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Best Free Credit Card Readers In 2023

Square is the best free mobile card reader, but other payment processors have good hardware for small businesses, too.

    Frank Kehl
  • Last updated onUpdated

  • Chris Motola
  • REVIEWED BY

    Chris Motola

    Senior Staff Writer

Advertiser Disclosure: Our unbiased reviews and content are supported in part by affiliate partnerships, and we adhere to strict guidelines to preserve editorial integrity.

With the switch to EMV (“chip”) card technology and the gradual phaseout of magstripe credit cards, getting a truly free credit card reader for your small business has become much more difficult than it was just a few years ago.

Although simple mobile payment systems that use a smartphone and a credit card reader are still very popular, the newer card readers that connect via Bluetooth and can accept EMV cards simply cost too much to produce for companies to give them away for free.

In this article, we’ll review the best options for free and low-cost card readers that work well for a newly-launched business (or one that only occasionally has to accept an in-person credit/debit card payment).

We’ll also give you some tips on what to look for in selecting the best card reader (free or not) for your business.

Learn More About Our Top Picks

CompanyBest ForNext StepsBest For
Square

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  • Square magstripe reader - $0
  • No monthly fee (for basic accounts)
  • No long-term contracts
  • Square magstripe reader - $0
  • No monthly fee (for basic accounts)
  • No long-term contracts

Visit Site

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National Processing

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  • $0/device if long-term contract accepted
  • $9/95-$199/month account fee (depending on plan chosen)
  • Interchange & membership pricing exclusively
  • $0/device if long-term contract accepted
  • $9/95-$199/month account fee (depending on plan chosen)
  • Interchange & membership pricing exclusively

Visit Site

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Clover Go

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  • $49/device when purchased directly from Clover (free through National Processing)
  • $14.95/month account fee
  • Huge app marketplace gives you great versatility
  • $49/device when purchased directly from Clover (free through National Processing)
  • $14.95/month account fee
  • Huge app marketplace gives you great versatility

Visit Site

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Shopify Lite

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  • $49/device for Shopify Tap & Chip Card Reader
  • $39/month for Shopify Basic plan
  • Great for multichannel sellers
  • $49/device for Shopify Tap & Chip Card Reader
  • $39/month for Shopify Basic plan
  • Great for multichannel sellers

Visit Site

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SumUp

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  • $39 for SumUp Plus mobile card reader
  • No monthly account fee
  • Good for low-volume merchants
  • $39 for SumUp Plus mobile card reader
  • No monthly account fee
  • Good for low-volume merchants

Visit Site

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Zettle

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  • Zettle 2 Reader - $29 ($79 for additional readers)
  • No monthly fees
  • Zettle Reader 2 includes built-in PIN pad
  • Zettle 2 Reader - $29 ($79 for additional readers)
  • No monthly fees
  • Zettle Reader 2 includes built-in PIN pad

Visit Site

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Read more below to learn why we chose these options.

Why Square Is Still The Best Free Card Reader

Square pioneered the use of small card readers that connected to a smartphone and used an app for transaction entry. These readers were so cheap to produce that the company could include one for free with each new account. Square’s then-radical approach to payments allowed many small businesses to begin accepting credit cards for the first time.

Since then, most processors have introduced similar mobile processing systems for merchants looking to avoid the high cost of credit card terminals and POS systems. However, none of them have truly been able to match Square’s pay-as-you-go billing, lack of long-term contracts, and predictable flat-rate pricing plans.

For a small, low-volume business, Square is all you need if getting a free credit card reader is your top priority.

Why You Should Be Wary Of Free Credit Card Reader Offers

Square has lured thousands of small businesses away from more traditional merchant service providers over the years. The company’s competitors have responded in different ways, with many trying to offer a Square-like mobile card reader while still relying on the long-term contracts, high transaction charges, and multiple account fees that they’ve always used to turn a profit. Consequently, you’re likely to run across providers offering a service that looks a lot like Square at first glance but, in reality, will cost you a lot more.

