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Best overall card reader
Why we like it:
Square&#;s free magstripe reader is a convenient option for businesses making the occasional on-the-go sale. However, the company&#;s contactless and chip card reader gives you more flexibility by enabling you to accept cards with chips and digital wallets, such as tap-and-pay credit cards and smartphone apps, includingSquare&#;s free magstripe reader is a convenient option for businesses making the occasional on-the-go sale. However, the company&#;s contactless and chip card reader gives you more flexibility by enabling you to accept cards with chips and digital wallets, such as tap-and-pay credit cards and smartphone apps, including Apple Pay and Google Pay . It uses Bluetooth technology instead of connecting directly to a device, which lets you keep your cell or tablet nearby &#; but not out all the time.
The reader must be charged, but the charging dock can double as a support for the reader for a counter or table. You can also charge it with a USB charger.
Square also offers Tap to Pay on iPhone, which lets merchants accept card payments using only a regular iPhone with the Square point-of-sale app. Customers hold their cards or their own iPhone wallets near the merchant's to pay. Read our full Square review
Style:
Free magstripe reader plugs into a smartphone or tablet; the contactless and chip reader connects to a compatible or tablet via Bluetooth.First magstripe card reader is free; additional readers cost $10 each; contactless and chip reader costs $59; $39 for optional dock.
$0 for Square POS, Restaurant, Retail and Appointments Free plans.
$29 for Square Appointments Plus plan.
$60 for Square Restaurant Plus plan.
$69 for Square Appointments Premium plan.
$89 for Square Retail Plus plan.
Custom pricing for Square Retail and Square Restaurant Premium plans.
2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions.
2.9% plus 30 cents for online transactions.
3.5% plus 15 cents for manually keyed transactions.
3.3% plus 30 cents for invoices.
Best for using third-party payment processors
Why we like it:
This credit card reader by Clover works with iOS and Android phones and tablets via Bluetooth. It also processes every type of credit card payment your customers could want: magstripe-only cards, chip cards and contactless payments.You can choose between the starter plan or the standard package. Both provide basic payment processing with 24/7 live support. However, the standard plan includes added features such as sales tracking, detailed reporting, inventory management and itemized orders. Read our full Clover review
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Connects to compatible or tablet via Bluetooth.$49 for reader.
$0 for Payments plan.
$14.95 for Essentials plan.
2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions.
3.5% plus 10 cents for online or keyed-in transactions.
Best card reader with a screen
Why we like it
: Powerful and compact, the SumUp Plus credit card reader works through Bluetooth with Apple and Android devices and promises more than 500 transactions on one charge. In addition to having a screen to show transaction details, the reader comes with a few helpful POS software features that allow you to manage products in your catalog, track sales, send digital receipts and manage employee accounts. However, you might find that the overall POS is lacking when compared with the more robust options on the market. Read our full: Powerful and compact, the SumUp Plus credit card reader works through Bluetooth with Apple and Android devices and promises more than 500 transactions on one charge. In addition to having a screen to show transaction details, the reader comes with a few helpful POS software features that allow you to manage products in your catalog, track sales, send digital receipts and manage employee accounts. However, you might find that the overall POS is lacking when compared with the more robust options on the market. Read our full SumUp review
Style:
Connects to compatible or tablet via Bluetooth.$54 for reader; $64 with cradle; $99 for SumUp Solo touchscreen reader; $169 for SumUp Solo Printer Bundle.
$0
2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions.
2.90% plus 15 cents for online invoice transactions.
3.5% plus 15 cents for card-not-present transactions.
Best for interchange-plus pricing
Why we like it:
Helcim&#;s card reader accepts chip and contactless payments, but it can&#;t read magstripe cards. Because it connects through Bluetooth, it needs to be charged. It also provides POS software through the Helcim app with features that include customer management and inventory tracking plus analytics and reporting. A standout feature is its self-service portal, which allows customers to log in to see their payment information and purchase history.Helcim bases its fees on the type of card and interchange fees , which are set by card networks. It also offers volume-based discounts. The processor doesn&#;t require you to sign a contract, pay a monthly fee or pay to cancel your service. Read our full Helcim review
Style:
Connects to compatible or tablet via Bluetooth; can also be plugged into a desktop computer.$99 for the reader.
$0
Interchange plus 0.4% and 8 cents per in-person transaction (if $50,000 or less in monthly card transactions).
