10 Best Credit Card Machines and Terminals of March 2023
These are the best credit card terminals for small businesses that need flexibility when it comes to features.
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Credit card machines and terminals can accept payments, print receipts and make transactions easier for businesses. Depending on your business, the best credit card machine might work offline and scan barcodes, or it may have a customer-facing screen and print receipts.
Below are the best credit card machines for small businesses, with a summary of the key features.
» MORE: NerdWallet's best POS systems
Credit card machines and terminals can accept payments, print receipts and make transactions easier for businesses. Depending on your business, the best credit card machine might work offline and scan barcodes, or it may have a customer-facing screen and print receipts.
Below are the best credit card machines for small businesses, with a summary of the key features.
» MORE: NerdWallet's best POS systems
Best Credit Card Machines and Terminals
| Product | Best for | Payment processing fees | Monthly fee | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Clover Flex Learn more on Clover Flex's secure website | Best for Overall | 2.3% + 10¢ or 2.6% + 10¢ in-person; 3.5% + 10¢ online. | $15 $14.95 and up. | Learn more on Clover Flex's secure website |
 Square Stand Learn more on Square Stand's secure website | Best for Value for money | 2.6% + 10¢ in-person; 2.9% + 30¢ online. | $0 Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations. | Learn more on Square Stand's secure website |
 SumUp Plus | Best for Low-cost option | 2.75% in-person; 2.9% + 15¢ online. | $0 | Read review |
Clover Station Duo Learn more on Clover Station Duo's secure website | Best for Option with two screens | 2.3% + 10¢ or 2.6% + 10¢ in-person; 3.5% + 10¢ online. | $15 $14.95 and up. | Learn more on Clover Station Duo's secure website |
 Payanywhere Smart Terminal | Best for Option to print receipts | 2.69% in-person; 3.49% + 19¢ online, keyed and virtual terminal transactions. | $10 | Read review |
 PayPal Zettle | Best for QR code payments | 2.29% + 9¢ in-person; 3.49% + 49¢ online. | $0 | Read review |
Square Register Learn more on Square Register's secure website | Best for Alternative payment methods | 2.6% + 10¢ in-person; 2.9% + 30¢ online. | $0 Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations. | Learn more on Square Register's secure website |
Square Terminal Learn more on Square Terminal's secure website | Best for Flexible setup | 2.6% + 10¢ in-person; 2.9% + 30¢ online. | $0 Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations. | Learn more on Square Terminal's secure website |
Payanywhere Smart Flex | Best for On-the-go transactions | 2.69% in-person; 3.49% + 19¢ online, keyed and virtual terminal transactions. | $20 | Read review |
 Toast Go 2 | Best for Food service | 2.99% + 15¢ for pay-as-you-go option on hardware. | $0 Quick Start Bundle; $69 Core plan; $165 Growth plan. Custom plan also available. | Read review |
Our pick for
Overall
on Clover Flex's secure website
Clover Flex
Payment processing fees
2.3% + 10¢ or 2.6% + 10¢in-person; 3.5% + 10¢ online.
Monthly fee
$15$14.95 and up.
on Clover Flex's secure website
Our pick for
Value for money
on Square Stand's secure website
Square Stand
Payment processing fees
2.6% + 10¢in-person; 2.9% + 30¢ online.
Monthly fee
$0Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations.
on Square Stand's secure website
Our pick for
Low-cost option
SumUp Plus
Payment processing fees
2.75%in-person; 2.9% + 15¢ online.
Monthly fee
$0Our pick for
Option with two screens
on Clover Station Duo's secure website
Clover Station Duo
Payment processing fees
2.3% + 10¢ or 2.6% + 10¢in-person; 3.5% + 10¢ online.
Monthly fee
$15$14.95 and up.
on Clover Station Duo's secure website
Our pick for
Option to print receipts
Payanywhere Smart Terminal
Payment processing fees
2.69%in-person; 3.49% + 19¢ online, keyed and virtual terminal transactions.