One common gimmick is the “free” credit card reader offer. Knowing that business owners often don’t want to lease their equipment or purchase it upfront, providers will offer a “free” credit card reader with each merchant account that you open.

However, this equipment is never truly free. There will always be a tradeoff of some kind with this type of offer. In many cases, you’ll have to give up a month-to-month contract in exchange for a long-term contract with an expensive early termination fee. The value of the free equipment might also be recouped through a higher monthly fee, higher processing rates, or a combination of the two.

While “free” credit card terminals can sometimes be a good deal for certain businesses, we strongly encourage you to read the details of your contract very carefully before signing up to see what you’re giving up in exchange for that free terminal.

How To Get Free Card Readers For Small Businesses

A free card reader is only as good as the features that come with it.

In addition to the credit card reader, the best mobile processing systems are easy to use, include fully-featured apps, offer fair processing charges, and include reporting features and support for effective payment security measures.

1. Square: Best For Startups

Square


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Get a free card swiper from Square at no cost when you create a free account. Claim your card reader.

Pros

  • No battery charger required
  • Ideal for low-volume merchants
  • Impressive feature set

Cons

  • Not available to most high-risk merchants
  • The free reader is not EMV-compatible

Why We Chose Square For Free Credit Card Readers

The venerable Square Magstripe Reader is, improbably, still available for free when you sign up for a Square account. It’s available with either a headphone jack or a Lightning port to connect to your smart device and doesn’t need charging. While it doesn’t accept EMV cards, it’s still useful for accepting the occasional magstripe-only card or as a backup to your EMV-compatible card reader.

You should, however, be aware that you’ll be on the hook for any fraudulent transactions if you process an EMV-enabled card using the magstripe.

Square is an excellent choice for credit card processing if you’re running a small, low-volume business. There are no monthly fees or long-term contracts, and you can sign up for an account online without going through the extensive underwriting process required to get a full-service merchant account. In-person transactions cost a flat 2.6% + $0.10 each, making it easy to predict your processing costs.

Be aware that Square isn’t available to most high-risk businesses and can actually be more expensive than a traditional merchant account if you have a high monthly processing volume.

If you’re going to use Square as your primary method for accepting credit and debit cards, we highly recommend that you upgrade to the Square Reader for contactless and chip, which adds EMV and NFC-based (contactless) capability and Bluetooth connectivity. It costs only $59 each and includes a Square magstripe reader to use as a backup.

Free credit card reader

Square Free Credit Reader

Square Pricing

  • No setup or application fees
  • $0/month for Square Free account ($29+/month for Square Plus accounts)
  • 2.6% + $0.10/card-present transaction
  • No chargeback fees
  • Square Reader for magstripe – $0 ($10 each for additional readers)
  • Square Reader for contactless & chip — $59 each

Square Features

Square has evolved from a basic, mobile-only processing solution to a full-featured payments ecosystem and now includes the following major features:

  • Aggregated account for credit and debit card processing
  • Mobile card reader (magstripe-only) included with an account
  • EMV and NFC-capable card readers are available
  • Square Register POS system available
  • ACH processing included with every account
  • Analytics and reporting available through Square Dashboard

Get Started With Square

Read our in-depth review

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2. National Processing: Best For Full-Service Merchant Accounts

National Processing


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Get a free Clover Go card reader from National Processing when you sign up. Claim your card reader.

Pros

  • Month-to-month contract available
  • Extensive pricing disclosures
  • Interchange-plus and membership pricing are available

Cons

  • “Free” terminal requires a long-term contract
  • Early termination fee charged for “free” equipment

Why We Chose National Processing For Free Credit Card Readers

National Processing is one of the few providers in the processing industry that specifically caters to the needs of small business owners. Products and services include robust support for low-cost mobile processing systems, as well as more traditional credit card terminals. The company offers both the Clover Go and SwipeSimple B250 mobile card readers, both of which are available at no cost — if you agree to a long-term contract.

