Acquiring is accepting cashless payments in general, while internet acquiring is its online variety. In store acquiring the card physically meets a terminal; in internet acquiring the buyer enters the details on a secure page or pays by QR code.
The practical difference
- Hardware. In-store acquiring needs a terminal; internet acquiring needs only a site or a link.
- Confirmation. In store the card proves the buyer is present; online 3-D Secure plays that role.
- Risk. Online has a higher dispute rate, so anti-fraud and item descriptions matter more.
What to choose
- Selling only online — internet acquiring is enough.
- Running both a shop and a site — you will need both, connected separately.
- Selling on the go — a QR code or a payment link replaces the terminal.
How online payments work is on the internet acquiring page.
