Merchant acquiring and online acquiring both support payments, but they belong to different customer journeys. This comparison does not imply that MulenPay provides POS terminals or offline processing.
Comparison matrix
| Scenario | Where customer pays | What business controls |
|---|---|---|
| In-store acquiring | physical location | terminal and local receipt |
| Online acquiring | website checkout | order, checkout and status |
| Payment link | link sent by manager | payment purpose and result |
Decision tree
If the order starts on a website, use an online scenario. If a manager sends the payment, a payment link may fit. Physical-location payments require separate confirmation.
About “acquiring without internet”
The phrase can mean network failure, mobile payment, terminal mode or online prepayment. Do not assume offline capability unless it is confirmed.
When both approaches appear
A store can take prepayment online and handle the rest later. For online card scenarios, see card payments.
Conclusion
Choose by customer journey, not by label. For online acceptance, start with payment acceptance.
To accept payments on a website, use MulenPay internet acquiring.
FAQ
How is merchant acquiring different from online acquiring?
The main difference is where the customer pays and how the transaction is confirmed.
Can payments work without internet?
Only if a specific offline solution supports it; do not assume this for online acquiring.
When is a payment link useful?
When a manager sends payment outside a cart.
How should delivery payments be planned?
Compare prepayment, payment on delivery and network risks.
