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Best Credit Card Readers for iPhone
Product | Best for | NerdWallet rating | Payment processing fees | Monthly fee | Learn more |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
on Square Reader's secure website | Integrating with full POS system | In-person: 2.6% + $0.15 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $0 Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations. | on Square Reader's secure website | |
on Helcim card reader's secure website | Volume discounts | In-person: 0.4% + $0.08 Online: 0.5% + $0.25 Plus interchange | $0 | on Helcim card reader's secure website | |
on Clover Go's secure website | Quick deposits | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 3.5% + $0.10 | $0 Payments plan; $14.95 Essentials plan. | on Clover Go's secure website | |
on SumUp Plus' secure website | iPhone credit card reader with a screen | 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 | |
Reputation management tools | In-person: 2.69% + $0.00 Online: 3.49% + $0.19 | $0 | |||
Alternative payment options | In-person: 2.29% + $0.09 Online: 3.49% + $0.09 | $0 | |||
Accounting integration | In-person: 2.5% + $0.00 Online: 2.99% + $0.00 | $0 |
Best Credit Card Readers for iPhone
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations.
on Square's website
Pros
- Has a compact design.
- Square Reader for magstripe and POS app are free.
- Magstripe reader doesn’t have to be charged.
Cons
- 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 Reader
Best for Integrating with full POS system
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations.
on Square's website
Pros
- Has a compact design.
- Square Reader for magstripe and POS app are free.
- Magstripe reader doesn’t have to be charged.
Cons
- 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.
Online: 0.5% + $0.25
Plus interchange
on Helcim's website
Pros
- Has volume discounts.
- 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.
Helcim card reader
Best for Volume discounts
Online: 0.5% + $0.25
Plus interchange
on Helcim's website
Pros
- Has volume discounts.
- 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.
Online: 3.5% + $0.10
Payments plan; $14.95 Essentials plan.
on Clover's website
Pros
- Can purchase from third-party payment processors.
- Uses passcodes for employees.
- Accepts chip, swipe and contactless payments.
Cons
- Takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes to charge.
- Requires a monthly fee for advanced POS features.
Clover Go
Best for Quick deposits
Online: 3.5% + $0.10
Payments plan; $14.95 Essentials plan.
on Clover's website
Pros
- Can purchase from third-party payment processors.
- Uses passcodes for employees.
- Accepts chip, swipe and contactless payments.
Cons
- Takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes to charge.
- Requires a monthly fee for advanced POS features.
Online: 3.5% + $0.15
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 screen to display transaction details.
- Can complete more than 500 transactions before having to recharge.
Cons
- Has less robust POS software features than other card readers.
SumUp Plus
Best for iPhone credit card reader with a screen
Online: 3.5% + $0.15
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 screen to display transaction details.
- Can complete more than 500 transactions before having to recharge.
Cons
- Has less robust POS software features than other card readers.
Pros
- No monthly fee.
- Transparent pricing.
- Can process all three payment types.
Cons
- No screen to display transaction details.
- POS software is not as advanced as some competitors.
- $3.99 per month inactivity fee for 12 months without a transaction.
Payanywhere 3-in-1 reader
Best for Reputation management tools
Online: 3.49% + $0.19
Pros
- No monthly fee.
- Transparent pricing.
- Can process all three payment types.
Cons
- No screen to display transaction details.
- POS software is not as advanced as some competitors.
- $3.99 per month inactivity fee for 12 months without a transaction.
Pros
- No long-term contract or termination fees.
- Accepts a variety of payment types, including Venmo and PayPal payments.
- Inexpensive card reader with a keypad, plus built-in payment processing and a free mobile app lets you quickly accept in-person payments on the go.
- Low in-person processing fees for a flat-rate processor.
Cons
- Accepting online transactions involves additional monthly fees, depending on your gateway.
- No offline mode.
PayPal POS
Best for Alternative payment options
Online: 3.49% + $0.09
Pros
- No long-term contract or termination fees.
- Accepts a variety of payment types, including Venmo and PayPal payments.
- Inexpensive card reader with a keypad, plus built-in payment processing and a free mobile app lets you quickly accept in-person payments on the go.
- Low in-person processing fees for a flat-rate processor.
Cons
- Accepting online transactions involves additional monthly fees, depending on your gateway.
- No offline mode.
QuickBooks card reader
Best for Accounting integration
Online: 2.99% + $0.00
Pros
- No monthly fee.
- Transparent pricing.
- Has a screen to display transaction details.
Cons
- Doesn't process swiped payments.
- Requires a QuickBooks account, which starts at $30 per month.
Our picks for best iPhone credit card readers
Clover Go
SumUp Plus reader
Payanywhere 3-in-1 reader
Square Reader
PayPal POS
QuickBooks card reader
Helcim card reader
What is an iPhone credit card reader?
How to choose the best credit card reader for iPhone


