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Table Of Content
August 2024
The global handheld point of sale market size accounted for USD 33.24 billion in 2025 and is forecasted to hit around USD 80.65 billion by 2034, representing a CAGR of 10.35% from 2025 to 2034. The Asia Pacific market size was estimated at USD 12.05 billion in 2024 and is expanding at a CAGR of 10.48% during the forecast period. The market sizing and forecasts are revenue-based (USD Million/Billion), with 2024 as the base year.
The global handheld point of sale market size was estimated at USD 30.12 billion in 2024 and is predicted to increase from USD 33.24 billion in 2025 to approximately USD 80.65 billion by 2034, expanding at a CAGR of 10.35% from 2025 to 2034. The market is growing due to rising demand for mobile, efficient, and contactless payment solutions in retail, hospitality, and field service sectors.
The customer experience and transaction speed are being greatly improved by the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) into products coming from the handheld point of sale market. POS devices can process payments more quickly by utilizing AI-driven algorithms, which offer automated error detection, predictive data entry, and optimized transaction routing. Checkout times are shortened as a result, particularly in busy settings like quick-service restaurants and retail stores.
On the customer experience side, AI enables personalized interactions by analyzing past purchase data to suggest relevant products, promotions, or loyalty rewards in real time. It also supports voice-assisted ordering, automated inventory updates, and predictive stock alerts, ensuring customers find the products they need. Additionally AI AI-powered fraud detection helps create a secure payment environment, building trust between merchants and customers.
The Asia Pacific handheld point of sale market size is evaluated at USD 13.30 billion in 2025 and is projected to be worth around USD 32.66 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 10.48% from 2025 to 2034.
Why Did Asia Pacific Dominate the Market in 2024?
Asia Pacific dominated the handheld point of sale market in 2024 and is expected to sustain its position in the coming years, backed by the widespread use of mobile technology and the quick adoption of digital payments. Competitive hardware availability and robust government initiatives supporting cashless transactions are propelling market penetration. The regions' lead will continue to be strengthened by advancements in handheld point of sale systems and growing merchant adoption. Its dominance is being reinforced by the existence of a robust fintech ecosystem and rising investments in payment infrastructure. It is anticipated that rising customer preference for contactless and mobile wallet transactions will maintain strong growth momentum.
North America is experiencing notable growth, fueled by the need for integrated retail and hospitality solutions as well as the growing use of contactless payments. The region's market is growing more quickly thanks to improvements in cloud-based point of sale technology and growing customer expectations for quicker, more convenient checkouts. Strong cooperation between payment processors and point of sale providers is improving the capabilities of the solutions. The adoption of AI-powered analytics, omnichannel commerce, and customer engagement features is also accelerating across industries.
The Handheld point of sale (POS) market devices, software, and services enable payment acceptance and point-of-sale operations using portable, hand-held form-factor terminals (including dongles/readers paired with smartphones, PDA-style terminals, rugged mobile POS, and wearable payment devices).
How Is the Shift Toward Cashless Payments Influencing the Handheld Point of Sale Market?
The shift toward cashless payments is boosting the handheld point of sale (POS) market by driving demand for portable, contactless, and quick payment solutions that enhance customer convenience and operational efficiency. In order to keep up with the growing number of customers who use contactless cards, mobile wallets, and QR code payments, businesses are increasingly using handheld point of sale devices. This trend is further reinforced by government programs that encourage digital payments, particularly in developing nations, and the post-pandemic demand for touchless hygienic transactions. Handheld point of sale systems are becoming an essential part of the contemporary payment ecosystem by facilitating quicker checkouts, mobility, and integration with business management tools.
| Report Coverage | Details |
| Market Size by 2034 | USD 80.65 Billion |
| Market Size in 2025 | USD 33.24 Billion |
| Market Size in 2024 | USD 30.12 Billion |
| Market Growth Rate from 2025 to 2034 | CAGR of 10.35% |
| Dominating Region | Asia Pacific |
| Fastest Growing Region | North America |
| Base Year | 2024 |
| Forecast Period | 2025 to 2034 |
| Segments Covered | Product Type, Form Factor, Components, Payment Technology, End-user industry, Application/Use Case, and Region |
| Regions Covered | North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa |
How has the Growth of the Retail & Hospitality Sectors affected the Handheld Point of Sale Market?
