Note: Square has recently changed it’s flat-rate fee of 2.75% to 2.6% + 10 cents per transaction. We will update the pricing and our ranking of providers in the next update of this article.
Using a credit card reader for iPhone and iPad lets businesses accept credit cards anywhere. Card readers connect to an iPhone via Bluetooth or wired plug and then process card payments via a mobile point-of-sale (mPOS) app. We compare top card readers for iPhones and iPads based on processing features, processing options, and costs.
Top 7 Credit Card Readers for iPhone & iPad in 2019
| Credit Card Reader for iPhone | Best For: |
|---|---|
| Square | (Best overall) Most small businesses wanting a low-cost card reader and business management app |
| PayPal Here | Small businesses wanting to accept credit card and PayPal payments |
| Shopify | Online businesses selling at pop-up events |
| EMS+ | Small and micro businesses looking for lowest cost payment processing |
| Chase Merchant Services | Retailers wanting the security and reliability of a traditional merchant account |
| QuickBooks GoPayment | QuickBooks users wanting to accept in-person payments for goods or services |
| Fattmerchant | Mobile vendors processing over $20,000 in sales per month |
How We Evaluated Credit Card Readers for iPhone & iPad
In evaluating mobile credit card 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, chip cards, and contactless eWallet payments. All provide a free mPOS app to process credit card payments and track sales. The biggest differences among mobile processors are costs like transaction fees, device compatibility, and POS app features.
We evaluated each credit card reader for iPhone 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 Europay, Mastercard and Visa (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 payments 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 platforms, retail POS systems, and bookkeeping software
Based on the above criteria, Square is our top pick for credit card reader for iPhone and iPad. 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.
Square: Best Overall Credit Card Reader for iPhone & iPad
Square is a payment processing, POS, and business management system. Square’s affordable flat-rate transaction fees and suite of free features, such as inventory management, customer directory, user-friendly interface, offline payment processing, and free credit card reader, make it the best value for small businesses in need of a credit card reader for iPhone and iPad.
Square Pricing
Square charges a competitive flat-rate 2.75% credit card processing fee each time you accept a credit card with your card reader. This rate is 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.
Specific Square costs include:
- Startup, monthly, & cancellation fees: $0
- Swipe, chip & contactless payments: 2.75%
- Keyed-in payments: 3.5% + 15 cents per transaction
Square hardware costs include:
- Magstripe reader: First free, additional $10*
- Swipe & chip reader: $35
- Chip & contactless reader: $49
*Square’s free magstripe reader is available with a headphone jack connection for Android devices and older Apple devices. You can also choose a magstripe reader with a lightning connection that’s compatible with newer iPhone models.
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 make Square our top pick for a credit card reader for iPhone and iPad.
Square’s free magstripe reader comes in two models to accommodate old iPhone models, new iPhones, iPads, and Android devices
Square Features
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% 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 and QuickBooks. Overall, most card reader services simply don’t equal Square’s level of sales and management features and fees-only price point.
Square 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, which requires a $15 adapter
- Apple devices running Bluetooth for the contactless card reader
Square Payment Deposits
Square typically deposits your revenues, minus its processing fee, the following business day. You can get instant deposits, but for an added 1% fee. PayPal Here is the only mobile credit card processing service on our list that offers same-day deposits with no added fees.
Square Offline Payment Mode
Square has a fully functional offline mode, unlike most other credit card readers on our list. Even if you lose your cellular 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.
Square is one of the few card readers on our list with an offline payment mode
Square Business Management Features
Square’s POS app is a full-featured business management system with features that beat the competition hands down. With Square, you can accept all major credit, debit, and eWallet payments and record cash payments. You can also add tips to each transaction, split sales between different payment methods, and send customer receipts via text or email.
Businesses can also create and manage inventory items and product catalogs. Square’s mPOS app has reporting tools to track total sales, sales by item, and details on customers. Square’s dashboard, which can be accessed by any browser, provides more reporting tools, inventory management features, and tools to build a website, all for free.
This list just scratches the surface of all that Square’s robust POS app delivers. To see all of the ways that Square helps you run a business, visit our complete guide to Square’s services.
Square Integrations
Square integrates with an array of services that can help you grow your business and serve your customers better. 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, 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 does not have the lowest processing fees on our list: PayPal and EMSplus are lower for small businesses, and Fattmerchant is lower for businesses processing more than $20,000 per month. If you’re on a strict budget and don’t need any features other than strictly processing credit cards, one of those options may be a better fit.
Square User Reviews
Square reviews are generally positive. 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 POS app provides. Negative comments tend to center on Square’s lack of phone service and withholding of funds.
Get Started With 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 today and get your free mobile card reader.
PayPal Here: Best Credit Card Reader for iPhone for Accepting PayPal Payments
PayPal Here is a free mPOS and credit card processing app from PayPal. It has extremely competitive transaction rates and lets customers pay using their PayPal accounts, which is a nice sales perk other credit card readers for iPhone don’t offer.
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.
Specific PayPal here costs include:
- Swiped, chip & contactless payments: 2.7%
- Keyed-in payments: 3.5% + 15 cents
- Invoice payments: 2.9% + 30 cents
- Additional fee for international payments: 1.5%
PayPal Here hardware costs include:
- Swipe magstripe card reader: $14.99*
- Chip & swipe reader: $24.99*
- Chip & contactless reader, plus charging stand: $79.99
*PayPal occasionally has promotions where you can receive a free swipe or chip card reader when you sign up for a free PayPal Here account.
PayPal Here has several card reader options from which to choose
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 POS 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.
PayPal Here 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 are compatible with:
- iPhone, iPad, iPad Mini, and iPod Touch running iOS 7.0 or later
- 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
- Android devices running on software versions 4.1 and newer
PayPal Here 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% 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.
PayPal Here 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 POS app.
PayPal Here Business Management Features
With PayPal Here, you can accept all major credit, debit, contactless, and PayPal payments, process refunds, and record cash and check payments. PayPal Here has features to add tips to transactions, send email receipts, and track sales within the mPOS app. You can also set up specific products with images, pricing, and stock levels. PayPal also lets you create employee IDs with individual logins and permission levels.
PayPal Here has detailed sales reports
PayPal Here 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 accounting 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, which accepts credit cards offline. The $500 per week sales limit on the magstripe reader is also very inconvenient but easily remedied by purchasing a chip card or contactless reader.
PayPal Here User Reviews
In PayPal Here reviews, the $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, overall users love PayPal because its solutions are super easy to use, it integrates with a ton of other programs, and processing rates are very competitive.
Get Started With PayPal Here
PayPal Here is a solid credit card reader for iPhone and iPad, particularly for businesses that want to accept PayPal payments. It’s completely free to create a PayPal Here account. Visit PayPal’s website to get started.
Shopify: Best Credit Card Reader for iPhone & iPad for Ecommerce Businesses
Shopify is an ecommerce platform with POS apps for selling in-store and via mobile device. Shopify has a full-featured mPOS that syncs seamlessly with your online sales platform, plus the mPOS app is free with all Shopify plans. Shopify’s a great option for online businesses that also want to accept payments via mobile.
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. However, 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. However, for pairing an online store with in-person sales, Shopify is a good value. Like the others on our list, you also pay a flat-rate credit card processing fee and that rate is based on your Shopify plan.
Shopify POS Pricing Tiers
| Monthly Fee | ||||
| Online Credit Card Processing | ||||
| In-Person Credit Card Processing | ||||
| Mobile POS App | ||||
| Sell on Facebook | ||||
| Online Store |
Shopify hardware prices include:
- Chip & swipe reader: First free, additional $29
- Chip & contactless reader: $49
Shopify 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.
Shopify mPOS has features to collect and manage detailed customer information
Shopify 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. Shopify mPOS also works with Android devices, and card reader can pair to both Apple and Android via Bluetooth.
Shopify Payment Deposits
Shopify typically deposits funds from transactions within one to three business days. This timeframe is pretty standard. However, Shopify does not have features that allow you to apply for or pay for faster funding.
Shopify Offline Payment Mode
Like most of the others on our list, Shopify does not have an offline payment mode. You can record cash and check transactions offline, but you need an internet or cell service connection to process card payments.
Shopify 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 POS app and Shopify online store dashboard.
With Shopify POS, you can accept all major magstripe and chip credit and debit cards, plus eWallet payments. Businesses can add and track taxes for each transaction, send customers email receipts, track customer data, and process total or partial refunds. Shopify also has one of the most sophisticated inventory management systems out of all the mPOS systems on our list.
Shopify has detailed sales analytics on its iPhone and iPad app
Shopify 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. Shopify, Square, and PayPal are the card readers with the most integrations options on our list.
What Shopify Is Missing
Shopify falls short of Square, our top pick, in two key areas. Shopify does not have an offline payment mode, which is crucial if you plan to sell at markets or events. Shopify also does not have a feature to collect tips with each transaction, so it’s not well-suited for service providers.
Shopify User Reviews
In Shopify user reviews, the software 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.
Get Started with Shopify
Shopify’s powerful ecommerce platform and mPOS app make it a great option for online sellers that also want to accept payments with their iPhone or iPad. The $9 per month Shopify Lite account includes a free credit card reader for iPhone and iPad and access several Shopify online sales tools. 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. Visit Shopify to get started.
EMSplus: Best Budget Credit Card Reader for iPhone & iPad
EMSplus is a simple small business payment processor for iPhone, iPad, and Android devices. EMSplus has the lowest processing rate out of all the solutions on our list, at just 2.25%, making it a great fit for small businesses on a budget that are willing to sacrifice some functionality for lower costs.
EMSplus Pricing
EMSplus has flat-rate transaction fees like many of the other solutions on our list like Square and PayPal Here. So, businesses are deducted a percentage of each transaction they process. Also like Square and PayPal, EMSplus has no monthly or startup fees.
Specific EMSplus fees include:
- Monthly & startup fees: $0
- Swipe & chip payments: 2.25% for Visa, Mastercard, and Discover
- Swipe & chip payments: 2.95% for American Express
- Keyed-in payments: 3.5% + 15 cents
EMSplus hardware fees include:
- Magstripe card reader: One free, additional $10 each
- All-in-one Bluetooth reader for chip, tap & swipe payments: $49 after rebate
- Lightning magstripe card reader: $79.95
EMSplus offers one free magstripe card reader, just like Square does, however with one key difference. Square lets users pick if they want their free magstripe reader to connect to their phone via a headphone jack or lightning port like the newer iPhone models have. With EMSplus, only the headphone jack model is free. The magstripe reader with a lighting connector costs $79.95.
EMSplus Features
EMSplus has the basic features needed to accept credit card payments via mobile and tablet. The POS app has features for itemized orders, adding tips, sending email receipts, and sending invoices. Like other apps on our list, including Square, EMSplus has features to create product categories and items with pricing so you can ring up sales by specific products.
EMSplus has features to track and manage every transaction
EMSplus iPhone and iPad Compatibility
EMSplus is compatible with iPhones, iPads, and Android devices. The POS app can be downloaded for free on all iOS and Android devices. The free magstripe reader is compatible with Android devices and older Apple devices that have a headphone jack. People with newer Apple devices that don’t have the headphone jack will need to purchase the Lightning magstripe reader for $79.95.
EMSplus Payment Deposits
EMSplus generally deposits funds from transactions into the merchant’s bank account within two business days, which is pretty average. Merchants can apply for faster funding, in which case, their application will be reviewed manually. As with most third-party payment processors, there are customer reviews and reports of funds taking a long time to deposit or being withheld for various reasons.
EMSplus Offline Payment Mode
EMSplus does not have an offline payment mode. You need to be connected to the Internet or have cell phone service in order to process transactions. This can be problematic if you are using iPhone credit card readers to accept payments outdoors or at events where the internet connection may be limited. If you need a credit card reader for iPhone with offline payments, Square is your best choice.
EMSplus Business Management Features
Like Square and Shopify, EMSplus has features to manage inventory in the POS app. Users can create product categories, items, and assign pricing. However, users report that inventory settings do not always transfer between devices. EMSplus also has settings to create customer records, store data such as contact information, and run reports. Users can also create and send customized email invoices from the EMSplus app.
EMSplus app has features to manage individual products and product categories
EMSplus Integrations
EMSplus app does not have any integrations or other apps that it connects with. EMSplus does offer an Apple Watch app for monitoring sales and viewing reports, which is a rare feature. EMSplus is operated by the larger EMS Payments, which has a specific payment processing solution for QuickBooks users, but that is the extent of its integrations. If you need a solution that easily connects with other tools like marketing or accounting software, Square or Shopify are good choices.
What EMSplus Is Missing
Unlike Square and PayPal, which anyone can sign up for and start using right away, EMSplus is only for businesses, not individuals. You must fill out an application to get an EMS payment processing account. So, if you are looking for a solution to accept payments one day at a tag sale, EMSplus is not for you. EMSplus also does not have an offline mode, so it’s a better fit for businesses that operate in a set location with a good internet connection.
EMSplus User Reviews
EMSplus has fairly positive user reviews. Users like that the transaction fee for most swiped payments is very low. In fact, it’s the lowest flat-rate transaction fee we’ve seen from a payment processor. However, some users report compatibility issues with the EMSplus card readers, forcing them to key-in payments manually, which have a much higher processing fee.
Get Started with EMSplus
EMSplus offers a very low 2.25% flat-rate payment processing fee, which is ideal for small businesses on a budget. To get started, fill out a short application on the EMS website and download the EMSplus app from the Apple or Android app store. Visit EMSplus to apply.
Chase Merchant Services: Best Traditional Merchant Account Card Reader
Chase Merchant Services is a traditional merchant account provider that offers the security typical of a traditional merchant account, while also offering very competitive payment processing rates with no monthly minimums. Chase is a great option for businesses that want the peace of mind that comes with working with a bank for payment processing.
Chase Merchant Services Pricing
Even though Chase offers a traditional merchant account, it’s pricing structure is similar to payment processing apps like Square and PayPal. Chase offers flat-rate transaction fees with no startup fees or monthly minimums. Many traditional merchant accounts only work with businesses that regularly process at least $10,000 or $20,000 per month, so the fact that Chase does not have such a requirement is pretty rare.
Specific Chase Merchant Services mobile pricing includes:
- Account startup, monthly and cancellation fees: $0
- Swipe, chip & contactless payments: 2.89% with $49 card reader
- Swipe, chip & contactless payments: 1.99%+ 15 cents per debit transaction 2.99% + 15 cents for credit transactions with $95 card reader.
Chase is the only option on our list that has different processing rates depending on the hardware you purchase. Businesses that opt for the basic $49 card reader pay a flat 2.89% processing fee. Businesses that opt for the $95 card reader can choose transaction fees that have a lower rate for debit transactions and a higher rate for credit transactions.
Chase Merchant Services hardware pricing is not as transparent as other solutions. For mobile processing, there is an option to purchase a $49 reader or a $95 reader. If you are selling in-store, there are options to purchase a card terminal for $220 or pay a one-time equipment fee of $125 to rent the terminal. These prices, as well as the processing fees, are not listed on Chase’s website, you need to call the sales office.
Chase Mobile Checkout app is very easy to navigate
Chase Merchant Services Features
As a whole, Chase Merchant Services offers a lot of payment processing features. It has a mobile app called Chase Mobile Checkout for processing sales, issuing refunds, viewing the status of transactions, and adding discounts or promotions to transactions manually. You can also manage gift cards through the app, view sales reports and overviews, examine transaction summaries, see chargeback reports, and more.
Chase Merchant Services iPhone and iPad Compatibility
The Chase Mobile Checkout app can be downloaded on Apple and Google Play app stores. It works on iPhones, iPads, and Android devices. In order for the app to work on Apple devices, you must have iOS 10.0 or newer. If you want to accept chip payments (instead of just swipe or keyed-in) your device must also be at least Bluetooth 4.0 compatible.
Chase Merchant Services Payment Deposits
Next-day funding is available for free for businesses that use Chase Business Checking. You have to be approved for this feature, but it’s a nice bonus as most processors don’t offer free next-day deposits. Otherwise, if you’re not using a Chase bank account, your funds will be available in a few business days. Unlike Square and PayPal, Chase does not currently have an option for same-day or instant deposits.
Chase Merchant Services Offline Payment Mode
Like many of the other solutions on our list, Chase does not have an offline payment option for mobile payments. Your device must be connected to cellular data or Wi-Fi. Additionally, your device’s location services must be enabled for the mobile device to process transactions. If you need a solution that is able to accept payments offline, Square may be a better fit.
Chase Merchant Services Business Management Features
The Chase mobile app has POS features to process sales, voids, and refunds and manage gift cards. Businesses can also create image-based product catalogs, send email or text receipts, create reports, and add tips to transactions by a flat amount or percentage.
One unique feature about Chase is the transparency with chargebacks. Because you are dealing directly with the bank, there is no middleman when a chargeback occurs. Theoretically, this means they can be resolved faster. There is also a feature to view and manage chargebacks right within the Chase Mobile Checkout app.
The Chase Mobile Checkout app is one of the few card reader apps on our list that has a demo or test mode
Chase Merchant Services Integrations
Chase Merchant Services integrates with a few software programs and business management solutions, including BigCommerce for ecommerce sellers, FreshBooks for accounting, and Agree.com for online contracts. Chase doesn’t have proprietary add-on features like Square and Shopify do with loyalty programs, marketing tools, and so on.
What Chase Merchant Services Is Missing
Chase’s payment processing rates are not the lowest or even the second-lowest on our list. Plus, you will need to purchase a card reader. So, it’s pricier than other solutions like Square, PayPal, even EMSplus.
Chase Merchant Services User Reviews
On the Apple app store, the biggest complaint from users is the app interface. Reviews say that the app is clunky and outdated, especially when compared to Chase’s other banking and consumer-facing apps. Otherwise, Chase Merchant Services reviews are positive, and users are very happy with Chase’s processing rates.
Get Started with Chase Merchant Services
Chase Merchant Services Mobile Checkout app is a great mobile payment solution for businesses that want the security of working directly with a bank for payment processing. To get started, fill out an application for merchant services. Once approved, you can download the app and order your card reader. Visit Chase Merchant Services to get started.
QuickBooks GoPayment: Best Credit Card Reader for iPhone for QuickBooks Users
QuickBooks GoPayment 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. GoPayments offers two credit card readers, a few competitive payment processing plans, and everything integrates with QuickBooks online and desktop.
QuickBooks GoPayment 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% 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 GoPayment processing fees include:
- Startup, monthly & cancellation fees: $0
- Swipe, chip & contactless payments: 2.4% + 25 cents per transaction
- Keyed-in payments: 3.4% + 25 cents per transaction
QuickBooks GoPayment hardware fees include:
- Magstripe & chip reader: Free with signup; additional, $19 each
- Magstripe, chip & contactless reader: $49
Shopify mPOS has features to collect and manage detailed customer information
QuickBooks GoPayment Features
The most important feature of GoPayments is its integration to QuickBooks. You process payments using the GoPayment POS 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.
QuickBooks GoPayment 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 on iOS 9.3.5 or newer. The card readers and GoPayment app also work on Android devices with software version 4.1 and newer.
QuickBooks GoPayment Payment Deposits
QuickBooks Payment is a traditional merchant account, like Chase Merchant Services and Fattmerchant. So, funds are typically deposited within two to four business days. So, with GoPayment, Visa and MasterCard funds are deposited within two to three days and American Express payments within three to four days.
QuickBooks GoPayment Offline Payment Mode
Like most of the card readers for iPhone and iPad on our list, 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.
QuickBooks GoPayment Business Management Features
QuickBooks GoPayments provides a sleek mPOS app with some handy sales features, including the ability to process all major magstripe and chip credit and debit cards, most popular eWallet payments, and process transactions by taking a picture of the card.
QuickBooks GoPayments has features to track inventory items, and even lets you add specific inventory items to a sale after it’s completed for accurate tracking. You can send email receipts, add tips, track sales tax, and create up to 50 user logins. Of course, you can also import transactions from GoPayment into QuickBooks for accounting and reporting.
QuickBooks GoPayment 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. Popular apps include Gusto for human resources (HR) tools, Square, PayPal, Expensify, and more.
What QuickBooks GoPayment Is Missing
QuickBooks GoPayment does not have an offline mode, like many of the other programs on our list. However, the biggest issue is that data from GoPayments doesn’t always sync to QuickBooks as seamlessly as it should. QuickBooks is updating the app constantly, but there are issues with inventory counts not syncing correctly and customer profiles that are creating in GoPayments not automatically syncing with QuickBooks and needing to be added manually
QuickBooks GoPayment User Reviews
In QuickBooks GoPayment reviews, users seem unhappy with the lack of item, inventory and customer sync between the GoPayments mPOS app and their QuickBooks file. However, it does offer the most integrated credit card processing service for QuickBooks users and most of them appreciate that. Its simple flat-rate fees are competitive and users also report getting lower processing fees through QuickBooks Payments as sales volumes increase.
Get Started with QuickBooks GoPayment
If you’re a QuickBooks user that wants to accept payments using a credit card reader for iPhone or iPad, QuickBooks GoPayment is the solution to check out first. No-surprise processing rates and clean transaction sync with QuickBooks make GoPayment the ideal solution for QuickBooks users looking to add mobile sales to the lineup. Visit QuickBooks to get started.
Fattmerchant: Best Credit Card Reader for iPhone for High-volume Sellers
Fattmerchant has a direct-interchange pricing model which is a cost-saving option for businesses processing more than $20,000 per month, especially if your average sale is above $20. Fattmerchant charges a large monthly fee per sales channel, but offers very low transaction processing fees, making it an affordable option for large businesses only selling via mobile.
