Native Station vs. Virtual Station
A Native Station runs in the Final POS app on a dedicated Apple or Android device; a Virtual Station runs in any web browser. Native Stations support connected hardware such as card readers, Tap to Pay, receipt printers and the cash drawer, while Virtual Stations trade hardware for instant, install-free access from a shareable URL.
The short version
A Native Station runs your point-of-sale inside the Final POS app on a dedicated device (Apple or Android).
A Virtual Station runs in any modern web browser, with no app to install. You open it from a URL and sign in.
The biggest practical difference is hardware: a Native Station connects to payment and printing hardware, while a Virtual Station is about quick, portable, install-free access. A station's type is decided when it's created: created from the Final POS app, it's Native; created or opened in a browser, it's Virtual.
What's unique to a Native Station
Because it runs in the app, a Native Station can talk to connected hardware:
Connect local and Bluetooth card readers. Reader discovery and connection happen in the app; in a web browser the app shows that card readers aren't available. For the readers Final supports, see finalpos.com/hardware.
Tap to Pay on mobile. Accept contactless payments directly on a supported phone or tablet.
Connect a receipt printer, choose the paper size, and trigger the cash drawer on a sale.
Print receipts to a connected printer.
See the device's Environment Data. The device and environment settings tab appears only in the app.
What's unique to a Virtual Station
Open from a shareable URL, with no install. A Virtual Station launches in the browser straight from its URL, and the correct Station is selected automatically. Great for pop-ups, training, temporary tills, or back-office order entry.
Single-session use. Because a Virtual Station can be opened from any browser, only one session can run it at a time. If the Station is already in use, anyone else who opens its URL is blocked until that session ends.
Taking payments
On a Native Station, you can take payments with a connected card reader, Tap to Pay, or a Cloud terminal.
On a Virtual Station, the app shows that local card readers aren't available in a web browser, so card payments go through a Cloud terminal.
Which should I use?
Choose a Native Station for a permanent counter that uses payment and printing hardware.
Choose a Virtual Station for pop-ups, training, a temporary till, or quick back-office access where you don't need connected hardware.
Frequently asked questions
What makes a station Native vs Virtual?
It's set when the station is created: a station created from the Final POS app is Native, and one created or opened in a browser is Virtual.
Can a Virtual Station connect a card reader or printer?
No. Connecting card readers and receipt printers is available on Native Stations. In a web browser, the app shows that readers aren't available.
Can two people use the same Virtual Station at once?
No. While a Virtual Station is in use, anyone else who opens its URL is blocked until the session is free.
Can a Virtual Station still take card payments?
Yes, through a Cloud terminal.