Best Mobile Credit Card Processors and Readers
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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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Square Learn more on Square's secure website | Get an estimated monthly cost for your business. | 5.0/5 Best for Overall mobile credit card processor | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $0.00 Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations. | Get an estimated monthly cost for your business. | Learn more on Square's secure website |
Clover Go Learn more on Clover Go's secure website | 4.0/5 Best for Using third-party processors | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 3.5% + $0.10 | $0.00 Payments plan; $14.95 Essentials plan. | Learn more on Clover Go's secure website | ||
PayPal Zettle | 4.0/5 Best for Low card-present processing rates | In-person: 2.29% + $0.09 Online: 3.49% + $0.09 | $0.00 | |||
QuickBooks GoPayment | 4.5/5 Best for QuickBooks loyalists | In-person: 2.5% + $0.00 Online: 2.99% + $0.00 | $0.00 | |||
Helcim Learn more on Helcim's secure website | 5.0/5 Best for High-volume sales | In-person: 0.4% + $0.08 Online: 0.5% + $0.25 Plus interchange | $0.00 | Learn more on Helcim's secure website |
Our pick for
Overall mobile credit card processor
Square’s free mobile credit card reader, free POS app, competitive payment processing rates and ease of use put it at the top of our list. Its POS plans also come with an e-commerce site so you can expand your reach online.
Square
on Square's secure website
Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations.
Pros
- Free magstripe reader.
- No monthly fees with the Free plan.
- Offline mode with magstripe reader.
- No long-term contract.
Cons
- Offline mode not offered with chip card and contactless payments reader.
- Phone support on weekdays only.
Our pick for
Using third-party processors
Most mobile credit card readers are only compatible with in-house payment processing services, which don’t always offer the lowest rates. Alternatively, Clover gives you the freedom to choose your payment processor by allowing third-party processors to sell its hardware.
Clover Go
on Clover Go's secure website
Payments plan; $14.95 Essentials plan.
Pros
- No monthly fees with Starter plan.
- You can process offline sales after you reconnect.
- 24/7 phone support.
Cons
- No free reader.
- May require a contract.
Our pick for
Low card-present processing rates
At 2.29% plus 9 cents per transaction, PayPal Zettle’s in-person payment processing rates are lower than those of many of its competitors. Plus, in addition to credit and debit cards, you can also accept PayPal and Venmo payments.
PayPal Zettle
Pros
- No long-term contract.
- No monthly fee.
- Low card-present transaction fee rate.
- Daily phone support for businesses.
Cons
- No free reader.
- Money transferred into your PayPal account instead of a bank account.
Our pick for
QuickBooks loyalists
Maybe integrating your accounting software with a separate POS software program feels too complicated or simply not worth the effort. If that’s the case, QuickBooks’ mobile credit card reader and GoPayment app can be a convenient way to accept the occasional in-person payment.
QuickBooks GoPayment
Pros
- Convenient for QuickBooks users.
- No monthly fee with a QuickBooks account.
- No long-term contract.
Cons
- QuickBooks account is required.
- Customer support is limited to weekdays.
Our pick for
High-volume sales
Helcim’s mobile credit card reader uses interchange-plus pricing, as opposed to flat-rate pricing, and is especially advantageous for high-volume businesses. Its volume discounts kick in once your business makes more than $50,000 in credit card transactions per month.
Helcim
on Helcim's secure website
Pros
- Interchange-plus pricing structure can help businesses save money.
- Quick setup; approvals usually take a day.
- Offers volume-based discounts automatically.
- Syncs directly with QuickBooks Online and Xero.
- No termination fees or long-term contracts.
Cons
- Deposits are available within two business days; same-day deposit option is not available.
- Doesn’t offer services to businesses in certain high-risk industries.
Our picks for the best mobile credit card readers and processors
Square
- $0 for Square POS, Restaurant, Retail and Appointments Free plans.
- $29 for Square Appointments Plus plan.
- $69 for Square Appointments Premium and Square Restaurants Plus plans.
- $89 for Square Retail Plus plan.
- $165 for Square Restaurant Premium plan.
- Custom pricing for Square Retail plan.
- $0 for Square magstripe-only card reader ($10 for each additional reader) or if using Tap to Pay for iPhone (iPhone not included).
- $59 for Square Reader contactless and chip card reader.
- $149 for Square Stand iPad POS or Square Stand Mount (iPad not included; monthly financing available).
- $299 for Square Terminal mobile card reader with built-in printer (monthly financing available).
- $799 for Square Register two-screen system (monthly financing available).
- 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
- $0 for Payments plan.
- $14.95 for Essentials plan.
- $199 for chip, swipe and contactless Clover Go card reader.
- $279 for countertop card reader.
- $599 for Clover Flex mobile POS with receipt printer and slimmer Flex Pocket with no printer.
- $799 for Clover Mini POS.
- $799-$899 + $25 per month for kitchen display system.
- $1,699 for Clover Station Solo.
- $1,799 for Clover Station Duo.
- $3,499 + $34.95 per month for self-ordering kiosk.
- 2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions.
- 3.5% plus 10 cents for online or keyed-in transactions.
PayPal Zettle
- $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).
QuickBooks GoPayment
- $0 if you already have a QuickBooks Online plan.
- $30 ($15 for first three months) for Simple Start plan for new QuickBooks users.
- $60 ($30 for first three months) for Essentials plan for new QuickBooks users.
- $90 ($45 for first three months) for Plus plan for new QuickBooks users.
- $200 ($100 for first three months) for Advanced plan for new QuickBooks users.
- QuickBooks Desktop users pay an annual subscription fee for the accounting software.
- $39 for QuickBooks charging stand.
- $49 for QuickBooks card reader.
- $79 for QuickBooks card reader with charging stand.
- 2.5% for in-person payments.
- 2.99% for online and invoiced payments.
- 3.5% for manually keyed payments.
- 1% for ACH transactions.
- 2.4% plus 30 cents per in-person transaction.
- 3.5% plus 30 cents per keyed-in or invoiced transaction.
- $3 per ACH transfer.
- 1.6% plus 30 cents per in-person transaction.
- 3.3% plus 30 cents per keyed-in or invoiced transaction.
- $3 per ACH transfer.
Helcim
- $99 for a mobile card reader (with stand).
- $329 for a stand-alone terminal with built-in thermal printer (or 12 monthly payments of $30).
- 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 or manually keyed transaction (if $50,000 or less in monthly card transactions).
- 0.5% plus 25 cents for ACH payments (capped at $6).