Although National Processing offers a “free” card reader or terminal if you sign up for a merchant account, we recommend passing on this offer and purchasing your equipment outright. By doing so, you’ll avoid the need for a long-term contract (with a $295 early termination fee) and enjoy true month-to-month billing with no long-term commitment. The company’s “free” equipment offer makes more sense if you need a traditional countertop terminal or POS system, which costs hundreds of dollars or more.

In any event, National Processing is much more lenient about enforcing its early termination penalty than most providers. Unless you’re leaving the company and signing up with a competitor, you probably won’t have to pay the ETF as long as you return your equipment promptly.

National Processing Pricing

  • $9.95/month account fee (interchange-plus plans)
  • $59.00-$199.00/month subscription fee (membership plans)
  • $7.95/month PCI compliance fee
  • $0.00/month for the cash discounting program (optional)
  • $15.00/month and 0-1.5% + $0.48/transaction for ACH and echeck processing (optional)
  • Interchange + 0.18% + $0.10/transaction (interchange-plus plans)
  • Interchange + $0.09/transaction (subscription plan)
  • Interchange + $0.05/transaction (subscription-plus plan)

National Processing Features

National Processing is one of the few Fiserv resellers that offer great service and pricing to small businesses. Key features include the following:

  • “Free” credit card terminal available
  • Offers ACH and echeck processing as an add-on
  • Offers mobile processing with a Clover Go card reader
  • Offers a choice between either interchange-plus or membership pricing plans
  • No long-term contract if processing hardware is purchased outright

Get Started With National Processing

Read our in-depth review

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3. Clover Go: Best For EMV, NFC & Magstripe Compatibility

Clover Go


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Pros

  • EMV, contactless, and swipe reader
  • Robust dashboard features
  • Full-service merchant account

Cons

  • No receipt printer or cash drawer connectivity
  • Highly variable pricing & contract terms if purchased through other Fiserv providers

Why We Chose Clover Go For Free Credit Card Readers

The Clover Go reader is best for merchants looking to accept it all — contactless, chip cards, and magstripe (as a last resort). This Bluetooth reader has a great battery life with an optional countertop dock, and with a merchant account through National Processing, the Clover Go could cost you nothing.

The price of the Clover Go reader depends on where you buy it — several processors use Clover as their line of hardware options. However, we have negotiated a deal with National Processing for our readers to get a free Clover Go device. If you want this chip card reader for free, you can get it from National Processing upon opening an account using our links on this page. Get your free reader here. Otherwise, it is $49 when you buy from Clover directly.

If you sign up directly with Clover, you’ll pay just $14.95/month and have a simple, flat-rate pricing plan (usually 2.6% + $0.10/in-person transaction). Billing is month-to-month, and there are no long-term contracts or early termination fees.

The Clover Go’s rechargeable battery is good for approximately 160 swipe or chip card transactions. A micro-USB charger is included with each device.
Clover Go mobile card reader

Clover Go Pricing

  • 2.3%-2.6% + $0.10/in-person transaction (through Clover Payments)
  • 3.5% + $0.10/keyed-in transaction (through Clover Payments)
  • Variable processing fees (through Fiserv or Fiserv ISO)
  • Variable monthly and annual fees (through Fiserv or Fiserv ISO)
  • $0.00-$94.85/month software subscription fee (depending on the plan chosen)

For a more detailed breakdown of Clover’s various features and pricing options, please see our complete Clover pricing guide.

Clover Go Features

Clover Payments offers basic credit card processing services and support for a few alternate payment methods. Here are the highlights:

  • Offers flat-rate pricing (custom pricing available for high-volume businesses)
  • Month-to-month billing with no long-term contracts
  • Full line of Clover hardware
  • Access to Clover App Marketplace
  • eCheck processing
  • Scan to Pay QR code payments (Clover Dining plan only)
  • Virtual terminal included

Get Started With Clover Go

Read our in-depth review

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Alternatives: Low-Cost Mobile Card Readers With No Commitment

With free credit card readers becoming rare, many merchants will be better served with a low-cost card reader that’s under $100.

