8 Best Credit Card Readers for Small Businesses March 2023

Square Terminal is an all-in-one device with a built-in 5.5-inch display and receipt printer that leads our list for versatility. It can function as a primary or secondary card processor and be set up as an online, mobile, or countertop solution. If you don’t have a merchant account yet, Square comes with a free merchant account and payment processor, so you don’t need to apply for one or wait for approval—it’s instant.

Affordable payment plans, portability, and compatibility with a variety of hardware and software tools make Square Terminal an excellent choice for most business credit card readers. However, the hardware is expensive, and the installment plan is unavailable in certain states.

The Square Terminal comes with the free Square POS software and payment processor and can also be integrated to work with your existing POS or custom third-party apps, such as tools for business management, food and beverage, and health care.

Related pricing for Square Terminal are as follows:

• Card reader cost: $299 or $27/month for 12 months
• Transaction fee:
  • Card present: 2.6% + 10 cents
  • Keyed-in: 3.5% + 15 cents
• POS software monthly fee:
  • Basic POS plan: $0
  • Advanced industry-specific plan: $60
• Accessories: From $0–$500

Program the Square Terminal as a second screen connected to your Square POS or to a custom POS. (Source: Square)

• Accept magnetic stripe, chip cards, and contactless payments
• Connects to the internet via Wi-Fi or ethernet
• Can run plugged into a power source or with a battery
• Available online user guide and video tutorials
• Can be used as an individual countertop terminal or a second screen
• Connects directly with barcode scanners, cash registers, weighing scales, and other POS retail tools
• Integrates with custom or third-party POS
• End-to-end encryption

Unlike similar card readers from PAX and BBPOS, which need to be programmed with a point-of-sale or merchant service provider, Square’s proprietary device comes with the free Square POS software and payment processor. Plus, its powerful built-in POS app includes free business management tools. Square Terminal also weighs less than 500 grams (just over 1 lb.), so it’s portable and can be connected to a cash register and barcode scanner, making it a great option when selling at farmers’ markets and trade shows.

The Toast Go 2 is a standalone, handheld, proprietary hardware designed to not only manage restaurant operations but also process tableside payments. With the new pay-as-you-go kit, Toast makes it possible for new restaurant owners to open a merchant account and get both hardware and software with no upfront cost or monthly fees. The system also offers a variety of add-on software ideal for scaling full-service restaurants.

Merchants can have the Toast Go 2 without paying for the hardware in exchange for a higher per-transaction fee. While this makes payment processing admittedly expensive, Toast Go 2 offers all the features you’ll ever need to manage a busy, full-service restaurant. However, smaller businesses like cafes and diners might find Toast Go 2’s full suite of tools more than they need.

With Toast Payments, merchants can get Toast proprietary hardware and software with no upfront cost and zero monthly fees. However, this will lock you into a long-term contract and cost you a higher payment processing flat rate. On the other hand, Toast will match the processing rates of merchants switching from another POS and even offer discounted bundle monthly rates for add-on software.

Related pricing for Toast Go2 are as follows:

• Card reader cost:
  • Pay-as-you-go Plan: $0
  • Individual/add-on: $409
  • Standard Plan: $609
• Transaction fee:
  • Pay-as-you-go platform fee: 2.99% + 15 cents
  • Standard card present: 2.49% + 15 cents
  • Keyed-in: 3.50% + 15 cents
• POS Software monthly fee: $0–$69
• Hardware Accessories: $119–$599
• Add-On Software:
  • Online ordering: $57
  • Email marketing: $75
  • Loyalty: $50
  • Gift cards: $50

More than a payment terminal, Toast Go 2 also has restaurant tools such as restaurant layout, reservations, and menu management. It’s designed with industry-grade features to handle drops, spills, and dust and has 24-hour battery life. (Source: Toast)

• Accepts EMV chip, swipe, tap, and NFC payments
• 6.5-inch touch-screen display
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
• Integrates with Toast’s KDS, marketing, and loyalty features
• Made with durable, industry-grade hardware and 24-hour battery life
• One-year limited warranty
• Comes with a built-in POS (paid $50 monthly)
• End-to-end with encryption and tokenization

Toast is well-known for its industrial-grade hardware, and this handheld is no exception. It’s both spill-proof and drop-proof, with 24-hour battery life to handle a busy service—processing orders and accepting payments around the restaurant, curbside, and even at the drive-through. See why Toast is our top pick for the best restaurant POS system.

