Using a credit card reader for iPhone and iPad lets businesses accept credit cards anywhere they operate. Card readers connect to an iPhone via Bluetooth or wired plug, and then process card payments via a mobile point-of-sale (POS) app. We compare top card readers for iPhones and iPads based on processing features, processing options and costs.
Top 5 Credit Card Readers for iPhone & iPad in 2018
| Square | Best overall for sellers who want a low-cost card reader with a complete business management app |
| PayPal Here | Sellers who already use PayPal for online payments |
| Cayan | Higher-volume mobile sellers who want a traditional merchant account with lower processing fees |
| QuickBooks GoPayments | QuickBooks users who want to accept mobile credit card payments for sales or services |
| Shopify POS | Businesses that need an online store and in-person payments within one system |
How We Evaluated Credit Card Readers for iPhone & iPad
In evaluating mobile payment processors, we found that most deliver a similar set of basic features. Nearly all offer credit card readers for iPhone and iPad that process magstripe, Europay, MasterCard and Visa (EMV) chip cards and contactless eWallet payments. All provide a free mobile point-of-sale (mPOS) app to process credit card payments and track sales.
The differences among mobile processors appear when comparing card reader cost, device compatibility, payment processing fees and mPOS app features. Because businesses use mobile card readers for various sales needs, we evaluated the top providers based on:
- Credit card processing fees: Payment processors offer a variety of fee structures to suit different types of sellers
- iPhone and iPad card reader choice and cost: All offer magstripe and EMV chip card readers, most offer contactless eWallet card readers and the costs vary
- Account fees: Some mobile processing accounts are free while others attach monthly fees
- iPhone and iPad compatibility: Credit card readers for iPhone and iPad are compatible with various iOS releases, jacks and ports
- Payment deposits: Mobile credit card processing services take one to three days to deposit your funds but a few make funds available the same day
- Offline payment mode: Certain providers allow you to accept credit card payment without a cell or Wi-Fi connection
- Business management features: Some services’ mPOS apps are incredibly robust and include inventory, employee and marketing management features; others track basic sales data</
- Integrations: Most providers integrate with various online store platforms, retail POS systems and bookkeeping software
Most providers offer a workable mix of these criteria. However, one service checks every box and that’s Square. Square gives users a free account, free magstripe credit card reader for iPhone and iPad and a free mPOS app that delivers far more processing, sales and business management features than the competition.
Best Overall Credit Card Reader for iPhone & iPad for Small Businesses: Square
Square is our pick for the best overall credit card reader for iPhone and iPad for all types of sellers, from individuals and mobile businesses to multistore and multichannel operations. Square delivers the best overall value compared to the others on our list because it lets you sell anywhere and powers it all with a free suite of multichannel business management tools.
The free Square mPOS app tracks your sales, inventory details and employees wherever you sell, plus lets you key-in transactions, work in offline mode, bill clients via online invoices and much more. For all of this functionality, your only cost is credit card processing fees, which run 2.75 percent of each credit card sale you make using your Square card reader. Square’s fees are very competitive with our other contenders and clearly beat those that have monthly fees like Shopify POS, QuickBooks and Cayan. Overall, most card reader services simply don’t equal Square’s level of sales and management features and fees-only price point.
Square’s free magstripe credit card reader for iPhone and iPad (left) is compatible with iOS 9.0 and later, standard jacks and Lightning ports (using the $15 adapter). Contactless readers (center and right) are $49 and connect via Bluetooth.
Square Pricing
Square charges a competitive flat-rate 2.75 percent credit card processing fee each time you accept a credit card with your card reader. This rate is very competitive with other combined card reader and payment processing services on our list. With Square, that’s your only cost, Unlike those with monthly fees like Shopify POS and QuickBooks Online. Square has no startup, account or cancellation fees, and you even get a free magstripe card reader upon signup. Plus its more advanced Bluetooth contactless EMV chip card and eWallet reader is only $49, making it the best contactless card reader value on our list as well.
