In-person payments by industry

Every business is different, and the way you take payments should fit how your business operates.

This page shows how Mollie's in-person payments solutions map to common scenarios across industries, so you can find the right setup that fits your needs.

Overview

Solution	Best for	Connectivity	Key strengths
`PAX A35`	Fixed counter environments	Ethernet, Wi-Fi, 4G	Reliable countertop terminal for high-volume, stationary checkout points.
`PAX A920 Pro`	Mobile staff, table-side, field use	Wi-Fi, 4G	Fully mobile with a large touchscreen. Ideal for any scenario where staff move around.
`PAX IM30`	Unattended, self-service environments	Ethernet, Wi-Fi, 4G	Built for setups where customers pay independently, with no staff required.
`Tap terminal`	Merchants who want a dedicated device without PAX	Wi-Fi, 4G	Compact, ready to use out of the box & easy to carry. Runs Mollie Terminal app.
`Tap App`	Staff who already carry a smartphone	Device dependent	No extra hardware needed. Turn any compatible iPhone or Android into a payment terminal instantly.

Retail

Common scenarios

Fixed-counter checkout for single or multi-location stores.
Floor staff taking payments anywhere in the shop to reduce queues.
Accepting returns and refunds in-store, even for items bought online.

Retail features

Referenced and unreferenced refunds — process returns in-store for online purchases, and vice versa, without extra configuration.
Multi-location management — manage terminals across all your stores from one dashboard.
Unified reporting — see all online and in-store transactions in one place, making reconciliation and stock decisions simpler.

Recommended setup

Solution	Use case
`PAX A35`	Your primary countertop terminal. Ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity make it reliable for a fixed checkout environment.
`PAX A920 Pro`	For staff who move around the floor or serve customers away from the till.

Hospitality

Common scenarios

Table-side payments in restaurants, cafés, and bars.
Front desk payments in hotels.
Counter payments in fast-casual or food hall environments.

Hospitality features

Tipping and gratuity — add tipping directly into the payment flow, so guests can add a tip on the terminal.
Vouchers — accept meal and eco vouchers out of the box (for Belgium and PAX terminals only).
Multiple profiles — run multiple venues or outlets under one integration, with separate reporting per location.
Payment links — combine in-person payments with Mollie's online payments to take pre-payments or deposits for reservations before the guest arrives.

Recommended setup

Solution	Use case
`PAX A920 Pro`	Go-to for table-side use. Fully mobile with 4G and Wi-Fi, so it moves with your staff across the floor.
`PAX A35`	Bar or reception environments where a fixed terminal is irreplaceable.

Events and leisure

Common scenarios

Ticket desks, bar areas, merchandise stands at events.
Leisure facilities such as gyms, golf clubs, escape rooms with entry and in-venue purchases.
Seasonal businesses that need to scale terminals up and down easily.

Events and leisure features

4G connectivity — avoid depending on venue's Wi-Fi when you are outdoors or in a large space.
Tap to Pay on iPhone and Android — turn staff smartphones into payment devices instantly.
Flexible terminal management — activate and deactivate terminals on demand as your staffing changes.
Fast onboarding — use terminals that are pre-configured and ready to use when they arrive.

Recommended setup

Solution	Use case
`PAX A920 Pro`	Built for the field. 4G connectivity makes this a reliable solution even in venues without strong Wi-Fi.
`Tap app (SoftPOS)`	For staff who already have a phone and need to take payments on the spot, with no extra hardware required. Ideal for seasonal staff or pop-up scenarios.

Delivery and on-the-go

Common scenarios

Market stalls, pop-up shops.
Mobile service providers, including cleaners, tradespeople and personal trainers.
Delivery drivers collecting payment at the door.
Food trucks and catering at private events.

Delivery and on-the-go features

Tap to Pay on iPhone and Android — start accepting payments the same day, with no hardware to wait for.
4G connectivity — take payments anywhere, even off the grid, with the Tap terminal and PAX A920 Pro.
Simple terminal management — monitor activity and manage your terminals from the Mollie Dashboard, wherever you are.
Unified dashboard — if you also sell online or via payment links, everything lands in the same place.

Recommended setup

Solution	Use case
`Tap app (SoftPOS)`	The lightest option: accept contactless payments on any compatible iPhone or Android. No terminal needed.
`Tap terminal`	A compact, dedicated Mollie terminal for merchants who prefer a physical device. Simple, ready-to-use, and easy to carry.
`PAX A920 Pro`	For higher-volume mobile merchants like food trucks and larger market stalls, who want more processing power and a bigger screen.

Self-service/Unattended

Common scenarios

Transportation access points, such as gates, barriers, ticket machines.
Self-service kiosks in retail, hospitality, or public venues.
Vending and automated dispensing machines.
Car park and parking payment points.

Features that matter most for unattended use

Always-on connectivity — ethernet, Wi-Fi, and 4G mean the IM30 stays connected regardless of the environment.
Durable hardware — use hardware designed for continuous, unmanned operation in demanding conditions.
Contactless and Chip & PIN — let customers pay the way they prefer, with no assistance needed.
Remote management — monitor and manage the terminal from the Mollie Dashboard without being on-site.

Not sure which setup is right for you?

If you are building an integration for a specific industry or trying to figure out the best solution and you are still unsure which setup fits you best - contact our team at [email protected].