7 Best Virtual Terminals of July 2025
The right virtual terminal can save you time and money when you need to manually enter credit card transactions.
Learn more Virtual terminals let businesses manually enter payment details without a card reader or point-of-sale hardware
Most payment processing companies
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Here are NerdWallet’s top picks for the best virtual terminals.
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Best Virtual Terminals
| Product | Best for | NerdWallet rating | Payment processing fees | Monthly fee | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Square POS on Square POS's secure website | Overall virtual terminal | In-person: 2.6% + $0.15 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $0 and up. | on Square POS's secure website | |
 U.S. Bank Merchant Services on U.S. Bank Merchant Services' secure website, Member FDIC | Fast deposits | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $0 and up. | on U.S. Bank Merchant Services' secure website, Member FDIC | |
 Stax on Stax's secure website | Subscription pricing model | In-person: 0% + $0.08 Online: 0% + $0.15 Plus interchange | $99 and up. | on Stax's secure website | |
 Shopify Retail POS on Shopify POS's secure website | E-commerce integration | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $39 and up for e-commerce plans with POS Lite; Can upgrade to POS Pro for an extra $89. | on Shopify POS's secure website | |
 Clover POS on Clover POS's secure website | POS flexibility | In-person: 2.3% + $0.10 Online: 3.5% + $0.10 | $0 and up. | on Clover POS's secure website | |
 TouchBistro on TouchBistro's secure website | Restaurants | N/A Quote-based. | $69 and up. | on TouchBistro's secure website | |
 Dharma Merchant Services | Surcharging option | In-person: 0.15% + $0.08 Online: 0.2% + $0.11 Plus interchange | $20 for most industries; $15 for nonprofits. |
Best Virtual Terminals
Best overall POS system
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.15
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$0
and up.
on Square's website
Pros
- No monthly fee.
- App and card readers are compatible with iOS and Android devices.
- No long-term contracts.
- All plans include a free online store.
Cons
- Live chat or phone support is limited to weekdays.
Best overall POS system
Square POS
Best for Overall virtual terminal
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.15
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$0
and up.
on Square's website
Pros
- No monthly fee.
- App and card readers are compatible with iOS and Android devices.
- No long-term contracts.
- All plans include a free online store.
Cons
- Live chat or phone support is limited to weekdays.
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$0
and up.
on U.S. Bank's website, Member FDIC
Pros
- Same-day funding seven days per week for U.S. Bank checking account holders.
- No cancellation or PCI compliance fees.
- Free POS software plan available.
- 24/7 support.
Cons
- POS system onboarding assistance can be costly.
- Deposit times are not as quick for merchants using third-party bank accounts.
- Virtual terminal costs extra.
U.S. Bank Merchant Services
Best for Fast deposits
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$0
and up.
on U.S. Bank's website, Member FDIC
Pros
- Same-day funding seven days per week for U.S. Bank checking account holders.
- No cancellation or PCI compliance fees.
- Free POS software plan available.
- 24/7 support.
Cons
- POS system onboarding assistance can be costly.
- Deposit times are not as quick for merchants using third-party bank accounts.
- Virtual terminal costs extra.
Payment processing fees
In-person: 0% + $0.08
Online: 0% + $0.15
Online: 0% + $0.15
Plus interchange
Monthly fee
$99
and up.
on Stax's website
Pros
- No contract required.
- Option for same-day access to funds, including holidays and weekends, as an add-on.
- Set up an online store through an add-on.
- Mobile app is compatible with Android and iOS devices.
Cons
- Technical support is through a ticketing system.
Stax
Best for Subscription pricing model
Payment processing fees
In-person: 0% + $0.08
Online: 0% + $0.15
Online: 0% + $0.15
Plus interchange
Monthly fee
$99
and up.
on Stax's website
Pros
- No contract required.
- Option for same-day access to funds, including holidays and weekends, as an add-on.
- Set up an online store through an add-on.
- Mobile app is compatible with Android and iOS devices.
Cons
- Technical support is through a ticketing system.
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$39
and up for e-commerce plans with POS Lite; Can upgrade to POS Pro for an extra $89.
on Shopify's website
Pros
- No long-term contracts or termination fees.
- All plans include an online store.
- Built specifically for online sellers.
- 24/7 chat support.
Cons
- No free plan options.
- Cannot process cards in offline mode.
Shopify Retail POS
Best for E-commerce integration
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$39
and up for e-commerce plans with POS Lite; Can upgrade to POS Pro for an extra $89.
on Shopify's website
Pros
- No long-term contracts or termination fees.
- All plans include an online store.
- Built specifically for online sellers.
- 24/7 chat support.
Cons
- No free plan options.
- Cannot process cards in offline mode.
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.3% + $0.10
Online: 3.5% + $0.10
Online: 3.5% + $0.10
Monthly fee
$0
and up.
on Clover's website
Pros
- App works with iOS and Android mobile devices.
- Next-day deposits to your bank account in most cases.
- Online payment option.
- 24/7 phone support.
Cons
- Differing pricing structures depending on business type.
Clover POS
Best for POS flexibility
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.3% + $0.10
Online: 3.5% + $0.10
Online: 3.5% + $0.10
Monthly fee
$0
and up.
on Clover's website
Pros
- App works with iOS and Android mobile devices.
- Next-day deposits to your bank account in most cases.
- Online payment option.
- 24/7 phone support.
Cons
- Differing pricing structures depending on business type.
Pros
- 24/7 phone, chat and email support.
- Includes restaurant-specific features, like table and menu management.
- Optional profit management system provides tools for improving margins.
