Market Pay offers a range of PAX Android terminals, each suited to a different sales environment. This guide helps you pick the model that matches how and where you take payments, so you order the right hardware the first time.
Start with your environment
The fastest way to narrow the choice is to decide where and how the terminal will be used. Most businesses fall into one of four environments.
- Mobile: you take payments away from a fixed counter: at the table, on the shop floor, at the door, or in the field. You need battery power and wireless connectivity.
- Countertop: the terminal sits in one place at checkout and is usually mains-powered.
- PIN pad: the terminal is a customer-facing keypad connected to an existing POS system (ECR), rather than a standalone device.
- Self-service / unattended: the terminal is built into a vending machine, kiosk, or fuel pump and takes payment with no cashier present.
Match the environment to a model
Once you know your environment, use the table below to shortlist models. For full specifications of any model, open its individual page in the Getting Started section.
| Environment | Recommended models | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile / handheld | A920Pro, A8900, A77 | Restaurants, tableside, delivery, field sales, pop-up retail |
| Countertop | A80, A8500 | Fixed, retail counter, hospitality front desk |
| PIN pad (with POS) | A35 | Grocery, big-box retail, pharmacy lanes connected to a POS |
| Self-service / unattended | IM30, IM25 | Vending, kiosks, parking, fuel, ticketing |
Consider connectivity
Your environment also determines how the terminal reaches the internet and, if relevant, your POS system.
- Wi-Fi is available on all models (but as an additional option for some, like A35) and is the simplest option for a mobile or countertop setup.
- A base station (for example the L920 or L8900) gives a countertop or semi-fixed terminal a dedicated, stable Wi-Fi network over Ethernet. See Connect Your Terminal to a Base.
- A wired connection to a POS is used for PIN pads and integrated setups, over USB or Ethernet. See Connect your terminal to ECR.
Consider whether you integrate with a POS
If the terminal must talk to your point-of-sale software, decide on an integration method early — it affects both the model and the setup. Market Pay supports three approaches: Local API, Cloud API, and App-to-App. See Choose your integration for a full comparison.
Tip
If you are unsure which model fits your setup, contact the Market Pay team before ordering. Getting the environment and connectivity right up front avoids swapping hardware later.
Next steps
- Compare every model side by side in Terminal Models Overview.
- Once your terminal arrives, follow What's in the Box & First-Day Checklist.
- Ready to go live? See Terminal First Activation.
If you need help choosing, raise a request with the Market Pay team at https://assist.market-pay.com/.