Zettle by Paypal
$29.00
Jason Feemster
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
- Tap to Pay on smartphone
- No monthly fees
- Accepts major cards + Venmo
- No termination fees
- Affordable hardware
- Few integrations available
- No add-ons available
- No offline mode
PayPal Zettle Pricing Overview
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Monthly Software Fee | $0 |
| Card Reader (1st) | $29 |
| Card Reader (additional) | $79 |
| Terminal | $199 |
| Terminal + Barcode Scanner | $239 |
| Terminal Kit (printer + dock) | $269 |
| In-Person Processing | 2.29% + 9¢ |
| Keyed-In Processing | 3.49% + 9¢ |
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:
- Free PayPal and Zettle accounts: No fees or subscriptions, so beginning entrepreneurs lose nothing by trying.
- Free termination: If your business doesn’t take off, terminating your account is as easy as opening it.
- Affordable hardware: Process payments directly from your phone before investing in a terminal.
Areas Where PayPal Zettle Could Improve
The Zettle POS system can benefit many small businesses; however, the provider should consider adding some key elements.
- No add-ons: Add-ons would help eCommerce owners scale faster.
- No appointment scheduling: Limits service-based businesses that need booking.
- No marketing features: No email campaigns or loyalty messaging.
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.
| Card Reader | Terminal | |
|---|---|---|
| All-in-one system | No | Yes |
| Requires phone/tablet | Yes | No |
| Portable | Yes | Yes |
| Battery life | 8 hours (100 transactions) | 12 hours (4-6 intensive) |
| Scans QR codes | No | Yes |
Integrations
PayPal Zettle integrates with some eCommerce and accounting tools:
- eCommerce: Shopify, BigCommerce, WooCommerce
- POS integrations: Lightspeed, Loyverse, Revel, Vend
- Accounting: QuickBooks and Xero
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:
| System | Best For | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Square POS | Budget-friendly, more features | $0/mo, 2.6% + 15¢ |
| Toast POS | Restaurants | $0/mo, 2.49% + 15¢ |
| Shopify POS | eCommerce integration | $39/mo + 2.6% + 10¢ |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Zettle POS system charge a monthly fee?
No, there are no monthly fees or subscriptions to access your Zettle account and application.
Are Zettle and PayPal the same?
PayPal acquired Zettle (formerly iZettle) in 2018. PayPal then discontinued its previous POS solution (PayPal Here) and replaced it with Zettle, now branded as PayPal Point of Sale.
What percentage does Zettle charge?
Zettle charges 2.29% plus 9 cents for in-person transactions and 3.49% plus 9 cents for keyed-in transactions.
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.
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.
Specification: Zettle by Paypal
|
There are no reviews yet.