Pine Labs introduces new PoS device for QR, card-based payments

Digital payments provider Pine Labs on Monday said that it has launched Mini, a cheaper variant of its point-of-sale (PoS) device, which will allow merchants to accept both quick response (QR)-based and card-based payments.

The device is near field communication (NFC)- enabled and can accept card payments only through the tap-to-pay mode.

While cheaper variants of devices in the market today are focused solely on either QR-based or card-based payments, Pine Labs’ new offering looks to edge out the competition by accepting both payment modes.


Pine Labs’ move comes at a time when the competition in the PoS market has heated up, with Paytm focusing on widening the acceptance of its sound-based PoS, Soundbox.

In July, Paytm had launched different variants of its Soundbox, including a portable pocket version of the device for smaller merchants.

Other consumer payment providers such as PhonePe have also launched similar merchant payment-acceptance devices, while Google Pay is running a pilot in the space.

Pine Labs said its Mini device is available at nearly a third of the cost of a regular PoS terminal, and is targeted at small merchants.

“QR-based and card-tap payments are the perfect solution for Indian consumers on the go. On the merchant side, an absolute must is a fast checkout experience and elimination of the cost barrier in point-of-sale digitisation. Addressing these needs, we are delighted to launch a QR-first, card accepting, cost-effective PoS solution called Pine Labs Mini,” said Navnit Nakra, chief revenue officer, Pine Labs.

Payment players provide these PoS devices at a subscription fee, which adds to their topline.