If you need a basic credit card processor without a lot of frills, then a credit card processing app could fit the bill. Most of these let you download a mobile app for Android or iOS, register, and start accepting payments with the app or a card reader they provide. A few have more features, including POS systems, inventory tracking, and integrations to other software.
The six best credit card payment apps are:
- PayPal Here: Best overall for businesses of all sizes, including those doing international business.
- Square: Best payment app for new and growing businesses.
- Shopify: Best for merchants needing online and in-person sales.
- Intuit GoPayment: Best for businesses wanting to integrate sales with QuickBooks accounting.
- Payanywhere: Best for restaurants and food services that need split checks and open tab functions.
- SumUp: Best for solopreneurs and small businesses wanting a basic and easy-to-use credit card processor.
How We Evaluated Credit Card Payment Apps
We looked for credit card payment apps that were mobile but could be applied to online or POS systems, and which were easy to sign up for and use right away. We considered price for transactions and hardware, payments accepted, use beyond simple sale such as invoicing or recurring payments, and how funds are paid out. We also looked for versatility of features to find qualities that stand out. Finally, we considered reviews by actual users.
Overall, we found PayPal Here to be the best. Not only is the mobile app suitable for solopreneurs and those who only sell occasionally (like at craft fairs or conventions), but it works for global businesses as well and has additional business features.
PayPal Here: Best Overall Credit Card Payment App
PayPal has long been a leader in payment processing, and its payment app, PayPal Here, is one of the most highly regarded by users. In addition to being able to process just about any kind of payment, it also handles international currencies. It does not have an extensive POS app, but it does let you track sales by time, product, and even employees. You can access your funds with a PayPal debit card or have them transferred to your bank account. With basic and competitive pricing, it’s one of the best credit card processors for just about any business.
A note of caution, however. PayPal can hold funds for first-time sellers, sellers who have not used the app in a while, or sellers whose pattern has changed. They may also hold funds if your swiped or keyed-in payments exceed $500 in a week. If you need to process more than that or want an app with more sales features, then consider using Square.
PayPal Here Pros | PayPal Here Cons |
|---|---|
Processes 100+ currencies for over 200 countries | No POS system, limited inventory management |
Discounts, special programs for nonprofits | PayPal will hold funds for certain conditions |
PayPal Here Pricing
Transactions:
- Swiped cards: 2.7%
- Keyed-in: 3.5% + 15 cents
- Invoices: 2.9% + 30 cents
- Cross-border transfers: Additional 1.5%
Hardware:
- Chip reader: Free
- Chip and swipe reader: $24.99
- Chip and tap reader and charging stand: $79.99
- POS stand: Starting at $129
PayPal Here App Features
- Accept credit card, debit card, Venmo, Apple Pay, and other mobile wallet solutions
- AI-assisted fraud protection and seller protection
- Customize sales taxes
- Product lists including photos and descriptions
- Tip suggestions
- Sales history management—including time of sale, products, employees
- Text and email custom receipts
- Add and manage multiple users on one device
- Integrate with ecommerce platforms, marketplaces
PayPal Here User Reviews
- 4.5 out of 5 stars on Google Play
- 4.8 out of 5 stars on Apple
- 3.7 out of 5 stars on Fit Small Business
Square: Best Overall Credit Card Payment App for New and Growing Businesses
Growing businesses should consider Square as its credit card processor because of its ease-of-use and wide range of features that let you grow your system with your business needs. Solopreneurs with limited stock or sales can take advantage of the simple mobile app and free card reader, while brick-and-mortar stores can design a POS system that works online and in-store. Square also integrates with other software. The rates are simple and competitive.
Square is also one of our top choices for small business POS systems and mobile credit card processing. It offers a great value by bundling payments and software together in one free account.
