A moderate price and being one of the first available EMV-ready terminals helped give Verifone’s vx520 credit card machine a pretty good lead in the switch to EMV-capable equipment. Businesses that don’t need a full point-of-sale system may find the countertop terminal to be a good solution for accepting cards. Let’s check out the features and other details in this Verifone vx520 review and profile.

The vx520 countertop terminal offers secure payment processing at fast speeds. The terminal connects via dialup or high-speed Ethernet connection but a model with wireless connectivity is optionally available if you prefer to connect using Wifi. An optional battery and rugged design ensure both portability and durability. Additionally, the vx520 allows multiple users, ensuring that each has access to the functions they need. Here’s a brief overview video from Verifone:

Acceptable Payment Types

The good news is that the Verifone vx520 takes just about every imaginable payment type your customers may want to use: traditional magstripe major credit cards (including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Diners’ Club), PIN-based debit cards, gift and loyalty cards, EBT cards, EMV chip cards, and new NFC payment technology. The vx520 supports contactless payments, including MasterCard PayPass, Visa payWave, Discover Zip, and American Express ExpressPay. Contactless (NFC) payments allow your customers to use the Tap & Pay option with stored cards in their mobile wallet.

The machine has a magstripe reader to the side, and an EMV slot along the bottom edge, both pictured.

VX520 Features

Countertop credit card machines don’t have as many features as full point of sale systems, but still offer plenty of convenient options.

Payments
The ”sale” screen on the vx 520 lets you quickly enter the total transaction amount and run your customer’s card.
In addition to taking payments, you or your staff can easily process returns, refunds, or voids directly from the terminal. If you have trouble swiping a card, you can use a manual entry option so that you can still make the sale. Using the Verifone vx520 in a location where customers may want to leave a tip? No problem – enable gratuity options and customers can add the tip when they pay.

Security
The terminal is PCI PED 2.0 approved for PIN security, and PCI PTS 3.x approved. End-to-end encryption is offered through VeriShield
Protect. The terminal is also EMV Levels 1 and 2 approved.

Store and Forward Mode
The vx 520 includes a ”store and forward” mode designed to allow you to continue taking payments even if you don’t have a connection.