Ingenico, a global leader in seamless payments, has established a significant footprint in the payment processing landscape. As businesses navigate the increasingly complex terrain of digital transactions, choosing the right payment solutions provider can be a crucial determinant of success. In this review, we explore the features, fees, benefits, and drawbacks of Ingenico, providing an in-depth analysis to determine whether it is the ideal choice for businesses seeking efficient payment processing.
Overview of Ingenico – what’s on offer?
Ingenico Group, a French-based company that was acquired by Worldline in 2020, has been a steadfast participant in the digital payment industry for over 35 years. Renowned for its innovation and quality, Ingenico provides an extensive suite of products and services designed to facilitate transactions in both brick-and-mortar and e-commerce settings.
Their offerings span across POS (point-of-sale) solutions, mobile payments, online payment services, and omnichannel solutions. Ingenico’s POS terminals are hailed for their robustness, capable of accepting all forms of electronic payment, including EMV chip & PIN, magstripe, and NFC/contactless.
Cutting edge payroll software
- Powerful and easy to use
- HMRC & RTI compliant
- Used by payroll pros
The CRM platform to grow your business
- Great for entrepreneurs
- Powerful data analytics
- Manage sales and data
Powerful web builder and advanced business tools
- Great for startups
- Powerful web page builder
- E-commerce available
Supercharged content planning
- Great for marketing
- Better than lists or sheets
- Manage social media
Create a new website in 10 minutes. Easy.
- Launch your website fast
- Powerful data intuitive
- No coding skills needed
The company’s digital payment services cater to e-commerce businesses, offering a secure, seamless online payment gateway that can handle multiple currencies and payment methods. Their omnichannel solution, a notable differentiator, allows for a unified experience across different channels, linking online, mobile, and in-store transactions.
For tailored needs, Ingenico also provides payment solutions for specific industries such as hospitality, retail, health, and transportation. Their services stretch globally, catering to businesses of all sizes and kinds, and they offer 24/7 customer support, bolstering their appeal to business users.
Pros and cons of Ingenico
Pros:
- Broad range of solutions: Ingenico’s comprehensive product suite caters to diverse business needs, from physical stores to e-commerce platforms, accommodating a wide variety of sectors.
- Global reach: Ingenico services are available in over 170 countries, making them an excellent option for businesses with international operations.
- Omnichannel capabilities: Ingenico offers seamless integration across various payment channels, providing a consistent customer experience.
- Security: The company complies with PCI DSS, ensuring secure transactions and reducing the risk of data breaches.
- Versatile payment options: Ingenico’s systems accept a vast array of payment methods, including credit/debit cards, mobile payments, and alternative payment methods.
- Round-the-clock customer support: Their 24/7 customer service ensures timely resolution of queries and issues.
Cons:
- Complex pricing structure: Ingenico’s fee structure can be somewhat complicated, potentially causing confusion for businesses.
- Costly for smaller businesses: The advanced features and comprehensive services may be cost-prohibitive for smaller enterprises.
- Potential for system glitches: Like any technology, there may be occasional system errors or downtime, which could disrupt business operations.
- Learning curve: Given the vast array of functionalities, there may be a steep learning curve for some users.
Ingenico products and services guide
Ingenico’s comprehensive product suite can be broadly classified into three categories: POS solutions, online payments, and omnichannel solutions.
POS Solutions
Ingenico offers an array of POS terminals, both countertop and wireless, suited for various business types. Their card machines are robust, secure, and accept a multitude of payment methods. The portable models are particularly useful for businesses with mobile operations, such as market stalls and pop-up shops.
Online Payments
Ingenico’s online payment solution, suitable for e-commerce businesses, provides a secure and reliable online payment gateway. It supports a wide range of currencies and payment methods, ensuring a seamless checkout experience for customers. Ingenico’s fraud detection tools also enhance the security of transactions, minimising the risk of online fraud.
