8 Best Credit Card Readers for Small Businesses of July 2025
The best credit card reader for you will work with your POS system and be as mobile as your business is. Card processing companies typically offer readers alongside payment services and other POS hardware.
Whitney Vandiver joined NerdWallet in 2021. She has a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Central Oklahoma and a doctorate in linguistics from Purdue University. Her work has been published in The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and others.
Lisa Anthony is a former NerdWallet writer covering small-business. Before Nerdwallet, she had more than 20 years of experience in banking and finance.
Hillary Crawford writes about small-business software at NerdWallet and is certified in QuickBooks Online and web design. Her previous roles include news writer and associate West Coast editor at Bustle Digital Group, where she helped shape news and tech coverage. She's appeared on Cheddar News and also worked as a policy contributor for GenFKD. Hillary earned a bachelor's degree with high honors in political science from the University of Michigan.
Email: <a href="mailto:hcrawford@nerdwallet.com">hcrawford@nerdwallet.com</a>.
Ryan Lane is an editor on the small-business team and a NerdWallet authority on student loans. He spent more than a decade as a writer and editor for student loan guarantor American Student Assistance and was a managing editor for publisher Cell Press. Ryan’s work has been featured by The Associated Press, USA Today and MarketWatch, and he previously co-authored the U.S. News & World Report Student Loan Ranger blog. Email: <a href="mailto:rlane@nerdwallet.com”">rlane@nerdwallet.com</a>.
Ryan Lane is an editor on the small-business team and a NerdWallet authority on student loans. He spent more than a decade as a writer and editor for student loan guarantor American Student Assistance and was a managing editor for publisher Cell Press. Ryan’s work has been featured by The Associated Press, USA Today and MarketWatch, and he previously co-authored the U.S. News & World Report Student Loan Ranger blog. Email: <a href="mailto:rlane@nerdwallet.com”">rlane@nerdwallet.com</a>.
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Whitney Vandiver joined NerdWallet in 2021. She has a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Central Oklahoma and a doctorate in linguistics from Purdue University. Her work has been published in The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and others.
Lisa Anthony is a former NerdWallet writer covering small-business. Before Nerdwallet, she had more than 20 years of experience in banking and finance.
Hillary Crawford writes about small-business software at NerdWallet and is certified in QuickBooks Online and web design. Her previous roles include news writer and associate West Coast editor at Bustle Digital Group, where she helped shape news and tech coverage. She's appeared on Cheddar News and also worked as a policy contributor for GenFKD. Hillary earned a bachelor's degree with high honors in political science from the University of Michigan.
Email: <a href="mailto:hcrawford@nerdwallet.com">hcrawford@nerdwallet.com</a>.
Ryan Lane is an editor on the small-business team and a NerdWallet authority on student loans. He spent more than a decade as a writer and editor for student loan guarantor American Student Assistance and was a managing editor for publisher Cell Press. Ryan’s work has been featured by The Associated Press, USA Today and MarketWatch, and he previously co-authored the U.S. News & World Report Student Loan Ranger blog. Email: <a href="mailto:rlane@nerdwallet.com”">rlane@nerdwallet.com</a>.
Ryan Lane is an editor on the small-business team and a NerdWallet authority on student loans. He spent more than a decade as a writer and editor for student loan guarantor American Student Assistance and was a managing editor for publisher Cell Press. Ryan’s work has been featured by The Associated Press, USA Today and MarketWatch, and he previously co-authored the U.S. News & World Report Student Loan Ranger blog. Email: <a href="mailto:rlane@nerdwallet.com”">rlane@nerdwallet.com</a>.
NerdWallet's content is
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It undergoes a thorough review process involving writers and editors to ensure
the information is as clear and complete as possible. Learn more by checking
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Content was accurate at the time of publication.