However, the best part about Square is its robust mPOS sales app, which is also free and delivers more business management features than the others on our list. Combined, its $0 account fees, low processing fees, free and best-value card readers and exceptional mobile app software makes Square our top pick for a credit card reader for iPhone and iPad.
Square Account and Credit Card Processing Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Account startup, monthly and cancellation fees | $0 |
| Swipe, chip or contactless payments | 2.75% |
| Keyed-in entry payments | 3.5% + 15 cents per transaction |
Cost for a Square Credit Card Reader for iPhone and iPad
| Credit Card Reader | Best for | Cost |
|---|---|---|
Magstripe reader | Independent sellers and small businesses that process mobile payment on occasion | Free |
Chip & contactless reader | Sellers and businesses that process credit cards as part of day-to-day operations | $49 |
Square Features
Square boasts several features that place it above other competitors, such as compatibility with a variety of older and newer iPhones and iPads, offline processing mode and exceptional mPOS business management tools top the list as you’ll see below.
iPhone and iPad Compatibility
You don’t need to have the newest iPhone or iPad or be running the latest version of iOS to process credit cards with Square. Square iPhone and iPad credit card readers and mPOS app work with the following:
- iPhone, iPad, iPad Mini and iPod Touch running iOS 9.0 or later, meaning Square works on iPhone 4S, iPad 2 and newer models
- Apple devices using a 3.5mm headphone jack for magstripe card reader
- Apple devices with a Lightning port for magstripe card reader (requires a $15 adapter)
- Apple devices running Bluetooth for the contactless card reader
Payment Deposits
Square typically deposits your revenues, minus its processing fee, the following business day. You can get same-day deposits, but for an added 1 percent fee. PayPal Here is the only mobile credit card processing service on our list that offers same-day deposits with no added fees.
Offline Payment Mode
Square operates in offline mode, unlike most others on our list. Even if you lose your cell or Wi-Fi connection, you can complete credit card sales. Square’s mPOS app retains the encrypted card data until your connection is reestablished, then processes the payment as usual.
Offline mode is a big plus if you sell in remote locations or within facilities that have limited connectivity. However, it’s important to note that in offline mode you won’t know if a credit card payment is declined. If the charge is declined when the connection is reestablished, you’ll need to follow up with your customer for an alternate payment method.
Business Management Features
Square’s mPOS app is a full-featured business management system with features that beat the competition hands down. Here are a few of the sales and business management tools you’ll enjoy using Square:
- Accept all major credit cards and eWallet Apple Pay and Android Pay payments
- Record cash and check payments for free
- Physically process credit cards or key-in a card number to complete payment
- Add tax or tips to sales and track using Square’s sales reporting features
- Split payments between different cards or payment methods
- Accept e-signatures and email receipts to customers
- Print receipts using wireless receipt printers
- Add items to a sale and track sales and item details by customer
- Create custom items for a sale as needed
- Track product details and inventory counts
- Provide partial or complete refunds
This list just scratches the surface of all that Square’s robust mPOS app delivers. To see all of the ways that Square helps you run a business, visit our complete guide to Square’s services.
Integrations
Square integrates with an array of services that can help you grow your business and better serve your customers. For example, you can:
- Launch a free online store quickly with the integrated Square Online Store feature
- Connect Square to outside ecommerce platforms, such as WooCommerce, Weebly, Wix or Shopify, for an expanded online presence
- Integrate Square POS sales data with bookkeeping systems like QuickBooks and Xero to organize your finances
- Add a countertop register to your operation using an economical Square Stand or the more advanced Square Register
- Use Square’s built-in loyalty and email marketing features to keep customers coming back
- Use the free Square Appointments, invoicing and recurring payments features to extend your service offerings
These ready integrations are another reason that Square tops the other providers on our list. Even if you just need a credit card reader for iPhone or iPad now, it’s a good idea to be forward-thinking. Using Square, you also get a complete, well-connected sales management system that’s designed to grow in whatever direction your business takes you.
