Is a virtual terminal safe?

Yes. Data is encrypted and processed on PCI-compliant infrastructure, and AVS, CVV and vault tools reduce fraud on keyed transactions.

Do I need a card reader with a virtual terminal?

No. You manually enter card details in the browser. You can add a reader later if you also take in-person payments.

Online Payments

What Is a Virtual Terminal? Take Card Payments With Zero Hardware

No device, no website, no problem. A virtual terminal turns any browser into a card machine.

Armour Payments Editorial Team•June 10, 2026•1 min read•Reviewed by Armour Payments Product Team

The short answer

A virtual terminal is a secure web page where you manually enter a customer's card details to take a payment, no physical terminal required. It's ideal for phone orders, mail orders, invoicing and businesses that take payment remotely.

How a virtual terminal works

You log into a secure web page, type in the card number, expiry and amount, and submit. The payment is authorized and funded just like a tap at the counter. Because it runs in a browser, it works on any laptop, tablet or phone with internet.

Who should use one

Virtual terminals shine for phone and mail orders, service businesses that invoice, trades collecting deposits, and anyone taking the occasional remote payment. If your customer isn't standing in front of you, this is the fastest way to get paid.

Staying secure with card-not-present

Keying a card is card-not-present, so use the built-in fraud tools: address verification (AVS), CVV checks and a customer vault for repeat buyers. See card-not-present fraud prevention for the full playbook.