Shopify, PayPal Zettle, and SumUp offer card readers (often for less than $50) that can accept EMV and NFC-based payments and integrate with a free app that includes all the basic functionality you’ll need to accept payments and access your account.

1. Shopify: Best For Online Businesses With Some In-Person Sales

Shopify Lite


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Pros

  • Inexpensive mobile card reader
  • Integrates with Shopify online platform
  • Predictable flat-rate pricing

Cons

  • Account stability issues
  • Shopify Lite does not include a full online store

Why We Chose Shopify For Free Credit Card Readers

Although it’s best known as an eCommerce platform, Shopify also supports retail merchants with a variety of terminals and mobile card readers. At just $49, the company’s proprietary Shopify Tap & Chip Card Reader is the ideal product for a small business looking to get a fully-featured mobile card reader for the lowest possible price (short of free, that is).

As the name implies, the Tap & Chip Card Reader accepts both EMV and contactless payment methods and connects to your smart device via Bluetooth. However, it doesn’t accept magstripe payments. It’s also one of the very few mobile card readers that comes with a charging dock included at no extra cost.

As for credit card processing, Shopify uses a very simple, flat-rate pricing plan. In-person transactions will cost you 2.7% each, while manually keyed-in sales will process at 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. There’s also a monthly fee to use the Shopify platform itself, with the Shopify Basic plan being the most affordable at $39/month. There are no long-term contracts or early termination fees of any kind.

Shopify Pricing

  • $39+/month account fee (depending on plan chosen)
  • 2.7%/card-present transaction
  • 2.9% + $0.30/online transaction
  • Shopify Tap & Chip Card Reader: $49

Shopify Features

You’ll need the Shopify POS app in addition to the Tap & Chip Card Reader to accept in-person payments. This app offers the following features:

  • Create & send invoices
  • Product library
  • Customer list
  • Analytics and reports
  • Discounts at POS
  • Order fulfillment
  • Tip collection

Get Started With Shopify Lite

Read our in-depth review

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2. SumUp: Best For Very Low-Cost Hardware

SumUp


Visit Site


Pros

  • Very low-cost card readers are available
  • Predictable flat-rate pricing
  • International transactions supported in 31 countries

Cons

  • Account stability issues
  • Limited features

Why We Chose SumUp For Free Credit Card Readers

UK-based SumUp is a relatively new entrant to the US payments processing scene, but it has a lot to offer small retail businesses.

If you just want to accept credit cards on your smartphone or tablet, the SumUp Plus mobile card reader will set you back just $39 ($49 when bundled with a charging dock). The SumUp Plus supports magstripe, EMV, and contactless NFC payments (including Apple Pay and Google Pay), and uses Bluetooth to connect to your smart device of choice.

Like Square and PayPal, SumUp is a payment service provider (PSP), so the chances of having your account suddenly frozen or terminated are higher than they are with a fully underwritten merchant account. Pricing is fully disclosed and uses a flat-rate pricing model. All retail transactions cost 2.75% each, and billing is pay-as-you-go, with no recurring monthly fees or long-term contracts.

Overall, SumUp is an excellent choice for a small, retail-only business that wants to be able to accept credit and debit cards for the least amount of money. One word of caution: SumUp doesn’t offer a payment gateway or support for eCommerce, so it’s not suitable for businesses with an online sales channel.

SumUp Pricing

  • No setup or application fees
  • No monthly fees
  • 2.75%/card-present transaction
  • 3.25% + $0.15/virtual terminal or payment link transaction
  • SumUp Plus mobile reader: $39

SumUp Features

Although it’s intended as a low-cost minimalist solution for accepting credit cards, SumUp nonetheless includes a well-rounded set of features. Highlights include the following:

  • Item library
  • Virtual terminal
  • Quick-sale mode
  • Tipping
  • Cash recording
  • Basic analytics
  • Invoicing
  • Email/SMS receipts
  • QR code payments
  • Remote payments (payment links, virtual gift cards, etc.)