What Square Is Missing
Square checks all of the key boxes in terms of credit card readers for iPhone and iPad with simple, straightforward payment processing. However, Square is an all-in-one solution, which means you can’t use a Square credit card reader with your own merchant account. In contrast, if you get your card reader through a traditional merchant account like Cayan, which we cover below, you can price-shop for plans with lower processing fees.
However, in our comparisons, Square’s processing fees tend to be lower than a traditional merchant account if you process less than $10,000 per month. Add in the feature-filled mPOS app, and Square easily tops a traditional merchant account for most small sellers.
What Users Think About Square
In user reviews, most Square users are happy with Square’s credit card readers for iPhone and iPad, its ease of use and the vast range of services that the Square mPOS app provides. Negative comments tend to center on Square’s lack of phone service and withholding of funds.
Square is reportedly improving its phone service, so that issue is being dealt with. Users need a code to contact Square, but that’s found within your account dashboard easily. Per funds withholding, that’s tied to the seller’s business model and chargeback rate. So, while inconvenient for the sellers who have to deal with it, it’s not widespread.
Where to Find Square
With Square’s go-anywhere card readers, you can accept credit card payments wherever you sell. Its free, full-featured POS app and business management tools let you grow in whatever direction your business takes you. Sign up for a free Square account today, get your free reader and discover all that it offers.
Best Credit Card Reader for iPhone for PayPal Users: PayPal Here
If your business currently accepts PayPal payments and needs a credit card reader for iPhone and iPad to accept in-person payments, PayPal Here is an ideal option. PayPal Here is a free add-on to any existing PayPal account, and you can choose from a variety of card readers to suit your mobile payment needs. The PayPal Here mobile app also lets customers pay using their PayPal account onscreen, which is a nice sales perk that the others on our list can’t match.
PayPal Here has several card reader options to choose from, including magstripe, chip and contactless credit card readers for iPhone and iPad.
PayPal Here Pricing
Like Square and most other providers on our list, PayPal Here offers low flat-rate processing fees with no startup, monthly or cancellation fees, so credit card processing is your only ongoing cost. PayPal Here’s processing fee is slightly lower too. It’s just 2.7 percent, compared to Square’s 2.75 percent fee. However, PayPal Here doesn’t provide a free card reader, so you have an upfront cost there.
PayPal Here Account and Credit Card Processing Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Account startup, monthly and cancellation fees | $0 |
| Swipe, chip or contactless payments | 2.7% |
| Keyed-in entry payments | 3.5% + 15 cents per transaction |
Cost for a PayPal Here Credit Card Reader for iPhone and iPad
| PayPal Here Credit Card Readers | Best for | Cost |
|---|---|---|
Magstripe Reader | Businesses that process less than $500 per week in credit card sales. Note: Uses a standard jack; no Lightning port adapter available | $14.99 |
Chip & Swipe Reader | Businesses that regularly accept credit cards in day-to-day operations Connects via Bluetooth | $24.99 |
Chip & Contactless Reader | Businesses that regularly accept credit cards and eWallet payments in day-to-day operations Connects via Bluetooth | $59.99 |
PayPal Here Features
Like our other top picks, PayPal Here provides a free mPOS app to process and track sales, plus it conveniently ties your in-person and online sales within one account. Its solution isn’t as feature-filled as Square’s mPOS app, though. It doesn’t have an offline mode, and functions like keyed-in payments are limited. It does, however, provide same-day deposits, which is a nice perk.
iPhone and iPad Compatibility
PayPal Here credit card readers for iPhone and iPad work with iOS 7.0 and newer devices. So, like Square and others on our list, you don’t need to have the newest iPhone or iPad to use PayPal Here’s credit card readers. They work with:
- iPhone, iPad, iPad Mini and iPod Touch running iOS 7.0 or later, which this means PayPal Here works on iPhone 3GS and newer models
- Apple devices using a 3.5mm headphone jack for magstripe card reader
- Apple devices running Bluetooth 4.0 and above for chip and contactless card readers
Payment Deposits
PayPal Here tops the others on our list by providing same-day deposits of funds into your PayPal account. This is a nice perk that Square can match, but only with an added 1 percent fee.