Why trust NerdWallet
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NerdWallet's small-business software content, including ratings, recommendations and reviews, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in business software, including payment processing, accounting and payroll. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, The Washington Post, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur, ABC News, Yahoo Finance and other national and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity to ensure accuracy and fairness in our coverage.
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You’re our first priority.
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We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with
confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or
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objective, independent, straightforward — and free.
So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence
which products we review and write about (and where those products
appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or
advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our
partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products
or services. Here is a list of our partners .
Why trust NerdWallet
250+ small-business products reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
80+ years of combined experience covering small business and personal finance.
75+ categories of best business software selections.
NerdWallet's small-business software content, including ratings, recommendations and reviews, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in business software, including payment processing, accounting and payroll. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, The Washington Post, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur, ABC News, Yahoo Finance and other national and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity to ensure accuracy and fairness in our coverage.
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Square
Square Reader
NerdWallet Rating
5.0
Bonus Amount
20% off hardware
Requirements to qualify use code NERDWALLET20 to receive 20% off the cost of one piece of hardware. Terms apply.
Free Square Reader only lets you swipe cards; must purchase upgraded Square Reader to accept contactless and chip payments.
Square Reader for contactless and chip payments takes roughly two to three hours to charge.
Square’s selection of mobile card readers, including a free option, sets it apart from other providers and lets you start accepting card payments almost immediately. You can pair the free magstripe reader or the chip reader with the Square app on your smartphone to get started. Plus, Square doesn't charge a monthly fee for use of its basic POS software.
Free Square Reader only lets you swipe cards; must purchase upgraded Square Reader to accept contactless and chip payments.
Square Reader for contactless and chip payments takes roughly two to three hours to charge.
Square’s selection of mobile card readers, including a free option, sets it apart from other providers and lets you start accepting card payments almost immediately. You can pair the free magstripe reader or the chip reader with the Square app on your smartphone to get started. Plus, Square doesn't charge a monthly fee for use of its basic POS software.
Includes colored countertop stand, but is also portable enough to use on the go.
Accepts chip, swipe and contactless payments.
Cons
Processing rates may increase if monthly transaction volume drops.
No full POS register options to pair with.
If you’re looking for an alternative to flat-rate payment processing fees, Helcim is worth considering. Merchants pay each transaction’s interchange fee, which is set by card networks, plus Helcim’s set margin. This means your business saves when a customer uses a card with lower interchange rates.
Includes colored countertop stand, but is also portable enough to use on the go.
Accepts chip, swipe and contactless payments.
Cons
Processing rates may increase if monthly transaction volume drops.
No full POS register options to pair with.
If you’re looking for an alternative to flat-rate payment processing fees, Helcim is worth considering. Merchants pay each transaction’s interchange fee, which is set by card networks, plus Helcim’s set margin. This means your business saves when a customer uses a card with lower interchange rates.
Most credit card readers require you to use their in-house payment processing services, but that isn’t the case with Clover. Other payment processing companies — including ones that offer individual merchant accounts, as opposed to aggregated — sell Clover hardware, too.
Most credit card readers require you to use their in-house payment processing services, but that isn’t the case with Clover. Other payment processing companies — including ones that offer individual merchant accounts, as opposed to aggregated — sell Clover hardware, too.
Can complete more than 500 transactions before having to recharge.
Cons
Has less robust POS software features than other card readers.
The SumUp Plus card reader includes a screen that lets customers know their total and when it’s time to tap their cards. It also has a touchscreen keypad that lets you manually key in credit card numbers instead of having to key them into your smartphone app in card-not-present transactions.
Can complete more than 500 transactions before having to recharge.
Cons
Has less robust POS software features than other card readers.
The SumUp Plus card reader includes a screen that lets customers know their total and when it’s time to tap their cards. It also has a touchscreen keypad that lets you manually key in credit card numbers instead of having to key them into your smartphone app in card-not-present transactions.
Accepts chip payments and contactless payments made with PayPal, Venmo and QR codes.
Can purchase with built-in barcode scanner and receipt printer.
Cons
POS features offer less functionality than some competitors.
Limited software integrations.
The PayPal POS terminal can be a good choice for businesses that need to accept alternative payment methods, like PayPal and Venmo. It also accepts Google Pay, Apple Pay and Samsung Pay.
Accepts chip payments and contactless payments made with PayPal, Venmo and QR codes.
Can purchase with built-in barcode scanner and receipt printer.
Cons
POS features offer less functionality than some competitors.
Limited software integrations.
The PayPal POS terminal can be a good choice for businesses that need to accept alternative payment methods, like PayPal and Venmo. It also accepts Google Pay, Apple Pay and Samsung Pay.
Displays transaction details on a built-in screen.
Prints receipts.
Cons
Can take over four hours to charge.
Handheld terminals, like this one from Square, take mobile card readers a step further by incorporating a screen and additional POS features. And at $299, the Square Terminal is one of the lower-priced all-inclusive card readers. Couple affordable hardware with a fee-free software plan option, and Square makes great sense for a lot of businesses.
Displays transaction details on a built-in screen.
Prints receipts.
Cons
Can take over four hours to charge.
Handheld terminals, like this one from Square, take mobile card readers a step further by incorporating a screen and additional POS features. And at $299, the Square Terminal is one of the lower-priced all-inclusive card readers. Couple affordable hardware with a fee-free software plan option, and Square makes great sense for a lot of businesses.
Can opt for higher processing fees to cover the cost of the device.
Can use it to ask customers for feedback on their experience.
Accepts chip, swipe and contactless payments.
Cons
Requires quotes for advanced monthly plans.
Requires a contract.
Toast's products are made specifically for businesses in the restaurant industry. The Go 2 lets employees take orders and cash customers out tableside to boost efficiency and reduce wait times.
Can opt for higher processing fees to cover the cost of the device.
Can use it to ask customers for feedback on their experience.
Accepts chip, swipe and contactless payments.
Cons
Requires quotes for advanced monthly plans.
Requires a contract.
Toast's products are made specifically for businesses in the restaurant industry. The Go 2 lets employees take orders and cash customers out tableside to boost efficiency and reduce wait times.
Can rent if you don’t want to commit to buying right away.
Cons
Requires monthly plan for advanced features.
Hardware can be expensive.
The Clover Flex is a small but powerful handheld credit card reader that can be used in a range of industries, including retail shops, service-based businesses and restaurants. And depending on your monthly plan, it can help you manage inventory, view sales data and set up individual logins for employees. You can also use the Clover Flex to scan barcodes and print receipts.
Can rent if you don’t want to commit to buying right away.
Cons
Requires monthly plan for advanced features.
Hardware can be expensive.
The Clover Flex is a small but powerful handheld credit card reader that can be used in a range of industries, including retail shops, service-based businesses and restaurants. And depending on your monthly plan, it can help you manage inventory, view sales data and set up individual logins for employees. You can also use the Clover Flex to scan barcodes and print receipts.
Why we like it: Square’s free magstripe reader is a convenient option for businesses making the occasional on-the-go sale. However, the company’s contactless and chip card reader gives you more flexibility by enabling you to accept cards with chips and digital wallets, such as tap-and-pay credit cards and smartphone apps, including Apple Pay and Google Pay. It uses Bluetooth technology instead of connecting directly to a device, which lets you keep your cell phone or tablet nearby — but not out all the time.
The reader must be charged, but the charging dock can double as a support for the reader for a counter or table. You can charge it with a USB charger, too.
Square also offers Tap to Pay on iPhone, which lets merchants accept card payments using the Square POS mobile app. Customers hold their cards or their own iPhone wallets near the merchant's phone to pay. Read our full Square review.
Pricing
Hardware cost:
First magstripe card reader is free; additional readers cost $10 each.
Contactless and chip reader costs $59; $39 for optional dock.
