What are omnichannel payments? (+ benefits for commerce businesses)

Alexis Damen | November 10, 2022 | Updated: April 13, 2026

“Cash or card?” Omnichannel payments have made that question less relevant. Now, you’re more likely to ask “How would you like to pay?” Answers vary from mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay to Bizum, bank transfers, credit and debit cards, and more.

Modern consumers want to pay using the easiest and most convenient method, whether they shop online, in-store, or across every channel.

Finding the right omnichannel payments solution for your business will help streamline payments and satisfy your customers’ needs, but what exactly are omnichannel payments?

What you’ll learn from this article

What are omnichannel payments?

European consumers no longer shop in a single channel. In 2024, 77% of EU consumers shopped online, yet physical stores still increased digital sales by up to 20%. And with the development of agentic commerce, 61% of consumers would like to see Gen AI integrated into their shopping interactions, showing that access to more shopping channels and switching between them is now the norm, not the exception.

Omnichannel payments bridge the gap between online and offline. They allow you to take payments in-store, online, at events, or wherever you’re selling products. Plus, they offer your customers consistent, integrated shopping experiences that are also easy for you to manage.

For example, a customer might want to order online and pay in-store with a credit card. Another customer might prefer to pay online using a digital wallet like Google Pay, Apple Pay, or PayPal, and some might prefer to buy in-store using Bizum.

How do omnichannel payments work?

Omnichannel payments support omnichannel commerce by streamlining purchases across all channels and making it easier to accept more payment methods and issue returns through any sales channel, online or in person. Let’s see an example:

Mary browses your e-commerce store and comes across a dress she loves.
She compares it to dresses in other stores, checks inventory, and uses your live chat to ask questions.
Unsure which size will fit her best, she goes into your store to try the dress on.
The sales team builds a rapport and makes her aware of a beautiful pair of shoes that match the dress perfectly.
They send her a coupon via SMS, offering a discount on her first purchase.
Mary buys the dress, shoes, and a necklace that caught her eye using her mobile wallet.
A week later, Mary decides the necklace doesn’t suit her, so she prints a return label and drops the package off at a pickup point.
The refund is processed online, so Mary doesn't have to visit the store.

Mary was able to browse online, purchase in person, process her return online or via a pickup point, and get her money back without having to visit the store again, thanks to fully connected payment processing across all channels.

💡Pro Tip: Use MONEI to diversify your omnichannel payment stack from a single platform. Accepting card payments is essential. But it shouldn’t be the only payment method available on your checkout page or in-store. Adding alternative and local payment methods is crucial, especially if you have (or want to have) international customers. 📌Get started ››

What is an omnichannel payments platform?

An omnichannel payments platform helps you manage a range of online and offline payment methods, all within a single integration. Whether it’s online card payments, in-person mobile wallet payments, or payment links, you’ll have a unified view of transaction history, making it easier to provide a consistent customer experience. The right solution will give you detailed insights into how your customers pay, allowing you to plan more effectively for the future.

📌 Pro Tip: Use MONEI Pay to send payment links to your customers. Do you run a service-based business or need to accept payments at a later date? Create manual Pay By Link payments in the app and send them to your customers via email, SMS, WhatsApp, or social media — no website required. Get started ››

Omnichannel payment types

There are two main types of payment. Card-present (CP) and card-not-present (CNP) transactions.

With card-present transactions, your customer or a staff member physically runs a card through a reader or waves it over an NFC-enabled device. Near field communication technology is used to transfer information quickly between devices without physical contact.

Card-not-present transactions use card information to complete a purchase without swiping, tapping, or inserting the physical card into a machine. They are made remotely, for example, online, over the phone, or by mail.

Contactless payments, including Apple Pay and Google Pay, count as card-present transactions. The customer adds their card information to the mobile app once. From this point, they scan or tap to pay with their phone to complete a transaction (also known as tap on phone).

Within the two main categories, here’s how you can break down the different types of omnichannel payments:

Card present

Point-of-sale (POS) systems
Mobile payments
Contactless NFC transactions, like Google Pay
Traditional card machines

Card not present

Online purchases
Subscriptions
Invoices with links to secure payments
Keyed transactions for phone or mail orders

You might not want to accept every payment type listed above, but whatever you choose, the right omnichannel payment solution will make it easier to manage customer transactions.

Omnichannel payment processing channels

Mobile devices

More and more customers are completing purchases using their smartphones. The European mobile payment market generated revenue of USD 20,447.4 million in 2024 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 37.6% from 2025 to 2030. Digital wallet apps like Google Pay, Apple Pay, and PayPal make it easy to buy both online and in-store with mobile devices.

Computer (laptop or desktop)

Online purchases on laptops and desktops have been rising for years, and are expected to increase by 15% from 2025 to 2029, reaching almost 60% of the Spanish population. This shows that online payments will continue to be a major part of omnichannel commerce.

POS payments

Around 60% of Spanish consumers prefer to shop online, but physical stores still account for 40% of retail sales, making them an important sales channel. Your store needs the right point-of-sale to accept a range of payment options and stay competitive. Try MONEI Pay, our hardware-free POS system, to turn your smartphone into a payment terminal.

💡 Pro Tip: Skip the expensive POS hardware and use MONEI Pay to accept payments from your phone. Take contactless payments from your Apple or Android device in-store, at your restaurant, or on the go. Spend 50% less than standard POS costs, boost customer satisfaction, and accept the widest range of payment methods from one platform. Get MONEI Pay ››

Business-to-business (B2B) payments

Omnichannel payment processing is also important for B2B payments. Businesses such as distributors and wholesalers are looking for non-cash solutions to charge their customers and streamline payment processes. Rather than collecting cash, counting all the bills, and going to the bank to deposit them, omnichannel B2B payments can help you accept card payments from your phone, set up recurring billing or subscriptions, or take payments over the phone.