Square Pros | Square Cons |
|---|---|
Works for the casual solopreneur or the active SMB with in-store and online presence | Cannot accept payments in multiple currencies |
Easy chargeback disputes | Not good for high-risk businesses |
Square Pricing
Transactions:
- In-Person: 2.6% + 10 cents
- Invoices: 2.9% + 30 cents
- Card-on-file: 3.5% + 15 cents
Hardware:
- Swipe reader: $10 (first one free)
- Swipe, chip, and tap reader: $49
- POS terminals: Start at $299, full kits available
Sample set of additional features:
- Square POS solution: Free; or more advanced plans starting at $12 per month
- Square Marketing: $15 per month
- Square Loyalty: $45 per month
- Square Payroll: $5 per employee, per month
- Square Employee Management: $5 per employee, per month
Square App Features
- Accept credit card, debit card, Apple Pay, and other mobile wallet solutions
- Record cash, gift cards, and other forms of tender
- Physical, digital, invoiced, or recurring sales
- Send receipts via text or email
- Apply discounts and refunds directly from POS
- Track inventory in real time, with low-stock alerts
- Integrates with business apps, including ecommerce, shipping, appointments, forms, and communications
- Connects to POS hardware systems
- Funds access in one to two days or immediately if using the Square debit card
- Fraud protection and some chargeback representment
Square User Reviews
- 4.3 out of 5 stars on Google Play
- 4.8 out of 5 stars on Apple
- 4.3 out of 5 stars on Fit Small Business
Shopify: Best Overall Credit Card Payment Processor for Ecommerce
If you are looking for credit card processing and great software for an online store, then Shopify might be the right choice for you. Shopify has two apps. Shopify Payments is a POS application for occasional sellers such as for fairs or markets. Shopify Ecommerce is a more robust solution that handles multiple stores, marketing campaigns, and more.
Regardless of which app you choose, you need a Shopify plan, which incurs a monthly fee but also provides you with an online store.
Shopify Pros | Shopify Cons |
|---|---|
Leading shopping cart solution with in-store POS capability | Limited to Shopify customers |
Fraud protection and some chargeback protection | Chip reader limited to US and Canada |
Shopify Pricing
There’s a 14-day free trial. Fraud protection is extra.
- Shopify Lite: Add products to a website and accept credit card payments for $9 per month.
- Basic Shopify: $29 per month for the software, with 2.9% + 30 cents per online transaction, 2.7% per in-person transaction, 2% additional fee for other providers
- Shopify: $79 per month for the software, with 2.6% + 30 cents per online transaction, 2.5% per in-person transaction, 1% additional fee for other providers
- Advanced Shopify: $299 per month for the software, with 2.4% + 30 cents per online transaction, 2.4% per in-person transaction, 0.5% additional fee for other providers
- Shopify POS Lite: Included for free in plans above.
- Shopify POS Pro: $89 per month per location, with 2.6% + 30 cents per online transaction, 2.5% per in-person transaction, 1% additional fee for other providers
Shopify App Features
Shopify POS
- Process credit cards, Apple Pay, Amazon Pay, PayPal, and Google Pay
- Fraud protection via 3D Secure checkouts and reimburses US and Canadian customers for fraudulent chargebacks
- Records cash
- Discount processing
- Email or text receipts
- Sync with your online store and other sales channels
- Inventory management
- Add customer notes to orders
Shopify ecommerce: Shopify POS features, plus
- Print packing slips
- Refunds
- Manage tags and notes
- Track conversions
- Grow sales with Google of Facebook ads
- Blog
- View sales reports
Shopify POS User Reviews
- 4.1 out of 5 stars on Google Play
- 4.6 out of 5 stars on Apple
- 4.4 out of 5 stars on Fit Small Business
Intuit GoPayment: Best Overall Credit Card Payment App for QuickBooks
If you use QuickBooks, TurboTax, or Mint, you can get Intuit GoPayment for your card processing needs. The app requires QuickBooks Payments to work, which incurs a monthly fee but gives you tools for business accounting, as well as payment processing. GoPayments is not a full POS system, but you can create inventory lists, set taxes, and create discounts. If you need a more complex solution, it will integrate seamlessly with QuickBooks POS but not a third-party solution.
Intuit GoPayment Pros | Intuit GoPayment Cons |
|---|---|
Funds arrive in your bank account the next business day | Need QuickBooks, Mint, or TurboTax |
Feeds information to QuickBooks | No third-party integrations |
Intuit GoPayment Pricing
QuickBooks Payment plans
- Simple Start: $25 per month (50% discount for the first three months)
- Essentials: $40 per month (50% discount for the first three months)
Transactions
- ACH bank transfers: 1% (max $10)
- Swiped cards: 2.4% + 25 cents
- Invoices: 2.9% + 25 cents
- Keyed-in cards: 3.4% + 25 cents
- GoPayment also offers up to 40% discounts for merchants processing over $7,500 per month in charges.
