Is a cash discount program legal in California?

Yes. Cash discount programs are legal in California and compliant with Visa and Mastercard card network rules when properly disclosed at point of sale. Horizon provides the required signage materials.

How do customers react to the cash discount program?

Most customers don't notice or don't mind. The posted price is what they see at checkout, and paying by card is still fast and simple. Clear signage at the register handles most questions before they're asked.

What if a customer pays cash?

Cash customers pay the lower cash price. The discount is built into the pricing structure — it's not a surcharge added to card users, it's a discount given to cash customers off the posted price.

Is there a long-term contract for the cash discount program?

No long-term contracts. If the program isn't working for your business, you're not locked in.

How long does it take to set up a cash discount program?

The fee analysis and approval process usually takes a few days. Hardware ships by mail and arrives in 1 to 2 weeks, sometimes up to 4 weeks depending on bank document processing. After delivery, setup is plug-and-play — connect to WiFi and you're running.

How much can a small business save with a cash discount program?

Savings depend on monthly card volume. A business doing $10,000 per month in card sales typically pays $250 to $300 per month in processing fees. With the cash discount program, that drops to $20 per month flat. A business doing $50,000 per month typically saves over $14,000 per year.

What credit card machines work with the cash discount program?

Horizon uses Clover POS systems — the Station, Mini, Flex, and mobile reader. All arrive pre-configured for the cash discount program and ship directly to your business.

What are merchant services for small business?

Merchant services covers how a business accepts credit and debit cards — the equipment, the processing arrangement, and the cost. Horizon offers merchant services through a cash discount program: businesses pay $20 per month flat instead of a percentage on every transaction.

What is the difference between Horizon and Square or Stripe?

Square and Stripe charge a percentage on every transaction — typically 2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person payments. For a business doing $30,000 a month in card sales, that's roughly $780 per month in processing fees. Horizon's cash discount program replaces that with a $20 monthly flat fee.

Is there a contract for merchant services with Horizon?

No long-term contracts. If the program isn't working for your business, you are not locked in.

How do I find out what I am currently paying in processing fees?

Pull your most recent processing statement — it shows the total fees charged for the month. If you're not sure what you're looking at, Horizon offers a free merchant fee analysis that walks through your statement line by line, no commitment required.

How long does it take to set up merchant services with Horizon?

The fee analysis and approval process usually takes a few days. Clover hardware ships by mail and arrives in 1 to 2 weeks, sometimes up to 4 weeks depending on bank document processing. After delivery, setup is plug-and-play.

What businesses does Horizon work with in SLO County?

Horizon works with restaurants, cafes, retail shops, salons, smoke shops, wineries, tasting rooms, HVAC and service contractors, gyms, and other small businesses in Paso Robles, Atascadero, Templeton, San Luis Obispo, and Arroyo Grande.

Types of POS Terminals: Countertop, Mobile, Smart POS, and Virtual Terminals Explained

Oscar Macias
Apr 26
4 min read

Choosing the right point-of-sale (POS) terminal can make a big difference for local businesses. It affects how smoothly transactions go, how much you pay in fees, and how you serve your customers. I’ll walk you through the main types of POS terminals: countertop, mobile, smart POS, and virtual terminals. I’ll also share examples of products that fit these categories to help you decide what works best for your business.

Understanding Countertop POS Terminals

Countertop POS terminals are the classic setup you see at many stores. They sit on a counter and connect to a power source and the internet. These terminals handle card payments, print receipts, and often link to cash drawers and barcode scanners.

Key Features of Countertop Terminals

Fixed location, usually at checkout counters
Support for chip cards, magnetic stripe, and contactless payments
Often include a built-in receipt printer
Connect to other hardware like cash registers and barcode scanners

When to Use a Countertop Terminal

If your business has a fixed checkout area, like a retail store or restaurant, countertop terminals work well. They offer reliability and speed for busy checkout lines. They also tend to have lower processing fees compared to some mobile options.

Example: Horizon Payment Solutions Countertop Terminal

One example is the Horizon Payment Solutions Countertop Terminal. It offers fast processing with no credit card processing fees, helping businesses keep more of their revenue. It supports all major card types and integrates easily with existing hardware.

Mobile POS Terminals for On-the-Go Payments

Mobile POS terminals are small, portable devices that connect to smartphones or tablets. They let you accept payments anywhere, making them ideal for businesses that move around or sell outside a fixed location.

Key Features of Mobile POS Terminals

Compact and lightweight
Connect via Bluetooth or headphone jack to a mobile device
Accept chip cards, contactless payments, and sometimes cash
Often include apps for inventory and sales tracking

When to Use a Mobile Terminal

If you run a food truck, market stall, or provide services at customer locations, mobile terminals give you flexibility. They let you accept payments on the spot without needing a full checkout setup.

Example: Horizon Payment Solutions Mobile Terminal

The Horizon Payment Solutions Mobile Terminal offers secure, fast transactions with no upfront costs. It helps businesses reduce processing fees while staying flexible and mobile.

Close-up view of a mobile POS terminal connected to a smartphone on a wooden table

Mobile POS terminal connected to smartphone for flexible payments

Smart POS Terminals Combine Hardware and Software

Smart POS terminals are all-in-one devices that combine payment processing with business management tools. They run on operating systems like Android and offer apps for inventory, customer management, and reporting.

Key Features of Smart POS Terminals

Touchscreen interface with apps
Accept all payment types including NFC and QR codes
Built-in receipt printers and barcode scanners
Cloud-based data syncing and reporting

When to Use a Smart POS Terminal

Smart POS terminals suit businesses that want more than just payment processing. They help manage sales, track inventory, and improve customer service from one device. Restaurants, retail stores, and salons often benefit from these systems.

Example: Horizon Payment Solutions Smart POS Terminal

The Horizon Payment Solutions Smart POS Terminal offers a user-friendly touchscreen and integrated business tools. It eliminates credit card processing fees, helping businesses improve profit margins without extra costs.

Virtual Terminals for Remote Payments

Virtual terminals let you accept payments without physical hardware. You enter card details manually on a secure website or app. This option works well for phone orders, mail orders, or businesses without a physical location.

Key Features of Virtual Terminals

No hardware needed, just internet access
Manual entry of card information
Secure payment processing
Useful for remote or phone sales

When to Use a Virtual Terminal

If your business takes orders by phone or online but doesn’t need a physical terminal, virtual terminals are a good fit. They help you accept payments securely without investing in hardware.

Comparing the Types of POS Terminals

|-----------------------|------------------------------------|-----------------------------------|----------------------------------|----------------------------------|

How Choosing the Right POS Terminal Saves Money

Choosing the right terminal can reduce your credit card processing fees. For example, Horizon Payment Solutions offers terminals that eliminate these fees, helping you keep more of your sales revenue. This can improve your profit margins and support business growth without upfront costs or compliance worries.

Eye-level view of a smart POS terminal with touchscreen on a retail counter

Smart POS terminal with touchscreen for managing sales and inventory

Final Thoughts on POS Terminals

Each type of POS terminal serves a different business need. Countertop terminals work well for fixed locations. Mobile terminals offer flexibility for on-the-go sales. Smart POS terminals combine payments with business tools. Virtual terminals handle remote payments without hardware.

Look at your business setup and sales process. Consider how you want to accept payments and what features you need. Products like the Horizon Payment Solutions Countertop Terminal, Mobile Terminal, and Smart POS Terminal provide options that can reduce fees and support your growth.

Choosing the right POS terminal is a step toward smoother transactions and better profits. Take time to compare features and costs. The right choice will help you serve customers better and keep more of your hard-earned money.