Choosing between Heartland Retail and PayPal Zettle for your business? Both are popular retail solutions, but they serve different needs. Heartland Retail starts at Contact for pricing and is Retail POS with integrated payments, while PayPal Zettle starts at $29 (card reader) + 2.29% per transaction and is PayPal mobile POS with no monthly fees. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which POS system is the right fit for your operation.
Quick Comparison: Heartland Retail vs PayPal Zettle
| Feature | Heartland Retail | PayPal Zettle |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Retail | Multi-Industry |
| Starting Price | Contact for pricing | $29 (card reader) + 2.29% per transaction |
| Rating | 4.1/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Target Business | Small Business to Mid-Market | Small Business |
| Pricing Model | Quote-based | Transaction-based |
| Free Trial | No | No |
| Free Version | No | Yes |
| Best For | Retail stores wanting integrated payments | Small businesses wanting pay-per-transaction model |
Heartland Retail Overview
Heartland Retail is a point-of-sale and payment processing solution for retail businesses. Part of the Heartland family, it offers inventory management, customer loyalty, and integrated payments.
Heartland Retail is offered by Heartland Payment Systems (Global Payments) (founded 2001) based in Jeffersonville, IN. The system focuses on Retail, Specialty Stores.
Key Features:
- POS System
- Inventory Management
- Customer Loyalty
- Payment Processing
- Reporting
- E-commerce Integration
PayPal Zettle Overview
PayPal Zettle is a mobile POS system with card readers and simple POS software. Features no monthly fees on the basic plan, integration with PayPal, and affordable hardware options.
PayPal Zettle is offered by PayPal (founded 2010) based in Stockholm, Sweden. The system focuses on Retail, Service, Mobile Businesses.
Key Features:
- Mobile POS
- Card Reader
- Inventory Management
- Reporting
- Digital Receipts
- PayPal Integration
Feature Comparison
Heartland Retail Features:
- POS System
- Inventory Management
- Customer Loyalty
- Payment Processing
- Reporting
PayPal Zettle Features:
- Mobile POS
- Card Reader
- Inventory Management
- Reporting
- Digital Receipts
When comparing features, Heartland Retail stands out with Heartland integration, while PayPal Zettle differentiates itself with No monthly fees. Your choice should depend on which features align better with your specific business requirements.
Pricing Comparison
| Pricing Aspect | Heartland Retail | PayPal Zettle |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Contact for pricing | $29 (card reader) + 2.29% per transaction |
| Pricing Model | Quote-based | Transaction-based |
| Price Range | Mid-range | Budget |
| Free Trial | Not available | Not available |
| Free Version | No | Yes |
PayPal Zettle is more budget-friendly, making it a better choice for cost-conscious businesses. Consider the total cost of ownership including hardware, processing fees, and add-on modules when making your decision.
Pros and Cons
Heartland Retail
Pros:
- Heartland ecosystem
- Integrated payments
- Retail focus
- Customer loyalty tools
Cons:
- Custom pricing
- May require Heartland processing
PayPal Zettle
Pros:
- No monthly fees
- PayPal integration
- Affordable hardware
- Easy setup
Cons:
- Processing fees on every transaction
- Limited advanced features
- Basic reporting
Who Should Choose Heartland Retail?
Heartland Retail is ideal for Retail stores wanting integrated payments. The system is particularly well-suited for Retail, Specialty Stores.
However, Heartland Retail may not be the best fit for Restaurants.
Who Should Choose PayPal Zettle?
PayPal Zettle is ideal for Small businesses wanting pay-per-transaction model. The system is particularly well-suited for Retail, Service, Mobile Businesses.
However, PayPal Zettle may not be the best fit for High-volume operations where processing fees add up.
Our Recommendation
Both Heartland Retail and PayPal Zettle are solid POS solutions, but they excel in different areas. Choose Heartland Retail if you’re Retail stores wanting integrated payments. Choose PayPal Zettle if you’re Small businesses wanting pay-per-transaction model. PayPal Zettle has a higher user rating (4.2 vs 4.1). Also, choose PayPal Zettle if you want to start with a free version. We recommend trying demos or free trials of both systems before making your final decision.