Monthly fee
$10Our pick for
QR code payments
PayPal Zettle
Payment processing fees
2.29% + 9¢in-person; 3.49% + 49¢ online.
Monthly fee
$0Our pick for
Alternative payment methods
on Square Register's secure website
Square Register
Payment processing fees
2.6% + 10¢in-person; 2.9% + 30¢ online.
Monthly fee
$0Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations.
on Square Register's secure website
Our pick for
Flexible setup
on Square Terminal's secure website
Square Terminal
Payment processing fees
2.6% + 10¢in-person; 2.9% + 30¢ online.
Monthly fee
$0Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations.
on Square Terminal's secure website
Our pick for
On-the-go transactions
Payanywhere Smart Flex
Payment processing fees
2.69%in-person; 3.49% + 19¢ online, keyed and virtual terminal transactions.
Monthly fee
$20Our pick for
Food service
Toast Go 2
Payment processing fees
2.99% + 15¢for pay-as-you-go option on hardware.
Monthly fee
$0Quick Start Bundle; $69 Core plan; $165 Growth plan. Custom plan also available.
Clover Flex: Best overall
Style: Handheld.
POS monthly fee:
$14.95 for Retail Starter, Professional Services Starter and Standard, Personal Services Starter and Home & Field Services plans.
$44.95 for Retail Standard, QSR Starter and Standard, Professional Services Advanced and Personal Services Standard and Advanced plans.
$54.90 for Retail Advanced and QSR Advanced plans.
$74.95 for Full-Service Dining Starter plan.
$84.90 for Full-Service Dining Standard plan.
$94.85 for Full-Service Dining Advanced plan.
Hardware cost:
$49 for chip, swipe and contactless Clover Go card reader.
$599 for Clover Flex mobile POS with printer.
$799 for Clover Mini POS.
$1,699 for Clover Station Solo.
$1,799 for Clover Station Duo.
Payment processing:
2.3% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions for most plans.
2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions on Retail Starter, Personal Services Starter and Professional Services Standard plans, as well as Home & Field Services Standard and Advanced plans.
3.5% plus 10 cents for online or keyed-in transactions.
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, Google Pay and Samsung Pay. The 5-inch touch screen displays transaction details. It also includes a receipt printer and barcode scanner for faster checkout and has a free monthly plan available with limited point-of-sale, or POS, features for those on a budget. Read our full Clover review.
Pros:
Accepts credit card payments, including magstripes and digital wallets.
Features a 5-inch touch screen.
Prints receipts.
Scans barcodes.
Allows offline payments.
Works without a smart device.
Cons:
Device is relatively expensive.
Square Stand: Best value for money
Style: Tabletop.
POS monthly fee:
$0 for Square POS, Restaurant, Retail and Appointments Free plans.
$29 for Square POS Plus and Square Appointments Plus plans.
$60 for Restaurant Plus and Retail Plus plans.
$69 for Square Appointments Premium plan.
Hardware cost:
$0 for Square magstripe-only card reader ($10 for each additional) or if using Tap to Pay for iPhone (iPhone not included).
$49 for Square Reader contactless and chip card reader.
$149 for Square Stand iPad POS or Square Stand Mount (iPad not included).
$299 for Square Terminal mobile card reader with built-in printer.
$799 for Square Register two-screen system.
$659-$1,479 for various bundles of stands, cash drawers, printers and card readers.
Payment processing:
2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions (2.5% plus 10 cents with Retail Plus plan).
2.9% plus 30 cents for online transactions or invoices without a card on file.
3.5% plus 15 cents for manually keyed transactions or card-on-file invoices.
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 through Cash App. You’ll need to purchase accessories to print receipts or scan barcodes with this terminal. Read our full Square review.
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 on its own.
Can’t scan barcodes on its own.
SumUp Plus: Best low-cost option
Style: Handheld.
POS monthly fee: $0.
Hardware cost:
$39 for SumUp Plus card reader.
$49 for SumUp Plus cradle bundle.
$129 for SumUp Solo touchscreen.
Payment processing:
2.75% for in-person transactions.