There is a caveat. If you use the PayPal Here magstripe reader, you’re limited to transactions totaling $500 within a seven-day period. If you process more than $500 per week using the magstripe reader, your funds are subject to a 30-day hold. That’s why PayPal Here recommends the more secure chip or contactless readers for most sellers. This limit also applies to keyed-in payments, which PayPal Here discourages. Square is much more amenable to keyed-in payments.
Offline Payment Mode
Unlike Square, PayPal Here has no offline mode. Without a connection, you cannot accept credit cards, period. However, you can still record cash and check sales in your PayPal Here mPOS app.
Business Management Features
PayPal Here offers some handy sales tracking features in its mPOS app. However, they’re not the equal of Square if you’re looking for a complete business management tool. With PayPal Here, you can:
- Accept all major credit cards and eWallet Apple Pay and Android Pay payments
- Record cash and check payments for free
- Key-in a card number to complete payment (limited to $500 per week)
- Add tax or tips to sales and view details on sales reports
- Accept e-signatures and email receipts to customers
- Print receipts using wireless receipt printers
- Create an item list and add items to sales
- Create a custom item or service in a sale
- Provide partial or complete refunds
Integrations
PayPal is a leader in online integrations and works with virtually every ecommerce platform on the market. It also connects to eBay, other online marketplaces and various bookkeeping programs. So, sales made using a PayPal Here credit card reader for iPhone and iPad tie neatly into your other PayPal revenues and can be tracked in your accounting software.
What PayPal Here Is Missing
Lack of an offline mode is a real drawback for mobile sellers. If you’re selling in an area with spotty connectivity, you can’t accept credit cards with PayPal Here, unlike Square and Cayan, which accept credit cards offline. Pair that with limited mPOS features, such as no inventory counts or customer tracking, and PayPal Here falls short in terms of key features that many businesses need. The $500 per week sales limit on the magstripe reader is inconvenient but remedied easily by purchasing a chip card or contactless reader.
What Users Think About PayPal Here
In user reviews, PayPal Here’s $500 weekly limit on magstripe card sales is a major complaint. Its practice of holding funds when this limit is exceeded takes users by surprise. However, after reading this article, you know that fact going in. Use the chip card or contactless reader to avoid this issue. Overall, PayPal Here is most lauded by sellers who use PayPal online and wish to accept in-person payments too.
Where to Find PayPal Here
PayPal Here is the ideal card reader choice for any PayPal user that wants expand into in-person sales. It offers several low-cost credit card readers for iPhone and iPad, low flat-rate credit card processing fees and your payments appear in your PayPal account the same day.
Best for High-volume Sellers Looking for Lower Processing Rates: Cayan
Cayan pairs a credit card reader for iPhone and iPad with its traditional merchant services account. This means Cayan’s credit card processing rates are based on your industry and overall volume, unlike the flat-rate services on our list. In our comparison of credit card processing fees, Cayan’s competitive interchange-plus are lower than a flat-fee provider when sales reach $10,000 or more per month. Of course, many factors contribute to the rates you pay, so it’s best to contact Cayan to see what it can do for your business.
Cayan gives account holders one free credit card reader for iPhone and iPad use. It processes both magstripe and EMV chip cards but not contactless eWallet payments.
Cayan Pricing
Cayan provides a credit card reader for iPhone and iPad for free, and your processing fees are based on your industry, sales volume and other factors. For most small businesses, Cayan’s interchange-plus fee plan offers savings as sales grow. Here’s a look at the account costs and estimated processing fees.