Interchange plus 0.5% and 25 cents per online or manually keyed transaction (if $50,000 or less in monthly card transactions).
0.5% plus 25 cents for ACH payments.
Best for accepting PayPal and Venmo
Why we like it:
PayPal&#;s Zettle accepts chip and contactless payments, but it doesn&#;t read magstripes. It does, however, let customers pay with QR codes onPayPal&#;s Zettle accepts chip and contactless payments, but it doesn&#;t read magstripes. It does, however, let customers pay with QR codes on PayPal and Venmo platforms. Its POS software offers sales reports, inventory management, tracking sales performance and more.
Transaction fees generally fall in line with competitors. All funds go into your PayPal account rather than a bank account. You&#;ll need to request a transfer to move the funds to your business bank account before you can use them outside of PayPal. Read our full PayPal Zettle reviewStyle:
Connects to compatible or tablet via Bluetooth.New customers can get their first card reader for $29; additional readers are $79.
$0
2.29% plus 9 cents for in-person and QR code transactions.
3.49% plus 9 cents for manual-entry card transactions.
2.99% plus 49 cents for invoicing (payment made with card).
3.49% plus 49 cents for invoicing (payment made with PayPal).
Best low-cost handheld terminal
Why we like it:
Square Terminal lets you accept all three methods of credit card payments: chip, contactless and magstripe. It&#;s less expensive than some competitors and doesn&#;t require a long-term contract. Read our fullSquare Terminal lets you accept all three methods of credit card payments: chip, contactless and magstripe. It&#;s less expensive than some competitors and doesn&#;t require a long-term contract. Read our full Square review
Style:
Handheld POS terminal.$299 or $27 per month for 12 months.
$0 for Square POS, Restaurant, Retail and Appointments Free plans.
$29 for Square Appointments Plus plan.
$60 for Square Restaurant Plus plan.
$69 for Square Appointments Premium plan.
$89 for Square Retail Plus plan.
Custom pricing for Square Retail and Square Restaurant Premium plans.
2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions.
2.9% plus 30 cents for online transactions.
3.5% plus 15 cents for manually keyed transactions.
3.3% plus 30 cents for invoices.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Outdoor Card Reader. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
Best restaurant-specific terminal
Why we like it:
The Toast Go 2 allows you to submit orders at tables and accept all three styles of payment. It's also spill-proof, will hold a charge for 24 hours and has a 6.4-inch touchscreen for quick checkout. The free version of Toast&#;s POS software comes with basic features, including point-of-sale and payment processing, but advanced features are available with paid plans. One downside: The company requires long-term contracts. Read our fullThe Toast Go 2 allows you to submit orders at tables and accept all three styles of payment. It's also spill-proof, will hold a charge for 24 hours and has a 6.4-inch touchscreen for quick checkout. The free version of Toast&#;s POS software comes with basic features, including point-of-sale and payment processing, but advanced features are available with paid plans. One downside: The company requires long-term contracts. Read our full Toast review
Style:
Handheld POS terminal.$799.20 for Handheld Starter Kit (but $0 if you agree to a higher processing fee).
$0 for Starter Kit plan.
$69 Point of Sale plan.
Custom plans available.
3.09-3.69% plus 15 cents per transaction, if you choose a pay-as-you-go plan.
2.49% plus 15 cents for card-present transactions, if you pay for hardware upfront.
3.50% plus 15 cents for card-not-present transactions, if you pay for hardware upfront.
Best terminal for a variety of industries
Why we like it:
The Clover Flex is a small but powerful handheld credit card reader. It can process all three credit card payment types, scan barcodes and print receipts. Read our fullThe Clover Flex is a small but powerful handheld credit card reader. It can process all three credit card payment types, scan barcodes and print receipts. Read our full Clover review
Style:
Handheld POS terminal.$599 for reader or $35 per month and up (for hardware + software) for 36 months.
$0 for Clover Go Payments plan.
$14.95 for Clover Go Essentials, Retail Starter, Personal Services Starter, Professional Services Starter and Standard and Home & Field Services plans.
$49.95 for Retail Standard, Personal Services Standard and Advanced and Professional Services Advanced plans.
$59.95 for Quick-Service Dining Starter and Standard plans.
$69.90 for Retail Advanced plan.
$79.90 for Quick-Service Dining Advanced plan.
$89.95 for Full-Service Dining Starter plan.
$109.90 for Full-Service Dining Standard plan.