The Square Contactless and Chip reader lets you accept chip, EMV, and contactless payments with your mobile device. It is compatible with Android and iOS and integrates with Square’s free POS to manage real-time inventory and reporting. Square’s hardware and software are popular with merchants because it is a reliable system that can seamlessly process payments even without internet connection.

This particular Square credit card reader fared better in pricing compared to Square Terminal, but fell behind for card reader features, lacking swipe payment capabilities and user interface tools such as a pin pad and screen display (features available with SumUp Plus).

At $49 per device, Square’s advantage is that it offers a free POS software you can use to immediately start accepting payments. This makes it a more affordable solution compared to other popular choices like Shopify (which requires at least $29 monthly for software) and PayPal Zettle (which does not integrate with PayPal’s online platform). Find out how Square stacks up against Stripe and PayPal.

Related Square Chip and Contactless Reader Pricing are as follows:

• Card reader cost: $49
• Transaction fee:
  • Card present: 2.6% + 10 cents
  • Keyed-in: 3.5% + 15 cents
• POS software monthly fee:
  • Basic POS plan: $0
  • Advanced industry-specific plan: $60
• Optional dock for Square reader: $29

Accept EMV and contactless payments, including Apple Pay and Google Pay, with the Square Chip and Contactless card reader. (Source: Square)

• Accepts chip card and contactless payments
• Compatible with any device running iOS 12.0 or greater or most devices running Android 5.0 or later
• Bluetooth connectivity with your mobile device
• Supports all Square POS solutions
• One-year limited warranty
• Online user guide and video tutorials
• End-to-end encryption

The Square Chip and Contactless reader is one of the most popular and reliable mobile card readers in the industry. While it does not have a swipe payment feature, Square offers one free magstripe reader to new merchant accounts.

If you are just starting out, use the Square mobile card readers with its highly-rated Square POS software. Read our Square POS review to learn more.

Square Register is a fully integrated POS countertop system, which means you won’t need additional hardware or software to process transactions and manage your business. You can set it up in minutes and start accepting payments right out of the box. Additionally, you get a two-year warranty instead of the standard one year.

Square’s free POS comes built into the hardware. It also includes a second screen that serves as a payment terminal and customer display so customers can choose their preferred payment method making for an outstanding countertop option.

Square’s basic POS is free, with an option to upgrade to advanced paid plans as you grow your business. While the Square Register is not often the first choice of small startup retailers, most small businesses will find this more sophisticated payment terminal a good option for boosting customer engagement. The hardware itself is available in easy installments but note that this is only for certain states.

• Card reader cost: $799 or $39 per month for 24 months
• Transaction fee:
  • Card present: 2.6% + 10 cents
  • Keyed-in: 3.5% + 15 cents
• POS Software monthly fee:
  • Basic POS plan: $0
  • Advanced industry-specific plan: $60
• Replacement customer display with card reader: $349
• Accessories: $0–$500

Square Register allows you to accept swiped, tap, and dip payments, as well as QR payments through its Cash App integration. (Source: Square)

• Accepts swipe, chip card, contactless, and QR payments
• Comes with a second screen for customer display and payment processing
• Plugged-in power source
• Bluetooth and USB connectivity
• Two-year limited warranty
• Online user guide and video tutorials
• End-to-end encryption

There are not a lot of countertop card readers in the market similar to Square Register. Clover Station Solo is sold as a kit and starts at $1,349, while Payanywhere supports Smart Flex and Smart POS+, which also feature a customer display with a card reader functionality. However, even with an installment plan, you will end up spending between $49.95 to $99.95 for setup and $19.95 to $39.95 per month for software. As a result, neither of these systems made the list after our evaluations.

