8 Best Mobile Payment Apps for Small Businesses
Small-business payment apps don’t require additional hardware to accept payments from customers. There’s also often no monthly fee.
Mobile payment apps let small businesses accept contactless payments, like digital wallets, with just their smartphones. Businesses with a brick-and-mortar location will likely need a more complete point-of-sale (POS) system
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Best Mobile Payment Apps for Small Businesses
| Product | Best for | NerdWallet rating | Payment processing fees | Monthly fee | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Square on Square's secure website | Overall mobile payment app | In-person: 2.6% + $0.15 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $0 Starts at $0/month for unlimited devices and locations. | on Square's secure website | |
 Stripe on Stripe Payments' secure website | International businesses | In-person: 2.7% + $0.05 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $0 | on Stripe Payments' secure website | |
 Helcim on Helcim's secure website | High-volume businesses | In-person: 0.4% + $0.08 Online: 0.5% + $0.25 Plus interchange | $0 | on Helcim's secure website | |
 Shopify Payments on Shopify Payments' secure website | Online-first businesses | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 2.9% + $0.30 | $39 Basic plan; $105 Shopify plan; $399 Advanced plan. | on Shopify Payments' secure website | |
 Venmo Business Account | Accepting payments with a QR code | 1.9% + $0.10 Between Venmo accounts. | $0 | ||
 Clover on Clover's secure website | Built-in loyalty program | 3.8
/5
| In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 3.5% + $0.10 | $0 and up. | on Clover's secure website |
 QuickBooks GoPayment | Invoicing | In-person: 2.5% + $0.00 Online: 2.99% + $0.00 | $0 | ||
 PayPal POS | Variety of payment options | In-person: 2.29% + $0.09 Online: 3.49% + $0.09 | $0 |
Best Mobile Payment Apps for Small Businesses
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.
Learn moreon 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.
Square
Best for Overall mobile payment app
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.
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.7% + $0.05
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$0
on Stripe's website
Pros
- Highly customizable online checkout options.
- No termination fees or long-term contracts.
- 24/7 chat support.
- Can process transactions in more than 135 currencies.
- No PCI compliance fees.
Cons
- Doesn’t sell full countertop POS setups; hardware is limited to handheld terminals and card readers.
- Deposits can take up to two business days.
- No phone or email support.
Stripe
Best for International businesses
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.7% + $0.05
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$0
on Stripe's website
Pros
- Highly customizable online checkout options.
- No termination fees or long-term contracts.
- 24/7 chat support.
- Can process transactions in more than 135 currencies.
- No PCI compliance fees.
Cons
- Doesn’t sell full countertop POS setups; hardware is limited to handheld terminals and card readers.
- Deposits can take up to two business days.
- No phone or email support.
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 businesses
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.
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$39
Basic plan; $105 Shopify plan; $399 Advanced plan.
on Shopify's website
Pros
- Hundreds of e-commerce website templates available.
- Can customize checkout page.
- Higher-tier plans offer less expensive online processing rates (as low as 2.5% plus 30 cents).
- No long-term contracts.
Cons
- E-commerce plan with monthly fee is required to use Shopify Payments.
- Monthly POS subscription costs can be expensive.
Shopify Payments
Best for Online-first businesses
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$39
Basic plan; $105 Shopify plan; $399 Advanced plan.
on Shopify's website
Pros
- Hundreds of e-commerce website templates available.
- Can customize checkout page.
- Higher-tier plans offer less expensive online processing rates (as low as 2.5% plus 30 cents).
- No long-term contracts.
Cons
- E-commerce plan with monthly fee is required to use Shopify Payments.
- Monthly POS subscription costs can be expensive.
Pros
- Low per-transaction fees between Venmo accounts.
- No monthly costs or setup fees.
- Ability to accept payments via QR code.
- Venmo sends tax forms to your business if you meet certain income thresholds.
Cons
- Instant bank transfers cost extra.
- Not available outside of the U.S.
Venmo Business Account
Best for Accepting payments with a QR code
Payment processing fees
1.9% + $0.10
Between Venmo accounts.
Monthly fee
$0
Pros
- Low per-transaction fees between Venmo accounts.
- No monthly costs or setup fees.
- Ability to accept payments via QR code.
- Venmo sends tax forms to your business if you meet certain income thresholds.
Cons
- Instant bank transfers cost extra.
- Not available outside of the U.S.
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 3.5% + $0.10
Online: 3.5% + $0.10
Monthly fee
$0
and up.
on Clover's website
Pros
- Free POS software plan available if you’re only using a mobile card reader.
