10 Best Credit Card Machines and Terminals of July 2025
Credit card machines and terminals are pieces of hardware that allow your business to accept card payments in person.
Credit card machines come in many shapes and sizes. Whether you’re considering a countertop terminal or a handheld device, the right choice will allow your business to accept credit card payments
Our picks for the best credit card machines and terminals are all competitively priced and accept a variety of payments. Beyond that, some include extras that help keep the line moving — like barcode scanning, customer-facing screens or the ability to accept payments offline.
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Here are the best credit card machines, also sometimes known as point-of-sale (POS) terminals, for small businesses, along with why they stand out.
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Best Credit Card Machines and Terminals
| Product | Best for | NerdWallet rating | Payment processing fees | Monthly fee | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Clover Flex on Clover Flex's secure website | Handheld terminal + industry-specific plans | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 3.5% + $0.10 | $0 and up. | on Clover Flex's secure website | |
 Square Stand on Square Stand's secure website | iPad-based POS terminal | In-person: 2.6% + $0.15 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $0 Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations. | on Square Stand's secure website | |
 SumUp Plus on SumUp Plus' secure website | Standalone card reader + mobile app | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 3.5% + $0.15 | $0 for card readers only; $99 for Connect Lite plan; $199 for Connect Plus plan; $289 for Connect Pro plan. | on SumUp Plus' secure website | |
Clover Station Duo on Clover Station Duo's secure website | Countertop terminal + customer-facing screen | In-person: 2.3% + $0.10 Online: 3.5% + $0.10 | $50 and up. | on Clover Station Duo's secure website | |
 Payanywhere Smart Terminal | Handheld terminal + barcode scanner | In-person: 2.69% + $0.00 Online: 3.49% + $0.19 | $15 | ||
 PayPal POS | Card reader + scanning QR codes | In-person: 2.29% + $0.09 Online: 3.49% + $0.09 | $0 | ||
Square Register on Square Register's secure website | Countertop terminal + customer-facing screen | In-person: 2.6% + $0.15 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $0 Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations. | on Square Register's secure website | |
Square Terminal on Square Terminal's secure website | Compact handheld terminal + printer | In-person: 2.6% + $0.15 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $0 Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations. | on Square Terminal's secure website | |
Payanywhere Smart Flex | Handheld terminal + customer-facing screen | In-person: 2.69% + $0.00 Online: 3.49% + $0.19 | $25 | ||
 Toast Go 2 | Handheld terminal for restaurants | 2.49% + $0.15 if you buy hardware upfront; 3.09% + $0.15 for pay-as-you-go option. | $0 Starter Kit; $69 Point of Sale plan; custom Build Your Own plan. |
Best Credit Card Machines and Terminals
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 3.5% + $0.10
Online: 3.5% + $0.10
Monthly fee
$0
and up.
Learn moreon Clover's website
Pros
- Accepts credit card payments, including magstripes and digital wallets.
- Has a six-inch touch screen.
- Prints receipts and scans barcodes.
- Allows offline payments.
- Works without a smart device.
Cons
- Device is relatively expensive.
Clover Flex
Best for Handheld terminal + industry-specific plans
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 3.5% + $0.10
Online: 3.5% + $0.10
Monthly fee
$0
and up.
on Clover's website
Pros
- Accepts credit card payments, including magstripes and digital wallets.
- Has a six-inch touch screen.
- Prints receipts and scans barcodes.
- Allows offline payments.
- Works without a smart device.
Cons
- Device is relatively expensive.
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.15
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$0
Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations.
on Square's website
Pros
- Accepts credit card payments, including magstripes, digital wallets and QR codes.
- Features a swivel screen so customers can see transaction details.
- Built-in reader for contactless and chip payments.
- Allows offline payments.
Cons
- Requires an iPad to use as a screen.
- Can’t print receipts or scan barcodes on its own.
Square Stand
Best for iPad-based POS terminal
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.15
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$0
Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations.
on Square's website
Pros
- Accepts credit card payments, including magstripes, digital wallets and QR codes.
- Features a swivel screen so customers can see transaction details.
- Built-in reader for contactless and chip payments.
- Allows offline payments.
Cons
- Requires an iPad to use as a screen.
- Can’t print receipts or scan barcodes on its own.
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 3.5% + $0.15
Online: 3.5% + $0.15
Monthly fee
$0
for card readers only; $99 for Connect Lite plan; $199 for Connect Plus plan; $289 for Connect Pro plan.
on SumUp's website
Pros
- Accepts chip, swipe and contactless payments.
- Has a small screen to display transaction details.
Cons
- Requires a smart device.