SumUp Plus is a 3-in-1 mobile card reader that also comes with a PIN pad and free payment app. It allows users to accept swiped, tapped, and dipped payments along with NFC/ peer-to-peer payment methods, such as digital wallets Apple Pay and Google Pay. Like Square, it fits in your back pocket, so you can easily take it to accept payments at farmers markets or for deliveries. An optional dock is also available if you prefer a countertop setup.

Before SumUp, there were no mobile card readers that offered swipe, chip, and contactless payment methods plus a PIN pad. And with its current price point, SumUp Plus is the most affordable mobile card reader in our list, providing the best match for small, mobile merchants on a budget. However, SumUp still has to address the poor user reviews for its payment app.

At $39, SumUp Plus is by far the most affordable 3-in-1 mobile credit card reader in the market (followed by Clover Go at $49). While its 2.75% in-person transaction rate is more expensive than most providers on our list, the flat percentage makes it a better option for businesses with low-ticket sales. For example, merchants will find SumUp payment processing fees lower than Square’s for transactions less than $67.

Related SumUp Plus pricing are as follows:

• Card reader cost: $39
  • Card only: $39
  • With Dock: $49
• Transaction fee:
  • Card-present: 2.75%
  • Keyed-in: 3.25% + 15 cents
  • In-person transaction: 2.75%
  • Online transaction: 3.25% + 15 cents
  • Virtual terminal processing: 3.25% + 15 cents
  • Gift card processing: 3.25% + 15 cents
  • Invoice processing: 2.9% + 15 cents
• Chargeback fee: $0

SumUp Plus is the most affordable 3-in-1 mobile card reader in the market. (Source: SumUp)

• Accepts magstripe, EMV chip card, contactless, and digital wallet payments
• Optional available dock
• Bluetooth connectivity with iOS 12 and Android 9 or higher mobile devices
• Free SumUp payment app with product management and sales tracking tools
• Cash register/tracking features
• Online user guide and video tutorials
• 30-day money-back guarantee
• One-year limited warranty

SumUp Plus comes in a standalone card reader and with a cradle bundle option and is compatible with most mobile devices where you can download the payment app. SumUp’s available payment features depend on the type of card reader you have; unfortunately, this particular hardware does not include invoicing tools. For invoicing and online payment tools, you can upgrade to the SumUp Solo card reader.

The Helcim card reader is a 2-in-1 mobile payment processing device with a PIN pad. It accepts EMV chip, contactless, and digital wallet payments through the Helcim payment app installed on iOS or Android mobile devices. The card reader also comes with a dock if users prefer a countertop setup. Helcim stands out for its interchange plus pricing method with zero monthly fees.

While the card reader is expensive, Helcim offers the best rates for processing credit cards if your customers often purchase more than $99 per transaction. It charges 0.3% + 8 cents of markup for sales less than $25,000 a month, which translates to 2.16% + 16 cents per transaction—significantly lower than other processors in our list. Helcim also provides automated volume discounts as your sales volume grows.

Savings on monthly fees make up for what is, by far, the most expensive mobile card reader option on our list. Like Square and SumUp, Helcim does not charge a monthly subscription to use its payment processing service. However, the volume-based interchange-plus rate not only provides users with discounts as their transactions grow, but the lower transaction rates are also automatic. Other providers impose a sales volume limit and will require merchants to submit a request for review before they can be approved for lower payment processing fees.

