Best Mobile Credit Card Processors and Readers
The best mobile card readers offer competitive transaction fees and sync with your POS system. Their available payment options — like magstripe, chip and contactless — may also influence your decision.
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Best all-in-one payments service
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.15
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$0
Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations.
on Square's website
Pros
- Offers a free mobile card reader and free POS software plan.
- Can subscribe to related services, such as payroll, that integrate with its POS system.
- No termination fees or long-term contracts.
- No chargeback or PCI compliance fees.
Cons
- Complex businesses might prefer a processor that integrates with more specialized POS systems.
- Free plan processing rates are more expensive than competitors.
Best all-in-one payments service
Square
Best for Overall mobile credit card processor
Best for Overall mobile credit card processor
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.15
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$0
Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations.
on Square's website
Pros
- Offers a free mobile card reader and free POS software plan.
- Can subscribe to related services, such as payroll, that integrate with its POS system.
- No termination fees or long-term contracts.
- No chargeback or PCI compliance fees.
Cons
- Complex businesses might prefer a processor that integrates with more specialized POS systems.
- Free plan processing rates are more expensive than competitors.
Payment processing fees
In-person: 0.4% + $0.08
Online: 0.5% + $0.25
Online: 0.5% + $0.25
Plus interchange
Monthly fee
$0
on Helcim's website
Pros
- Businesses save when customers use cards with low interchange rates.
- Offers free POS software.
- Offers volume-based discounts automatically.
- No termination fees, long-term contracts or PCI compliance fees.
Cons
- Deposits are available within two business days; same-day deposit option is not available.
- Interchange-plus costs can be difficult to predict.
Helcim
Best for High-volume sales
Best for High-volume sales
Payment processing fees
In-person: 0.4% + $0.08
Online: 0.5% + $0.25
Online: 0.5% + $0.25
Plus interchange
Monthly fee
$0
on Helcim's website
Pros
- Businesses save when customers use cards with low interchange rates.
- Offers free POS software.
- Offers volume-based discounts automatically.
- No termination fees, long-term contracts or PCI compliance fees.
Cons
- Deposits are available within two business days; same-day deposit option is not available.
- Interchange-plus costs can be difficult to predict.
Pros
- Convenient for existing QuickBooks clients.
- Free app that works on Android and iOS devices.
Cons
- Limited to businesses using QuickBooks accounting.
- Pricing structure can be difficult to navigate.
QuickBooks GoPayment
Best for QuickBooks loyalists
Best for QuickBooks loyalists
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.5% + $0.00
Online: 2.99% + $0.00
Online: 2.99% + $0.00
Monthly fee
$0
Pros
- Convenient for existing QuickBooks clients.
- Free app that works on Android and iOS devices.
Cons
- Limited to businesses using QuickBooks accounting.
- Pricing structure can be difficult to navigate.
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 3.5% + $0.10
Online: 3.5% + $0.10
Monthly fee
$0
Payments plan; $14.95 Essentials plan.
on Clover's website
Pros
- Can purchase from third-party payment processors.
- Uses passcodes for employees.
- Accepts chip, swipe and contactless payments.
Cons
- Takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes to charge.
- Requires a monthly fee for advanced POS features.
Clover Go
Best for Using third-party processors
Best for Using third-party processors
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 3.5% + $0.10
Online: 3.5% + $0.10
Monthly fee
$0
Payments plan; $14.95 Essentials plan.
on Clover's website
Pros
- Can purchase from third-party payment processors.
- Uses passcodes for employees.
- Accepts chip, swipe and contactless payments.
Cons
- Takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes to charge.
- Requires a monthly fee for advanced POS features.
Pros
- No long-term contract or termination fees.
- Accepts a variety of payment types, including Venmo and PayPal payments.
- Inexpensive card reader with a keypad, plus built-in payment processing and a free mobile app lets you quickly accept in-person payments on the go.
- Low in-person processing fees for a flat-rate processor.
Cons
- Accepting online transactions involves additional monthly fees, depending on your gateway.
- No offline mode.
PayPal POS
Best for Low card-present processing rates
Best for Low card-present processing rates
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.29% + $0.09
Online: 3.49% + $0.09
Online: 3.49% + $0.09
Monthly fee
$0
Pros
- No long-term contract or termination fees.
- Accepts a variety of payment types, including Venmo and PayPal payments.
- Inexpensive card reader with a keypad, plus built-in payment processing and a free mobile app lets you quickly accept in-person payments on the go.
- Low in-person processing fees for a flat-rate processor.
Cons
- Accepting online transactions involves additional monthly fees, depending on your gateway.
- No offline mode.
| Product | Best for | NerdWallet rating | Payment processing fees | Monthly fee | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Square | Overall mobile credit card processor | In-person: 2.6% + $0.15 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $0 Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations. | on Square's website | |
Helcim | High-volume sales | In-person: 0.4% + $0.08 Online: 0.5% + $0.25 Plus interchange | $0 | on Helcim's website | |
QuickBooks GoPayment | QuickBooks loyalists | In-person: 2.5% + $0.00 Online: 2.99% + $0.00 | $0 | ||
Clover Go | Using third-party processors | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 3.5% + $0.10 | $0 Payments plan; $14.95 Essentials plan. | on Clover's website | |
PayPal POS | Low card-present processing rates | In-person: 2.29% + $0.09 Online: 3.49% + $0.09 | $0 |
Best all-in-one payments service
Square
Best for Overall mobile credit card processor
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.15
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$0
Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations.
on Square's website
Pros
- Offers a free mobile card reader and free POS software plan.
- Can subscribe to related services, such as payroll, that integrate with its POS system.
- No termination fees or long-term contracts.
- No chargeback or PCI compliance fees.