- Can’t print receipts or scan barcodes.
- Doesn’t process offline payments.
SumUp Plus
Best for Standalone card reader + mobile app
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 3.5% + $0.15
Online: 3.5% + $0.15
Monthly fee
$0
for card readers only; $99 for Connect Lite plan; $199 for Connect Plus plan; $289 for Connect Pro plan.
on SumUp's website
Pros
- Accepts chip, swipe and contactless payments.
- Has a small screen to display transaction details.
Cons
- Requires a smart device.
- Can’t print receipts or scan barcodes.
- Doesn’t process offline payments.
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.3% + $0.10
Online: 3.5% + $0.10
Online: 3.5% + $0.10
Monthly fee
$50
and up.
on Clover's website
Pros
- Accepts credit card payments, including magstripe, plus digital wallets and QR codes.
- Has a 14-inch main screen and an eight-inch screen for customers.
- Prints receipts.
- Comes with a cash drawer.
- Accepts offline payments.
- Works without a smart device.
Cons
- Device is relatively expensive.
- No free monthly software option.
Clover Station Duo
Best for Countertop terminal + customer-facing screen
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.3% + $0.10
Online: 3.5% + $0.10
Online: 3.5% + $0.10
Monthly fee
$50
and up.
on Clover's website
Pros
- Accepts credit card payments, including magstripe, plus digital wallets and QR codes.
- Has a 14-inch main screen and an eight-inch screen for customers.
- Prints receipts.
- Comes with a cash drawer.
- Accepts offline payments.
- Works without a smart device.
Cons
- Device is relatively expensive.
- No free monthly software option.
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.15
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$0
Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations.
on Square's website
Pros
- Accepts credit card payments, including magstripe and digital wallets.
- Accepts QR codes for Cash App.
- Has two screens, one for the business and one for customers.
- Accepts offline payments.
- Works without a smart device.
Cons
- Doesn’t print receipts or scan barcodes unless additional hardware is purchased.
Square Register
Best for Countertop terminal + customer-facing screen
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.15
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$0
Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations.
on Square's website
Pros
- Accepts credit card payments, including magstripe and digital wallets.
- Accepts QR codes for Cash App.
- Has two screens, one for the business and one for customers.
- Accepts offline payments.
- Works without a smart device.
Cons
- Doesn’t print receipts or scan barcodes unless additional hardware is purchased.
Pros
- Accepts credit card payments, including magstripe and digital wallets.
- Has a five-inch touch screen.
- Prints receipts and scans barcodes.
- Accepts offline payments.
- Works without a smart device.
Cons
- Charges monthly $3.99 inactivity fee after 12 months.
- No free monthly software plan.
Payanywhere Smart Terminal
Best for Handheld terminal + barcode scanner
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.69% + $0.00
Online: 3.49% + $0.19
Online: 3.49% + $0.19
Monthly fee
$15
Pros
- Accepts credit card payments, including magstripe and digital wallets.
- Has a five-inch touch screen.
- Prints receipts and scans barcodes.
- Accepts offline payments.
- Works without a smart device.
Cons
- Charges monthly $3.99 inactivity fee after 12 months.
- No free monthly software plan.
Pros
- Accepts credit card payments, including chip and contactless payments and digital wallets.
- Creates QR codes for an additional payment method.
- No monthly fees or long-term commitment.
Cons
- Doesn’t accept swiped payments.
- Requires a smart device to work.
- Doesn’t support offline payments.
- Doesn’t print receipts or scan barcodes.
PayPal POS
Best for Card reader + scanning QR codes
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.29% + $0.09
Online: 3.49% + $0.09
Online: 3.49% + $0.09
Monthly fee
$0
Pros
- Accepts credit card payments, including chip and contactless payments and digital wallets.
- Creates QR codes for an additional payment method.
- No monthly fees or long-term commitment.
Cons
- Doesn’t accept swiped payments.
- Requires a smart device to work.
- Doesn’t support offline payments.
- Doesn’t print receipts or scan barcodes.
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.15
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$0
Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations.
on Square's website
Pros
- Accepts credit card payments, including magstripe and digital wallets.
- Has a five-inch screen and can connect to a tablet to create a tabletop terminal.
- Prints receipts.
- Accepts offline payments.
- Works without a smart device.
Cons
- Can't operate on cellular data.
- Can’t scan barcodes.
Square Terminal
Best for Compact handheld terminal + printer
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.15
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$0
Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations.
on Square's website
Pros
- Accepts credit card payments, including magstripe and digital wallets.
- Has a five-inch screen and can connect to a tablet to create a tabletop terminal.
