• How to choose the best mPOS
• mPOS FAQs

Components of an mPOS system include a mobile device (such as a smartphone or tablet), a card reader or terminal, and a software application that manages transactions. Systems also can include receipt printers or barcode scanners.

Software setup and integration involve cloud-based or app-based programs that integrate with inventory management, customer relationship management (CRM) platforms, and accounting tools. Payment processing enables businesses to accept credit and debit cards as well as digital-wallet payments. Digital wallet and near-field communication (NFC) technology supports contactless payment for services such as Apple Pay or Google Pay.

Businesses experience many benefits from using mPOS systems, including the following:

• Mobility and flexibility: These tools allow businesses to process payments from virtually any location. Vendors at concerts, food trucks, and in-home cleaning services are just a few businesses that can benefit from revolving locations or remote locations.
• Easy installation and setup: Most systems are very simple and require minimal technical expertise to get started. They usually require a smartphone or tablet, a software application, and a card reader.
• Automatic backups and data organization: Cloud-based POS systems automatically back up and organize transaction data, reducing the risk of data loss and facilitating accurate record-keeping. This built-in cloud data security builds customer trust.
• Scalability for growing businesses: As businesses expand, technology can scale to accommodate additional devices and users. Small businesses can process orders before they’ve established brick-and-mortar locations.
• Transaction speed and efficiency: The right tools streamline the payment process, reducing wait times and operational inefficiencies.
• Low cost and affordability: Compared to traditional POS systems, mobile solutions are more cost-effective, requiring a lower upfront investment and fewer maintenance costs.
• Improved customer experiences: By enabling quick and convenient transactions, mobile POS systems boost customer satisfaction and loyalty. Many customers prefer to pay with their phone because it’s within reach, whereas a credit card might be stuffed in a wallet or buried at the bottom of a purse

While it’s clear that mPOS systems offer businesses a ton of advantages, using these systems does present some challenges. Here are some recommended solutions for those challenges:

Mobile devices and card readers can experience wear and tear or battery depletion, especially in high-use environments. While a traditional POS doesn’t move, a mobile POS system may be pulled in and out of a phone’s port hundreds of times, charged with off-brand chargers, or circulated among salespeople. Companies should invest in durable, commercial-grade devices and portable power banks to maintain consistent operation.

A mobile POS system must have a stable internet connection to operate, which sometimes poses a problem for businesses operating in remote or crowded areas. Using a solution that supports offline transactions or having a reliable backup connection such as a mobile hotspot can help head off this issue.

Some customers are wary of new technology and may prefer to pay with cash. To help address their concerns, businesses should select mobile POS systems that are compliant with industry standards and have security features such as encryption or multifactor authentication (MFA) to protect sensitive customer information and transaction records.

If you’re ready to implement your own mPOS system, here are some steps to get started.

Assess store or retail operations to determine your business needs. Consider the number of transactions you’ll need to handle and the types of payment your system needs to process.

Cloud-based, tablet-based, and mobile POS systems can be similar. Determine your current needs and budget, and compare features, pricing, and customer reviews to get the full picture of what’s available. Gauge how tech savvy your team is — will they be able to install new technology themselves or will they need additional support?

Find an mPOS system that works seamlessly with your existing devices and software. Some card readers connect to the mobile device through Bluetooth, while others are wired or connect right into the charger port. 

Also, be sure the mPOS system meets your operational requirements. For example, you might look for virtual training and coaching platforms, customer-feedback tools, inventory management capabilities, CRM integrations, or support features for digital wallets. If you need insight into sales performance, customer behavior, and product trends, make sure the mobile POS system works with performance-analytics software.

Factor in hardware costs, monthly or one-time software costs, installation fees, and transaction fees. If there are any plans to scale or if you have a sense that strategies might shift, consider starting out with a basic system that offers tiered upgrades.

Request demos or trials to test the system’s usability and compatibility with your existing workflows before making a final decision. Ask your peers which systems they use and if they would recommend them. Online forums and social-media review videos are also a great source of unbiased opinions.

Mobile point of sale (mPOS) refers to a portable payment processing system that allows businesses to accept payments using mobile devices.

An mPOS terminal is a portable device used to process payments, often equipped with a card reader and a touchscreen interface. It also may include capabilities such as receipt printing and inventory management. Many mobile POS terminals support contactless payments, enhancing convenience for customers and businesses.

Common mPOS devices include smartphones, tablets, and dedicated wireless terminals.

Traditional POS systems, such as cash registers, are usually large and stationary and require physical infrastructure. mPOS systems are portable, on the other hand, enabling businesses to conduct transactions from any location that has an internet connection. Traditional POS systems can be wireless or wired, while mPOS systems are wireless or operate using cellular data.

Salespeople can pair traditional sales tools, techniques, and tactics with their mPOS system to sell effectively, manage tasks efficiently, and build strong customer relationships. For example, sales teams can still engage in upselling and cross-selling while using the latest Retail AI technology. Retail AI can complete manual tasks so that human salespeople can focus on fostering customer relationships.