$129.85 for Full-Service Dining Advanced plan.
2.3% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions for most plans, though rates may also vary by hardware type.
2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions on Retail Starter, Personal Services Starter and Professional Services Standard plans, as well as Home & Field Services Standard and Advanced plans.
3.5% plus 10 cents for online or keyed-in transactions.
In addition to simple, portable credit card readers you can take anywhere, there are also more built-out options available, including full countertop POS systems. Here are some top picks from each category:
Clover Mini:
4 stars.
Small countertop POS systems with built-in card readers, like the Clover Mini, are ideal for businesses that take most of their orders at the counter and need a solution with a small footprint. Read our fullSmall countertop POS systems with built-in card readers, like the Clover Mini, are ideal for businesses that take most of their orders at the counter and need a solution with a small footprint. Read our full Clover review
Square Stand:
5 stars.
The Square Stand comes with a built-in card reader &#; you just need to pair it with an iPad and download Square&#;s POS software. It&#;s a good solution for small brick-and-mortar or pop-up businesses that need a system they can use at the counter or carry around. Read our fullThe Square Stand comes with a built-in card reader &#; you just need to pair it with an iPad and download Square&#;s POS software. It&#;s a good solution for small brick-and-mortar or pop-up businesses that need a system they can use at the counter or carry around. Read our full Square review
Clover Station Solo:
4 stars.
This stationary countertop system has a built-in card reader and can be paired with other hardware, like a cash drawer and tabletop receipt printer. Read our fullThis stationary countertop system has a built-in card reader and can be paired with other hardware, like a cash drawer and tabletop receipt printer. Read our full Clover review
Small businesses that experience long lines and accept tips may want a customer-facing screen to help speed things along. These screens offer gratuity options and often feature built-in readers that let customers tap or dip cards themselves.
Square Register:
5 stars.
The Square Register is the company&#;s fully integrated countertop POS system that can accept magstripe, chip card and contactless forms of payment. It boasts two screens &#; one for the employee and one for the customer to show transaction details &#; for a seamless experience. Read our fullThe Square Register is the company&#;s fully integrated countertop POS system that can accept magstripe, chip card and contactless forms of payment. It boasts two screens &#; one for the employee and one for the customer to show transaction details &#; for a seamless experience. Read our full Square review
Clover Station Duo:
4 stars.
The Clover Station Duo ups the game with a combination of a 14-inch screen for you and an 8-inch screen for your customers. This makes it easier for customers to confirm orders and pay however they want &#; credit card, debit card, and contactless payment methods. Designed for retail stores, restaurant environments and service businesses, the Station Duo offers the same features of the Station Solo with more power. Read our fullThe Clover Station Duo ups the game with a combination of a 14-inch screen for you and an 8-inch screen for your customers. This makes it easier for customers to confirm orders and pay however they want &#; credit card, debit card, and contactless payment methods. Designed for retail stores, restaurant environments and service businesses, the Station Duo offers the same features of the Station Solo with more power. Read our full Clover review
Credit card readers gather, transmit and verify customers&#; card information to complete transactions. Some card readers connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth while others are plugged into a more built-out POS register. Most often, you&#;ll see card readers that allow customers to swipe, dip or tap their cards to pay. Usually, they need to be paired with a mobile app or POS software to function and record your business&#;s sales.
Credit card readers play a crucial role in payment processing. Dig into all the parties involved in the process and where card data travels to and from.
» MORE:
How does credit card processing work?Types of credit card readers
Mobile card readers
Handheld, portable card readers that can be paired with smartphones allow your business to accept payments from just about anywhere.
Handheld terminals
These take mobile card readers a step further by incorporating a screen and additional POS features so you can take orders tableside, print receipts or scan barcodes.
Countertop readers
Designed to sit on a counter but with a smaller footprint than a full register, countertop card readers are best for small brick-and-mortar businesses.
Full registers
Stationary countertop systems can be paired with other hardware, like a cash drawer and receipt printer, and may also include a customer-facing screen.
To estimate the total costs associated with using a credit card reader, you&#;ll want to factor in more than the price tag on the physical device itself. Start by taking the following components into account.
The upfront cost of a credit card reader varies depending on its functionality. A simple swipe or chip card reader for your iPhone or Android device is typically the cheapest option, ranging from $0 to $60 or more.