Convenience, personalization, and long-term relationship building aren’t only important for business-to-consumer (B2C) sales. These principles are equally important for B2B sellers.

Advantages of omnichannel payments

More than anything else, consumer demand is driving omnichannel payments, and it’s with good reason. Customers see the benefits of having a strong relationship with a business that understands their needs. Omnichannel retail, commerce, and payment processing play a significant role in keeping your customers happy.

Boost sales

Eight touchpoints were once the norm for making a sale, but nowadays the number can range from 1 to 50, depending on the customer’s buying stage. This means you need to offer the same high level of service on every channel, and it needs to be seamless. If a customer’s preferred method of payment isn’t available in your business, they’ll buy from somewhere that it is.

Save money and time

With the right omnichannel payments platform, you don’t need multiple third-party integrations. This means with a single connection, you can receive payments through any channel and analyze your data from one place. Working this way makes your omnichannel payment processing more efficient and cost-effective.

📌 Pro Tip: Save money on transaction fees with MONEI. As you sell more, your transaction fees will decrease in real-time, thanks to our dynamic pricing model. You’ll have more money to reinvest in your business and grow. Get started ››

Improve payment security

The best omnichannel payment solutions are protected with security protocols such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCS DSS) for online card payments. Different payment methods use different security standards, and the right platform will ensure compliance.

Enhance the customer experience

A good omnichannel payments system will remember a customer’s preferred payment method so they can quickly use it every time, no matter where they are or what they’re buying.

Centralize payment reports and insights

A centralized database for payment reports, transaction history, and channel insights gives you a better understanding of where your business is performing well and where you can improve it. You can compare how your customers pay online versus in-store and see what happens when they interact across multiple channels.

Easy integration

With an omnichannel payments platform, you only have to set it up once, and then you can add payment methods or channels as needed. You’ll only have to learn how to use one platform, and you’ll never have to worry about discrepancies when it comes to sales reports. It’s all centralized in a single dashboard.

📌 Start Now: Use MONEI to accept a wide range of popular local payment methods to accept a wide range of popular local payment methods from a single platform. With one integration, you can add payment options like Bizum, Multibanco, Apple Pay, and more to your store. Skip the headache of setting up local acquiring in each country you want to sell in.

Avoid abandoned carts

According to Baymard, 19% of respondents abandon their carts because they don’t trust the site with their credit card information, and 10% leave because there aren’t enough payment methods available. An omnichannel payments platform helps build trust by keeping your branding consistent across channels and offering the payment methods your customers want.

Start accepting omnichannel payments today

Now that you understand what omnichannel payments are, how they work, the different types available, and their advantages, you’re ready to get started. Choose an omnichannel payments platform that lets you manage your entire payment stack (online and off) from a single integration — choose MONEI.

Sources used:

Why agentic AI and unified commerce will define ecommerce in 2026 - Tech Radar
Bricks over clicks as shops come back into fashion in Europe - Reuters
Europe Mobile Payment Market Size & Outlook, 2025-2030 - Grand View Research
Online shopping behavior in Spain - statistics & facts - Statista
Six Trends Shaping Spanish Retail in 2025: How to Adapt and Thrive - Publitas
How Many Touchpoints Before a Sale in 2026? - Emailtooltester
50 Cart Abandonment Rate Statistics 2026 - Baymard Institute

Last sources check: 12/04/2026

Frequently asked questions about omnichannel payments

Multichannel payments involve accepting payments across different channels — online, in-store, or mobile — but each channel operates separately. Omnichannel payments connect all those channels into a single, unified system. This means customer data, transaction history, and payment preferences are shared across every touchpoint. For example, a customer can start a purchase online and complete it in-store without friction. Omnichannel is less about offering more channels and more about making them work together seamlessly.

No. Modern omnichannel payment solutions like MONEI Pay don’t require costly POS systems or complex infrastructure. You can accept payments directly from your smartphone or other devices using QR codes or NFC-enabled devices. This makes it easier and more affordable for businesses of all sizes to get started, whether you sell online, in-store, or on the go.

Yes, as long as your payment system is secure and compliant. Omnichannel payments use advanced security measures, including encryption, tokenization, and PCI DSS compliance, to protect sensitive customer data. Because everything is centralized, security protocols are applied consistently across all channels, reducing fraud risk and ensuring a safer payment experience for your customers.

Absolutely. One of the main reasons customers abandon their carts is limited or inconvenient payment options. Omnichannel payments solve this by offering a wide range of methods, such as digital wallets, local payment options (like Bizum), and cards, across all channels. A seamless and familiar checkout experience builds trust and removes friction, making customers more likely to complete their purchase.

Omnichannel systems make returns and refunds much more flexible. Because all transactions are connected, customers can return or exchange items through a different channel than where they originally purchased. For example, they can buy online and return in-store, or initiate a refund digitally without visiting a physical location. This creates a smoother post-purchase experience while simplifying operations for your business.

Alexis Damen

Alexis Damen is a former Shopify merchant turned content marketer. Here, she breaks down complex topics about payments, e-commerce, and retail to help you succeed (with MONEI as your payments partner, of course).

#Omnichannel Payments #Checkout Optimization #Omnichannel Commerce #Omnichannel Selling