Accepting Credit Card Payments On Your Phone
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Sep 18, 2024
Filed under: Credit Card Processing, Mobile Payments
Best Free & Low-Cost Credit Card Readers
These credit card readers can help small businesses start accepting in-person payments without a big upfront hardware cost.
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WRITTEN & RESEARCHED BY
Editor & Senior Staff Writer
Last updated onUpdated
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REVIEWED BY
Expert Contributor
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We evaluated top payment processors based on card reader offers, processing rates, mobile app features, contract terms, hardware upgrade options, and overall value. These are our top picks.
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Compare Our Top Picks
| Provider | Best For | Hardware | Monthly Fee | Next Steps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Best Free Starter Reader | Square Magstripe Reader | $0 - $149/month | |
 | Best Full-Featured Reader | Clover Go | $0-$14.95/month (for standalone mobile POS plan) | |
 | Best For Shopify Sellers | Shopify Tap & Chip Card Reader | $5-$2,500/month | |
 | Best For Low-Cost Hardware | SumUp Plus Card Reader | $0 - $289/month | |
 | Best For PayPal Users | PayPal Card Reader | $0/month |
Square
Best OverallBest Free Starter Reader
Square offers a free magstripe reader for new accounts, making it one of the easiest ways for small businesses to start accepting in-person card payments.
The free reader is useful as a backup or for occasional magstripe payments, but it doesn't accept EMV chip or contactless payments. Most businesses should upgrade to Square’s contactless and chip reader for more secure everyday use.
Free Option
In-Person Rates
2.4% - 2.6% + $0.15
Processing Model
Flat-rate
PROS
- Free magstripe reader
- Easy online signup
- No monthly fees
CONS
- Not for high-risk merchants
- Free reader is not EMV-compatible
Clover Go
Best Full-Featured Reader
Clover Go is a mobile card reader for businesses that want to accept chip, contactless, and magstripe payments from one device.
Pricing depends on where you buy Clover, but some merchant services providers offer Clover Go for free with a new account. Clover Go also connects with Clover’s payment tools, including virtual terminals, eCheck processing, QR code payments, and the Clover App Marketplace.
Free Option
In-Person Rates
2.6% + $0.10
Processing Model
Flat-rate
PROS
- EMV, contactless, and swipe reader
- Free reader offers available
- Dedicated merchant account
CONS
- Pricing and contract terms vary
Shopify Payments
Best For Shopify Sellers
Shopify’s Tap & Chip Card Reader is a low-cost mobile reader for businesses already using Shopify for online or in-person sales.
The $49 reader accepts chip and contactless payments, connects via Bluetooth, and works with the Shopify POS app for product libraries, invoices, discounts, reports, order fulfillment, and tip collection. It doesn't accept magstripe payments, and businesses need a Shopify plan to use it.
Free Option
In-Person Rates
2.4%-5% + $0.00-$0.10
Processing Model
Flat-rate
PROS
- Affordable mobile card reader
- Integrates with Shopify platform
- Chip and contactless payments
CONS
- Account stability issues
- No free option available
SumUp
Best For Low-Cost Hardware
SumUp is a low-cost mobile card reader option for small businesses that mainly sell in person.
The $54 SumUp Plus reader accepts magstripe, chip, and contactless payments, connects via Bluetooth, and works with SumUp’s app for item libraries, tipping, receipts, invoicing, payment links, and QR code payments. There are no monthly fees or long-term contracts, but SumUp isn't ideal for businesses that need full eCommerce support.
Free Option
In-Person Rates
2.6% + $0.10
Processing Model
Flat-rate
PROS
- Chip and contactless payments
- Payment links available
- Supports international transactions
CONS
- Account stability issues
- Limited features
PayPal Point of Sale
Best For PayPal Users
PayPal’s mobile card reader is a low-cost option for businesses that want simple in-person payments with PayPal and Venmo support.
Your first reader is just $29 and accepts chip and contactless payments, connects via Bluetooth, and works with the PayPal Point of Sale app for QR code payments, cash payments, item libraries, discounts, reports, gift cards, refunds, and keyed-in transactions. It does not accept magstripe payments.
Free Option
In-Person Rates
2.29% + $0.09 (including QR code transactions)
Processing Model
Flat-rate
PROS
- Low-cost first reader
- Built-in PIN pad
- PayPal and Venmo QR payments
CONS
- No magstripe payments
- Account stability issues
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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