Monthly fees:
$0 for Square POS, Restaurant, Retail and Appointments Free plans.
$29 for Square Appointments Plus plan.
$69 for Square Appointments Premium and Square Restaurants Plus plans.
$89 for Square Retail Plus plan.
$165 for Square Restaurant Premium plan.
Custom pricing for Square Retail plan.
Payment processing fees:
2.6% plus 15 cents for in-person transactions with all free plans.
2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions with paid restaurant plans.
2.5% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions with paid retail and appointments plans.
2.9% plus 30 cents for online transactions.
3.5% plus 15 cents for manually keyed transactions.
3.3% plus 30 cents for invoices.
Style: Free magstripe reader plugs into a smartphone or tablet; the contactless and chip reader connects to a compatible phone or tablet via Bluetooth.
Why we like it: This credit card reader by Clover works with iOS and Android phones and tablets via Bluetooth. It can accept magstripe-only cards, chip cards and contactless payments.
You can choose between the Payments or Essentials plans. Both provide basic payment processing with 24/7 live support. However, the Essentials plan includes added features such as sales tracking, detailed reporting, inventory management and itemized orders. Read our full Clover review.
Pricing
Hardware cost:
$199 for reader.
Monthly fees:
$0 for Clover Go Payments, Retail Starter and Personal Services Starter plans.
$14.95 for Clover Go Essentials, Professional Services Starter, and Standard and Home & Field Services Starter and Standard plans.
$84.95 for Retail Standard and Professional, Personal Services Standard and Advanced, and Home & Field Services Advanced plans.
$89.95 for Full-Service Dining Starter and Quick-Service Dining Starter and Standard plans.
$104.90 for Retail Advanced plan.
$109.90 for Full-Service Dining Standard and Quick-Service Dining Advanced plans.
$129.85 for Full-Service Dining Advanced plan.
Payment processing fees:
2.3% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions on Full-Service and Quick-Service Restaurant plans.
2.5% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions on Retail Standard and Advanced plans, Professional and Personal Services Standard and Advanced plans, and the Home and Field Services Advanced plan.
2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions on the Retail and Personal Services Starter plans and the Home and Field Services Standard plan.
3.5% plus 10 cents for online or keyed-in transactions.
Style: Connects to compatible phone or tablet via Bluetooth.
Why we like it : Powerful and compact, the SumUp Plus credit card reader works through Bluetooth with Apple and Android devices and promises more than 500 transactions on one charge. In addition to having a screen to show transaction details, the reader comes with a few helpful POS software features that allow you to manage products in your catalog, track sales, send digital receipts and manage employee accounts. However, you might find that the overall POS capabilities are lacking when compared to more robust options on the market. Read our full SumUp review.
Pricing
Hardware cost:
$54 for reader; $64 with cradle.
Monthly fees:
$0.
Payment processing fees:
2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions.
2.90% plus 15 cents for online invoice transactions.
3.5% plus 15 cents for card-not-present transactions.
Style: Connects to compatible phone or tablet via Bluetooth.
Helcim Card Reader
Best for interchange-plus pricing
Image courtesy of Helcim.
Why we like it: Helcim’s card reader accepts chip, swipe and contactless payments. Because it connects through Bluetooth, it needs to be charged. Its POS software includes features like customer management, inventory tracking, analytics and reporting. A standout feature is its self-service portal, which allows customers to log in to view their payment information and purchase history.
Helcim bases its per-transaction charges on the type of card and interchange fees, which are set by card networks. It also offers volume-based discounts. The processor doesn’t require you to sign a contract, pay a monthly fee or pay to cancel your service. Read our full Helcim review.
Pricing
Hardware cost:
$99 for the reader.
Monthly fees:
$0.
Payment processing fees:
Interchange plus 0.4% and 8 cents per in-person transaction (if $50,000 or less in monthly card transactions).
Interchange plus 0.5% and 25 cents per online or manually keyed transaction (if $50,000 or less in monthly card transactions).
0.5% plus 25 cents for ACH payments (capped at $6).
Style: Connects to compatible phone or tablet via Bluetooth; can also be plugged into a desktop computer.
PayPal POS Terminal
Best for accepting PayPal and Venmo
Image courtesy of PayPal.
Why we like it: The PayPal POS Terminal accepts chip and contactless payments, but it doesn’t read magstripes. It does, however, let customers pay with QR codes on PayPal and Venmo platforms. Its POS software offers sales reports, inventory management, tracking sales performance and more.
Transaction fees for in-person purchases are a bit less expensive than competitors. All funds go into your PayPal account rather than a bank account. You’ll need to request a transfer to move the funds to your business bank account before you can use them outside of PayPal. Read our full PayPal POS review.
Pricing
Hardware cost:
$199 for terminal only.
$239 for terminal plus barcode scanner.
$269 for terminal with printer.
$299 for terminal with scanner and printer.
Monthly fees:
$0.
Payment processing fees:
2.29% plus 9 cents for in-person and QR code transactions.
3.49% plus 9 cents for manual-entry card transactions.
2.99% plus 49 cents for invoicing (payment made with card).
3.49% plus 49 cents for invoicing (payment made with PayPal).
Style: Handheld POS terminal.
Square Terminal
Best low-cost handheld terminal
Image courtesy of Square.
Why we like it: Square Terminal lets you accept all three methods of credit card payments: chip, contactless and magstripe. It’s less expensive than some of its competitors and doesn’t require a long-term contract. It's sturdy enough to be set down on the checkout counter, but small enough to also be carried around on the go. Read our full Square review.
Pricing
Hardware cost:
$299 or $27 per month for 12 months.
Monthly fees:
$0 for Square POS, Restaurant, Retail and Appointments Free plans.
$29 for Square Appointments Plus plan.
$69 for Square Appointments Premium and Square Restaurants Plus plans.
$89 for Square Retail Plus plan.
$165 for Square Restaurant Premium plan.
Custom pricing for Square Retail plan.
Payment processing fees:
2.6% plus 15 cents for in-person transactions with all free plans.
2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions with paid restaurant plans.
2.5% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions with paid retail and appointments plans.
2.9% plus 30 cents for online transactions.
3.5% plus 15 cents for manually keyed transactions.
3.3% plus 30 cents for invoices.
Style: Handheld POS terminal.
Toast Go 2
Best restaurant-specific terminal
Image courtesy of Toast.
Why we like it: The Toast Go 2 allows you to submit orders at tables and accept all three styles of payment. It's also spill-proof, will hold a charge for 24 hours and has a 6.4-inch touchscreen for quick checkout. The free version of Toast’s POS software comes with basic features, including POS capabilities and payment processing, and advanced features are available with paid plans. One downside: The company requires long-term contracts. Read our full Toast review.
Pricing
Hardware cost:
$898.20 for Handheld Starter Kit (but $0 if you agree to a higher processing fee).
Monthly fees:
$0 for Starter Kit plan.
$69 Point of Sale plan.
Custom plans available.
Payment processing fees:
3.09-3.69% plus 15 cents per transaction, if you choose a pay-as-you-go plan.
2.49% plus 15 cents for card-present transactions, if you pay for hardware upfront.
3.50% plus 15 cents for card-not-present transactions, if you pay for hardware upfront.
Style: Handheld POS terminal.
Clover Flex
Best terminal for a variety of industries
Image courtesy of Clover.
Why we like it: The Clover Flex is a small but powerful handheld credit card reader that can process all three credit card payment types, scan barcodes and print receipts. The company also released a new Clover Flex Pocket, which weighs 25% less than the original model. Regardless of which version you choose, all Clover customers receive access to 24/7 phone support. Read our full Clover review.
Pricing
Hardware cost:
$749 for reader or $40 per month and up (for hardware + software) for 36 months.
$699 for Clover Flex Pocket.
Monthly fees:
$0 for Clover Go Payments, Retail Starter and Personal Services Starter plans.
$14.95 for Clover Go Essentials, Professional Services Starter, and Standard and Home & Field Services Starter and Standard plans.
$84.95 for Retail Standard and Professional, Personal Services Standard and Advanced, and Home & Field Services Advanced plans.
$89.95 for Full-Service Dining Starter and Quick-Service Dining Starter and Standard plans.
$104.90 for Retail Advanced plan.
$109.90 for Full-Service Dining Standard and Quick-Service Dining Advanced plans.
$129.85 for Full-Service Dining Advanced plan.
Payment processing fees:
2.3% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions on Full-Service and Quick-Service Restaurant plans.
2.5% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions on Retail Standard and Advanced plans, Professional and Personal Services Standard and Advanced plans, and the Home and Field Services Advanced plan.
2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions on the Retail and Personal Services Starter plans and the Home and Field Services Standard plan.
3.5% plus 10 cents for online or keyed-in transactions.
Style: Handheld POS terminal.
Looking for more credit card reader options?
In addition to simple, portable credit card readers you can take anywhere, there are also more built-out options available, including full countertop POS systems. Here are some top picks from a handful of categories:
Square : Our pick for the best overall credit card reader also takes the cake for best free card reader. The Square magstripe reader plugs directly into your smartphone, so it doesn’t have to be charged, and is free when you sign up with Square.
National Processing : Businesses subscribing to National Processing’s subscription plans may qualify for a free credit card terminal, depending on their processing volume and credit, but you need to reach out for further details.
PaymentCloud : Businesses signing up for a merchant account through PaymentCloud may be eligible to receive one free piece of POS equipment. The company also works with businesses in high-risk industries.
U.S. Bank Merchant Services: Businesses working with U.S. Bank Merchant Services can order a free Ingenico Moby/5500 card reader that connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth. It’s a good option for businesses that want to use the same company for banking and payment processing. You can read more about U.S. Bank Merchant Services in our best merchant services roundup.
Compact, countertop card reader
Clover Mini: Small countertop POS systems with built-in card readers, like the Clover Mini, are ideal for businesses that take most of their orders at the counter and need a solution with a small footprint. Read our full Clover review.
iPad POS system
Square Stand: The Square Stand comes with a built-in card reader — you just need to pair it with an iPad and download Square’s POS software. It’s a good solution for small brick-and-mortar or pop-up businesses that need a system they can use at the counter or carry around. Read our full Square review.
Full, single-screen register
Clover Station Solo: This stationary countertop system has a built-in card reader and can be paired with other hardware, like a cash drawer and tabletop receipt printer. Read our full Clover review.
Full registers with customer-facing screens
Small businesses that experience long lines and accept tips may want a customer-facing screen to help speed things along. These screens offer gratuity options and often feature built-in readers that let customers tap or dip cards themselves.
Square Register: The Square Register is the company’s fully integrated countertop POS system that can accept magstripe, chip card and contactless forms of payment. It boasts two screens — one for the employee and one for the customer to show transaction details — for a seamless experience. Read our full Square review.
Clover Station Duo: The Clover Station Duo ups the game with a combination of a 14-inch screen for you and an 8-inch screen for your customers. This makes it easier for customers to confirm orders and pay however they want — credit card, debit card, and contactless payment methods. Designed for retail stores, restaurant environments and service businesses, the Station Duo offers the same features of the Station Solo with more power. Read our full Clover review.
What is a credit card reader?
A credit card reader is a device businesses use to accept credit card payments in person, whether in a store, tableside or at a pop-up event. The reader detects and transmits information on credit, debit or other payment cards — such as account number, authorization code or cardholder name — to complete a transaction.
