13 Best Credit Card Readers for Small Businesses of June 2023

Our picks for the best card readers for small businesses

Square Contactless and Chip reader: Best free option with basic functions

Square’s contactless and chip card reader enables you to accept credit cards with chips and digital wallets, such as tap-and-pay credit cards and smartphone apps, including Apple Pay and Google Pay. It uses Bluetooth technology instead of connecting directly to a device, which lets you keep your cell phone or tablet nearby — but not out all the time.

The reader must be charged, but the charging dock can double as a support for the reader for a counter or table. You can also charge it with a USB charger.

Square also offers Tap to Pay on iPhone, which lets merchants accept card payments using only a regular iPhone with the Square point-of-sale app. Customers hold their cards or their own iPhone wallets near the merchant's phone to pay.

Style: Connects to a compatible phone or tablet via Bluetooth.

Price: $49 for reader and $29 for optional dock.

Payment processing fees:

Monthly fees:

Pros:

• Has a compact design.

• Reads chip cards, digital wallets and contactless cards.

Cons:

• Doesn't swipe credit cards.

• Takes roughly two to three hours to charge.

» MORE: What is a POS?

Clover Go: Best for on-the-go payments for all card types

This credit card reader by Clover works with phones and tablets via Bluetooth. It also processes every type of credit card payment your customers could want: magstripe-only cards, chip cards and contactless payments.

You can choose between the starter plan or the standard package. Both provide basic payment processing with 24/7 live support. However, the standard plan includes added features such as sales tracking, detailed reporting, inventory management and itemized orders.

Style: Connects to compatible phone or tablet via Bluetooth.

Price: $49 for reader.

Payment processing fees:

Monthly fees:

Pros:

• Includes invoicing options with both plans.

• Charges via micro USB charger.

• Uses passcodes for employees.

Cons:

• Can take up to two hours to fully charge.

• Requires a monthly fee for advanced POS features.

PayPal Zettle: Best for PayPal and Venmo payment options

PayPal’s Zettle accepts chip and contactless payments, but it doesn’t read magstripes. It does, however, let customers pay with QR codes on PayPal and Venmo platforms. Its POS software offers sales reports, inventory management, tracking sales performance and more.

Transaction fees generally fall in line with competitors, with lower rates available for transactions made by QR code. All funds go into your PayPal account rather than a bank account. You’ll need to request a transfer to move the funds to your business bank account before you can use them outside of PayPal.

Style: Connects to compatible phone or tablet via Bluetooth.

Price: New customers can get their first card reader for $29; additional readers are $79.

Payment processing fees:

• 1.9% plus 10 cents for PayPal and Venmo QR code transactions over $10.

Monthly fees: $0

Pros:

• Has lower rates for PayPal and Venmo platforms.

• Includes new customer discount for first reader purchase.

• Has a screen to show transaction details.

Cons:

• Deposits funds into your PayPal Business account, not a bank account.

SumUp Plus: Best for a low-cost do-it-all reader

Powerful and compact, the SumUp Plus credit card reader works through Bluetooth with Apple and Android devices and promises more than 500 transactions on one charge. In addition to having a screen to show transaction details, the reader comes with a few helpful POS software features that allow you to manage products in your catalog, track sales, send digital receipts and manage employee accounts. However, you might find that the overall POS is lacking when compared with the more robust options on the market.

Style: Connects to compatible phone or tablet via Bluetooth.

Price: $39 for reader; $49 with cradle; $129 for SumUp Solo touchscreen reader.

Payment processing fees:

Monthly fees: $0

Pros:

• Accepts swiped, inserted and contactless payments.

• Has a screen that displays transaction details.

Cons:

• Has less robust POS software features.

Clover Flex: Best for an all-in-one handheld system

The Clover Flex is a small but powerful handheld credit card reader. It can process all three credit card payment types, scan barcodes and even print receipts. It's one of the few options in this category that has its own screen, removing your personal device from the equation and allowing customers a bit more of a professional experience when checking out on the spot.

Depending on your monthly plan, the Clover Flex can help you manage inventory, view sales data and set up individual logins for employees. The company offers payment plans to break up the cost. Payment processing rates depend on your pricing plan.

Style: Standalone handheld reader.

Price: $599 for reader or $35/month for hardware + software; monthly contract required.

Payment processing fees: 

Monthly fees:

Pros:

• Works without connecting to a personal device.

• Has payment plans available.

• Has a free monthly plan for basic features.

Cons:

• Requires an initial investment.

• Requires monthly plan for advanced features.

Helcim Card Reader: Best for low-cost transaction fees with volume-based discounts

Helcim’s card reader accepts chip and contactless payments, but it can’t read magstripe cards. Because it connects through Bluetooth, it needs to be charged. It also provides POS software through the Helcim app with features that include customer management and inventory tracking plus analytics and reporting. A standout feature is its self-service portal, which allows customers to log in to see their payment information and purchase history.

Helcim bases its fees on the type of card and interchange fees, which are set by card networks. It also offers volume-based discounts. The processor doesn’t require you to sign a contract, choose a monthly fee or pay to cancel your service.

Style: Connects via Bluetooth.

Price: $109 for the reader.

Payment processing fees: 

Monthly fees: $0

Pros:

• Has volume discounts available.

• Has robust POS software features.

Cons:

• Doesn’t accept swipe payments with magstripe cards.

• Might be difficult to calculate monthly cost in advance.

