Point-of-Sale Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented, By Component (Hardware, Software), By Deployment (On-premises and Cloud-based), By Operating System (Windows/Linux, Android, and iOS), By End-user (Restaurants, Retail, Entertainment, and Others), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 28.24 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	13.33%
Fastest Growing Segment	iOS
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 59.83 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Point-of-Sale Market will grow from USD 28.24 Billion in 2025 to USD 59.83 Billion by 2031 at a 13.33% CAGR. A Point-of-Sale (POS) system comprises the combined hardware and software infrastructure that enables merchants to execute sales transactions, process payments, and manage operational functions such as inventory tracking and customer data analysis. The global market is primarily driven by the accelerating consumer transition toward cashless payment methods and the increasing necessity for merchants to adopt omnichannel strategies that integrate physical and digital storefronts. According to Payments Canada, in 2024, contactless payments accounted for 58 percent of all transactions, underscoring the critical demand for modern terminals capable of handling near-field communication technology.

However, the market faces a significant impediment regarding data security and the high costs associated with maintaining compliance. The centralization of sensitive financial information within cloud-based networks makes POS systems attractive targets for cyberattacks, necessitating rigorous and expensive security protocols. These elevated implementation and maintenance costs often deter small and medium-sized enterprises from upgrading their legacy infrastructure, thereby stalling broader market expansion in cost-sensitive sectors.

Key Market Drivers

The rapid shift toward contactless and mobile wallet payments is fundamentally restructuring the Global Point-of-Sale Market. This transition compels merchants to replace legacy hardware with Near Field Communication enabled terminals to accommodate the surge in tap-to-pay transactions, effectively phasing out traditional magnetic stripe readers. According to FIS, March 2024, in the 'Global Payments Report 2024', digital wallets accounted for 30 percent of global point-of-sale transaction value in 2023, solidifying their position as a leading payment method. This dominance necessitates infrastructure capable of securely processing tokenized credentials at high speeds. Furthermore, the overall frequency of these digital interactions is rising; according to UK Finance, in 2024, the volume of contactless payments increased by 7 percent to reach 18.3 billion during the preceding year, underscoring the critical need for robust, high-throughput processing units.

Accelerated adoption of cloud-based POS solutions and the integration of AI are equally critical drivers, moving the market toward unified operational management. Cloud architectures allow businesses to synchronize inventory and customer data across multiple locations in real-time, dissolving the barriers between physical and digital commerce. This demand for operational efficiency is evident in merchant investment patterns. According to Block, Inc., January 2024, in the '2024 Future of Commerce' report, 55 percent of surveyed business owners plan to increase their spending on technology and automation tools over the next twelve months to address staffing challenges. Consequently, providers are pivoting to offer modular software platforms that integrate advanced data analytics, thereby reducing the total cost of ownership while enhancing merchant agility.

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Key Market Challenges

The Global Point-of-Sale Market faces a substantial hurdle regarding data security vulnerabilities and the prohibitive costs associated with regulatory compliance. As merchants increasingly migrate to cloud-based networks, the centralization of sensitive payment data invites frequent cyberattacks, compelling vendors to implement rigorous and expensive security measures. These mandatory protocols impose severe financial constraints on small and medium-sized enterprises, which often lack the capital to replace legacy hardware with compliant, modern systems. Consequently, this financial barrier impedes the widespread adoption of advanced POS solutions, particularly in fragmented or price-sensitive market segments where profit margins are narrow.

The urgency of this issue is highlighted by recent industry data regarding the prevalence of financial threats. According to the Association for Financial Professionals, in 2025, 79 percent of surveyed organizations reported being victims of attempted or actual payments fraud in the prior year. This high incidence of fraudulent activity necessitates the integration of complex security layers into POS infrastructure, significantly driving up the total cost of ownership. As vendors inevitably pass these compliance and security costs down to end-users, smaller merchants are further discouraged from upgrading their technology, thereby directly stalling the overall expansion of the global market.

Key Market Trends

The Rapid Proliferation of SoftPOS and Tap-to-Phone Technology is fundamentally altering the market by allowing merchants to transform smartphones into payment terminals. This innovation eliminates the dependency on dedicated hardware, drastically reducing entry costs for micro-merchants. Unlike traditional NFC terminals, SoftPOS leverages downloadable applications to enable immediate transaction processing on commercial off-the-shelf devices. According to TechAfricaNews, April 2025, in the 'Visa's Tap to Phone Usage Surges 200%, Empowering Small Businesses' article, Visa reported that Tap to Phone technology experienced a 200 percent increase in usage over the previous year, reflecting the accelerating demand for hardware-free solutions.