Related SumUp Plus pricing are as follows:

• Card reader cost: $109
• Transaction fee:
  • Card present: Interchange plus 0.10% + 5 cents to 0.30% + 8 cents
  • Keyed-in: Interchange plus 0.20% + 10 cents to 0.50% + 25 cents
• POS software monthly fee: $0
• Chargeback fee: $15 (reimbursable)

Process EMV chip and contactless payments with a PIN pad interface for added payment security. (Source: Helcim)

• Accepts chip card and contactless payments
• Comes with a built-in PIN pad for added security
• Bluetooth and USB connectivity
• One-year limited warranty
• Online user guide and video tutorials
• End-to-end encryption

One of our major concerns with Helcim is its POS software reviews, which don’t seem to be improving at all. Note that you need this POS app on your mobile device if you want to process payments with Helcim. It also does not support swiped payments.

The Square Stand comes with a built-in card reader that allows you to accept EMV chip and contactless payments. You also get a free magnetic stripe reader, which you can clip to the stand if you also want to accept card swipe transactions. The Square Mount, a version of the Square Stand, is also available for users looking for an affordable self-service kiosk setup.

Most people find being able to use their existing iPad to run their store extremely convenient, so while the Square Stand isn’t up there on the list with its sibling Square card readers, it offers a unique and versatile in-store POS and payment processing option that deserves a spot in our rankings.

Transaction fees for using Square are the same across all of its products. There are no additional fees for using its payment processing service, and the POS software monthly fee starts at $0. Like Square Register, the Square Stand can be used for both retail and restaurant POS. However, you may need to upgrade to a paid POS software plan if you want more industry-specific tools.

Related Square Stand pricing are as follows:

• Monthly fee (POS): $0–$60
• Card reader cost: $149 or $14 per month for 12 months
• Transaction fee:
  • Card present: 2.6% + 10 cents
  • Keyed-in: 3.5% + 15 cents
• POS software monthly fee:
  • Basic POS plan: $0
  • Advanced industry-specific plan: $60
• Accessories: $0–$500

The Square Stand comes with a built-in EMV chip and contactless card reader that lets you accept tap, dip, and NFC payments. (Source: Square)

• Accepts chip card, contactless, and QR payments
• Compatible with Square magstripe reader (for card swipe payments)
• 180-degree swivel for instant customer display and payment processing
• Plugged-in power source
• Bluetooth and USB connectivity
• One-year limited warranty
• Online user guide and video tutorials
• End-to-end encryption

With the original version of this hardware, the Square Contactless and Chip reader is connected to the Square Stand via a card reader dock with hardwire connection to the stand. This was one of the main reasons why it was not included in our earlier roundups.

However, with this latest upgrade, the card reader functions are now built-in with the hardware (similar to Square Register), making it the only device designed specifically for iPads that made our list. The new Square Stand offers a cleaner swivel than the previous version and new customer-facing display features. Meanwhile, the Square Mount is ideal for merchants looking for a self-service checkout setup.

The Clover Go is a 3-in-1 mobile card reader that accepts swipe, dip, tap, and NFC payments. It supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity and is compatible with both Apple and Android mobile devices. It even allows you to keep taking payments while offline. Clover Go can send digital customer receipts and keep track of your sales, and the app adds inventory management tools you can access from your mobile device.

Clover’s ability to adapt to an existing merchant service account is what really sets it apart from all the other providers on our list. It is also getting really better reviews for its Android POS software.

At $49, Clover Go clearly offers more value for money compared to Square Chip and Tap reader; however, you will need to pay for a monthly subscription to use Clover’s POS software. Clover Go subscription starts at $9.95 to get basic inventory features or $14.95 to access advanced inventory tools. Other features like ecommerce and employee management are available as add-ons.

Related Clover Go pricing (based on Fiserv rates) are as follows:

• Card reader cost: $49
• Transaction fee:
  • Card-present: 2.6% + 10 cents
  • Card-not-present: 3.5% + 10 cents
• POS software monthly fee:
  • Starter: $0 per month
  • Standard: $14.95 per month
• Accessories: Dock for Clover Go $29

Note that the payment processing fees will vary depending on the merchant services provider. Clover can be programmed to your choice of payment processor and, unlike Shopify, does not charge an additional fee to use.

