"Receive your terminal free of charge, with no subscription, no commitment!"
At first glance, it sounds appealing. Many payment terminal (TPE) offers promise a free, fast solution, with no up-front costs. But behind this seductive promise, the reality is often more nuanced. In this article, we explain why the "free" Eftpos terminal isn't always a good deal - and, above all, how to avoid paying more than you should.
🧩 Free on entry, but what's the price afterwards?
Yes, the terminal is "free". But using it is far from free. It's often the commission fee that counts.
- Much higher commissions
Where some professional offers hover around 0.5% to 0.9% commission, free VSEs often charge between 1.2% and 2%.
On a €10,000 collection, this can add up to €200 in fees, compared to €55 with a standard pro offer. - Inactivity fees
Some offers charge you if you don't use the terminal, or if you don't exceed a certain threshold (e.g. €300/month).
➤ Result: you can pay even without selling. - Sometimes limited services
Ticket printing, replacement in case of breakdown, responsive customer service... may be optional or limited.
In short, the terminal is free, but each transaction is more expensive, and hidden charges are not uncommon.
📆 Commitment in disguise
Behind some "no-subscription" offers are fixed-term contracts, sometimes for 12, 24 or even 48 months.
- Minimum commitment: you think you're free, but sometimes you sign up for several years.
- Penalties for early termination
- Changes to contractual conditions: the terms and conditions may change... but you remain committed.
Just because there's no subscription doesn't mean there's no commitment.
⚠️ Conditions to be met... otherwise you have to pay
Another point rarely emphasized is that free access is often conditional.
- Cash in a minimum volume each month
- Use only their POS solution
- Must connect their app to operate the TPE
As soon as you step out of the frame, the costs appear.
🔍 Free VSE or rental with reduced charges: the real calculation
This is the crux of the matter: is it better to have a "free" VSE with high commissions, or a rental VSE with lower fees?
✳️ Example:
- Option 1: Free VSE
- Free terminal
- 1.29% commission
- No subscription
- Option 2: Rental VSEs
- 36 €/month rental
- Commission reduced to 0.55
💡 Result:
- If you earn €1,000, the free offer is more attractive.
- But from €4,000 a month upwards, higher commissions cost you more than renting.
And as your business grows, the gap widens.
In other words: the more you sell, the more the "free" VSE costs you.
✅ So, a good deal?
A free VSE can be a good solution, but only in certain specific cases:
- ✅ One-off or seasonal activity
- ✅ Small cashing volume
- ✅ Need to test a solution before purchasing
But if you have a regular business, a high volume of payments, or if you want a reliable, future-proof and scalable solution, it's better to invest in a clearer offering, even with a subscription or rental.
🎯 Conclusion: It's never really "free".
When it comes to payment, everything has to be paid for somewhere: either at the point of entry, or with every transaction.
Before choosing your terminal, ask yourself the right questions:
- How much will I receive each month?
- What commissions will I pay?
- Am I committed? And under what conditions?
Because a "free" terminal, with a 1.29% lifetime fee... can cost you a lot more than a €36/month model with a 0.55% commission.
🤝 Easytransac, your trusted partner
Already active in a number of sectors, including events, campsites and sports clubs, Easytransac once again confirms its expertise in on-site payment, with solutions that are reliable, quick to set up and designed for professionals.
As a specialist in electronic payment solutions, we support all types of businesses with :
▸ High-performance VSEs(fixed or mobileAndroid terminals ) at only 0.55% charge.
▸ An integrated cash register system for unified management
▸ Cashless to digitize cash on site
▸ An access control, accreditation and CRM system
Discover how Easytransac can automate and secure your financial flows! Contact us for a customized demonstration.