Toast Go 2: Best for tableside payments at restaurants

The Toast Go 2 allows you to submit orders at tables and accept all three styles of payment. It's also spill proof, will hold a charge for 24 hours and has a 6.4-inch touchscreen for quick checkout. The free version of Toast’s POS software comes with basic features, including point-of-sale and payment processing, but advanced features are available with paid plans. One downside: The company requires contracts.

Style: Standalone handheld reader.

Price: $409 if you choose the pay-as-you-go option on hardware. $409 plus $50 per month if you pay for hardware upfront.

Payment processing fees: 

Monthly fees:

Pros:

• Is designed specifically for restaurants.

• Offers 24/7 customer support.

• Is versatile and durable.

Cons:

• Requires quotes for advanced monthly plans.

• Requires a contract.

» MORE: Best restaurant POS systems

Square Terminal: Best compact countertop reader

Square Terminal allows you to accept all three methods of credit card payments: chip, contactless and magstripe. It comes in on the lower end of the all-inclusive card readers.

The company's standard flat-rate processing fees apply and depend on whether you run the card in person or enter it manually. There's no monthly contract.

Style: Standalone countertop reader.

Price: $299 for the reader.

Payment processing fees:

Monthly fees:

Pros:

• Doesn't require a separate device.

• Shows transaction details.

• Is compact and easy to use.

Cons:

• Can take over four hours to charge.

Square Stand: Best iPad-compatible register

The Square Stand is designed specifically for a single smart device: the iPad — although it works only with certain iPad models. Snap an iPad into the Square Stand, and use it as a desktop point-of-sale. The configuration allows you to provide a larger screen for transaction details, and the swivel feature allows customers to sign on the iPad without having to pass the device around. It can process chip and contactless payments but not magstripe unless you buy a Square Reader.

Style: Register that connects to compatible iPad.

Price: $149 for the reader.

Payment processing fees: 

Monthly fees:

Pros:

• Swivels for customers to use.

• Can be mounted to a countertop.

Cons:

• Only works with certain iPad models.

• Doesn’t allow swipe option.

Clover Mini: Best all-in-one register

The Clover Mini is a countertop setup that doesn't require a tablet. It allows your business to accept all types of payments and print receipts. You also get some nifty POS features, including inventory, customer and employee management functions with paid monthly plans.

Style: Standalone countertop register.

Price: $799 or $45/month for hardware + software with the Retail Starter plan; monthly contract required.

Payment processing fees:

Monthly fees:

Pros:

• Can be mounted to a countertop.

• Works without an iPad.

• Has free monthly plan available.

• Has payment plans available.

Cons:

• Requires paid monthly plan for advanced features.

» MORE: NerdWallet's best small-business apps

Clover Station Solo: Best full register with a single screen

The Clover Station Solo is a register-style system that offers merchants a 14-inch high-definition screen and a receipt printer for the full checkout experience. The system works with Clover’s POS for retail, offering payment processing, inventory and staff management, reporting and more. For restaurants, the Station Solo fits nicely with customizing and tracking orders, managing table mapping and much more for streamlined service.

Style: Standalone countertop register.

Price: $1,349 or $120/month (retail & services) or $150/month (full-service dining) for hardware + software; monthly contract required.

Payment processing fees: 

Monthly fees:

Pros:

• Has fingerprint login.

• Uses fast processing speeds.

• Has robust POS software options.

Cons:

• Requires one of the larger upfront investments.

• Doesn't have a free monthly plan option.

Square Register: Best full register setup with a customer-facing screen

The Square Register is the first fully integrated credit card scanner system from Square and is a complete countertop POS system that can accept magstripe, chip card and contactless forms of payment. It boasts two screens — one for the employee and one for the customer to show transaction details — for a seamless experience. It also offers an extra-long cable that allows businesses to separate the Register and customer's screen to encourage social distancing. Its software provides merchants inventory, employee and customer relationship management functions, plus a reporting suite where you can view sales data.

Style: Standalone countertop register.

Price: $799 for reader.

Payment processing fees:

Monthly fees:

Pros:

• Has two screens.

• Can be mounted to a countertop.

• Has advanced apps and software options.

Cons:

• Must be plugged in at all times.

Clover Station Duo: Best system for full checkout experience

The Clover Station Duo ups the game with a combination of a 14-inch screen for you and a 7-inch screen for your customers. This makes it easier for customers to confirm orders and pay however they want — credit card, debit card, and contactless payment methods. Designed for retail stores, restaurant environments and service businesses, the Station Duo offers the same features of the Station Solo with more power.

While this option tops the list for the most expensive system, the Station Duo is currently sold with a cash drawer and a receipt printer, giving you the gamut of checkout features.

Style: Standalone countertop register with dual screens.

Price: $1,799 or $130/month for hardware + software; monthly contract required.

Payment processing fees: 

Monthly fees:

Pros:

• Has fingerprint login.

• Uses fast processing speeds.

• Has robust POS software options.

• Has two screens, merchant facing and customer facing.

Cons:

• Requires one of the larger upfront investments.

• Doesn't have a free monthly plan option.

» MORE: How to choose a POS system

What is a card reader?

A card reader is a device merchants use to detect and transmit information on credit cards, debit cards or other payment cards, such as account number, authorization code or account name.

How to choose a card reader

The best card reader for you will depend on a number of factors. Answering these questions can help you make the right choice:

• 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.