Get Started With SumUp

Read our in-depth review

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3. PayPal Zettle: Best For PayPal Users

Zettle


Visit Site

Pricing

No monthly fee

Contract

None

Equipment Cost

$29 for your first card reader

Pros

  • Bluetooth connectivity
  • Accepts EMV and NFC-based payments
  • Built-in PIN pad
  • Easy-to-use interface

Cons

  • Cannot accept magstripe payments
  • Inconsistent customer support
  • Account stability issues

Why We Chose PayPal Zettle For Free Credit Card Readers

The PayPal Zettle Reader 2 is PayPal’s primary choice for a mobile card reader to use in conjunction with your PayPal credit card processing account. It’s modern, easy to use, and as close to “free” as you can hope for with such a sleek, multifunctional device.

The Zettle 2 Reader uses the PayPal Zettle app (available for iOS and Android) to accept payments and manage your account. It operates using a built-in rechargeable battery that can last for up to eight hours (or 100 transactions) on a charge. You can recharge the reader using an included USB cable or an optional charging dock. With Bluetooth connectivity, you won’t have to worry about having the right connector on your phone or tablet.

The PayPal Zettle app has most of the basic features you’ll need day-to-day, including support for manually keyed-in transactions, logging cash payments, Venmo transactions, and QR code payments. It supports EMV and NFC-based payment methods (including Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay) but doesn’t accept magstripe payments.

All in-person credit and debit card transactions process at a flat rate of 2.29% + $0.09 per transaction. While the Zettle 2 Reader isn’t free, it’s a very affordable $29 for your first unit. Additional readers are $79 each, and the optional charging dock is $49. There are no monthly fees, and all billing is on a pay-as-you-go basis, with no long-term contracts or early termination penalties.
PapPal Zettle Card Reader

PayPal Zettle Pricing

  • No monthly fees
  • No long-term contracts or early termination fees
  • 2.29% + $0.09/card-present and QR code transactions
  • 3.49% + $0.09/keyed-in transaction
  • Zettle 2 Reader: $29 (first unit), $79 (additional units)
  • Zettle 2 Dock: $49

PayPal Zettle Features

The PayPal Zettle app is both simple and functional. Features include:

  • PayPal and Venmo QR codes
  • Cash payments
  • Item library
  • Reports
  • Discounts
  • Custom gift cards
  • Support for register setups
  • Refunds and partial refunds

Get Started With Zettle

Read our in-depth review

Jump back to comparison chart

Our Methodology For Choosing The Best Free Credit Card Readers

In determining which credit card processors offering free or low-cost card readers were the overall best choices for small businesses, the features of the card readers themselves were just one factor — and not the most important one. We also evaluated each company based on the type of processing rate plans available, the cost of recurring account fees, the flexibility of the contract terms offered, and the quality of the customer support available to merchants after they’ve signed up for an account.

It’s no coincidence that all of our top choices are available with month-to-month billing, no long-term contracts, and no early termination fee. (Note that National Processing may be an exception, but only if you accept a “free” terminal with your account rather than purchasing it outright.)

While the total monthly cost for credit card processing will vary widely from one business to the next, all of our top choices offer sufficient pricing disclosures for you to estimate your costs with reasonable accuracy.

How To Choose The Best Free Credit Card Reader

There isn’t a single provider that can offer the lowest costs to every merchant. What might be a very inexpensive solution for you might not be such a good deal for someone else. Also, paying the least amount of money for processing won’t be of much use if you have to worry about your account suddenly being frozen or shut down or if the customer service isn’t adequate to solve technical problems when they arise.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing which card reader is best for your small business:

  • What features come with the reader?
  • What does the processing cost?
  • Are you in a month-to-month agreement, or will you be locked into a long-term agreement?
  • Is there an early termination fee?
  • What connectivity options does the reader have?
  • How long is the battery life?