- As a hybrid POS system, TouchBistro can operate without the cloud. Offline capabilities include accepting payments, taking orders, editing menus and managing staff.
Cons
- Payment processing rates are quote-based, making them difficult to compare to the competition.
- Contracts are automatically renewed and can't be terminated early.
- No free plan options and charges setup fee.
- Ability to accept online orders costs extra.
TouchBistro
Best for Restaurants
Payment processing fees
N/A
Quote-based.
Monthly fee
$69
and up.
on TouchBistro's website
Pros
- 24/7 phone, chat and email support.
- Includes restaurant-specific features, like table and menu management.
- Optional profit management system provides tools for improving margins.
- As a hybrid POS system, TouchBistro can operate without the cloud. Offline capabilities include accepting payments, taking orders, editing menus and managing staff.
Cons
- Payment processing rates are quote-based, making them difficult to compare to the competition.
- Contracts are automatically renewed and can't be terminated early.
- No free plan options and charges setup fee.
- Ability to accept online orders costs extra.
Payment processing fees
In-person: 0.15% + $0.08
Online: 0.2% + $0.11
Online: 0.2% + $0.11
Plus interchange
Monthly fee
$20
for most industries; $15 for nonprofits.
Pros
- No long-term contract.
- Mobile app is free and compatible with iOS and Android devices.
- Two-day funding for card-not-present transactions.
- 24-hour customer support help lines.
Cons
- Invoicing and recurring billing is an additional monthly fee.
- Account closure fee of $49 is charged.
Dharma Merchant Services
Best for Surcharging option
Payment processing fees
In-person: 0.15% + $0.08
Online: 0.2% + $0.11
Online: 0.2% + $0.11
Plus interchange
Monthly fee
$20
for most industries; $15 for nonprofits.
Pros
- No long-term contract.
- Mobile app is free and compatible with iOS and Android devices.
- Two-day funding for card-not-present transactions.
- 24-hour customer support help lines.
Cons
- Invoicing and recurring billing is an additional monthly fee.
- Account closure fee of $49 is charged.
What is a virtual terminal?
A virtual terminal is an online application that makes it possible to process card transactions from anywhere with an internet connection, even when you aren’t face-to-face with a customer.
These transactions are usually initiated by phone, email or fax orders, making virtual terminals a convenient alternative if you can’t accept cards in person with POS hardware or online through an e-commerce site. Many payment processors and POS software providers include virtual terminals as part of their services. Standalone options may also be available, but choosing a company with strong overall payments infrastructure can make sense — especially since some don’t charge a subscription fee to use their terminals.
After setting up an online account with your virtual terminal provider, you’ll log in and navigate to its payments section. Exact directions and information needed varies based on provider, but generally you’ll enter the following information to process transactions:
- Card number.
- Expiration date.
- CVV/CVV2 number (the three- or four-digit number on the back of a card).
- Customer name.
- Billing ZIP code.
There may also be an area on the screen to write a note to the customer, as well as an option to email or text a payment confirmation. Processing fees are deducted from the payment before the transaction funds are transferred to your business account.
How much does a virtual terminal cost?
Many payment processors give you access to a virtual terminal for free. If there are no monthly subscription fees, that means you’re typically just responsible for payment processing fees.
At a minimum, those include interchange rates and per-transaction fees or markups. Card-not-present transaction fees are usually higher than in-person fees because they’re considered to have a greater potential for fraud. While some payment processors treat virtual terminal transactions as online transactions, others charge more expensive transaction rates for manually keyed-in transactions.
For example, Square U.S. Bank Merchant Services
Separately, if you plan to use POS software for in-person or online sales, make sure to factor those monthly costs in too.
» MORE: Best small-business apps
What businesses use virtual terminals?
Businesses that accept payment information from customers who are not physically there — card-not-present transactions — use virtual terminals. They’re also an option when a mobile card reader is required (but unavailable) or when customers prefer contactless payments.
Businesses that may use virtual terminals include:
- Mail-order and telephone-order businesses, also called MOTO businesses.
Restaurants cafes - Delivery-based businesses such as food and beverage stores, florists and gift shops.
- Mobile businesses such as
food trucks - Freelancers such as web designers, artists, SEO specialists and bookkeepers.
How to choose a virtual terminal
Here are some factors to consider to choose the right virtual terminal for your small business.
Payment processor and POS integrations
If you already have a POS system
Price
The cost of credit card processing
This credit card processing fees calculator can help you get a good idea of the cost of each plan based on your volume of manual transactions.
For example: Say a processing service charges $100 monthly to use its platform, and its virtual terminal option is free. Its processing fees are 2% of the transaction total plus 10 cents per transaction. If you do 80 manual transactions a month for a total of $4,000, you would pay the monthly fee of $100 and processing fees of $80 (2% of $4,000) plus $8 (10 cents x 80 transactions) for a total of $188.
A company with a high volume of phone orders could benefit from a membership-based model with lower processing fees, while a business that does a small volume of phone orders may pay less with a flat-rate model and no monthly fee.
Payment speed
The money your customers pay you doesn’t immediately get transferred to your business’s bank account. Ideally, you’ll receive the funds the next business day and have an option to pay extra for same-day deposits.
Fraud and chargeback protection
Virtual terminal transactions carry a higher risk of fraud and chargebacks
Customer support
At a minimum, you want support available during the hours you'll be submitting transactions. Getting 24/7 phone and/or chat support is ideal, but isn’t always available. Searching through customer reviews of a product may give you some insight into a provider’s quality of service and general response times.