Concurrently, the Expansion of Self-Service Kiosks and Automated Checkout Solutions is redefining the physical consumer experience, driven by labor shortages and a preference for autonomy. Retailers and hospitality providers are deploying interactive stations that empower customers to customize orders and complete payments without staff assistance. This automated approach enhances efficiency while driving higher average ticket values through programmed upselling. According to Tillster, April 2025, in the '2025 Phygital Index Report', 61 percent of users want more kiosks available in restaurants for ordering, underscoring the shift in consumer expectations toward self-directed service.

Segmental Insights

Based on recent market analysis, the iOS segment is identified as the fastest-growing category within the Global Point-of-Sale Market. This accelerated expansion is primarily driven by the high adoption rate of Apple devices in the retail and hospitality sectors, where the operating system’s intuitive interface significantly reduces staff training time. Furthermore, the introduction of soft-POS capabilities, such as Tap to Pay on iPhone, allows merchants to accept contactless payments directly on mobile devices without requiring additional hardware. These factors, combined with superior data security protocols that align with industry standards, establish iOS as the preferred platform for businesses seeking mobility and operational efficiency.

Regional Insights

North America dominates the Global Point-of-Sale Market, driven by the extensive integration of digital payment technologies within its mature retail and hospitality sectors. The region benefits from robust infrastructure supporting cloud-based and mobile POS solutions, which streamline business operations. Additionally, stringent data security requirements enforced by the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council compel merchants to adopt compliant and secure transaction systems. This market leadership is further strengthened by the concentration of key industry players in the United States, fostering continuous technological advancements and meeting the high consumer demand for seamless contactless payment options.

Recent Developments

• In October 2024, Fiserv announced significant enhancements to its Clover point-of-sale ecosystem, introducing new hardware and integrated software capabilities for restaurants, retailers, and service businesses. The launch included the Clover Compact and Flex Pocket devices, which were developed to provide business owners with greater flexibility in accepting payments and managing operations. Additionally, the update featured deeper integration of essential business functions such as employee management, payroll, and customer loyalty programs directly into the vertical software. These innovations were aimed at helping small businesses streamline their daily operations and access financial solutions like cash discounting and same-day fund transfers more efficiently.
• In September 2024, Adyen announced a major advancement in its in-person payments portfolio with the unveiling of the SFO1, its first proprietary multimedia countertop Android terminal. This new point-of-sale device featured an 8-inch touchscreen that combined traditional payment terminal functions with a customer-facing display, allowing businesses to showcase video content and loyalty programs during the checkout process. The release highlighted the company's commitment to revolutionizing the point-of-purchase experience by enabling brands to interact more dynamically with shoppers. The terminal was designed to integrate seamlessly with existing POS systems, reducing counter clutter while maintaining a consistent brand presence for enterprise and platform merchants.
• In May 2024, NCR Voyix expanded its long-standing strategic partnership with Olo, a leading open SaaS platform for restaurants, to integrate Olo’s solutions directly onto the NCR Voyix Commerce Platform. This collaboration was designed to support the restaurant industry’s adoption of digital solutions by combining two open platforms to simplify ordering and payment processes for both guests and employees. The integration focused on Olo’s Order, Pay, and Engage solutions, facilitating a unified, data-driven approach to guest experiences. The joint effort aimed to help enterprise restaurant brands streamline their operations and unlock greater value through personalization and consolidated data insights across their point-of-sale systems.
• In April 2024, Shopify launched a new lineup of retail hardware for the global point-of-sale market, specifically engineered to support high-volume retailers. The release included the POS Terminal Countertop Kit, a comprehensive solution designed for streamlined checkout experiences, and the POS Go, a mobile device that allows for greater flexibility on the sales floor. These devices were developed to prioritize connectivity and security, ensuring compliance with PCI DSS standards while improving the overall buyer experience. This product launch marked a significant step in the company's strategy to unify online and in-person sales, providing merchants with robust tools to enhance operations in physical store environments.

Key Market Players

• Toshiba Corporation
• Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company
• Idealpos Solutions Pty Ltd
• Intel Corporation
• Microsoft Corporation
• NCR Voyix Corporation
• Panasonic Holdings Corporation
• Revel Systems Inc.
• Toast Inc.

By Component	By Deployment	By Operating System	By End-user	By Region
Hardware Software	On-premises and Cloud-based	Windows/Linux Android iOS	Restaurants Retail Entertainment Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Point-of-Sale Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Point-of-Sale Market, By Component:

• Hardware
• Software

• Point-of-Sale Market, By Deployment:

• On-premises and Cloud-based

• Point-of-Sale Market, By Operating System:

• Windows/Linux
• Android
• iOS

• Point-of-Sale Market, By End-user:

• Restaurants
• Retail
• Entertainment
• Others

• Point-of-Sale Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE