7 Best Credit Card Readers for iPhone of June 2025

Credit card readers for iPhone help businesses accept credit card payments wherever they are. The best choices are compatible with your POS system and have competitive processing fees.
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Square
Square

Square Reader

NerdWallet Rating  
5.0
Bonus Amount  

20% off hardware

Requirements to qualify 

Read Review
Learn more

on Square's website

Best Credit Card Readers for iPhone

Product Best for NerdWallet rating Payment processing fees Monthly fee Learn more
Square

Square Reader

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

Helcim

Helcim card reader

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

Clover

Clover Go

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

SumUp

SumUp Plus

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

Payanywhere

Payanywhere 3-in-1 reader

Reputation management tools

In-person:

2.69% + $0.00


Online:

3.49% + $0.19

$0

PayPal

PayPal POS

Alternative payment options

In-person:

2.29% + $0.09


Online:

3.49% + $0.09

$0

QuickBooks

QuickBooks card reader

Accounting integration

In-person:

2.5% + $0.00


Online:

2.99% + $0.00

$0

Product Best for NerdWallet rating Payment processing fees Monthly fee Learn more
Square

Square Reader

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

Helcim

Helcim card reader

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

Clover

Clover Go

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

SumUp

SumUp Plus

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

Payanywhere

Payanywhere 3-in-1 reader

Reputation management tools

In-person:

2.69% + $0.00


Online:

3.49% + $0.19

$0

PayPal

PayPal POS

Alternative payment options

In-person:

2.29% + $0.09


Online:

3.49% + $0.09

$0

QuickBooks

QuickBooks card reader

Accounting integration

In-person:

2.5% + $0.00


Online:

2.99% + $0.00

$0

Best Credit Card Readers for iPhone

Square Reader

Best for Integrating with full POS system

Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.15
Online: 2.9% + $0.30

Monthly fee
$0

Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations.

on Square's website

Square Reader

Best for Integrating with full POS system

Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.15
Online: 2.9% + $0.30

Monthly fee
$0

Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations.

on Square's website

Helcim card reader

Best for Volume discounts

Payment processing fees
In-person: 0.4% + $0.08
Online: 0.5% + $0.25

Plus interchange

Monthly fee
$0

on Helcim's website

Helcim card reader

Best for Volume discounts

Payment processing fees
In-person: 0.4% + $0.08
Online: 0.5% + $0.25

Plus interchange

Monthly fee
$0

on Helcim's website

Clover Go

Best for Quick deposits

Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 3.5% + $0.10

Monthly fee
$0

Payments plan; $14.95 Essentials plan.

on Clover's website

Clover Go

Best for Quick deposits

Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 3.5% + $0.10

Monthly fee
$0

Payments plan; $14.95 Essentials plan.

on Clover's website

SumUp Plus

Best for iPhone credit card reader with a screen

Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
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

SumUp Plus

Best for iPhone credit card reader with a screen

Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
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

Payanywhere 3-in-1 reader

Best for Reputation management tools

Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.69% + $0.00
Online: 3.49% + $0.19

Monthly fee
$0

Payanywhere 3-in-1 reader

Best for Reputation management tools

Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.69% + $0.00
Online: 3.49% + $0.19

Monthly fee
$0

PayPal POS

Best for Alternative payment options

Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.29% + $0.09
Online: 3.49% + $0.09

Monthly fee
$0

PayPal POS

Best for Alternative payment options

Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.29% + $0.09
Online: 3.49% + $0.09

Monthly fee
$0

QuickBooks card reader

Best for Accounting integration

Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.5% + $0.00
Online: 2.99% + $0.00

Monthly fee
$0

QuickBooks card reader

Best for Accounting integration

Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.5% + $0.00
Online: 2.99% + $0.00

Monthly fee
$0

Our picks for best iPhone credit card readers

Clover Go

Best for quick deposits
Why we like it: The Clover Go is a compact, portable card reader that connects to comprehensive POS software. Clover’s Essentials plan, which has a monthly fee, includes extra features such as tax reporting, real-time sales tracking and a customer database. The reader is able to accept payments even when your device is offline, although transactions won’t go through until you’re back online. Read our full Clover review.
Accepts: Magstripe, chip and contactless payment methods.
  • $0 for Payments plan.
  • $14.95 for Essentials plan.
  • $199 for chip, swipe and contactless Clover Go card reader.
  • $349 for countertop card reader.
  • $749 for Clover Flex mobile POS with receipt printer.
  • $699 for slimmer Flex Pocket with no printer.
  • $849 for Clover Mini POS.
  • $799-$899 + $25 per month for kitchen display system.
  • $1,799 for Clover Station Solo.
  • $1,899 for Clover Station Duo.
  • $3,499 + $34.95 per month for self-ordering kiosk.
  • 2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions.
  • 3.5% plus 10 cents for online or keyed-in transactions.

SumUp Plus reader

Best iPhone credit card reader with a screen
Why we like it: SumUp’s Plus reader can process more than 500 transactions on a single power charge. It has a screen to display transaction details, so you won’t have to share your personal device with the customer. SumUp offers a free app to use with the reader, which includes functionality for sales tracking and reporting and the ability to send digital receipts to customers. It doesn’t charge a monthly fee and doesn’t require a contract. Read our full SumUp review.
Accepts: Magstripe, chip and contactless payment methods.
$0.
  • $54 for SumUp Plus card reader.
  • $64 for SumUp Plus cradle bundle.
  • $99 for SumUp Solo touchscreen.
  • $169 for SumUp Solo Printer Bundle.
  • $499 for POS Lite and Solo Bundle.
  • SumUp POS is quote-based.
  • 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.

Payanywhere 3-in-1 reader

Best for reputation management tools
Why we like it: Payanywhere’s versatile card reader comes with low in-person payment processing rates with no fixed fee on top. You also get access to free POS software that includes inventory management and reporting tools. Read our full Payanywhere review.
Accepts: Magstripe, chip and contactless payment methods.
$0.
$59.95.
  • 2.69% for in-person transactions.
  • 3.49% plus 19 cents for online, keyed and virtual terminal transactions.

Square Reader

Best for integrating with full POS system
Why we like it: Square’s free POS software is among the most feature-rich out there; it can give you the full range of business management capabilities, including customized and digital receipts, invoicing, customer profiles for repeat buyers, inventory management and more. Square also offers Tap to Pay on iPhone, which lets merchants accept card payments using only a regular iPhone with the Square POS app. Customers hold their cards or their own iPhone wallets near the merchant's phone to pay. Read our full Square review.
Accepts: Depends on which version of the Square Reader you purchase; The free Square Reader for magstripe only accepts swiped payments; The upgraded Square Reader accepts chip and contactless payment methods.
  • $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.
  • $0 for Square magstripe-only card reader ($10 for each additional reader) or if using Tap to Pay for iPhone (iPhone not included).
  • $59 for Square Reader contactless and chip card reader.
  • $149 for Square Stand iPad POS or Square Stand Mount (iPad not included; monthly financing available).
  • $149 for Square Kiosk for self-serve ordering.
  • $299 for Square Terminal mobile card reader with built-in printer (monthly financing available).
  • $399 for Square Handheld portable POS system with built-in barcode scanner (monthly financing available).
  • $799 for Square Register two-screen system (monthly financing available).
  • 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.

