How Much Does a POS Cost: Fees, Commissions and Hidden Charges
The cost of a POS isn't just the percentage on each transaction. There are monthly fees, activation costs, early termination penalties. To understand what you really pay, you need to add it all up. Here's a guide with a comparison table to avoid surprises.
POS cost structure: what you really pay
| Item | Typical bank model | IC++ Gateway (e.g. RoxPay) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | €15 - €40 | €0 | No fee with purchased hardware |
| Transaction fees | 1.0% - 1.5% (blended) | 0.35% + Interchange (~0.5%) | IC++ = full transparency |
| Activation cost | €0 - €100 | €0 | Often included |
| Hardware cost | Rental included | €300 - €800 (purchase) or €0 | Purchase break-even ~3 years |
| Early termination | €500 - €1500 | €0 | No contract lock-in |
Source: indicative comparison 2026. Bank costs vary by bank and contract type. With RoxPay there are no fixed fees: you only pay on actual transactions.
The three components of POS cost
1. Monthly fee (or hardware cost): With rental you pay €15-40/month. With purchase you pay once (€300-800) and zero monthly fee.
2. Transaction fees: The percentage on each payment. Can be "blended" (all-in, opaque) or "IC++" (Interchange + Scheme + Markup separate, transparent).
3. Hidden costs: Activation, early termination fees, charges for "support" or "updates". Always read the contract.
Blended vs IC++: the difference that saves
With blended rates (1.2% flat) on €20,000/month you pay €240. You don't know how it's broken down: part goes to Visa/Mastercard (Interchange + Scheme), part to the provider.
With IC++ on €20,000 you pay roughly: Interchange 0.25% (€50) + Scheme 0.12% (€24) + Markup 0.35% (€90) = €164. Savings of ~€76/month, over €900/year. And you see every cent on your invoice.
How to avoid hidden costs
Ask for the full contract before signing. Look for: early termination fees, minimum term, activation costs.
Choose a no-monthly-fee provider: With RoxPay you only pay on transactions. Zero monthly fee, zero penalties. If you don't process one month, you pay nothing.
Check real cost over 12 months: Multiply monthly fee x 12 + estimated commissions. Compare with an IC++ offer with no monthly fee.
Perguntas frequentes
How much do you save with IC++ vs bank POS?
On volumes of €10,000-50,000/month, typical savings are 30-50%. It depends on card mix (EU consumer = low Interchange, corporate = higher). With European B2C customers, IC++ is almost always cheaper.
Is the bank's "free" POS really free?
No. The terminal may be included in the fee or "free", but commissions are often higher to compensate. And you're locked to the account. Total cost over 5 years is almost always higher than an independent gateway with purchased hardware.
Também pode gostar de
Gateway de pagamento de alto risco
Processamento seguro para setores de alto risco, com encaminhamento para vários adquirentes e proteção contra contestações.
Soluções de pagamento para pequenas empresas
Preços IC++ transparentes, terminal Smart POS incluído e ativação em 24 horas para pequenos negócios.
Integrações de pagamento para e-commerce
Plugins de instalação rápida para WooCommerce, Magento e PrestaShop, com acesso completo à API.
Otimize os seus pagamentos hoje
Want to pay only on transactions, with no monthly fees and no surprises? Discover RoxPay's IC++ pricing.
✓ Sem custos fixos mensais · ✓ Ativação em 24 horas · ✓ Suporte técnico dedicado