Mid-range options include handheld card readers, which can often scan barcodes, print receipts and even operate as a mobile POS system , in addition to reading cards. These can range from around $100 to $650 or more.
Full register and countertop POS systems also include card readers. These systems can cost closer to $800 and up.
If you opt for a more robust hardware option, like a handheld or countertop POS system, you may need to pay a monthly POS software fee. These software subscriptions typically allow you to collect sales data, sync it with your accounting software, run reports and track inventory, among other features. Some providers offer basic software plans or mobile apps for free, but if you need more sophisticated features, expect to pay closer to $60 or more per month.
Regardless of your hardware and software expenses, your business will owe credit card processing fees . Oftentimes, credit card reader providers also offer in-house payment processing services. Otherwise, you may have to integrate with a third-party processor. While in-house options are usually the most convenient, you&#;ll have to calculate your business&#;s monthly sales volume to find the cheapest credit card processing company for you.
The following payment processing companies offer free card readers to new customers, though terms may apply:
Square
:
Our pick for the best overall credit card reader also takes the cake for best free card reader. The Square magstripe reader plugs directly into your smartphone, so it doesn&#;t have to be charged, and is free when you sign up with Square.Our pick for the best overall credit card reader also takes the cake for best free card reader. The Square magstripe reader plugs directly into your smartphone, so it doesn&#;t have to be charged, and is free when you sign up with Square.
National Processing
:
Businesses subscribing to National Processing&#;s subscription plans may qualify for a free credit card terminal, depending on their processing volume and credit, but you need to reach out for further details.Businesses subscribing to National Processing&#;s subscription plans may qualify for a free credit card terminal, depending on their processing volume and credit, but you need to reach out for further details.
PaymentCloud
:
Businesses signing up for a merchant account through PaymentCloud may be eligible to receive one free piece of POS equipment. The company also works with businesses in high-risk industries.Businesses signing up for a merchant account through PaymentCloud may be eligible to receive one free piece of POS equipment. The company also works with businesses in high-risk industries.
U.S. Bank Merchant Services:
Businesses working with U.S. Bank Merchant Services can order a free Ingenico Moby/ card reader that connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth. It&#;s a good option for businesses that want to use the same company for banking and payment processing. You can read more about U.S. Bank Merchant Services in ourBusinesses working with U.S. Bank Merchant Services can order a free Ingenico Moby/ card reader that connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth. It&#;s a good option for businesses that want to use the same company for banking and payment processing. You can read more about U.S. Bank Merchant Services in our best merchant services roundup.
To pick the best credit card reader for your small business, consider the following questions:
A card reader without a screen is the cheapest option, and sometimes free. But depending on brand, type and the features you want, you could pay hundreds of dollars. In addition to hardware and software fees, remember to keep processing costs in mind, too: If a payment processing company offers a free card reader but charges more per transaction, it may cost your business more in the long run than a reader with an upfront cost but lower transaction fee.
If you mostly accept payments at pop-up events, you may only need a mobile credit card reader that works with your smartphone. Businesses with a storefront, however, will probably opt for a countertop register with a cash drawer and receipt printer. If your storefront deals with long lines, you might consider purchasing a countertop register in addition to a portable handheld card reader that can accept payments from anywhere in the store.
If you want to simply accept magstripe, chip and contactless payments, a basic card reader that pairs with your smartphone can likely do the job. There are also a variety of payment apps that let you accept contactless payments with just your smartphone &#; no additional hardware required. These options may work for freelancers, service-based businesses and other vendors that sell mostly at pop-up events. But if you're looking for more sophisticated features, like barcode scanning, receipt printing or gratuity screens, a standalone, handheld POS device could be a better fit.
Brick-and mortar businesses that need inventory management or advanced sales analytics, along with a cash drawer, should consider a comprehensive, countertop POS register as opposed to a card reader only.
Being able to centralize all of your sales information in one system is important. Businesses that have a brick-and-mortar location plus an online store, for example, should be able to sync data from both places using their POS software. To do so, be sure that your card reader integrates with your POS software and payment processor.
In addition to simple, portable credit card readers you can take anywhere, there are also more built-out options available, including full POS systems and handheld terminals. Here are some top picks from each category:
Credit card reader
Chase Card Reader&#;
A versatile way to take card payments in more places. Pair it with your mobile device and sell wherever your customers are.
Plus, get same-day deposits at no additional cost.
Exclusively available through your Chase Business Complete Banking® account.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Barcode Reader Module.