- Prints receipts.
- Accepts offline payments.
- Works without a smart device.
Cons
- Can't operate on cellular data.
- Can’t scan barcodes.
Pros
- Accepts credit card payments, including magstripe and digital wallets.
- Has two screens, one for the business and one for customers.
- Prints receipts and scans barcodes.
- Accepts offline payments.
- Works without a smart device.
Cons
- Double-screen setup is smaller than some competitors' screens.
- Charges monthly $3.99 inactivity fee after 12 months and a $49.95 setup fee.
- No free monthly software plan.
Payanywhere Smart Flex
Best for Handheld terminal + customer-facing screen
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.69% + $0.00
Online: 3.49% + $0.19
Online: 3.49% + $0.19
Monthly fee
$25
Pros
- Accepts credit card payments, including magstripe and digital wallets.
- Has two screens, one for the business and one for customers.
- Prints receipts and scans barcodes.
- Accepts offline payments.
- Works without a smart device.
Cons
- Double-screen setup is smaller than some competitors' screens.
- Charges monthly $3.99 inactivity fee after 12 months and a $49.95 setup fee.
- No free monthly software plan.
Payment processing fees
2.49% + $0.15
if you buy hardware upfront; 3.09% + $0.15 for pay-as-you-go option.
Monthly fee
$0
Starter Kit; $69 Point of Sale plan; custom Build Your Own plan.
Pros
- Accepts credit card payments, including magstripe and digital wallets.
- Has a six-inch screen.
- Designed for a food service environment.
- Accepts offline payments.
- Works without a smart device.
Cons
- Doesn’t print receipts.
- Requires quotes for advanced monthly plans.
- Requires a contract.
Toast Go 2
Best for Handheld terminal for restaurants
Payment processing fees
2.49% + $0.15
if you buy hardware upfront; 3.09% + $0.15 for pay-as-you-go option.
Monthly fee
$0
Starter Kit; $69 Point of Sale plan; custom Build Your Own plan.
Pros
- Accepts credit card payments, including magstripe and digital wallets.
- Has a six-inch screen.
- Designed for a food service environment.
- Accepts offline payments.
- Works without a smart device.
Cons
- Doesn’t print receipts.
- Requires quotes for advanced monthly plans.
- Requires a contract.
Our picks for the best credit card machine and terminals
Clover Flex: Best handheld terminal + industry-specific plans
Style: Handheld.
Why we like it: The Clover Flex lets customers swipe, dip and tap credit cards and accepts the trio of digital wallet payments: Apple Pay Clover review
Monthly POS software cost
Hardware cost
Payment processing fees
Square Stand: Best iPad-based POS terminal
Style: Tabletop.
Why we like it: Despite being the cheapest tabletop reader on this list, the Square Stand offers small businesses a lot of value. The Stand uses an iPad as a screen, giving you the feeling of a register-style terminal without the high price. It also swivels so customers can see transaction details and accepts all types of credit cards, digital wallets like Apple Pay and QR codes Square review
Monthly POS software cost
Hardware cost
Payment processing fees
SumUp Plus: Best standalone card reader + mobile app
Style: Handheld.
Why we like it: The SumUp Plus comes with all the basic features of a card reader and a low price. It connects to a smart device to process payments and features a small screen to display transaction totals for swiping, dipping and tapping credit cards and accepting Apple Pay and Google Pay. Although the Plus doesn’t print receipts, you can send digital receipts to customers’ email addresses. Read our full SumUp review
Monthly POS software cost
Hardware cost
Payment processing fees
Clover Station Duo: Best countertop terminal + customer-facing screen
Style: Tabletop.
Why we like it: The Clover Station Duo has two screens (one facing each side of the counter), processes credit card and digital payment options and prints receipts, giving customers a smoother checkout. It also comes with a cash drawer for an all-in-one setup. Clover offers two POS options for the Station Duo: one for retail and one for restaurants.
Monthly POS software cost
Hardware cost
Payment processing fees
Payanywhere Smart Terminal: Best handheld terminal + barcode scanner
Style: Handheld.
Why we like it: The Payanywhere Smart Terminal lets small businesses print receipts on the go and comes with a five-inch touch screen to show transaction details. It also scans barcodes for faster checkout and accepts credit card payments, including some digital wallets. However, it doesn’t accept Google Pay. Payanywhere’s POS features include reporting, employee tracking and inventory management. Read our full Payanywhere review
Monthly POS software cost
Hardware cost
Payment processing fees
PayPal POS: Best credit card reader + QR code scanning
Style: Handheld.