Cayan Account and Credit Card Processing Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Startup & monthly fees | $0/startup $0-$7.95/month $99/year PCI-compliance fee No annual noncompliance Fees |
| Swipe, chip or keyed-in payment | Interchange + .50% & 15 cents per transaction |
The interchange rate is the fee that credit card companies like Visa and MasterCard charge payment services like Cayan to process a card. Interchange rates differ, but the standard retail rate averages about 1.51 percent plus 10 cents per transaction. Payment services then add their fee on top of the interchange rate. Here’s an example of how it works:
| Card Company Interchange Rate: 1.51% + 10 cents per transaction | Cayan’s Rate: .50% & 15 cents per transaction | |
2.01% + 25 cents per transaction |
Here’s the math in action with a look at the fee differences between Cayan’s interchange-plus plan and our top flat-rate solution, Square:
| 120 Sales Totaling $10,000 | Processing Fee | Transaction Fee | Account Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cayan 2.01% + 25 cents per transaction | $201 | $30 | $16.20 | $247.20 |
| Square 2.75% No transaction fee | $275 | $0 | $0 | $275 |
As shown above, at $10,000 per month, Cayan’s fee beats Square. However, Cayan’s mPOS system is very basic. To enjoy all of the business management services that Square offers, you’d need to add other business management tools like a POS system, which can add costs.
Cost for a Cayan Credit Card Reader for iPhone and iPad
| Cayan Credit Card Reader | Best for | Cost |
|---|---|---|
Chip & Swipe Reader | Businesses processing more than $10,000 in credit cards per month Compatible with: Most Apple devices, see all | Free |
Cayan Features
Cayan’s mobile credit card reader solution isn’t as streamlined as the others on our list. Unlike the all-in-one services, Cayan’s service offers basic processing and not much more. The mPOS is very simple, and while it completes and tracks sales, it’s not a total business management system.
iPhone and iPad Compatibility
Cayan’s documentation does not list specific iOS and device compatibility. However, Cayan’s card reader has been available for some time, so it and the included mPOS works with a range of iPhones, iPads and other Apple devices. You can learn specifics by contacting Cayan.
Payment Deposits
Cayan typically deposits funds within two to four business days. Visa and MasterCard payments tend to deposit in about two days, American Express card payments within three to four days. This is typical of most traditional merchant account services.
Offline Payment Mode
Like Square, Cayan’s mPOS system also works in offline mode, so you can accept credit cards without a connection, then complete the charges when the device reconnects. Also like Square, if an offline payment is later declined, you need to contact your customer to remedy the issue.
Business Management Features
Like the other credit card reader solutions in this guide, Cayan provides a nice mobile POS app, called Swipe Simple, but it’s not the equal of Square. With it, you can:
- Process all major magstripe and EMV chip credit and debit cards
- Key in credit card and debit card numbers
- Add items to a list and add single or multiple items to a sale
- Capture e-signatures and email receipts to buyers
- Track sales tax and run reports
- Track sales figures and run sales reports
For features like detailed inventory tracking and customer management, you’ll need to add a full-featured POS system like Lightspeed POS to your Cayan setup. Unlike Square, this capability adds costs. However, if you sell in volume, are growing fast and want the lowest possible credit card rates, Cayan is worth a look.
Integrations
As a traditional merchant services provider, Cayan can connect to an array of ecommerce platforms, accounting tools and retail POS systems. Some of these connections are plug-and-play while others require some technical expertise. Most sellers already use Cayan for their retail store or online payment processing. The mobile reader is simply an extended feature. But, you can certainly start out with the Cayan reader and add needed retail POS systems or ecommerce platforms as you grow.
What Cayan Is Missing
Cayan’s credit card reader for iPhone and iPad only reads chip and magstripe credit cards. You have to move into other Cayan-enabled devices to accept contactless payments like Apple Pay and Android Pay. Cayan’s mPOS isn’t the equal of Square, either. It handles, tracks, and reports on basic sales details, but that’s about it.
What Users Think About Cayan
In user reviews, Cayan’s fees tend to be the top complaint, but that’s typical of any traditional merchant account service. It’s important to take the time to understand how credit card fees work to avoid surprises with a traditional merchant account. Other users note issues with customer service. However, Cayan does have a published phone number, and the representatives we spoke to were knowledgeable and responsive.
Where to Find Cayan
Cayan is best for the fast-growing volume seller that wants to use a credit card reader for iPhone or iPad and get the lowest possible rates. If this is you, contact Cayan to see how it can help your business grow.
Best Credit Card Reader for iPhone for QuickBooks Users: QuickBooks GoPayments
GoPayments is the credit card reader for iPhone and iPad that works within QuickBooks. If you’re a QuickBooks user, GoPayments is the easiest way to process mobile credit cards and track sales within QuickBooks. GoPayments offers two credit card readers and a few different payment processing plans and everything integrates with both QuickBooks online and desktop.
QuickBooks GoPayments credit card readers for iPhone and iPad process magstripe and chip cards as well as contactless payments.
QuickBooks GoPayments Pricing
Like others on our list, GoPayments provides a free magstripe and chip card reader when you open an account and card processing fees are your only ongoing cost. At 2.4 percent for in-person payments, GoPayments rate is lower than other flat-rate providers on our list. But, you must also include the per-transaction fee of 25 cents, which the other flat-rate services don’t charge when comparing overall costs.
QuickBooks GoPayments Account and Credit Card Processing Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Startup, monthly & cancellation fees | $0 |
| Swipe & chip card payments | 2.4% + 25 cents per transaction |
| Keyed-in payments | 3.5% + 25 cents per transaction |
Cost for a QuickBooks GoPayments Credit Card Reader for iPhone and iPad
| GoPayments Credit Card Readers | Best for | Cost |
|---|---|---|
Magstripe & EMV Chip Reader | Businesses that regularly accept magstripe and EMV chip credit and debit cards. Connectivity: Bluetooth for iPhones and iPads USB to QuickBooks Desktop Compatible with: Apple iOS 9.3.5 | One free with account sign-up Additional readers $19 |
Magstripe, EMV Chip & Contactless Reader | Businesses that want to accept all types of payments, magstripe and EMV chip credit and debit cards and eWallet Apple Pay and Android Pay Connectivity: Bluetooth for iPhones and iPads Compatible with: Apple iOS 9.3.5 | $49 |
QuickBooks GoPayments Features
The most important feature of GoPayments is its integration to QuickBooks. You process payments using an mPOS app on your iPhone or iPad like others on our list. The GoPayments mobile app features a suite of payment processing and sales tracking tools, and it all syncs with your QuickBooks Online or Desktop data.
iPhone and iPad Compatibility
Both of QuickBooks GoPayments credit card readers connect via Bluetooth to iPhones and iPads, so plug compatibility is not an issue. The GoPayments mPOS and card readers work with:
- Apple devices running iOS 9.3.5
- iPhone 4S, iPad 2, and later device models
Payment Deposits
Like Cayan, QuickBooks Payments is a traditional merchant account and funds are typically deposited within two to four business days. So, with GoPayments, Visa and MasterCard funds are deposited within two to three days and American Express payments within three to four days.
Offline Payment Mode
Unlike Square and Cayan, QuickBooks GoPayments does not have an offline mode to process credit cards without a connection. You can record check and cash payments when offline, but not credit card payments.
Business Management Features
QuickBooks GoPayments provides a sleek mobile POS app with some handy sales features, including:
- Process all major magstripe and EMV chip cards
- Process eWallet Apple Pay and Android Pay (using the contactless reader)
- Key in credit card and debit card numbers
- Photograph a card number using device camera to process a charge
- Let you apply QuickBooks items to a completed sale and track inventory
- Capture e-signatures and email receipts to buyers
- Add and track sales taxes and tips
- Add up to 50 user logins
- Import GoPayments payment transactions into QuickBooks for accounting and reporting
Integrations
The main integration for GoPayments is QuickBooks, and QuickBooks itself has a huge index of integrated ecommerce, order management and retail POS system solutions.
What QuickBooks GoPayments Is Missing
Some data doesn’t sync as cleanly as it could. QuickBooks is constantly updating its payments solution, so look for these things to improve over time. Currently, however, there are two notable shortcomings with GoPayments:
- Item lists and inventory counts don’t sync between GoPayments and QuickBooks; however, here’s a workaround that you can use to keep inventory on-track
- Customers created in GoPayments aren’t automatically created in QuickBooks — you have to add them manually.
What Users Think About QuickBooks GoPayments
In reviews, users seem unhappy with the lack of item, inventory and customer sync between the GoPayments mPOS app and their QuickBooks file. But, it does offer the most integrated credit card processing service for QuickBooks users and most appreciate that. Its simple flat-rate fees are competitive and users also report getting lower processing fees through QuickBooks Payments as sales volumes increase.
Where to Find QuickBooks GoPayments
If you’re a QuickBooks user that wants to accept payments using a credit card reader for iPhone or iPad, GoPayments is the solution to check out first. No-surprise processing rates and clean transaction sync with QuickBooks make GoPayments the ideal solution for QuickBooks users looking to add mobile sales to the lineup.
Best Credit Card Reader for Online Sellers: Shopify POS
If online sales are your main focus but you still want an in-person option, Shopify’s online store and mobile POS solution are about as turnkey as it gets. Shopify is a simple yet full-featured ecommerce platform for launching, managing and marketing an online store. With your Shopify account, you also get a free credit card reader for iPhone and iPad that lets you sell beyond the online borders of your Shopify store.
Shopify POS offers two credit card readers for iPhone and iPad: a magstripe and chip card reader (white) and magstripe, chip and contactless reader (black).
Shopify Pricing
Unlike others on our list, Shopify has a monthly fee. This is because you need a Shopify ecommerce store account to access the Shopify POS card reader feature. But, adding the mPOS feature to any Shopify store account is free, plus you get a free magstripe and chip card reader.
If you just need a credit card reader for iPhone mobile sales, the no-monthly-fee options like Square or PayPal Here are more economical. But, for pairing an online store with in-person sales, Shopify is a good value. Like the others on our list, you also pay flat-rate credit card processing fees and that rate is based on your Shopify plan.
Shopify POS Account and Credit Card Processing Fees
| Service | Shopify Lite | Basic Shopify | Shopify | Advanced Shopify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Startup & Cancellation Fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Monthly Fee | $9 | $29 | $79 | $299 |
| Swipe & Chip Card Payments | 2.7% | 2.7% | 2.5% | 2.4% |
| Keyed-in & online payments | 2.9% + 30 cents per transaction | 2.9% + 30 cents per transaction | 2.6% + 30 cents per transaction | 2.4% + 30 cents per transaction |
Cost for a Shopify POS Credit Card Reader for iPhone and iPad
| Shopify Credit Card Readers | Best for | Cost |
|---|---|---|
Chip & Swipe reader | Online sellers that want to accept magstripe and chip cards via mobile device Connectivity: Bluetooth Compatible with: iOS 9.0; iPhone 5, iPad 3 or newer | One free with account setup Additional readers $29 |
Handheld Swipe, Chip & Contactless Reader | Online sellers that want to accept magstripe and chip cards and eWallet Apple Pay and Android Pay via mobile device Connectivity: Bluetooth Compatible with: iPhones and iPads running iOS 9.0 and newer systems | $89 |
Shopify POS Features
Shopify is a full-featured ecommerce platform, and many of its powerful online selling features, such as sales tracking, customer data, items and inventory counts all sync to the mPOS app. So, if you plan to sell online and in-person via mobile device Shopify’s solution is very streamlined. It also gives you a simple entry into multichannel sales. Even the $9 Shopify Lite plan gives you a way to list products on a blog and in a Facebook shop and the higher plans integrate with Amazon, Pinterest and other sales channels.