Hardware:
- Mobile card reader with built-in fraud protection: $19 (first one free with new accounts)
- All-in-one reader for swipe, chip, and tap payments, with docking/charging station: $49
Intuit GoPayment App Features
- Process debit and credit cards, along with Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay
- Invoicing, including a “Pay Now” button on invoices
- Funds arrive in your bank account the next business day
- Create inventory lists with photos and details
- Calculate discounts and taxes
- Scan credit cards
- Create customized receipts
- Integrate with the customer’s bank for real-time mobile payments
- Integrate with QuickBooks POS
Intuit GoPayment User Reviews
- 4.2 out of 5 stars on Google Play
- 4.8 out of 5 stars on Apple
- 4 out of 5 stars on Fit Small Business
Payanywhere: Best Credit Card Payment App for Restaurants and Food Services
Payanywhere is a mobile credit card app that also offers hardware terminals. It’s a good choice for restaurants and food services because it has features for split payments, open tabs, and tips. In addition, it has an autopay feature for recurring payments.
If you only sell goods occasionally, this is not the best choice, as Payanywhere charges an inactivity fee for accounts that are not active after 12 months. If you’re more of an occasional seller, Square or PayPal are the better choices.
Payanywhere Pros | Payanywhere Cons |
|---|---|
Can set up autopay for subscriptions and recurring payments | Inactivity fee |
Allows open tabs, split payments, and tips | Platform not stable, frequent updates interfere with performance |
Payanywhere Pricing
Transactions
- Swiped, chip, or tap: 2.69%
- Keyed-in: 3.49% + 19 cents
- Invoicing and recurring payments: 3.49% + 19 cents
Inactivity Fee: $3.99 per month
Hardware
- Stripe and chip reader: Free
- Chip, swipe, and tap reader: $49.95
- Terminals: Start at $249.95, plus installation and monthly upkeep fees
Payanywhere App Features
- Process Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and AliPay, plus contactless payments like Apple Pay and Samsung Pay
- Email or text receipts
- Create open tickets and tabs
- Enable split payments, accept tips
- Inventory management tools
- Allow customers to set up autopay
- Invoicing
- Transaction reports
- Virtual terminal
- Integrations with QuickBooks, GRUBBRR, GiveHub, and others
Payanywhere User Reviews
- 3 out of 5 stars on Google Play
- 3.5 out of 5 stars on Apple
- 2.8 out of 5 stars on Fit Small Business
SumUp: Best Credit Card Payment App for Solopreneurs
SumUp is a handy credit card payment app that works well for solopreneurs and independent businesspeople. Like PayPal Here, it can receive payments by links as well as in-person, phone, or invoice. The app has a basic product catalog that allows photos and tax rates, revenue reports for tracking sales and taxes, and the ability to accept tips and cash. You can send receipts via the app as well.
The card readers are $19, but SumUp is offering a discounted price of 1% per card-not-present transaction during the pandemic. If you’ve been moving to remote sales, it could be worth checking out.
SumUp Pros | SumUp Cons |
|---|---|
Can handle tips and cash payments | No chargeback protection |
Accept payment links via social media | No third-party integrations |
SumUp Pricing
Transactions
- In-person: 2.75% per in-person transaction
- Remote, card-not-present, or linked payments: 3.25% + 15 cents, 1% for your first 30 days
Hardware
- Lite card reader: $19
- Swipe, chip, tap reader with keypad, NFC, Bluetooth, and integrated Li-ion battery: $19
SumUp App Features
- Accept credit cards, digital wallets like Apple Pay, gift cards
- Send payment links via social media, text, or email
- Create and manage products in a catalog
- Add and edit tax rates
- Get revenue reports
- Manage multiple employee accounts
- Track tips
- Handle cash payments
- Email or text receipts
- Money delivered to your bank in one to two business days
SumUp User Reviews
- 3.7 out of 5 stars on Google Play
- 3.2 out of 5 stars on Apple
- 4.8 out of 5 stars on Capterra
Bottom Line
These days, even the most casual solopreneur needs a way to process credit card payments. Fortunately, there are many effective applications that work on your smartphone. Most offer other features as well, from invoicing to fully-featured POS solutions. They usually pay to a special account and let you transfer the money to your bank in a day or two.
PayPal Here rates as our top choice for credit card payment processors because of its global reach, versatility, and competitive pricing. It’s the highest-rated mobile app by users as well. Sign up for an account (if you haven’t already), download the app, and start processing payments easily with PayPal Here.
You May Also Like…
- Take advantage of free POS software to track product counts and sales reports
- Learn about traditional merchant accounts and whether it’s right for your business
- As your business grows, find the cheapest credit card processing to keep costs down
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