PayPal POS

Best for alternative payment options
Why we like it: Unlike some competitors, PayPal POS works with PayPal and Venmo. All transactions made with PayPal go straight into your PayPal account and can be transferred to your bank. Read our full PayPal POS review.
Accepts: Chip and contactless payment methods.
$0.
  • $29 for first card reader; additional readers cost $79. Price includes USB cable.
  • $199 for terminal only.
  • $239 for terminal with barcode scanner built in.
  • $229 for Store Kit Mini (tablet stand with card reader and dock).
  • $339 for Store Kit Portable kit with mobile card reader and printer.
  • $479 for Store Kit Standard (tablet stand, card reader, dock and printer).
  • $699 for Store Kit Plus (adds barcode scanner).
  • 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).

QuickBooks card reader

Best for accounting integration
Why we like it: If you have a QuickBooks Online account, you can use this card reader to automatically record your transactions in the accounting software. Read our full QuickBooks Payments review.
Accepts: Chip and contactless payment methods.
$0.
  • $39 for QuickBooks charging stand.
  • $49 for QuickBooks card reader.
  • $79 for QuickBooks card reader with charging stand.
For QuickBooks Online users
  • 2.5% for in-person payments.
  • 2.99% for online and invoiced payments.
  • 3.5% for manually keyed payments.
  • 1% for ACH transactions.
For QuickBooks Desktop users
Pay as you go plan (no monthly fee):
  • 2.4% plus 30 cents per in-person transaction.
  • 3.5% plus 30 cents per keyed-in or invoiced transaction.
  • 1% per ACH transfer.
Pay monthly plan ($20 monthly fee):
  • 1.6% plus 30 cents per in-person transaction.
  • 3.3% plus 30 cents per keyed-in or invoiced transaction.
  • 1% per ACH transfer.

Helcim card reader

Best for volume discounts
Why we like it: The purchase of a Helcim card reader also gives you access to its robust POS system, a virtual terminal and other tools at no additional cost. Helcim’s interchange pricing model and volume discounts make it a stronger fit for businesses with higher monthly transaction volumes. Read our full Helcim review.
Accepts: Chip and contactless payment methods.
$0.
  • $99 for a mobile card reader (with stand).
  • $329 for a stand-alone terminal with built-in thermal printer (or 12 monthly payments of $30).
  • 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).

What is an iPhone credit card reader?

Credit card readers for iPhone turn your smartphone into a standalone mobile POS system or an extension of a larger, existing POS system. This gives you the flexibility to accept in-person payments anywhere, whether that’s in your brick-and-mortar storefront or at a pop-up event. Ultimately, brick-and-mortar, mobile and online businesses all have the potential to expand their customer base by adding iPhone credit card readers to their tool kit.
You’ll start by downloading a mobile POS app on your iPhone. Some providers send you an iPhone credit card reader for free and others require you to purchase one — they typically cost around $50, but prices vary. From there, you’ll pair the iPhone credit card reader with the mobile POS app and start accepting payments. Credit card readers either plug directly into your iPhone or connect to it via bluetooth.

How to choose the best credit card reader for iPhone

Wallet with a gold credit card.
Types of payments acceptedAt a minimum, iPhone credit card readers should accept contactless payments and EMV chip cards that customers insert or “dip” into the reader. Some readers also allow you to swipe credit cards’ magstripe, though this is becoming less common.
Couple of hands typing on a laptop.
IntegrationsIf you already use POS software in some capacity, make sure the card reader you’re considering has a mobile app that seamlessly integrates with that software so all your sales are consolidated in the same system. If you only plan to accept payment with your iPhone credit card reader, this doesn’t matter as much.
Jar with some coins inside and some cash on the side.
CostCard readers can range from free to over $100. Also factor in credit card processing fees and whether you’ll need to pay a monthly POS software fee. Look out for added chargeback fees and PCI compliance fees, too.

Explore more payment processing options

Payment processing companies often sell their own proprietary card readers or readers from a third-party company, like Clover. If you didn’t find what you’re looking for in the list above, here are some additional payment processors with competitive rates and hardware options.

Methodology

Here is more information on how NerdWallet evaluates POS systems, payment processors, their accompanying apps and card readers:
Last updated on June 3, 2025