Use your Clover Go on the go or with a docking station for a portable countertop setup. (Source: Clover)

• Accepts magstripe, EMV, and contactless payments.
• Can be programmed to use with an existing merchant account
• Built-in sales tracking tool
• Sends digital receipts
• Can be used with or without the POS app
• Connects to the internet via Wi-Fi
• Can process payments while offline
• Bluetooth connectivity to pair your Android and Apple devices
• Syncs with other Clover devices
• Comes with a one-year warranty; optional extended warranty for up to three years (Clover Care)
• End-to-end encryption and tokenization

Clover is popular for making hardware that can be programmed with a wide range of POS systems and payment processors, which is why we highly recommend Clover Go for businesses that already have an existing merchant account. For those only requiring a payment processing device, Clover Go can also be purchased without a POS subscription.

The Stripe M2 Reader is best for merchants who frequently accept in-person payments overseas. (Source: Stripe)

The Stripe M2 is a 3-in-1 mobile card reader designed for tech-savvy businesses looking for highly secure and customizable payment processing features. At $59, it’s one of the most affordable mobile card readers that accept tap, dip, and swipe payments (SumUp Plus costs $35; Clover Go is priced at $49). What’s unique about this hardware is that it allows you to accept in-person payments while overseas. Stripe is accepted in over 135 countries.

• Card reader cost: $59
• Dip and swipe transaction fee: 2.7% + 5 cents
• Tap and contactless transaction fee: 2.9% + 30 cents
• International payments: Additional 1% fee
• POS software monthly fee: $0

What makes Stripe unique is also the main reason why it did not make our list. You need a custom-built POS if you want to use the Stripe M2 to accept payments. So, unless you have access to high-level coding skills, it’s unlikely that you can take advantage of the security and payment features that Stripe can offer.

Stripe’s transaction fees are also not the most affordable. It charges 2.7% + 5 cents for swipe and dip payments, and 2.9% + 30 cents tap transactions (compared to Square’s 2.6% + 10 cents for all three card payment methods). It earned an overall score of 4.14 out of 5.

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SumUp Solo is an ideal card reader solution for seasonal sellers and hobbyists who often attend farmers markets and trade fair events. (Source: SumUp)

SumUp Solo is a 2-in-1 mobile card reader with a built-in touch-screen user interface. It lets you accept EMV chip, contactless, and digital wallet payments such as Apple Pay and Google Pay. Like Square and PayPal, SumUp Solo can also process QR payments.

What’s unique about this device is that it’s handy like most mobile card readers, with the versatility of standalone POS devices like Square Terminal. You can build your product inventory and process transactions from the free SumUp App or directly from your card reader.

• Card reader cost:
  • $129 (charging dock included)
  • $199 (with printer)
• Built-in SIM card reader
• Card-present transaction fee: 2.75%
• Keyed-in transaction fee: 3.25% + 15 cents
• Free SumUp POS and payment processing App
• Accepts swipe, tap, dipped, NFC, and QR payments
• Includes invoicing, payment links, smart tipping, and reporting functions

We focus on the hardware cost and features for this buyer’s guide, and unlike SumUp Plus, SumUp Solo did not make it to our list primarily because the hardware is more expensive and it does not process swiped payments (all of the providers accept NFC and digital wallet payments).

However, the device is one of the handiest stand-alone payment terminals we’ve seen, which makes for an ideal solution for hobbyists and solopreneurs who actively participate in trade fairs and sell at farmers markets. It earned an overall score of 4.09 out 5 in our evaluation.