2.90% plus 15 cents for online transactions.
3.25% plus 15 cents for manually keyed or payment-linked transactions.
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.
Pros:
Accepts credit card payments, including magstripes and digital wallets.
Cons:
Displays only minimal details on screen.
Requires a smart device.
Can’t print receipts.
Can’t scan barcodes.
Doesn’t process offline payments.
Clover Station Duo: Best option with two screens
Style: Tabletop.
POS monthly fee:
$14.95 for Retail Starter, Professional Services Starter and Standard, Personal Services Starter and Home & Field Services plans.
$44.95 for Retail Standard, QSR Starter and Standard, Professional Services Advanced and Personal Services Standard and Advanced plans.
$54.90 for Retail Advanced and QSR Advanced plans.
$74.95 for Full-Service Dining Starter plan.
$84.90 for Full-Service Dining Standard plan.
$94.85 for Full-Service Dining Advanced plan.
Hardware cost:
$49 for chip, swipe and contactless Clover Go card reader.
$599 for Clover Flex mobile POS with printer.
$799 for Clover Mini POS.
$1,699 for Clover Station Solo.
$1,799 for Clover Station Duo.
Payment processing:
2.3% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions for most plans.
2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions on Retail Starter, Personal Services Starter and Professional Services Standard plans, as well as Home & Field Services Standard and Advanced plans.
3.5% plus 10 cents for online or keyed-in transactions.
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.
Pros:
Accepts credit card payments, including magstripe and digital wallets.
Has a 14-inch main screen and a 7-inch screen for customers.
Prints receipts.
Comes with a cash drawer.
Accepts offline payments.
Works without a smart device.
Cons:
Device is relatively expensive.
Payanywhere Smart Terminal: Best option to print receipts
Style: Handheld.
POS monthly fee: $9.95.
Hardware cost: $349.95.
Payment processing:
2.69% for in-person transactions.
3.49% plus 19 cents for online, keyed and virtual terminal transactions.
Why we like it: The Payanywhere Smart Terminal lets small businesses print receipts on the go and comes with a 5-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.
Pros:
Accepts credit card payments, including magstripe and digital wallets.
Has a 5-inch touch screen.
Prints receipts.
Scans barcodes.
Accepts offline payments.
Works without a smart device.
Cons:
Charges monthly $3.99 inactivity fee after 12 months.
PayPal Zettle: Best for QR code payments
Style: Handheld.
POS monthly fee: $0.
Hardware cost:
$29 for first card reader; additional readers cost $79. Price includes USB cable.
$249 for Store Kit Mini (screen terminal with card reader).
$339 for Store Kit Portable kit with mobile card reader and printer.
$499 for Store Kit Standard (adds printer).
$699 for Store Kit Plus (adds barcode scanner).
Payment processing:
2.29% plus 9 cents for in-person and QR code transactions.
3.49% plus 9 cents for manual entry card transactions.
3.49% plus 49 cents for invoicing transactions.
Why we like it: PayPal's Zettle 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 Zettle review.
Pros:
Accepts credit card payments, including chip and contactless payments and digital wallets.
Creates QR codes for an additional payment method.
Cons:
Doesn’t swipe magstripe credit cards.
Requires a smart device to work.
Doesn’t support offline payments.
Doesn’t print receipts.
Doesn’t scan barcodes.
Square Register: Best for alternative payment methods
Style: Tabletop with two screens.
POS monthly fee:
$0 for Square POS, Restaurant, Retail and Appointments Free plans.
$29 for Square POS Plus and Square Appointments Plus plans.
$60 for Restaurant Plus and Retail Plus plans.
$69 for Square Appointments Premium plan.
Hardware cost:
$0 for Square magstripe-only card reader ($10 for each additional) or if using Tap to Pay for iPhone (iPhone not included).
$49 for Square Reader contactless and chip card reader.
$149 for Square Stand iPad POS or Square Stand Mount (iPad not included).
$299 for Square Terminal mobile card reader with built-in printer.