Fattmerchant Pricing
Fattmerchant has the lowest per-sale credit card processing rates out of all the credit card reader solutions on our list. This is because Fattmerchant passes the actual card issuers’ interchange and assessment fees (which can average about 1.54% + 12 cents and are non-negotiable) on to you with no percentage markup at all. However, Fattmechant has high monthly fees.
Specific Fattmerchant pricing and fees include:
- Startup & cancellation fees: $0
- Monthly fees: $99/month for less than $500,000 in annual sales, $199/month with more than $500,000 in annual sales
- Transaction fees: direct interchange plus 15 cents for $99/month plan, 12 cents for $199/month plan
The $99 and $199 monthly fees are charged regardless of if you actually process any sales or not. So, this pricing model is best suited for large businesses. The $99 and $199 monthly fees are also charged per sales channel. So, for example, if you need to sell via mobile and your website, you will pay the $99 or $199 twice. So, this model is best if you are only selling via one channel, or you are processing at least $20,000 per month per channel.
Fattmerchant sells BBPOS card readers for mobile. There are two different types from which to choose: one that accepts swipe and chip payments and one that accepts those plus contactless payments. However, the prices are undisclosed. Fattmerchant also has various accessories such as phone cases for attaching the card reader, iPad stands, and more.
Fattmerchant Features
Fattmerchant has a mPOS app for processing sales and refunds. Businesses can also create and save specific products with prices and stock levels and set specific discounts. Fattmerchant’s mobile app also has features to send email receipts, and view and search for specific transactions. The in-app reporting tools are limited, but there are more reports and analytics available through your account when you log in through Fattmerchant’s website.
Fattmerchant mPOS app has tools to create and manage inventory items
Fattmerchant iPhone and iPad Compatibility
Fattmerchant mobile processing app can be downloaded on the Apple app store and Google Play. Apple iPhone and iPads need iOS 9.1 or later. Android devices need software version 5.1 and later.
Fattmerchant Payment Deposits
Fattmerchant offers free next-day funding. Most processors deposit funds within a few business days and some, like Square and PayPal, offer instant funding with a 1% fee. Chase offers next-day funding, but only for businesses that use Chase checking accounts as their connected bank account. So, Fattmerchant’s free next-day funding is a nice feature. Fattmerchant does offer same-day funding, but for an undisclosed additional fee.
Fattmerchant Offline Payment Mode
Fattmerchant is one of the few processors on our list that has an offline payment mode. There is a setting in the mPOS app that enables offline payments. Offline payments can only by keyed-in, not swiped. They are then stored in the app and automatically process once the device is back online.
Fattmerchant has an offline payment mode
Fattmerchant Business Management Features
On the Fattmerchant POS app, you can easily process payments on any newer Apple or Android device. You can also view transaction history, create customer profiles, and manage inventory from the software. Fattmerchant also has tools for creating and managing product catalogs, scanning bar codes, and viewing reports.
Integrations
Like Chase, Fattmerchant’s mobile payment processing doesn’t have too many integrations. Fattmerchant does have a QuickBooks integration included with all mobile plans for easy accounting. Otherwise, the mPOS does not connect to other software programs.
What Fattmerchant Is Missing
Fattmerchant has a unique pricing structure that is not right for every business. It’s a good value if you’re a large seller processing more than $20,000 per month. However, if you’re an occasional seller or a smaller business, the flat $99 per month fee may be too high for you.
Fattmerchant User Reviews
Users who leave Fattmerchant reviews are generally happy with the credit card processing. They like that the fee structure is transparent and affordable. The most common complaints are funds being withheld, which is common for any card processor, and issues with the mobile card reader not working. However, Fattmerchant updates the mobile app regularly to fix any bugs.
Get Started With Fattmerchant
Fattmerchant is the most affordable credit card reader on our list for larger or growing businesses. To get started, fill out a quick application through Fattmerchant’s website. Visit Fattmerchant to apply.
Bottom Line
Credit card readers for iPhone and iPad all generally come with similar features; a free mPOS app, features to track sales and inventory, send customer digital receipts, and manage customer data. The best mobile credit card reader for your business depends on your business size, where you sell, and other specific needs.
Square is a simple and economical choice for most independent sellers and small businesses. It’s one of the only credit card readers for iPhone that has an offline mode for accepting payments, has an instant deposit option, and has some of the best free business management tools. Visit Square to create your free account.
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