Some card readers connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth while others are plugged into a more built-out POS register. Most often, you’ll see card readers that allow customers to swipe, dip or tap their cards to pay. Usually, they need to be paired with a mobile app or POS software to function and record your business’s sales.
Types of credit card readers
Mobile card readersHandheld, portable card readers that can be paired with smartphones allow your business to accept payments from just about anywhere.
Handheld terminalsThese take mobile card readers a step further by incorporating a screen and additional POS features so you can take orders tableside, print receipts or scan barcodes.
Countertop readersDesigned to sit on a counter but with a smaller footprint than a full register, countertop card readers are best for small brick-and-mortar businesses.
Full registersStationary countertop systems can be paired with other hardware, like a cash drawer and receipt printer, and may also include a customer-facing screen.
How much does a credit card reader cost?
To estimate the total costs associated with using a credit card reader, you’ll want to factor in more than the price tag on the physical device itself. Start by taking the following components into account.
Hardware
The upfront cost of a credit card reader varies depending on its functionality. A simple swipe or chip card reader for your iPhone or Android device is typically the cheapest option, ranging from $0 to $60 or more.
Mid-range options include handheld card readers, which can often scan barcodes, print receipts and even operate as a mobile POS system, in addition to reading cards. These can range from around $100 to $650 or more.
Full register and countertop POS systems also include card readers. These systems can cost closer to $800 and up.
Software
If you opt for a more robust hardware option, like a handheld or countertop POS system, you may need to pay a monthly POS software fee. These software subscriptions typically allow you to collect sales data, sync it with your accounting software, run reports and track inventory, among other features. Some providers offer basic software plans or mobile apps for free, but if you need more sophisticated features, expect to pay closer to $60 or more per month.
Payment processing
Regardless of your hardware and software expenses, your business will owe credit card processing fees. Oftentimes, credit card reader providers also offer in-house payment processing services. Otherwise, you may have to integrate with a third-party processor. While in-house options are usually the most convenient, you’ll have to calculate your business’s monthly sales volume to find the cheapest credit card processing company for you.
How to choose the best card reader for small business
To pick the best credit card reader for your small business, consider the following questions:
How much do you want to spend?
A card reader without a screen is the cheapest option, and sometimes free. But depending on brand, type and the features you want, you could pay hundreds of dollars. In addition to hardware and software fees, remember to keep processing costs in mind, too: If a payment processing company offers a free card reader but charges more per transaction, it may cost your business more in the long run than a reader with an upfront cost but lower transaction fee.
Does your credit card reader need to be mobile?
If you mostly accept payments at pop-up events, you may only need a mobile credit card reader that works with your smartphone. Businesses with a storefront, however, will probably opt for a countertop register with a cash drawer and receipt printer. If your storefront deals with long lines, you might consider purchasing a countertop register in addition to a portable handheld card reader that can accept payments from anywhere in the store.
What features are you looking for?
If you want to simply accept magstripe, chip and contactless payments, a basic card reader that pairs with your smartphone can likely do the job. There are also a variety of payment apps that let you accept contactless payments with just your smartphone — no additional hardware required. These options may work for freelancers, service-based businesses and other vendors that sell mostly at pop-up events. But if you're looking for more sophisticated features, like barcode scanning, receipt printing or gratuity screens, a standalone, handheld POS device could be a better fit.
Brick-and mortar businesses that need inventory management or advanced sales analytics, along with a cash drawer, should consider a comprehensive, countertop POS register as opposed to a card reader only.
What integrations do you need?
Being able to centralize all of your sales information in one system is important. Businesses that have a brick-and-mortar location plus an online store, for example, should be able to sync data from both places using their POS software. To do so, be sure that your card reader integrates with your POS software and payment processor.
In addition to simple, portable credit card readers you can take anywhere, there are also more built-out options available, including full POS systems and handheld terminals. Here are some top picks from each category:
Last updated on May 26, 2025
Methodology
NerdWallet’s ratings of payment processing providers rewards 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.
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