Best Mobile Payment Apps for Small Businesses in 2026
We looked at more than 25 payment processing companies to find the best mobile apps. Our top picks don’t require additional hardware to accept payments. Most skip the monthly fee, too.
Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own.
Helcim
Best for Volume discounts
Payment processing fees
In-person: 0.4% + $0.08
Online: 0.5% + $0.25
Online: 0.5% + $0.25
Plus interchange
Monthly fee
$0
Learn more 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 may take up to two business days; same-day deposit option is not available.
- Interchange-plus costs can be difficult to predict.
Square
Best for Brick-and-mortar businesses
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.15
Online: 3.3% + $0.30
Online: 3.3% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$0
for Free plan; $49 Plus plan; $149 Premium plan.
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.
Shopify Payments
Best for Online retail 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
- Phone support only available for Plus and Retail plan subscribers.
- Monthly POS subscription costs can be expensive.
Venmo Business Account
Best for Farmers markets and pop-ups
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.
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.
PayPal POS
Best for Variety of payment options
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.29% + $0.09
Online: 2.99% + $0.49
Online: 2.99% + $0.49
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
- Online payment processing rates can be difficult to navigate.
- Limited accounting and payroll integrations.
- Deposits may take up to 3 days.
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Default Helcim
Best for Volume discounts
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 may take up to two business days; same-day deposit option is not available.
- Interchange-plus costs can be difficult to predict.
Helcim automatically discounts processing rates once your business exceeds $50,000 in monthly credit card volume. Most competitors require you to reach out to a representative and negotiate lower fees. Helcim also uses interchange-plus pricing instead of a flat-rate model. That means it passes variable interchange fees to your business instead of charging a consistent rate across all transactions. This can help high-volume businesses save money in the long run.
Just know that Helcim charges an additional 10 cents per Tap to Pay transaction. If you want lower rates, you can purchase a handheld smart terminal or card reader.
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 may take up to two business days; same-day deposit option is not available.
- Interchange-plus costs can be difficult to predict.
Helcim automatically discounts processing rates once your business exceeds $50,000 in monthly credit card volume. Most competitors require you to reach out to a representative and negotiate lower fees. Helcim also uses interchange-plus pricing instead of a flat-rate model. That means it passes variable interchange fees to your business instead of charging a consistent rate across all transactions. This can help high-volume businesses save money in the long run.
Just know that Helcim charges an additional 10 cents per Tap to Pay transaction. If you want lower rates, you can purchase a handheld smart terminal or card reader.
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 may take up to two business days; same-day deposit option is not available.
- Interchange-plus costs can be difficult to predict.
Square
Best for Brick-and-mortar businesses
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.15
Online: 3.3% + $0.30
Online: 3.3% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$0
for Free plan; $49 Plus plan; $149 Premium plan.
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.
Square lets you accept mobile payments with Tap to Pay using just the Square app. But it also sells a variety of POS systems for brick-and-mortar businesses in the restaurant and retail spaces. This includes everything from free mobile card readers to countertop registers with cash drawers and receipt printers. Plus, most employees and customers should be familiar with the interface.
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.
Square lets you accept mobile payments with Tap to Pay using just the Square app. But it also sells a variety of POS systems for brick-and-mortar businesses in the restaurant and retail spaces. This includes everything from free mobile card readers to countertop registers with cash drawers and receipt printers. Plus, most employees and customers should be familiar with the interface.
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.
Shopify Payments
Best for Online retail 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
- Phone support only available for Plus and Retail plan subscribers.
- Monthly POS subscription costs can be expensive.
If you plan to mainly sell online, Shopify is a great place to start. It has over 1,000 website themes, shipping discounts and 24/7 chat support. Shopify also lets you use Shop Pay, the company’s accelerated checkout feature. This allows customers to save their payment info and complete purchases in a click or two. They can use this method on the Shop app or your Shopify website.
And for the occasional in-person sale, you can accept contactless payments via Tap to Pay in the mobile app. Shopify also sells a variety of card readers and countertop hardware bundles.
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
- Phone support only available for Plus and Retail plan subscribers.
- Monthly POS subscription costs can be expensive.
If you plan to mainly sell online, Shopify is a great place to start. It has over 1,000 website themes, shipping discounts and 24/7 chat support. Shopify also lets you use Shop Pay, the company’s accelerated checkout feature. This allows customers to save their payment info and complete purchases in a click or two. They can use this method on the Shop app or your Shopify website.
And for the occasional in-person sale, you can accept contactless payments via Tap to Pay in the mobile app. Shopify also sells a variety of card readers and countertop hardware bundles.
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
- Phone support only available for Plus and Retail plan subscribers.
- Monthly POS subscription costs can be expensive.
Venmo Business Account
Best for Farmers markets and pop-ups
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.
The Venmo app makes it easy and cheap to accept payments on the go. Plus, there’s a good chance your customers already use it. Just display your business’s unique QR code at pop-ups and farmers markets. Then, ask your customers to open up their Venmo app to scan it and pay you.
That said, we suggest pairing Venmo with a more robust payment processor if you’re making sales on a daily basis. These products often have higher processing rates. But they also give you access to features, like sales reporting and additional payment options, that Venmo doesn’t offer.
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.
The Venmo app makes it easy and cheap to accept payments on the go. Plus, there’s a good chance your customers already use it. Just display your business’s unique QR code at pop-ups and farmers markets. Then, ask your customers to open up their Venmo app to scan it and pay you.
That said, we suggest pairing Venmo with a more robust payment processor if you’re making sales on a daily basis. These products often have higher processing rates. But they also give you access to features, like sales reporting and additional payment options, that Venmo doesn’t offer.
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.
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.
The QuickBooks GoPayment app is a great fit for businesses that mostly transact via invoice and already use QuickBooks Online. In this case, it’s often easier to use QuickBooks’ built-in payments functionality rather than integrate with a third-party processor. All of your GoPayment transactions will automatically transfer over to your QuickBooks account.
Like other top picks listed, the app uses Tap to Pay technology to accept contactless payments.
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.
The QuickBooks GoPayment app is a great fit for businesses that mostly transact via invoice and already use QuickBooks Online. In this case, it’s often easier to use QuickBooks’ built-in payments functionality rather than integrate with a third-party processor. All of your GoPayment transactions will automatically transfer over to your QuickBooks account.
Like other top picks listed, the app uses Tap to Pay technology to accept contactless payments.
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.
PayPal POS
Best for Variety of payment options
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.29% + $0.09
Online: 2.99% + $0.49
Online: 2.99% + $0.49
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
- Online payment processing rates can be difficult to navigate.
- Limited accounting and payroll integrations.
- Deposits may take up to 3 days.
Most mobile payment apps let you accept debit cards, credit cards and digital wallets via Tap to Pay. The PayPal POS app lets customers pay using those methods, plus Venmo and PayPal. If your customers will appreciate these additional payment options, PayPal POS could be a good fit. Plus, its in-person processing rates are less expensive than most competitors’ fees.
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
- Online payment processing rates can be difficult to navigate.
- Limited accounting and payroll integrations.
- Deposits may take up to 3 days.
Most mobile payment apps let you accept debit cards, credit cards and digital wallets via Tap to Pay. The PayPal POS app lets customers pay using those methods, plus Venmo and PayPal. If your customers will appreciate these additional payment options, PayPal POS could be a good fit. Plus, its in-person processing rates are less expensive than most competitors’ fees.
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
- Online payment processing rates can be difficult to navigate.
- Limited accounting and payroll integrations.
- Deposits may take up to 3 days.
Jump to
How we chose the best mobile payment apps
What is a mobile payment app?
Should your business accept mobile payments?
How to find the best payment app for you
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.
How we chose the best mobile payment apps
Our writers and editors have evaluated more than 25 payment processing companies. Many of them offer mobile payment apps. To find the best options, we looked at those apps’ features and payment options. We also drew on past conversations with business owners about specific point-of-sale (POS) systems and/or payment processors.
As a result, we prioritized the following:
- Tap to Pay functionality. To make our list, a mobile payment app must let you accept payments using just your phone — no hardware required. This helps keep costs down and makes the mobile payment process as streamlined as possible.
- Low cost. Most of our picks skip the monthly fee altogether or offer free POS software subscriptions. Businesses that transact mostly via payment app are often very small. Maybe they only sell at pop-ups. Or they might operate as side hustles. This makes it even more important to keep overhead costs as low as possible.
- Specific use cases. A payment app needs to fill a specific niche to be included on our list. For example, Square is best for brick-and-mortar businesses thanks, in part, to its hardware selection. Shopify, on the other hand, is best for online businesses because of its array of website templates. We also considered the variety of payment methods each app accepts.
What is a mobile payment app?
Mobile payment apps turn smartphones into their own POS devices. This gives you the freedom to accept payments anywhere with cell service or Wi-Fi. Most payment processing companies have accompanying mobile apps for this purpose. You’ll typically find them in Google Play (for Android devices) or in the App Store (for iOS devices).
Mobile payment app transactions fall into at least one of the following categories:
- Contactless payments via Tap to Pay.
- QR code payments.
- In-person invoice payments.
- Manually keyed-in payments.
- Money transfers.
Should your business accept mobile payments?
Most businesses should have a mobile payment app. It’s a light lift with a potentially big payoff.
If you already work with a POS system or credit card processing company, it probably has a mobile app. By downloading it, you give your business the option to accept payments from virtually anywhere. And you don’t need to invest in extra hardware to do so.
Maybe you don’t plan to ever make sales outside of your brick-and-mortar location. But what if a popup opportunity comes your way? Or your POS hardware fails? A mobile payment app could be a useful tool in these case scenarios. And if you rarely open it, that’s OK too. Mobile payment apps typically don’t cost anything to download. You just pay per-transaction fees when you make a sale.
How to find the best payment app for you
If you already work with a payment processor and it has a mobile app, we recommend using it. It will likely be more convenient than adding a new company to the mix. If not, follow these steps:
- Consider your main sales channel. The app you choose should offer broader POS functionality for businesses in your industry. If you primarily sell in-person, make sure the company also sells POS hardware. If you mainly sell online, the provider should have website building tools.
- Check per-transaction costs. Look for competitive processing rates. These fall somewhere around 2.6% plus 10 cents per in-person transaction and 2.9% plus 30 cents per online one. You can use our credit card fees calculator to compare costs across providers.
- Make sure it has all of the additional features you need. Decide whether you need extra capabilities, like invoicing or reporting. The latter can help you identify which products sell best. Invoicing is especially helpful for service-based businesses that don’t bill their customers right away.
- Look at deposit timing. Next-day deposits are typically ideal. But if you can wait longer and still pay all of your bills on time, then deposit timing isn’t as important. Lots of products, like Square and Venmo, offer instant deposits for an added fee. These can be useful in emergency situations when cash flow is low.