Why we like it: PayPal's POS system goes one step further by letting customers pay by QR code directly from their PayPal accounts — just create a unique QR code on the card reader and let the customer scan the code with their phone to initiate payment. QR code payments are charged at the same rate as card-present transactions. It’s also a handheld design that’s easy to take on the go, accepts chip and contactless payments and has a screen to display simple transaction details. Read our full PayPal POS review
Monthly POS software cost
Hardware cost
Payment processing fees
Square Register: Best countertop terminal + customer-facing screen
Style: Tabletop with two screens.
Why we like it: The Square Register accepts digital wallets and all credit cards and also lets customers pay via QR code through Cash App. This option can help businesses avoid the higher processing fees associated with card-not-present transactions and is available for customers online if you set up a Square Online website. The system also comes with two screens: a 13.25-inch screen for the cashier and a seven-inch screen for the customer. Although Square Register doesn’t scan barcodes or print receipts, you can order additional hardware to set up these features.
Monthly POS software cost
Hardware cost
Payment processing fees
Square Terminal: Best compact handheld terminal + printer
Style: Handheld to tabletop conversion.
Why we like it: Square Terminal is a compact handheld credit card machine built for portability, but you can also connect it to a tablet to create a tabletop terminal with a second screen for when customers come to you. It accepts all payment types and can print receipts for a smooth checkout process. Although it requires an internet connection and won’t work on cellular data, it can connect to Wi-Fi or ethernet and can accept offline payments when Wi-Fi isn’t available.
Monthly POS software cost
Hardware cost
Payment processing fees
Payanywhere Smart Flex: Best handheld terminal + customer-facing screen
Style: Handheld with two screens.
Why we like it: Payanywhere’s Smart Flex has several features that make it great for on-the-go transactions, including a second screen for customers to see transaction details. It can also print receipts and scan barcodes. It accepts all payment types and can process offline transactions.
Monthly POS software cost
Hardware cost
Payment processing fees
Toast Go 2: Best handheld terminal for restaurants
Style: Handheld.
Why we like it: Toast’s Go 2 was built with food service in mind, with a 24-hour battery life and an exterior that can stand up to spills and being dropped. Working with Toast’s restaurant POS, the Go 2 lets you submit orders and check out customers at the table. The handheld reader works well for food trucks and smaller cafes and also integrates into Toast’s larger kitchen system if you decide to expand. You can accept all types of payments and never worry about losing sales with the ability to accept offline payments. Read our full Toast review
Monthly POS software cost
Hardware cost
Payment processing fees
What are credit card machines and terminals?
Credit card machines and POS terminals
However, you’ll need more than a machine or terminal to process credit card payments
How to choose a credit card machine or terminal
The right credit card processing hardware for your business will depend on multiple factors, including where and what you sell. But it’s also important not to choose hardware in isolation. Because while you may want a portable reader, for instance, that’s ultimately just one component of your broader POS system
Considering the following factors will help guide the decision making process and ensure all of your POS components work together seamlessly.
Mobility
Some credit card machines and terminals are made to be stationary, and others can go wherever you do. Consider where most of your sales occur, and make sure your hardware can follow. Maybe it even means having a countertop POS system for your physical store and a more portable credit card reader for the occasional farmers market or pop-up booth sales.
» MORE: Best mobile POS systems
Types of payments accepted
Do you want customers to be able to scan QR codes or use digital wallet methods, like Apple Pay
Extra features
Customer-facing displays can be great for businesses that accept tips and want to offer customers preset gratuity options
Cost
Some basic card readers
On top of hardware, don’t forget to also factor in the cost of POS software and payment processing fees. Lots of POS system providers offer free software plans, but you should always expect to pay per-transaction fees to process credit card payments.
POS software
Your business’s credit card machine is usually connected to a POS software program or app that collects data to give you insight into your sales. POS system providers may offer software subscriptions and hardware (including a credit card machine) as part of a package deal. Additionally, POS software is often industry specific, which can help you narrow down your choices.
Regardless, make sure the associated POS software does what you need it to do, whether that’s tracking inventory, calculating sales tax, helping you manage employees or generating advanced reports.
Payment processing
Credit card machines are also usually integrated with a payment processor POS hardware PCI compliance
Methodology
NerdWallet’s ratings of payment processing providers reward companies whose products and services are priced well and work in a variety of payment scenarios, among other criteria. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including overall cost, hardware and software options, system capabilities, customer service, contract requirements and integrations. Learn more about how we rate payment processing providers
These ratings are a guide, but fees, hardware, software and contract requirements can vary widely from business to business and provider to provider. We encourage you to shop around and compare several providers.
NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines