Accepting Credit Card Payments On Your Phone
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Sep 18, 2024
Filed under: Credit Card Processing, Mobile Payments
Best Credit Card Readers For Small Business
These popular credit card readers offer robust features, low prices, and easy payment processing.
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WRITTEN & RESEARCHED BY
Editor & Senior Staff Writer
Last updated onUpdated
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REVIEWED BY
Expert Contributor
Our content reflects the editorial opinions of our experts. While our site makes money through referral partnerships, we only partner with companies that meet our standards for quality, as outlined in our independent rating and scoring system.
We reviewed top credit card readers based on payment method support, ease of use, features, and overall value. Here are our top picks.
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Compare Our Top Picks
| Provider | Best For | In-Person Processing Rates | Price | Next Steps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Overall Best Card Reader | 2.4% - 2.6% + $0.15 | $0 - $59 | |
 | Best Merchant Accounts | Custom | $199 | |
 | Best For Processor Choice | 2.3% - 2.6% + $0.10 per transaction | $199 | |
 | Best All-In-One Handheld | 2.4% - 2.6% + $0.15 | $399 | |
 | Best For High-Risk Merchants | Interchange + 0.20 - 0.25% + $0.09 - $0.10/transaction | Undisclosed | |
| Show More Options | ||||
 | Best Touchscreen All-In-One | 2.4% - 2.6% + $0.15 | $299 | |
 | Best For Low Flat-Rate Pricing | 2.29% + $0.09 (including QR code transactions) | $29 for first device | |
 | Best For Low-Volume Sellers | 2.6% + $0.10 | $99 - $249 | |
 | Best For Restaurants | 2.3% - 2.6% + $0.10 per transaction | Varies by plan | |
 | Best For eCommerce | 2.4% - 2.7% | $49 | |
| Show Fewer Options |
Square Credit Card Readers
Best OverallOverall Best Card Reader
Square is a good pick for small businesses that want affordable credit card readers, easy setup, and built-in POS tools.
Square offers a free magstripe reader for new accounts and a contactless and chip reader for tap, dip, and mobile wallet payments. Sellers also get access to Square’s free POS app, reporting, invoicing, inventory tools, and offline payment support.
Magstripe
PIN payments
Price
$0 - $59
PROS
- No monthly subscription fees
- Free magstripe reader
- Easy flat-rate processing
CONS
- Not ideal for high-volume sellers
- Only works with Square Payments
Helcim
Best Merchant Accounts
Helcim Card Reader works well for small businesses that want a portable card reader backed by a full merchant account.
The reader includes a 4-inch touchscreen, standalone mode, Wi-Fi and built-in mobile data, and support for tap, chip and PIN, and mobile wallet payments. Helcim also offers POS tools for inventory, customer management, invoicing, and reporting.
Magstripe
PIN payments
Price
$199
PROS
- Interchange-plus processing
- No monthly fees or contracts
- Use with any device
CONS
- Higher upfront cost
- Not cost-effective for low volume
Clover Go
Best For Processor Choice
Clover Go works well for businesses that want a mobile card reader with more merchant services provider options than most app-based readers.
Clover Go connects via Bluetooth and supports chip and contactless payments through the Clover Go app. Businesses can buy directly from Clover or through a reseller, but pricing, contracts, and processing terms vary by provider.
Magstripe
PIN payments
Price
$199
PROS
- Free mPOS app
- Numerous features
- Inexpensive hardware
CONS
- Pricing and terms vary
- Expensive for low volume
Square Handheld
Best All-In-One Handheld
Square Handheld is built for businesses that need a pocket-sized POS for tableside service, retail sales, pop-ups, or inventory work.
Square Handheld includes built-in payments, a barcode scanner, camera, all-day battery, offline payments, and Square’s free POS software. It supports chip, tap, QR code, and mobile wallet payments, but magstripe payments require a separate Square Reader.
Magstripe
(with Square Reader)
PIN payments
Price
$399
PROS
- Loaded with Square POS software
- 7 industry modes
- Offline mode
CONS
- No built-in receipt printer
Host Merchant Services
Best For High-Risk Merchants
Host Merchant Services is a strong option for high-risk businesses that need mobile payment processing and a full merchant account.
HMS offers SwipeSimple mobile processing with Bluetooth card readers that support EMV, magstripe, and contactless payments, depending on the reader. SwipeSimple also includes text and email receipts, basic inventory tools, invoicing, and offline mode.
Magstripe
PIN payments
Price
Undisclosed
PROS
- Includes a merchant account
- High-risk merchants accepted
- Durable handheld card readers
CONS
- Monthly fee
- Basic features
- Expensive for low-volume sellers
Square Terminal
Best Touchscreen All-In-One
Square Terminal is built for businesses that want a standalone payment device with POS software and receipt printing built in.
Square Terminal accepts chip, swipe, tap, and mobile wallet payments, runs without a smartphone or tablet, and includes a touchscreen, built-in receipt printer, all-day battery, offline payments, and access to Square’s POS tools.
Magstripe
PIN payments
Price
$299
PROS
- Cheaper than register setups
- No monthly fees
- Offline mode
CONS
- Risk of account holds/terminations
- Only works with Square processing
PayPal Point of Sale
Best For Low Flat-Rate Pricing
PayPal Point of Sale is a good option for small businesses that want an affordable card reader connected to PayPal’s payment ecosystem.
The PayPal Card Reader supports chip, contactless, mobile wallet, and PIN payments through the PayPal POS app. Sellers also get basic POS tools for invoicing, item libraries, reporting, discounts, refunds, and same-day access to funds in PayPal.
Magstripe
PIN payments
Price
$29 for first device
PROS
- PayPal payments via QR codes
- No monthly fees
- Same day funding
CONS
- Risk of account holds/ terminations
- Must use PayPal processing
SumUp
Best For Low-Volume Sellers
SumUp is a good pick for mobile sellers that want simple card readers without advanced POS features or monthly software fees.
SumUp offers mobile payment devices for chip and contactless payments, including the standalone SumUp Solo and the more feature-rich SumUp Terminal. The SumUp app includes basic selling tools such as product libraries, receipts, tipping, analytics, and tax settings.
Magstripe
PIN payments
Price
$99 - $249
PROS
- Easy to use
- Affordable pricing
- No monthly fees
CONS
- Risk of account holds/terminations
- Not ideal for high-volume sellers
Toast POS
Best For Restaurants
Toast Go 3 is best for restaurants that need a durable handheld POS for tableside ordering, payments, and service on the floor.
Toast Go 3 supports tap, dip, swipe, and NFC payments, with restaurant-focused tools for orders, menus, checks, tips, and staff workflows. Pricing, contracts, and processing terms can vary depending on your Toast plan.
Magstripe
PIN payments
Price
Varies by plan
PROS
- All-in-one restaurant POS
- Durable restaurant hardware
- Free plan available
CONS
- Pricing and plans are complex
- Long-term contracts and ETFs
- Potentially high processing rates
Shopify
Best For eCommerce
Shopify is best for businesses that want a card reader connected to a full eCommerce and retail POS system.
The Shopify Tap & Chip Card Reader supports chip and contactless payments through Shopify POS and connects via Bluetooth. Shopify is especially useful for retailers that want inventory, customer profiles, staff tools, reporting, and online and in-person sales on one platform.
Magstripe
PIN payments
Price
$49
PROS
- Affordable mobile card reader
- Flat-rate processing
- Integrates with Shopify eCommerce
CONS
- Risk of account holds/terminations
- Monthly fee for Shopify plans
Best Mobile Credit Card Readers for Small Business
Frequently Asked Questions
Erica Seppala
Editor & Senior Staff Writer at Merchant Maverick
Erica has been writing about small business finance and technology since 2008. She joined Merchant Maverick in 2018 and specializes in researching and reviewing business software, financial products, and other topics to help small businesses manage and grow their operations. Her expertise has been cited in MSN, Reader's Digest, Vox, U.S. News & World Report, and Real Simple. She is a Certified ProAdvisor for QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Payroll, a graduate of Limestone University, and currently resides in Greenville, South Carolina.
View Erica Seppala's professional experience on LinkedIn.
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