These questions will help you keep track of the basics and identify the most important details for you when making the best choice for a free reader.

Which Free Card Reader Is Right For Your Business?

With EMV now being the standard method of in-person card acceptance in the United States, Canada, and Europe, magstripe technology is well on its way to obsolescence. While you might occasionally need to process a magstripe payment, a card reader that only accepts magstripe is of very limited utility.

Modern card readers for mobile processing systems typically accept EMV and connect via Bluetooth to get around the disappearance of headphone jacks from most modern smartphones. These additional features have driven the price of the readers up to the point where providers can no longer include them as a “free” feature of a new account (at least, not without some kind of trade-off to compensate for the value of the reader). Because of these factors, most business owners will have to either purchase a low-cost reader or find a “free” one that comes with trade-offs they can live with.

All of the companies we’ve profiled above can set you up with a good-quality reader and mobile app that will allow you to start accepting credit cards. While each company has its limitations, they all provide excellent service for small businesses like yours. Some, however, are a better fit for certain industries than others, so be sure to do your research before selecting the best provider for your business.

For more information on mobile processing, check out the best mobile credit card readers for iPhones & iPads or the best mobile card readers for Android phones & tablets.

FAQs: Free Card Readers

Can I use my mobile phone as a card reader?

Yes. Modern smartphones can accept credit card payments when used with a credit card processing app and a compatible card reader available from your processor. Modern mobile card readers typically connect to your phone via Bluetooth and can accept EMV, NFC, and magstripe payments.

How do I get a free Square reader?

Simply complete the account application on Square’s website and provide a valid business address. Once your account is approved, Square will ship you a free magstripe-only card reader. This reader requires a headphone jack to connect to your mobile device, but does not need batteries.

Do all card readers charge a fee?

Yes. Whether your credit card reader is free or you have to pay for it, you will always have to pay credit card processing fees whenever you accept a credit or debit card payment. Note that the bulk of these fees go to the bank that issued the customer’s card, not your credit card processor.

Can I get a card reader for personal use?

Yes. Square and other payment processors allow you to open an account and get a card reader for personal use. You will still have to pay credit card processing fees and any other fees related to maintaining your account.

Can I accept credit card payments without a card reader?

Yes. QR code payments allow your customers to scan a QR code and pay you using the digital wallet service (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Venmo, etc.) on their smartphones. While QR codes are an excellent alternative payment method, be aware that not all your customers will have a smartphone or be comfortable using this service.

In Summary: How To Get Free Card Readers For Small Businesses

  1. Square:
    • Square magstripe reader - $0
    • No monthly fee (for basic accounts)
    • No long-term contracts
  2. National Processing:
    • $0/device if long-term contract accepted
    • $9/95-$199/month account fee (depending on plan chosen)
    • Interchange & membership pricing exclusively
  3. Clover Go:
    • $49/device when purchased directly from Clover (free through National Processing)
    • $14.95/month account fee
    • Huge app marketplace gives you great versatility

    Alternatives: Low-Cost Mobile Card Readers With No Commitment

  1. Shopify Lite:
    • $49/device for Shopify Tap & Chip Card Reader
    • $39/month for Shopify Basic plan
    • Great for multichannel sellers
  2. SumUp:
    • $39 for SumUp Plus mobile card reader
    • No monthly account fee
    • Good for low-volume merchants
  3. Zettle:
    • Zettle 2 Reader - $29 ($79 for additional readers)
    • No monthly fees
    • Zettle Reader 2 includes built-in PIN pad
Frank Kehl

Frank Kehl

Senior Staff Writer at Merchant Maverick
Frank has been writing about payment processing and business services since 2015. He is a retired Air Force officer and a former practicing attorney. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from The Pennsylvania State University and a Juris Doctorate degree from the Ventura College of Law, and currently resides in Paso Robles, California.
Frank Kehl
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