$799 for Square Register two-screen system.
$659-$1,479 for various bundles of stands, cash drawers, printers and card readers.
Payment processing:
2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions (2.5% plus 10 cents with Retail Plus plan).
2.9% plus 30 cents for online transactions or invoices without a card on file.
3.5% plus 15 cents for manually keyed transactions or card-on-file invoices.
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 7-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.
Pros:
Has two screens, one for the business and one for customers.
Accepts credit card payments, including magstripe and digital wallets.
Accepts QR codes for Cash App.
Accepts offline payments.
Works without a smart device.
Cons:
Doesn’t print receipts.
Doesn’t scan barcodes.
Square Terminal: Best for flexible setup
Style: Handheld to tabletop conversion.
POS monthly fee:
$0 for Square POS, Restaurant, Retail and Appointments Free plans.
$29 for Square POS Plus and Square Appointments Plus plans.
$60 for Restaurant Plus and Retail Plus plans.
$69 for Square Appointments Premium plan.
Hardware cost:
$0 for Square magstripe-only card reader ($10 for each additional) or if using Tap to Pay for iPhone (iPhone not included).
$49 for Square Reader contactless and chip card reader.
$149 for Square Stand iPad POS or Square Stand Mount (iPad not included).
$299 for Square Terminal mobile card reader with built-in printer.
$799 for Square Register two-screen system.
$659-$1,479 for various bundles of stands, cash drawers, printers and card readers.
Payment processing:
2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions (2.5% plus 10 cents with Retail Plus plan).
2.9% plus 30 cents for online transactions or invoices without a card on file.
3.5% plus 15 cents for manually keyed transactions or card-on-file invoices.
Why we like it: On its own, Square’s Terminal can work as a handheld credit card reader for when you’re on the go, but connect it to a tablet and you’ve got a tabletop terminal 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.
Pros:
Accepts credit card payments, including magstripe and digital wallets.
Can connect to a screen to create a tabletop model.
Prints receipts.
Accepts offline payments.
Works as a handheld reader independently of a smart device.
Cons:
Works only with an internet connection.
Can’t scan barcodes.
Payanywhere Smart Flex: Best for on-the-go transactions
Style: Handheld with two screens.
POS monthly fee: $19.95.
Hardware cost: $549.95.
Payment processing:
2.69% for in-person transactions.
3.49% plus 19 cents for online, keyed and virtual terminal transactions.
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.
Pros:
Accepts credit card payments, including magstripe and digital wallets.
Has two screens, one for the business and one for customers.
Prints receipts.
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.
Toast Go 2: Best for food service
Style: Handheld.
POS monthly fee:
$0 for Quick Start Bundle.
$69 for Core plan.
$110 + $4 per employee for Restaurant Basics plan.
$165 for Growth plan.
Custom plans available.
Hardware:
$609 for Handheld Starter Kit (but $0 if you agree to a higher processing fee).
$799 for Countertop Starter Kit (but $0 if you agree to a higher processing fee).
$999 for Guest Self-Service Starter Kit (but $0 if you agree to a higher processing fee).
Payment processing:
2.99% plus 15 cents per transaction, if you choose pay-as-you-go option on hardware.
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.
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.
Pros:
Designed for a food service environment.
Accepts credit card payments, including magstripe and digital wallets.
Has a 6.4-inch screen.
Accepts offline payments.
Works without a smart device.
Cons:
Doesn’t print receipts.
Last updated on March 16, 2023
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.
To recap our selections...
NerdWallet's Best Credit Card Machines and Terminals of March 2023
- Clover Flex: Best for Overall
- Square Stand: Best for Value for money
- SumUp Plus: Best for Low-cost option
- Clover Station Duo: Best for Option with two screens
- Payanywhere Smart Terminal: Best for Option to print receipts
- PayPal Zettle: Best for QR code payments
- Square Register: Best for Alternative payment methods
- Square Terminal: Best for Flexible setup
- Payanywhere Smart Flex: Best for On-the-go transactions
- Toast Go 2: Best for Food service
