SHIFT Hardware & In-Person Payments for Salons
SHIFT runs on an iPad, an Android tablet, or any web browser, and pairs with Stripe Terminal-certified card readers for card-present payments. Tap to Pay on iPhone is supported natively. Every in-person transaction inherits Stripe's PCI-DSS Level 1 security — card data never touches SHIFT servers.
Last updated: April 13, 2026
Supported payment flows
- ✓Card-present chip and swipe via Stripe Terminal smart readers
- ✓Contactless (NFC) tap payments — physical cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay
- ✓Tap to Pay on iPhone — accept contactless payments with no extra hardware (iPhone XS or later)
- ✓Tap to Pay on Android — accept contactless payments with no extra hardware (Android 11+)
- ✓Saved card on file — automatic capture at appointment completion
- ✓Cash payments — tracked in the same financial ledger as card transactions
- ✓Manual card entry — keyed-in transactions for phone or back-office payments
Supported card readers and terminals
SHIFT uses Stripe Terminal, which means any Stripe Terminal-certified reader works out of the box. The table below lists the most common models shops deploy.
| Device | Type | Connection | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stripe Reader S700 | Smart reader (Android-based) | Wi-Fi, Ethernet | All-in-one countertop with built-in display |
| BBPOS WisePOS E | Smart reader | Wi-Fi, Ethernet | Countertop barbershop/salon checkout |
| BBPOS WisePad 3 | Mobile reader | Bluetooth | Mobile stylists, booth renters, event booths |
| Verifone P400 | Countertop terminal | Ethernet, LTE | Multi-location shops with wired networks |
| Tap to Pay on iPhone / Android | Built-in NFC | Phone hardware | Solo providers, no hardware budget |
iPad and tablet front-desk station setup
Most SHIFT shops run on an iPad at the front desk with a paired card reader and optional receipt printer. Setup takes about 15 minutes.
- 1
Choose your iPad or tablet
Any iPad (iOS 15+) or Android tablet (Android 10+) works. Most shops use iPad (9th gen) or iPad Air. Install the SHIFT PWA from app.goingshift.com.
- 2
Pair your card reader
Bluetooth-pair a BBPOS WisePad 3 for mobile payments or connect a BBPOS WisePOS E over Wi-Fi for countertop use. Pairing takes under 30 seconds.
- 3
Connect a receipt printer (optional)
Pair a Star Micronics TSP100III over Bluetooth or USB. SHIFT auto-detects the printer and prints receipts on transaction completion.
- 4
Mount the tablet at the front desk
Use a Heckler Design or Maclocks iPad stand for a permanent mount. A swivel mount lets clients sign and tip on the same device the front desk uses.
- 5
Enable kiosk mode
In iOS Guided Access or Android Kiosk mode, lock the tablet to the SHIFT check-in screen. Walk-in clients self-serve without access to other apps.
Kiosk hardware recommendations
A self-service check-in kiosk is an iPad mounted at the entrance running SHIFT's kiosk mode. Recommended hardware: iPad (9th gen or later) in a Heckler Design H600 or Maclocks iPad floor stand. Lock the iPad to SHIFT using iOS Guided Access so clients can only access the check-in flow. For barbershops and walk-in salons, this turns the front of house into a self-service queue without adding staff.
Receipt printer and cash drawer compatibility
| Peripheral | Model | Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Thermal receipt printer | Star Micronics TSP100III, TSP143IIIBI | Bluetooth or USB |
| Cash drawer | Any standard 24V drawer (APG Vasario, MMF Val-u Line) | Opens via printer trigger cable |
| Digital receipts | Email or SMS delivery — no hardware | Built-in |
Security and PCI-DSS compliance
All card data is processed directly by Stripe, which holds PCI-DSS Level 1 certification — the highest standard for payment security. Card numbers never pass through SHIFT's servers or application code. The Stripe Terminal SDK that powers in-person payments is also PCI-DSS Level 1 certified.
For the merchant, this dramatically simplifies compliance. You do not complete a full PCI-DSS Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ D). SHIFT qualifies for SAQ A because no card data is stored, processed, or transmitted by SHIFT's systems.
Payout timing and refund handling
Standard payouts arrive in your bank account within 2 business days of the transaction. New Stripe accounts may have a 7-day rolling payout period for the first 30 days. Instant Payouts are available for a 1% fee and arrive within 30 minutes. Payout schedules are configurable — daily, weekly, or monthly.
Refunds (full or partial) can be issued from any SHIFT device. When a refund is issued, SHIFT reverses the platform fee automatically — you never pay a platform fee on refunded transactions. Stripe's standard processing fees follow their published refund policy.
Frequently asked questions
SHIFT supports all Stripe Terminal-certified readers, including the Stripe Reader S700 (Android-based smart reader with built-in display), BBPOS WisePOS E (countertop smart reader), BBPOS WisePad 3 (Bluetooth mobile reader), and Verifone P400 (Ethernet/LTE countertop terminal). Tap to Pay on iPhone and Tap to Pay on Android are also supported natively — no extra hardware required.
An iPad or tablet running the SHIFT PWA is a complete front-desk station. Pair it with a Bluetooth card reader (BBPOS WisePad 3) or a countertop smart reader (BBPOS WisePOS E). You do not need a dedicated POS appliance.
Yes. All card data flows through Stripe, which is PCI-DSS Level 1 certified — the highest level of payment security. Card numbers never touch SHIFT servers. The app uses Stripe Terminal SDK for in-person payments, which is also PCI-DSS Level 1 certified.
Standard Stripe payouts arrive in 2 business days for US accounts. Instant payouts (for a 1% fee) are available on request and arrive within 30 minutes. Payout schedules are configurable — daily, weekly, or monthly.
Yes. Full and partial refunds can be issued from any device connected to SHIFT. Refunds reverse the platform fee automatically — you never pay a platform fee on refunded transactions. Processing fees follow Stripe's standard refund policy.
Yes. SHIFT supports Star Micronics TSP100III and TSP143IIIBI thermal receipt printers over Bluetooth or USB, and any standard 24V cash drawer that connects through the printer. Receipts can also be emailed or SMS-delivered with no hardware at all.
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