Zettle by PayPal POS Review: Features, Pricing & Pros/Cons

Updated January 2026 • Verified Q1 2026

Zettle by PayPal (now called PayPal Point of Sale) is a mobile point-of-sale system designed for small businesses, pop-up shops, and food trucks. It works on both Apple and Android devices and offers features for managing products, inventory, customers, sales, and staff.

Our Review Process

In our PayPal Zettle review, we evaluate key factors such as features, data reporting, setup speed, and pricing. We break down the cost structure to give you a clear understanding of transaction fees, hardware costs, and monthly charges.

We also evaluate customer service, looking at response times, helpfulness, and availability across multiple channels.

Pros & Cons

PayPal Zettle Pricing Overview

Zettle charges no monthly fees — you only pay per transaction. The $29 card reader is one of the cheapest ways to start accepting cards.

If you prefer, you can skip the hardware entirely and use Tap to Pay on your iPhone or Android. Keyed-in transactions (phone orders) have a higher rate at 3.49% + 9¢.”

What Sets PayPal Zettle Apart

Zettle by PayPal doesn’t stand out in terms of features. However, it offers something different to new businesses:

Areas Where PayPal Zettle Could Improve

The Zettle POS system can benefit many small businesses; however, the provider should consider adding some key elements.

Zettle Key Features

Zettle POS system is easy and intuitive. While hardware is optional for smaller merchants, businesses of any size will have free access to the Zettle application.

Inventory and Sales Management

Zettle comes with POS features that allow you to manage inventory and track sales effectively. You can create and send invoices and run detailed sales reports.

Staff Management

Zettle’s multi-user functionality enables multiple staff members to use the same terminal while keeping their sales history separate. This simplifies end-of-day reconciliations.

Accepting Payments with Your Phone

Merchants can charge customers directly from their iOS or Android phones using the Tap to Pay feature. Payment options include debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.

If you opt for a card reader or terminal, the range of payment options expands to include American Express, Discover, Venmo, and other credit cards.

Product Catalog

The product catalog is fully customizable with categories, barcodes, photos, and more. Setting up your shop is quick and easy.

Data Reporting

Zettle offers sales reporting where you can check and customize reports. Select a timeframe and see how many sales you’ve had over that period and your average earnings.

Reports can be exported in PDF and Excel formats. The Zettle app also automatically records customer data, including contact information.

Overall, sales reports are simple to understand, but we would love to see more in-depth details for identifying patterns and trends.

Hardware

Zettle POS system is versatile and can be supported on your tablet, smartphone, or physical card reader. If you already have a smartphone for work, it costs nothing to make a virtual point-of-sale out of it.

If you want a more reliable tool, the first card reader from Zettle costs $29, while additional readers are priced at $79.

Another option is a portable, all-in-one POS terminal for $199. If you require a terminal with a built-in barcode scanner, the price is $239. A kit with printer and dock starts at $269.

Integrations

PayPal Zettle integrates with some eCommerce and accounting tools:

The integration options are limited compared to competitors like Square, but if you’re using any of these tools, Zettle could be a good fit.

Customer Support

If you have a problem with your Zettle account, you can call customer service from 6 AM to 6 PM Pacific time every day. You can also contact an agent through online chat.

Zettle offers forums for information about payments and inventory.

Explore Other Options

If you are looking for a functional POS system for small businesses, consider these alternatives:

Frequently Asked Questions

Our Verdict

Zettle by PayPal is a solid entry-level POS for small businesses, pop-up shops, food trucks, and market vendors. The $0 monthly fee and $29 card reader make it one of the cheapest ways to start accepting card payments.

The main limitations are the lack of offline mode, limited integrations, and no loyalty or marketing features. If you need those, Square offers more for the same price point.

For businesses that just need simple payment processing with PayPal integration, Zettle gets the job done.

About the Author

Jason Feemster
POS systems expert and founder of POSUSA.com, a trusted industry resource since 2011. With over a decade of hands-on experience testing and reviewing point-of-sale systems, he helps business owners choose solutions that actually fit their needs.