The retail and hospitality sectors are driving higher demand in the handheld point of sale market since mobile point of sale systems are becoming integrated into retail chains, shopping centers, hotels, cafes, and delivery-based services. These gadgets enable employees to take orders, handle payments, and provide receipts right at the customer's table checkout line or even outside the store during special occasions. Higher customer satisfaction ratings, shorter wait times, and more efficient services are all a result of this mobility. Because of their portability, food trucks and seasonal businesses have also embraced handheld point of sale systems in significant numbers.
How Are Government Digital Payment Initiatives Driving the Handheld Point of Sale Market?
Governments in numerous nations are aggressively encouraging cashless transactions through national campaigns, tax breaks, and subsidies for point-of-sale purchases. Programs such as the Digital India initiative in India and the PSD2 regulations in Europe have expedited the shift to electronic payments. Small town and rural markets where companies are increasingly implementing handheld point of sale devices to adhere to regulations and obtain financial benefits are particularly affected by these policies.
How Do High Initial Setup & Integration Costs Hinder the Handheld Point of Sale Market?
The handheld point of sale market is getting held back by the overall costs frequently incurred for staff training initiatives, software subscriptions, hardware purchases, and integration with accounting and CRM systems. This initial outlay of funds can be a major turnoff for startups or smaller companies with limited funding. Additionally, some companies are reluctant to upgrade because they are worried about how installation and onboarding will affect their current workflows.
Data Security & Privacy Concerns
Even with encryption and compliance certification, cybercriminals may still target contemporary handheld point-of-sale devices. Under international data protection laws, data breaches may result in monetary loss, harm to one's reputation, and legal repercussions. Many small and medium-sized businesses are vulnerable because they lack the specialized IT teams needed to keep up robust security measures. This causes hesitance to embrace mobile point of sale technology, particularly in industries that deal with delicate financial transactions.
How Is the Expansion in the Hospitality and Event Industries Expected to Affect the Handheld Point of Sale Market?
Handheld point of sale systems are being used more and more in the hospitality industry, which includes food trucks, pop-up cafes, and outdoor events, in order to serve patrons while they are on the go. Queues are shortened and customer satisfaction is increased when orders and payments can be made anywhere. The market for portable payment devices is expanding rapidly in the areas of sporting events, trade shows, and seasonal gatherings. Additionally, event planners are finding it more appealing due to integration with ticketing and booking systems.
Growth of Contactless and QR-based Payments
Innovation is being driven in the handheld point of sale space by consumer preference for tap-to-pay and QR-based transactions. Companies are seeking solutions that facilitate a variety of payment methods, such as UPI-based payments, digital wallets, and NFC cards. Particularly in busy retail settings, this trend gives businesses a chance to stand out by providing universal compatibility and quick transactional speeds.
Why Did the Smartphone-Based mPOS Readers Segment Dominate the Market?
The smartphone-based mPOS readers segment held the largest share of the handheld point of sale market because of their rapid deployment, portability, and affordability. Without requiring significant infrastructure investment, they enable field service providers, delivery agents, and small and medium-sized retailers to process payments. They're an affordable option for both developed and emerging markets because they can pair with existing smartphones. These devices are also simple to scale for companies with varying or seasonal transaction volumes. Their market dominance is further reinforced by their battery efficiency and compatibility with multiple payment methods. Adoption is increased because many financial institutions offer these readers in conjunction with merchant accounts.
The mobile POS terminals segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate during the forecast period as they combine tools for customer interaction, inventory management, billing, and payment acceptance into a single small device. In order to increase customer satisfaction and streamline operations, quick service restaurants, retail chains, and eateries and quickly implement these solutions, making they perfect for high-volume settings because of their sturdy construction, extended battery life, and offline functionality. Additionally, they support sophisticated integrations like e-receipt generation, AI-powered sales recommendations, and loyalty programs to enhance operational efficiency. Mid to large businesses are showing a great deal of interest in these multifunctional capabilities.
Why Did the Dongle/Reader Segment Dominate the Handheld Point of Sale Market?
The dongle/reader segment dominated the market due to its portability, affordability, and simplicity of integration with mobile devices. They are preferred by delivery services, small retailers, and pop-up shops because they are portable and support multiple platforms. In high-turnover businesses, their use is increased by their ease of setup. For seasonal employees, they are perfect because they require little training. Fintech companies' competitive pricing guarantees ongoing adoption.