Cons
- Complex businesses might prefer a processor that integrates with more specialized POS systems.
- Free plan processing rates are more expensive than competitors.
Helcim
Best for High-volume sales
Payment processing fees
In-person: 0.4% + $0.08
Online: 0.5% + $0.25
Online: 0.5% + $0.25
Plus interchange
Monthly fee
$0
on Helcim's website
Pros
- Businesses save when customers use cards with low interchange rates.
- Offers free POS software.
- Offers volume-based discounts automatically.
- No termination fees, long-term contracts or PCI compliance fees.
Cons
- Deposits are available within two business days; same-day deposit option is not available.
- Interchange-plus costs can be difficult to predict.
QuickBooks GoPayment
Best for QuickBooks loyalists
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.5% + $0.00
Online: 2.99% + $0.00
Online: 2.99% + $0.00
Monthly fee
$0
Pros
- Convenient for existing QuickBooks clients.
- Free app that works on Android and iOS devices.
Cons
- Limited to businesses using QuickBooks accounting.
- Pricing structure can be difficult to navigate.
Clover Go
Best for Using third-party processors
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 3.5% + $0.10
Online: 3.5% + $0.10
Monthly fee
$0
Payments plan; $14.95 Essentials plan.
on Clover's website
Pros
- Can purchase from third-party payment processors.
- Uses passcodes for employees.
- Accepts chip, swipe and contactless payments.
Cons
- Takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes to charge.
- Requires a monthly fee for advanced POS features.
PayPal POS
Best for Low card-present processing rates
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.29% + $0.09
Online: 3.49% + $0.09
Online: 3.49% + $0.09
Monthly fee
$0
Pros
- No long-term contract or termination fees.
- Accepts a variety of payment types, including Venmo and PayPal payments.
- Inexpensive card reader with a keypad, plus built-in payment processing and a free mobile app lets you quickly accept in-person payments on the go.
- Low in-person processing fees for a flat-rate processor.
Cons
- Accepting online transactions involves additional monthly fees, depending on your gateway.
- No offline mode.
Jump to
Our picks for the best mobile credit card readers and processors
Square
Best overall mobile credit card processor
Our editorial take: Square doesn’t require a contract, provides a free magstripe reader and offers a free POS software plan and app. You can opt to purchase a chip card and contactless payments reader and upgrade to the Plus or Premium plans if you want more advanced features. Square's mobile credit card readers can’t print receipts, but you can provide customers with a receipt through text or email. Phone support is limited to weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. PST. Read our full Square review
Monthly fee
Hardware cost
Payment processing fees
» MORE: Best free POS software
Clover Go
Best for using third-party processors
Our editorial take: If you want to use Clover as your payment processor, you can purchase the Clover Go mobile card reader directly through its website. Alternatively, you can also purchase it through resellers that program the reader to work with outside payment processors. This mobile card reader accepts swiped, chip and contactless payments, and the accompanying mobile app is free. Customers can receive their receipt via text or email. For more information, read our full Clover review
Monthly fee
Hardware cost
Payment processing fees
PayPal POS
Best for low card-present processing rates
Our editorial take: PayPal POS offers one of the lowest card-present transaction rates. While its mobile credit card reader isn’t free, the first one is relatively inexpensive. The price increases for any additional card readers. You won’t be charged a monthly fee and the POS app is also free. There’s no long-term contract and daily phone support is available for businesses from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT. You can text or email your customers a receipt. Payment funds are transferred into your PayPal account, but you can then schedule deposits to your bank account. Read our full PayPal POS review
Monthly fee
Hardware cost
Payment processing fees
QuickBooks GoPayment
Best for QuickBooks loyalists
Our editorial take: The QuickBooks GoPayment mobile app is a convenient option for QuickBooks accounting users. The POS app is free, and you won’t be tied to a long-term contract. Card-present transaction fees are competitive, but you’ll need a QuickBooks Online account in order to use GoPayment. The cheapest QuickBooks solopreneur plan starts at $20 per month, and customer support is limited to weekdays. Read our full QuickBooks GoPayment review
Monthly fee
Hardware cost
Payment processing fees
Helcim
Best for high-volume sales
Our editorial take: Unlike many of its competitors that rely on a flat-rate pricing model, Helcim uses an interchange-plus model that has the potential to save high-volume businesses money in processing costs. You can use both of Helcim’s hardware options (the Smart Terminal and Card Reader) to track inventory, email receipts, track sales trends and accept contactless and chip credit card payments. There are no contracts or monthly fees. For more information, read our full Helcim review
Monthly fee
Hardware cost
Payment processing fees
What is a mobile credit card reader?
A mobile credit card reader is a piece of POS hardware that accepts debit and credit card payments. All you need to do is pair it with a mobile app on your smartphone to start taking payments on the go. The company providing the reader usually offers payment processing services, too. That way, you don’t need to integrate the reader with a third-party payment processing company
Ultimately, mobile credit card readers are a must if your business needs the flexibility to accept in-person payments from more than one location.
» MORE: Best credit card readers
How to choose a mobile credit card reader
Here are the major factors to consider while choosing the right mobile credit card reader and processor for your small business.
POS system integrations
If you operate primarily out of a brick-and-mortar location and already use a POS system
Cost
Simple mobile card readers are relatively inexpensive, especially compared to more robust mobile POS systems
Android vs. iPhone compatibility
While there’s certainly overlap between the best credit card readers for Androids credit card readers for iPhones
Types of payments accepted
For the most part, mobile card readers let customers “dip” their chip cards or use contactless payments
Learn more about credit card processing
Understand the costs associated with accepting credit cards, as well as the differences between in-store, online and mobile sales.
Methodology
NerdWallet’s ratings of payment processing providers rewards 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