Best Credit Card Machines and Terminals
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Input your business’s monthly transaction details and we’ll help you sort from the best valueProduct | Cost Estimate | Payment processing fees | Cost Estimate | Learn more | ||
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Clover Flex Learn more on Clover Flex's secure website | Get an estimated monthly cost for your business. | 4.0/5 Best for Handheld terminal + industry-specific plans | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 3.5% + $0.10 | $14.95 and up. | Get an estimated monthly cost for your business. | Learn more on Clover Flex's secure website |
Square Stand Learn more on Square Stand's secure website | 5.0/5 Best for iPad-based POS terminal | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $0.00 Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations. | Learn more on Square Stand's secure website | ||
SumUp Plus Learn more on SumUp Plus' secure website | 3.5/5 Best for Standalone card reader + mobile app | In-person: 2.75% + $0.00 Online: 2.9% + $0.15 | $0.00 | Learn more on SumUp Plus' secure website | ||
Clover Station Duo Learn more on Clover Station Duo's secure website | 4.0/5 Best for Countertop terminal + customer-facing screen | In-person: 2.3% + $0.10 Online: 3.5% + $0.10 | $49.95 and up. | Learn more on Clover Station Duo's secure website | ||
Payanywhere Smart Terminal | 4.5/5 Best for Handheld terminal + barcode scanner | In-person: 2.69% + $0.00 Online: 3.49% + $0.19 | $15.00 | |||
PayPal Zettle | 4.5/5 Best for Card reader + scanning QR codes | In-person: 2.29% + $0.09 Online: 2.99% + $0.49 | $0.00 | |||
Square Register Learn more on Square Register's secure website | 5.0/5 Best for Countertop terminal + customer-facing screen | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $0.00 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 | 5.0/5 Best for Compact handheld terminal + printer | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $0.00 Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations. | Learn more on Square Terminal's secure website | ||
Payanywhere Smart Flex | 4.5/5 Best for Handheld terminal + customer-facing screen | In-person: 2.69% + $0.00 Online: 3.49% + $0.19 | $25.00 | |||
Toast Go 2 | 4.0/5 Best for Handheld terminal for restaurants | 2.99% + $0.15 for pay-as-you-go option on hardware. | $0.00 Quick Start Bundle; $69 Core plan; $165 Growth plan. Custom plan also available. |
Our pick for
Handheld terminal + industry-specific plans
Clover Flex
on Clover Flex's secure website
$14.95
and up.
Pros
- Works with Bluetooth.
- Paid plans have good POS features.
Cons
- Requires monthly plan for advanced features.
Our pick for
iPad-based POS terminal
Square Stand
on Square Stand's secure website
$0.00
Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations.
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.
Our pick for
Standalone card reader + mobile app
SumUp Plus
on SumUp Plus' secure website
$0.00
Pros
- Accepts chip, swipe and contactless payments.
- Has a screen to display transaction details.
Cons
- Has less robust POS software features than other card readers.
Our picks for
Countertop terminal + customer-facing screen
Clover Station Duo
on Clover Station Duo's secure website
$49.95
and up.
Pros
- Has fingerprint login.
- Has fast processing speeds.
- Has robust POS software options.
- Has two screens.
Cons
- Doesn't have a free monthly plan option.
Square Register
on Square Register's secure website
$0.00
Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations.
Pros
- Has two screens.
- Can be mounted to a countertop.
- Has advanced apps and software options.
Cons
- Must be plugged in at all times.
Our pick for
Handheld terminal + barcode scanner
Payanywhere Smart Terminal
$15.00
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.
Our pick for
Card reader + scanning QR codes
PayPal Zettle
$0.00
Pros
- Solid core features.
- No monthly fees.
- No long-term commitment.
- Low initial costs.
- Easy to use.
Cons
- No add-on features available.
- Limited integrations.
- Funds are transferred to your PayPal account and not your bank account.
Our pick for
Compact handheld terminal + printer
Square Terminal
on Square Terminal's secure website
$0.00
Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations.
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.
Our pick for
Handheld terminal + customer-facing screen
Payanywhere Smart Flex
$25.00
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.
Our pick for
Handheld terminal for restaurants
Toast Go 2
2.99% + $0.15
for pay-as-you-go option on hardware.
$0.00
Quick Start Bundle; $69 Core plan; $165 Growth plan. Custom plan also available.
Pros
- Is designed specifically for restaurants.
- Offers 24/7 support.
- Is versatile and durable.
Cons
- Requires quotes for advanced monthly plans.
- Requires a contract.
Clover Flex: Best handheld terminal + industry-specific plans
- $14.95 for Retail Starter, Personal Services Starter, Professional Services Starter and Standard and Home & Field Services plans.
- $49.95 for Retail Standard, Personal Services Standard and Advanced and Professional Services Advanced plans.
- $54.95 for Quick-Service Dining Starter and Standard plans.
- $64.90 for Retail Advanced plan.
- $69.90 for Quick-Service Dining Advanced plan.
- $84.95 for Full-Service Dining Starter plan.
- $99.90 for Full-Service Dining Standard plan.
- $114.85 for Full-Service Dining Advanced plan.
- $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.
- 2.3% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions for most plans, though rates may also vary by hardware type.
- 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.
- 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.
- Device is relatively expensive.
Square Stand: Best iPad-based POS terminal
- $0 for Square POS, Restaurant, Retail and Appointments Free plans.
- $29 for Square Appointments Plus plan.
- $60 for Square Restaurant and Retail Plus plans.
- $69 for Square Appointments Premium plan.
- $0 for Square magstripe-only card reader ($10 for each additional reader) or if using Tap to Pay for iPhone (iPhone not included).
- $49 and up 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.
- 2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions.
- 2.9% plus 30 cents for online transactions.
- 3.5% plus 15 cents for manually keyed transactions.
- 3.3% plus 30 cents for invoices.
- 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.
- 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 standalone card reader + mobile app
- $39 for SumUp Plus card reader.
- $49 for SumUp Plus cradle bundle.
- $129 for SumUp Solo touchscreen.
- $199 for SumUp Solo Printer Bundle.
- $799 for SumUp POS bundle.
- 2.75% for in-person transactions with SumUp card readers.
- 2.90% plus 15 cents for online invoice transactions.
- 3.25% plus 15 cents for manually keyed card reader transactions or payment-linked transactions.
- 2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions with SumUp POS system.
- 3.5% plus 15 cents for card-not-present transactions with SumUp POS system.
- Accepts credit card payments, including magstripes and digital wallets.
- 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 countertop terminal + customer-facing screen
- $14.95 for Retail Starter, Personal Services Starter, Professional Services Starter and Standard and Home & Field Services plans.
- $49.95 for Retail Standard, Personal Services Standard and Advanced and Professional Services Advanced plans.
- $54.95 for Quick-Service Dining Starter and Standard plans.
- $64.90 for Retail Advanced plan.
- $69.90 for Quick-Service Dining Advanced plan.
- $84.95 for Full-Service Dining Starter plan.
- $99.90 for Full-Service Dining Standard plan.
- $114.85 for Full-Service Dining Advanced plan.
- $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.
- 2.3% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions for most plans, though rates may also vary by hardware type.
- 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.
- 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.
- Device is relatively expensive.
Payanywhere Smart Terminal: Best handheld terminal + barcode scanner
- 2.69% for in-person transactions.
- 3.49% plus 19 cents for online, keyed and virtual terminal transactions.
- 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.
- Charges monthly $3.99 inactivity fee after 12 months.
PayPal Zettle: Best credit card reader + QR code scanning
- $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.
- $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).
- 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).
- Accepts credit card payments, including chip and contactless payments and digital wallets.
- Creates QR codes for an additional payment method.
- 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 countertop terminal + customer-facing screen
- $0 for Square POS, Restaurant, Retail and Appointments Free plans.
- $29 for Square Appointments Plus plan.
- $60 for Square Restaurant and Retail Plus plans.
- $69 for Square Appointments Premium plan.
- $0 for Square magstripe-only card reader ($10 for each additional reader) or if using Tap to Pay for iPhone (iPhone not included).
- $49 and up 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.
- 2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions.
- 2.9% plus 30 cents for online transactions.
- 3.5% plus 15 cents for manually keyed transactions.
- 3.3% plus 30 cents for invoices.
- 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.
- Doesn’t print receipts.
- Doesn’t scan barcodes.
Square Terminal: Best compact handheld terminal + printer
- $0 for Square POS, Restaurant, Retail and Appointments Free plans.
- $29 for Square Appointments Plus plan.
- $60 for Square Restaurant and Retail Plus plans.
- $69 for Square Appointments Premium plan.
- $0 for Square magstripe-only card reader ($10 for each additional reader) or if using Tap to Pay for iPhone (iPhone not included).
- $49 and up 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.
- 2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions.
- 2.9% plus 30 cents for online transactions.
- 3.5% plus 15 cents for manually keyed transactions.
- 3.3% plus 30 cents for invoices.
- 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.
- Works only with an internet connection.
- Can’t scan barcodes.
Payanywhere Smart Flex: Best handheld terminal + customer-facing screen
- 2.69% for in-person transactions.
- 3.49% plus 19 cents for online, keyed and virtual terminal transactions.
- 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.
- 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 handheld terminal for restaurants
- $0 for Quick Start Bundle.
- $69 for Core plan.
- $110 plus $4 per employee for Restaurant Basics plan.
- $165 for Growth plan.
- Custom plans available.
- $627 for Handheld Starter Kit (but $0 if you agree to a higher processing fee).
- $875 for Countertop Starter Kit (but $0 if you agree to a higher processing fee).
- $1,234 for Guest Self-Service Starter Kit (but $0 if you agree to a higher processing fee).
- 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.
- 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.
- Doesn’t print receipts.