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Shopify Go is a standalone mobile POS for Shopify merchants that want to sell in person and on the go through Shopify’s highly-rated omnichannel sales features. (Source: Shopify)

Shopify Go is a 3-in-1 mobile card reader and standalone POS that allows Shopify ecommerce users to accept in-person sales. Its multichannel features provide online businesses the ability to start sales in-store and finish them online or have customers buy their products online in advance and pick them up in-store. The mobile card reader further expands the customer experience with curbside pickup and payment-on-delivery options

• Card reader cost: $399 or $99.75 x4 through Shop Pay
• Card present transaction fee: 2.4%–2.7%
• Online transaction fee: 2.4%–2.9% + 30 cents
• POS Software monthly fee: $0–$89 plus Ecommerce subscription $29–$299
• Accessories: Shopify Go case $39

Like Square’s Terminal, Shopify Go does not need a mobile device to function. However, you need to pay a monthly Shopify ecommerce subscription, while Square offers both POS and ecommerce software for free.

Pricing is the biggest concern for this card reader, compared to its standard mobile card reader, Shopify Go is the most expensive mobile POS terminal in our roundup. That said, this hardware deserves an honorable mention as the natural choice for Shopify sellers looking to expand to in-person sales. It earned an overall score of 4.09 out of 5 in this evaluation.

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PayPal Terminal is best for PayPal merchants with storefronts as a standalone or an extension of your countertop set up for mobile in-store and curbside sales. (Source: PayPal)

The PayPal Terminal is a stand-alone mobile POS hardware that comes with a built-in PayPal POS app from Zettle. It accepts EMV chip and contactless payments with upgraded versions that include a built-in barcode scanner and printer. Unlike the Zettle card reader, you don’t need to connect this hardware to a countertop or smartphone to start accepting payments.

For merchants using their PayPal account to sell online and looking to grow their business with a storefront, the PayPal terminal is a sophisticated, all-in-one solution. It still allows you to provide your customers with secure PayPal payment methods, including the ability to accept peer-to-peer and cryptocurrency transactions.

• Card reader cost:
  • Basic terminal: $129
  • Terminal with barcode scanner: $239
  • Terminal with receipt printer: $269
• Card Present transaction fee: 2.29% + 9 cents
• Keyed-in transaction fee: 3.49% + 9 cents
• POS software monthly fee: $0

Obviously, the PayPal Terminal wins against the Zettle reader in terms of functionality, but the hardware costs significantly more than the usual $79 (or $29 for first device). This more expensive card reader is, therefore, better suited for more stable brick-and-mortar stores that could make use of the advanced tools. It earned an overall score of 3.95 out of 5.

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• Mobile card readers: Card readers connected to a mobile device for accepting sales on the go. Examples include Square Tap and Chip reader (2-in-1) and SumUp Plus (3-in-1).
• Handheld terminals: A portable standalone device with its own display screen, PIN pad, POS software, built-in card reader, and receipt printer. Examples include Toast Go 2 (handheld terminal for restaurants) and Square Terminal (handheld terminal for retail).
• Countertop terminals: A device connected to a checkout terminal with its own display screen, PIN pad, and built-in card reader. An example is Square Register (standalone terminal).

• Swipe payment: Transactions completed by swiping a card through a magnetic stripe (magstripe) reader
• Dip or chip payment: Transactions completed by dipping a card’s EMV chip into a chip reader
• Tap payment: Transactions completed by tapping a card’s EMV chip against a chip card reader
• Near Field Communication (NFC): Also called contactless payment, are digital wallet transactions completed by holding an NFC enabled mobile device (like a smartphone) near your NFC enabled payment terminal
• Scan payment: Digital wallet transaction completed by scanning a unique QR code generated by your card reader by a mobile device with a QR scanner

The point-to-point encryption is a PCI security standard that directly connects the terminal where someone uses the payment card with the system that processes the payment. On the other hand, end-to-end encryption is where data is secured by a different entity (usually a security provider chosen by the merchant) and creates an indirect link between the payment card terminal and the payment processor.

Mobile card readers usually cost between $30 to $60, handheld terminals are usually priced between $200 to $400, and countertop terminals with built-in card readers cost anywhere from $700 to $1,000.