Shopify Tap & Chip Card Reader Review

Pros

• Easy to use
• Excellent mobile POS app
• Accepts EMV chip and contactless payments
• No additional monthly fee for each reader
• Affordable hardware

Cons

• Does not accept magstripe payments
• Requires Shopify Payments
• Advanced retail features require Shopify POS Pro

What Is The Shopify Tap & Chip Card Reader?

The Shopify Tap & Chip Card Reader is a compact mobile card reader that connects to the Shopify POS app. It accepts EMV chip cards and contactless payments, including compatible digital wallets, and is designed for Shopify merchants that need a simple way to take in-person payments.

Shopify Credit Card Reader Pricing

Shopify’s total cost includes more than the card reader itself. You’ll also need to consider your Shopify subscription, payment processing rates, and any optional accessories or POS upgrades.

The Shopify Tap & Chip Card Reader does not require an additional monthly hardware fee.

An optional charging dock is sold separately. The dock keeps the reader powered, elevates it for countertop use, and can be secured to a counter.

Monthly Plans

Shopify POS Lite is included with Shopify’s eCommerce plans. Businesses that need more advanced retail tools can add Shopify POS Pro.

Payment processing rates depend on the Shopify plan. Lower rates are available on higher-tier plans.

Shopify does not charge an additional monthly fee for each Tap & Chip Reader. However, software costs may increase if you add POS Pro at multiple locations

Extra Costs

The Tap & Chip Card Reader requires Shopify Payments and cannot be used with an outside payment processor.

Shopify Tap & Chip Card Reader Overall Design

The Shopify Tap & Chip Card Reader is compact and portable, measuring 2.83 x 3.39 x 0.51 inches and weighing just 0.2 pounds. It connects to the Shopify POS app through Bluetooth and accepts EMV chip cards and contactless payments, including Apple Pay and Google Pay.

The reader has a USB-C charging port and four indicator lights that display battery and payment status. An optional countertop dock is sold separately to keep the reader charged and securely mounted.

The Tap & Chip Reader requires Shopify Payments and a compatible device running iOS 15.1 or later or Android 10 or later. Shopify POS app version 9.0.0 or later is also required.

Ease Of Use

The Shopify Tap & Chip Card Reader is easy to set up and use, especially for merchants already familiar with Shopify POS. The reader pairs with the Shopify POS app through Bluetooth, and Shopify provides setup guides and support resources for new users.

To get started:

1. Charge and turn on the reader.
2. Download or update the Shopify POS app.
3. Log in to your Shopify store.
4. Enable Bluetooth and pair the reader through the app’s hardware settings.
5. Run a test transaction before accepting customer payments.

Once connected, employees can select a card payment at checkout and have the customer tap or insert their card. The reader also supports offline card payments when that feature is enabled, although transactions must upload after the device reconnects.

Shopify Tap & Chip Card Reader Features

The Tap & Chip Card Reader works with the Shopify POS app, giving you access to payment, inventory, customer, and order management tools. Available features depend on your Shopify plan and whether you use Shopify POS Lite or upgrade to POS Pro.

Notable Shopify POS features include:

• EMV chip and contactless payment acceptance
• Split and partial payments
• Gift card sales and redemptions
• Custom payment methods
• Synced online and in-store orders and inventory
• Customer profiles and order histories
• Product variants and barcode support
• Sales reports and integrations
• Customizable receipts and checkout settings

The reader also supports offline card payments when the feature is enabled. Payments remain pending until the device reconnects, and some functions — including gift cards and real-time inventory syncing — are not available offline.

Customer Service & Support

Shopify offers 24/7 direct customer support via phone, live chat, email, and X. There are also additional self-support resources, including forums, developer docs, YouTube tutorials, and PDF guides.

Shopify’s customer support has a pretty good reputation in the industry. Users frequently praise the quality and speed of support. There are some public complaints, but that isn’t surprising for a company of this size.

User Reviews

While Shopify has plenty of reviews online, it’s hard to find specific reviews for the Tap & Chip Card Reader. That said, there is some feedback available online that points out the highlights and downsides of this payment device.

Negative Reviews & Complaints

Common complaints include:

• High cost of Shopify plans
• Occasional software errors and glitches
• Withheld payments

Positive Reviews & Testimonials

Overall, Shopify’s services are very well-received by users, especially when compared to similar services. Here’s what people tend to like about Shopify:

• Ease of use
• Excellent inventory management
• Good customer support
• Strong eCommerce features

Final Verdict: Is The Shopify Tap & Chip Card Reader Worth It?

The Shopify Tap & Chip Card Reader is an affordable, easy-to-use option for Shopify merchants that need to accept chip and contactless payments in person. It works with the Shopify POS app, supports offline card payments, and does not require an additional monthly hardware fee.

The reader is best suited for businesses already using Shopify and Shopify Payments. An optional dock is available for countertop use, while merchants that only need contactless payments can also use Shopify Tap to Pay on a compatible smartphone.

If you want to compare more options, check out the best credit card readers for small business for our top picks.