The tablet-style handheld POS systems segment is projected to grow at the fastest rate in the handheld point of sale market, offering large touchscreens and intuitive interfaces. Used for in-store sales, order tracking, and payments, they improve customer service efficiency. Cloud integration and real-time data sync enhance their appeal. Many models also support barcode scanning and receipt printing, expanding functionality. Retailers favor them for enabling “assisted selling” on the shop floor.
Why Did the Hardware Segment Dominate the Handheld Point of Sale Market in 2024?
The hardware segment dominated the market because core devices are necessary for secure payment processing. EMV and NFC hardware predominates. Durable certified devices for a range of environments are preferred by merchants. The robust demand for hardware is maintained by features like multi-payment capability and ergonomic designs. For vendors, recurring sales are also fueled by hardware upgrades. Growth is aided by the emergence of ruggedized point-of-sale systems for delivery and outdoor operations.
The software segment is growing rapidly due to the increasing adoption of POS apps for cloud-based analytics, CRM, and e-commerce integration. They are accessible through subscription pricing, comprehensive reports, and remote updates. Enterprise interest is increased by managing multiple stores. Fraud detection and sales insights powered by AI are enhancing value. Adoption is strengthened through integration with accounting and ERP systems.
Why Did the Contactless/NFC Segment Dominate the Handheld Point of Sale Market in 2024?
The contactless/NFC segment held the largest share at 40% in 2024 for its speed, hygiene benefits, and universal card network support. Tap to pay shortens checkout times, improving customer experience. Wearable and smartphone NFC use adds momentum. Regulatory encouragement for contactless limits also boosts usage. Retailers prefer NFC for its proven security and convenience.
The QR code/barcode payments and mobile wallets segments are set to grow fastest, especially in Asia. Adoption is fueled by instant settlement, low setup costs, and app-based or UPI integration. They are used by retailers for loyalty plans and promotions. Their appeal is growing due to cross-border QR payment interoperability. Emerging market governments are also encouraging the use of QR codes.
Why Did the Retail Segment Dominate the Handheld Point of Sale Market in 2024?
The retail segment dominates the handheld point of sale market, driven by the high transaction volumes in the industry and the demand for quick, adaptable checkout options. By enabling store employees to accept payments from anywhere in the store, handheld point of sale devices shorten lines and enhance the customer experience. They also facilitate the integration of loyalty programs, product recommendations, and inventory checks. In order to facilitate assisted selling, which enables staff members to close deals immediately, retailers are increasingly utilizing these gadgets. The need to connect online and in-store sales through omnichannel capabilities is driving the use of handheld point of sale systems in retail.
Hospitality- QSR & mobile order segment is growing rapidly as staff can take orders and process payments at the counter, at the table, or even outside in dining areas, thanks to handheld point of sale devices, which speed up service and increase turnover rates. Order fulfillment is made easier in QSR settings by integrating online ordering platforms and kitchen display systems. Additionally, mobile order capabilities reduce wait times by enabling customers to place and pay for orders ahead of time. This market is expanding quickly due to growing consumer preferences for contactless dining and convenience.
Why Did the Payment Acceptance Segment Dominate the Market in 2024?
The payment acceptance segment saw significant demand in the handheld point of sale market, driven by applications driving handheld POS adoption, as companies in the retail, hospitality, transportation, and field services sectors depend on these gadgets to conduct safe and speedy transactions. Because handheld point of sale devices are portable, employees can process payments from any location, which shortens checkout lines and improves customer satisfaction. They are adaptable to different customer preferences because they accept a variety of payment methods, such as EMV, NFC QR codes, and mobile wallets. Higher sales volumes are directly correlated with faster transaction speeds in high-traffic settings such as stadiums, quick service restaurants, and events. In places with inadequate connectivity, offline payment options also guarantee business continuity. For payments made while on the go in delivery services and pop-up stores, many companies are also utilizing handheld point-of-sale devices.
Inventory management & analytics is the fastest-growing application, driven by the need for real-time stock updates and sales insights. Handheld POS devices now integrate with inventory systems, helping prevent stockouts and overstocking, built-in analytics track product performance and forecast demand, aiding better decision making and profitability.
By Product Type
By Form Factor
By Components
By Payment Technology
By End-user industry
By Application/Use Case
By Region
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August 2024