- Offers POS software plans tailored to a variety of industries.
- 24/7 phone support.
Cons
- Online payment processing rates are more expensive than competitors.
- Promotions require a three-year contract.
- Charges PCI compliance fees and, in some cases, termination fees.
Clover
Best for Built-in loyalty program
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 3.5% + $0.10
Online: 3.5% + $0.10
Monthly fee
$0
and up.
on Clover's website
Pros
- Free POS software plan available if you’re only using a mobile card reader.
- Offers POS software plans tailored to a variety of industries.
- 24/7 phone support.
Cons
- Online payment processing rates are more expensive than competitors.
- Promotions require a three-year contract.
- Charges PCI compliance fees and, in some cases, termination fees.
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 Invoicing
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.
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 Variety of payment options
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.
Our picks for the best mobile payment apps for small businesses
Square
Best overall mobile payment app
Why we like it: Square is a good fit for a variety of business types, whether you’re self-employed and mostly work on the go or operate a brick-and-mortar location that requires a more built-out POS system. Customers can pay using their mobile wallets, and merchants can accept contactless payments through the app — no hardware (besides a smartphone) needed. Square’s basic POS app is free to use, meaning you only pay transaction fees. For more details, read our full Square POS review
Monthly costs
Payment processing fees
Stripe
Best for international businesses
Why we like it: First and foremost, Stripe is a customizable online payment platform for businesses selling internationally. However, it also allows merchants to accept contactless in-person payments through the mobile app. If you need a slightly more robust in-person POS device, card readers are available. For more details, read our full Stripe Payments review
Monthly costs
Payment processing fees
Helcim
Best for high-volume businesses
Why we like it: Helcim’s free mobile POS app includes a Tap to Pay on iPhone feature that lets you accept contactless payments with just your smartphone. And unlike most of the options listed here, the provider uses interchange-plus Helcim review
Monthly costs
Payment processing fees
Shopify
Best for online-first businesses
Why we like it: Online retailers will appreciate Shopify’s variety of website template options and integrated approach to both online and in-person transactions. In addition to selling hardware for brick-and-mortar shops that also have an online presence, its mobile app lets you accept contactless payments with just your phone. For more details, read our full Shopify review
Monthly costs
Payment processing fees
Clover
Best built-in loyalty program
Why we like it: Clover’s built-in loyalty program and customer engagement tools give businesses the opportunity to boost brand loyalty and build a strong customer base. Plus, the program comes with an app for customers so they can track their rewards. Most competitors only offer this functionality as an add-on. Clover sells a variety of POS hardware, but you can also use its mobile app to accept payments without it on iPhones. For more details, read our full Clover review
Monthly costs
Payment processing fees
QuickBooks GoPayment
Best for invoicing
Why we like it: The QuickBooks GoPayment app lets QuickBooks Online users accept invoice payments in person. And since QuickBooks Online and the payment app sync with each other, the payment gets transferred right into your books. For more details, read our full QuickBooks GoPayment review
Monthly costs
Payment processing fees
Venmo
Best for accepting payments with a QR code
Why we like it: Venmo isn’t an all-in-one payments platform and POS solution like Square, but its QR codes make it easy for customers to pay small businesses at pop-up events, festivals and farmers markets. Customers can transfer money from their Venmo balance or from a separate linked account. Rates are lowest for Venmo balance transfers, but merchants can also use Tap to Pay to accept contactless payments. For more details, read our full Venmo business account review
Monthly costs
Payment processing fees
PayPal POS
Best for variety of payment options
Why we like it: The PayPal POS app can be a great choice for mobile businesses that want to let customers make payments with Venmo, PayPal or their mobile wallets. Card-present transaction rates are more competitive, but you can also manually enter card information. For more details, read our full PayPal POS review
Monthly costs
Payment processing fees
Need to pair your payment app with a card reader?
Portable card readers coupled with a mobile app can give your customers even more payment options.
What is a mobile payment app?
Mobile payment apps turn smartphones into their own POS devices. While it's common for credit card processing companies POS hardware
Transaction types fall into at least one of the following categories:
Contactless payments - QR code payments.
- In-person invoice payments.
- Manually keyed-in payments.
- Money transfers.
Does my business need to accept mobile payment apps?
It’s increasingly important for businesses to accept mobile payments. Apps are not only a convenient way for customers to pay quickly, but they also continue to grow in popularity. In fact, digital wallets (like Apple Pay
Typically, mobile payments fall into two categories: money transfers and digital wallets. Taking digital wallet payments QR code
That’s not always the case with money transfer services, like Venmo or Cash App for Business Zelle for Business