Omnichannel Solutions
This service links all payment channels – in-store, online, and mobile, offering a consistent customer experience. Ingenico’s Axis platform facilitates the management of transactions from all these channels in one place, providing businesses with vital insights into their customer behaviour.
Ingenico pricing, fees and charges explained
Ingenico’s pricing is contingent on various factors, including business size, transaction volume, and specific services utilised. For instance, Ingenico’s POS terminals can either be purchased outright or leased, with the cost varying based on the model.
Online payment solutions have a pricing structure consisting of a set-up fee, monthly fee, and transaction fees. The transaction fees are typically a small percentage of the transaction amount plus a fixed fee per transaction.
Ingenico’s omnichannel solutions also come with an initial set-up fee and a monthly service fee. The specifics, however, can vary depending on the intricacy of the required integration.
It’s advisable to directly contact Ingenico for a customised quote based on your business needs. Remember to enquire about any additional charges like chargeback fees or PCI compliance fees, as these may not be explicitly stated upfront.
Alternatives to Ingenico
While Ingenico offers a wide array of solutions, businesses may also consider alternative providers, such as:
- Square: Known for its ease-of-use, Square is an excellent option for small businesses. It offers a straightforward flat-rate pricing structure and a free mobile card reader.
- PayPal: A popular choice for businesses of all sizes, PayPal provides online and mobile payment solutions, including an online invoicing feature and international payment options.
- WorldPay: A comprehensive payment solution, WorldPay offers a wide range of payment services, including online, in-store, and mobile, as well as a virtual terminal for phone payments.
- Stripe: Ideal for online businesses, Stripe provides robust e-commerce payment solutions, including a developer-friendly API for customised integrations.
Conclusion – Is Ingenico a good choice?
The effectiveness of Ingenico as a payment solution ultimately depends on the specific needs and size of your business.
For large or global businesses, particularly those seeking omnichannel capabilities, Ingenico provides a comprehensive suite of solutions. Their advanced features, extensive global reach, and 24/7 support make them a worthy contender.
However, small businesses may find the pricing prohibitive and the array of features overwhelming. In such cases, simpler, more cost-effective alternatives like Square or PayPal may be more suitable.
FAQ – Ingenico review
While Ingenico offers comprehensive solutions, small businesses may find their services cost-prohibitive. It’s advisable to consider the business requirements and budget before making a decision.
Yes, Ingenico provides mobile payment solutions, allowing businesses to accept payments via smartphones or tablets.
Yes, Ingenico is PCI DSS compliant, ensuring the security of cardholder data.
Ingenico operates in over 170 countries worldwide.
Ingenico provides 24/7 customer support, ensuring timely resolution of issues and queries.
Ingenico’s systems accept a vast array of payment methods, including credit/debit cards, mobile payments, and alternative payment methods.
Yes, there is generally a one-time set-up fee for Ingenico’s services. The specific amount can vary depending on the services chosen.
Yes, Ingenico offers both countertop and portable payment terminals to cater to diverse business needs.
Yes, Ingenico provides tailored payment solutions for specific industries such as hospitality, retail, health, and transportation.
Yes, Ingenico’s payment systems support multiple currencies, making international transactions possible.
Yes, Ingenico provides a secure online payment gateway for e-commerce businesses.
Ingenico’s pricing depends on various factors, including business size, transaction volume, and the specific services chosen. It is best to contact Ingenico directly for a customised quote.
Given the array of functionalities, some users may find a learning curve when initially using Ingenico’s systems.
Ingenico’s omnichannel solution links all payment channels – in-store, online, and mobile, providing a consistent customer experience.
Yes, Ingenico’s payment systems come equipped with robust fraud detection tools to enhance the security of transactions.
Alternatives to Ingenico include Square, PayPal, WorldPay, and Stripe.
Yes, Ingenico operates in over 170 countries worldwide.
Yes, Ingenico’s POS terminals can either be purchased outright or leased.
Ingenico caters to various industries, including retail, hospitality, health, and transportation.
Ingenico provides 24/7 customer support, ensuring that help is available whenever needed.