iPhone and iPad Compatibility
Both Shopify POS credit card readers for iPhone and iPad work with Apple devices running iOS 9.0 and higher — specifically iPhone 5 and iPad 3 and higher, according to Shopify’s card reader specifications.
Payment Deposits
Shopify POS typically deposits your revenues, less its processing fee, within one to three business days.
Offline Payment Mode
Unlike Square and Cayan, Shopify POS doesn’t have an offline mode to process credit cards without a connection. You can record check and cash payments in the Shopify mPOS when offline, but not credit card payments.
Business Management Features
Shopify POS is the only service on our list that truly competes with Square in terms of sales and business management features. Shopify’s powerful ecommerce platform drives the mPOS app, so sellers can access every multichannel sales and marketing feature that Shopify offers. Plus, like Square, key data cleanly syncs between the mPOS app and Shopify online store dashboard.
With Shopify POS, you can:
- Accept all major magstripe and EMV chip credit and debit cards
- Process eWallet Apple Pay and Android Pay payments (using the $89 reader)
- Record cash and check payments for free
- Add taxes and track taxes collected
- Accept e-signatures and email receipts to customers
- Add items to a sale and track sales and item details by customer
- Create new or custom items for a sale as needed
- Track product details and inventory counts
- Provide partial or complete refunds
Like Square, Shopify POS is part of a full-featured sales platform. To learn how Shopify can help you grow an online business and support in-person sales needs, visit our guide to Shopify pricing and features.
Integrations
Shopify integrates with a vast array of business, marketing, shipping, supplier and sales management tools. In short, you can connect Shopify to virtually any system you choose, from QuickBooks and print-on-demand vendors to drop-ship suppliers and a WordPress blog. See the complete list of Shopify integrations in the App Store.
What Shopify POS Is Missing
Shopify POS falls short of Square — and a few others on our list — in two key areas:
- No offline credit card processing mode: Credit cards sales can’t be processed without a connection
- No tip collection or split tickets: Tips and split tickets aren’t online sales needs, so these sales tools aren’t a part of Shopify’s payments service
What Users Think About Shopify POS
In user reviews, Shopify POS hits a home run. Users love Shopify’s powerful online sales platforms and that love extends to Shopify’s mPOS app and credit card readers. Ease of use, sync with Shopify’s back-end tools and competitive rates are boxes that Shopify POS clearly checks. Monthly account fees and limited scalability are issues that users mention as negatives but, overall, Shopify POS delivers on expectations.
Where to Find Shopify POS
You need a Shopify online store account to access Shopify POS. You can start with the $9 per month Shopify Lite account, get your free credit card reader for iPhone and iPad and access several Shopify online sales tools on a budget. Alternatively, you can dive right into a Shopify online store plan, which starts at $29 per month and launch a complete online store in minutes.
The Bottom Line
You can get a credit card reader for iPhone and iPad from many different payment processing services. The right one for you depends on your overall sales needs. Square is a simple and economical choice for most independent sellers and small businesses plus it gives you plenty of tools to grow in any direction.
If you already use PayPal for online payments, are a QuickBooks user or need Shopify’s powerful online platform, you can use those card reader solutions for in-person payments. However, if volume sales are your goal, a traditional merchant account like Cayan can help you save on process fees.
The takeaway here is that there are many ways to get a credit card reader for iPhone and iPad to handle mobile sales. Which solution do you think is right for you and why? We’d love to get your input in the comments below.
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