Our Nerdy picks for
Best Credit Card Readers for Small Businesses
Product | Payment processing fees | Learn more | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Square Chip Reader Learn more on Square Chip Reader's secure website | Best for Free option with basic functions | 2.6% + 10¢ in-person; 2.9% + 30¢ online. | $0 Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations. | Learn more on Square Chip Reader's secure website |
Clover Go Learn more on Clover Go's secure website | Best for On-the-go payments for all card types | 2.6% + 10¢ or 2.6% + 10¢ in-person; 3.5% + 10¢ online. | $15 $14.95 and up. | Learn more on Clover Go's secure website |
PayPal Zettle | 5.0/5 Best for PayPal and Venmo payment options | 2.29% + 9¢ in-person; 3.49% + 49¢ online. | $0 | |
SumUp Plus | Best for A low-cost do-it-all reader | 2.75% in-person; 2.9% + 15¢ online. | $0 | |
Clover Flex Learn more on Clover Flex's secure website | Best for An all-in-one handheld system | 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 |
Helcim Card Reader Learn more on Helcim Card Reader's secure website | Best for Low-cost transaction fees with volume-based discounts | 0.30% + 8¢ plus interchange, in-person; 0.50% + 25¢ plus interchange, online. | $0 | Learn more on Helcim Card Reader's secure website |
Toast Go 2 | Best for Tableside payments at restaurants | 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. | |
Square Terminal Learn more on Square Terminal's secure website | Best for A compact countertop reader | 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 |
Square Stand Learn more on Square Stand's secure website | Best for An iPad-compatible register | 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 |
Clover Mini Learn more on Clover Mini's secure website | Best for An all-in-one register | 2.3% + 10¢ or 2.6% + 10¢ in-person; 3.5% + 10¢ online. | $15 $14.95 and up. | Learn more on Clover Mini's secure website |
Clover Station Solo Learn more on Clover Station Solo's secure website | Best for A full register with a single screen | 2.3% + 10¢ or 2.6% + 10¢ in-person; 3.5% + 10¢ online. | $15 $14.95 and up. | Learn more on Clover Station Solo's secure website |
Square Register Learn more on Square Register's secure website | Best for A full register setup with a customer-facing screen | 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 |
Clover Station Duo Learn more on Clover Station Duo's secure website | Best for A full checkout experience | 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 |
Our pick for
Free option with basic functions
Square Chip Reader
on Square Chip Reader's secure website
2.6% + 10¢
in-person; 2.9% + 30¢ online.
$0
Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations.
Pros
- Has a compact design.
- Accepts chip, swipe and contactless payments.
Cons
- Doesn't swipe credit cards.
- Takes roughly two to three hours to charge.
Our pick for
On-the-go payments for all card types
Clover Go
on Clover Go's secure website
2.6% + 10¢ or 2.6% + 10¢
in-person; 3.5% + 10¢ online.
$15
$14.95 and up.
Pros
- Charges via standard USB charger.
- Uses passcodes for employees.
Cons
- Takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes to charge.
- Requires a monthly fee for advanced POS features.
Our pick for
PayPal and Venmo payment options
PayPal Zettle
2.29% + 9¢
in-person; 3.49% + 49¢ online.
$0
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
A low-cost do-it-all reader
SumUp Plus
2.75%
in-person; 2.9% + 15¢ online.
$0
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 pick for
An all-in-one handheld system
Clover Flex
on Clover Flex's secure website
2.3% + 10¢ or 2.6% + 10¢
in-person; 3.5% + 10¢ online.
$15
$14.95 and up.
Pros
- Works with Bluetooth.
- Paid plans have good POS features.
Cons
- Requires monthly plan for advanced features.
Our pick for
Low-cost transaction fees with volume-based discounts
Helcim Card Reader
on Helcim Card Reader's secure website
0.30% + 8¢
plus interchange, in-person; 0.50% + 25¢ plus interchange, online.
$0
Pros
- Has volume discounts.
- Has robust POS software features.
Cons
- Might change processing rate if monthly transaction rate drops.
Our pick for
Tableside payments at restaurants
Toast Go 2
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.
Pros
- Is designed specifically for restaurants.
- Offers 24/7 support.
- Is versatile and durable.
Cons
- Requires quotes for advanced monthly plans.
- Requires a contract.
Our pick for
A compact countertop reader
Square Terminal
on Square Terminal's secure website
2.6% + 10¢
in-person; 2.9% + 30¢ online.
$0
Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations.
Pros
- Doesn't require a separate device.
- Shows transaction details.
- Is compact and easy to use.
Cons
- Can take over four hours to charge.
Our pick for
An iPad-compatible register
Square Stand
on Square Stand's secure website
2.6% + 10¢
in-person; 2.9% + 30¢ online.
$0
Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations.
Pros
- Swivels for customers to use.
- Can be mounted to a countertop.
Cons
- Only works with certain iPad models.
- Doesn’t allow swipe option.
Our pick for
An all-in-one register
Clover Mini
on Clover Mini's secure website
2.3% + 10¢ or 2.6% + 10¢
in-person; 3.5% + 10¢ online.
$15
$14.95 and up.
Pros
- Can be mounted to a countertop.
- Works without a third-party device.
Cons
- Requires paid monthly plan for advanced features.
Our pick for
A full register with a single screen
Clover Station Solo
on Clover Station Solo's secure website
2.3% + 10¢ or 2.6% + 10¢
in-person; 3.5% + 10¢ online.
$15
$14.95 and up.
Pros
- Has fingerprint login.
- Has fast processing speeds.
- Has robust POS software options.
Cons
- Doesn't have a free monthly plan option.
Our pick for
A full register setup with a customer-facing screen
Square Register
on Square Register's secure website
2.6% + 10¢
in-person; 2.9% + 30¢ online.
$0
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
A full checkout experience
Clover Station Duo
on Clover Station Duo's secure website
2.3% + 10¢ or 2.6% + 10¢
in-person; 3.5% + 10¢ online.
$15
$14.95 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.
Our picks for the best card readers for small businesses
- 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.
- $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.
- Has a compact design.
- Reads chip cards, digital wallets and contactless cards.
- Doesn't swipe credit cards.
- Takes roughly two to three hours to charge.
- 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.
- $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.
- Includes invoicing options with both plans.
- Charges via micro USB charger.
- Uses passcodes for employees.
- Can take up to two hours to fully charge.
- Requires a monthly fee for advanced POS features.
- 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.
- 1.9% plus 10 cents for PayPal and Venmo QR code transactions over $10.
- Has lower rates for PayPal and Venmo platforms.
- Includes new customer discount for first reader purchase.
- Has a screen to show transaction details.
- Deposits funds into your PayPal Business account, not a bank account.
- 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.
- Accepts swiped, inserted and contactless payments.
- Has a screen that displays transaction details.
- Has less robust POS software features.
- 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.
- $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.
- Works without connecting to a personal device.
- Has payment plans available.
- Has a free monthly plan for basic features.
- Requires an initial investment.
- Requires monthly plan for advanced features.
- Interchange plus 0.3% and 8 cents per in-person transaction (if less than $25,000 in monthly card transactions).
- Interchange plus 0.5% and 25 cents per online transaction (if less than $25,000 in monthly card transactions).
- Interchange plus 0.5% and 25 cents per manually keyed transaction (if less than $25,000 in monthly card transactions).
- 0.5% plus 25 cents for ACH payments.
- Has volume discounts available.
- Has robust POS software features.
- Doesn’t accept swipe payments with magstripe cards.
- Might be difficult to calculate monthly cost in advance.
- 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.
- $0 for Quick Start Bundle.
- $69 for Core plan.
- $110 + $4 per employee for Restaurant Basics plan.
- $165 for Growth plan.
- Custom plans available.
- Is designed specifically for restaurants.
- Offers 24/7 customer support.
- Is versatile and durable.
- Requires quotes for advanced monthly plans.
- Requires a contract.
- 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.
- $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.
- Doesn't require a separate device.
- Shows transaction details.
- Is compact and easy to use.
- Can take over four hours to charge.
- 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.
- $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.
- Swivels for customers to use.
- Can be mounted to a countertop.
- Only works with certain iPad models.
- Doesn’t allow swipe option.
- 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.
- $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.
- Can be mounted to a countertop.
- Works without an iPad.
- Has free monthly plan available.
- Has payment plans available.
- Requires paid monthly plan for advanced features.
- 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.
- $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.
- Has fingerprint login.
- Uses fast processing speeds.
- Has robust POS software options.
- Requires one of the larger upfront investments.
- Doesn't have a free monthly plan option.
- 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.
- $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.
- Has two screens.
- Can be mounted to a countertop.
- Has advanced apps and software options.
- Must be plugged in at all times.
- 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.
- $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.
- Has fingerprint login.
- Uses fast processing speeds.
- Has robust POS software options.
- Has two screens, merchant facing and customer facing.
- Requires one of the larger upfront investments.
- Doesn't have a free monthly plan option.
What is a card reader?
How to choose a card reader
- How much do you want to spend? A card reader without a screen is the cheapest option, and sometimes free. But depending on brand, type and features you want, you could pay more than $1,000. Remember to keep processing costs in mind: If a free reader charges more per transaction, you may not actually save money.
- How will you accept payments? Some card readers — such as those that work with iPhones — are portable and can turn a mobile device into a card reader, if you want to accept payments on-to-go. Other options are fixed attachments to a register, making them a better fit for counter-based businesses.
- What features do you need? If you want to simply accept magstripe, chip and contactless payments, a basic card reader can likely do the job. But if you're looking for more sophisticated features, like inventory management or advanced sales analytics, consider a comprehensive POS system instead.