Terminal strategy
PCI PTS v5: what it means for your terminal estate
30 April 2027. From that date, no new PCI PTS v5 terminals may be deployed. Three paths forward. One decision to plan now — before the supply window closes.
The hard stop: 30 April 2027
30 April 2027 is the last date on which new PCI PTS v5 terminals can be deployed. Terminals already in the field are not immediately withdrawn from service, but every terminal added to your estate from that date must carry PTS v6 approval.
The decision is not whether to act — it is which path to take and when to start. Supply chain constraints and certification backlogs mean the practical planning window is shorter than the calendar makes it appear.
Three paths forward
The right choice depends on your merchant mix, estate size, and regional requirements.
Path 1
Replace like-for-like
Refresh your PTS v5 estate with PTS v6 hardware. Preserves existing workflows and attended transaction models. Carries supply chain risk — PTS v6 terminal supply is constrained globally. Factor fulfilment lead times into your procurement timeline now.
Best suited for: Stable, high-volume attended environments; regulated markets requiring fixed hardware.
Path 2
Migrate to SoftPOS
Move acceptance to PCI MPoC-validated software on commercial devices. Eliminates hardware procurement and logistics. Deploys over the air. Per-terminal cost significantly lower than dedicated hardware. No PTS certification dependency.
Best suited for: High-growth merchant onboarding; unattended and semi-attended environments; markets with strong smartphone penetration.
Path 3
Hybrid coexistence
Retain hardware terminals where operationally required while onboarding new merchants via SoftPOS. Reduces estate refresh volume and cost, narrows the supply chain exposure window, and maintains coverage for specialist use cases.
Best suited for: Most mid-to-large acquirers with mixed merchant bases — the most common outcome in practice.
The cost of waiting
Acquirers who defer the decision face compressing options. PTS v6 hardware supply is currently constrained — certification capacity is limited and demand from the market is high. Organisations that wait until 2027 to plan a like-for-like estate refresh may find fulfilment lead times extend beyond the April 2027 deadline.
For those evaluating SoftPOS: integration, certification testing, and the merchant onboarding programme all take time to stand up properly. Starting that process now means being able to onboard merchants at scale before the hardware supply crunch peaks — not after.
The April 2027 date is fixed. The planning window is not.
An independent platform for any path you choose
Mypinpad is not a hardware manufacturer. We have no terminal estate to protect and no hardware margin to defend. Our platform supports all three paths — SoftPOS on Android, Tap to Pay on iPhone, hardware terminal integration, and hybrid deployment models. Mypinpad is listed and validated against PCI MPoC v1.1, validated as a PCI DSS v4.0.1 Level 1 Service Provider and ISO 27001:2022 certified, operating across 28 countries.
Because we are independent of schemes, acquirers, and OEMs, the guidance we give reflects your interests — not a vendor preference for a particular path.
Common questions
Answers to the terminal strategy questions we hear most often.
What is the PCI PTS v5 hard stop date?
30 April 2027. From this date, no new PCI PTS v5 terminals may be deployed. Terminals already in the field are not immediately affected — PCI's requirement applies to new deployments, not terminals already in use.
Can I continue using PTS v5 terminals after 30 April 2027?
Existing PTS v5 terminals already deployed remain unaffected. However, any replacements or additions to your estate from that date must carry PTS v6 approval.
What are the supply chain risks for PTS v6 hardware?
PTS v6 terminal supply is currently constrained. Certification backlogs, component shortages, and high demand from acquirers globally mean that like-for-like estate replacement at scale carries fulfilment risk. Organisations planning a full estate refresh should start procurement planning well ahead of the April 2027 deadline.
How does SoftPOS fit into a terminal migration strategy?
SoftPOS — validated under PCI MPoC — is hardware-independent and deploys over-the-air to commercial devices merchants already own. It reduces hardware procurement exposure, cuts per-terminal cost, and can be stood up significantly faster than physical terminal programmes. It does not require PTS certification because security is achieved through PCI MPoC-validated software controls.
Does SoftPOS replace all terminal types?
Not in every environment. High-throughput attended contexts, fixed PIN-pad requirements, and some regulated markets may retain a hardware preference. A hybrid approach — SoftPOS for new merchant onboarding and growth segments, hardware for specialist use cases — is the most common outcome for mid-to-large acquirers.
Discuss your terminal strategy
Tell us about your current estate and merchant mix. We will help you map the right path forward.