Best Credit Card Readers for Small Businesses
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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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Helcim card reader Learn more on Helcim card reader's secure website | Get an estimated monthly cost for your business. | 4.5/5 Best for Low-cost transaction fees with volume-based discounts | In-person: 0.3% + $0.08 Online: 0.5% + $0.25 Plus interchange | $0 | Get an estimated monthly cost for your business. | Learn more on Helcim card reader's secure website |
Square Reader Learn more on Square Reader's secure website | 5.0/5 Best for Free option with basic functions | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $0 Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations. | Learn more on Square Reader's secure website | ||
Clover Go Learn more on Clover Go's secure website | 4.0/5 Best for On-the-go payments for all card types | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 3.5% + $0.10 | $0 Starter plan; $14.95 Standard plan. | Learn more on Clover Go's secure website | ||
SumUp Plus Learn more on SumUp Plus' secure website | 3.5/5 Best for Low-cost do-it-all reader | In-person: 2.75% + $0.00 Online: 2.9% + $0.15 | $0 | Learn more on SumUp Plus' secure website | ||
Toast Go 2 | 4.0/5 Best for Tableside payments at restaurants | 2.99% + $0.15 for pay-as-you-go option on hardware. | $0 Quick Start Bundle; $69 Core plan; $165 Growth plan. Custom plan also available. | |||
Clover Flex Learn more on Clover Flex's secure website | 4.0/5 Best for All-in-one handheld system | In-person: 2.3% + $0.10 Online: 3.5% + $0.10 | $15 $14.95 and up. | Learn more on Clover Flex's secure website | ||
Square Terminal Learn more on Square Terminal's secure website | 5.0/5 Best for Compact countertop reader | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $0 Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations. | Learn more on Square Terminal's secure website | ||
PayPal Zettle | 4.5/5 Best for PayPal and Venmo payment options | In-person: 2.29% + $0.09 Online: 3.49% + $0.49 | $0 | |||
Square Stand Learn more on Square Stand's secure website | 5.0/5 Best for iPad-compatible register | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $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 | 4.0/5 Best for All-in-one register | In-person: 2.3% + $0.10 Online: 3.5% + $0.10 | $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 | 4.0/5 Best for Full register with a single screen | In-person: 2.3% + $0.10 Online: 3.5% + $0.10 | $15 $14.95 and up. | Learn more on Clover Station Solo's secure website | ||
Square Register Learn more on Square Register's secure website | 5.0/5 Best for Full register setup with a customer-facing screen | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.10 | $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 | 4.0/5 Best for Full checkout experience | In-person: 2.3% + $0.10 Online: 3.5% + $0.10 | $15 $14.95 and up. | Learn more on Clover Station Duo's secure website |
Our pick for
Low-cost transaction fees with volume-based discounts
Helcim card reader
on Helcim card reader's secure website
$0
Pros
- Has volume discounts.
- Has robust POS software features.
Cons
- Helcim’s card reader accepts chip, swipe and contactless payments, and it provides POS software with well-developed features.
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Our pick for
On-the-go payments for all card types
Clover Go
on Clover Go's secure website
$0
Starter plan; $14.95 Standard plan.
Pros
- Charges via standard USB charger.
- Uses passcodes for employees.
Cons
- This credit card reader by Clover works with phones and tablets via Bluetooth. It accepts chip, swipe and contactless payments.
Our pick for
Low-cost do-it-all reader
SumUp Plus
on SumUp Plus' secure website
$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
Tableside payments at restaurants
Toast Go 2
2.99% + $0.15
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
All-in-one handheld system
Clover Flex
on Clover Flex's secure website
$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
Compact countertop reader
Square Terminal
on Square Terminal's secure website
$0
Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations.
Pros
- Doesn't require a separate device.
- Shows transaction details.
Cons
- Is compact and easy to use.
Our pick for
PayPal and Venmo payment options
PayPal Zettle
$0
Pros
- Solid core features.
- No monthly fees.
- No long-term commitment.
- Low initial costs.
- Easy to use.
Cons
- PayPal Zettle delivers the essentials at a relatively low cost with a small commitment. But consider other options if you want features like customer loyalty and email marketing programs. Although Zettle can expand through hardware, it doesn’t offer plan upgrades or those types of add-ons.
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Our pick for
iPad-compatible register
Square Stand
on Square Stand's secure website
$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
All-in-one register
Clover Mini
on Clover Mini's secure website
$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
Full register with a single screen
Clover Station Solo
on Clover Station Solo's secure website
$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
Full register setup with a customer-facing screen
Square Register
on Square Register's secure website
$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
Full checkout experience
Clover Station Duo
on Clover Station Duo's secure website
$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.
NerdWallet's editorial picks: Best credit card readers
Square Contactless and Chip reader: Best free option with basic functions
- $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.
- 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.
Clover Go: Best for on-the-go payments for all card types
- $0 for Starter plan.
- $14.95 for Standard plan.
- 2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions.
- 3.5% plus 10 cents for online or keyed-in transactions.
PayPal Zettle: Best for PayPal and Venmo payment options
- 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).
SumUp Plus: Best low-cost do-it-all reader
- 2.75% for in-person transactions.
- 2.90% plus 15 cents for online and invoice transactions.
- 3.25% plus 15 cents for manually keyed or payment-linked transactions.
Clover Flex: Best all-in-one handheld system
- $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.
- 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.
Helcim Card Reader: Best for low-cost transaction fees with volume-based discounts
- Interchange plus 0.4% and 8 cents per in-person transaction (if $50,000 or less in monthly card transactions).
- Interchange plus 0.5% and 25 cents per online transaction (if $50,000 or less in monthly card transactions).
- Interchange plus 0.5% and 25 cents per manually keyed transaction (if $50,000 or less in monthly card transactions).
- 0.5% plus 25 cents for ACH payments.
Toast Go 2: Best for tableside payments at 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.
- 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.
Square Terminal: Best compact countertop reader
- $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.
- 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.
Square Stand: Best iPad-compatible register
- $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.
- 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.
Clover Mini: Best all-in-one register
- $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.
- 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.
Clover Station Solo: Best full register with a single 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.
- 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.
Square Register: Best full register setup with a 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.
- 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.
Clover Station Duo: Best system for full checkout experience
- $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.
- 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.
How to choose a credit 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.