7 Best Credit Card Readers for iPhone of July 2026
Credit card readers for iPhone help businesses accept credit card payments wherever they are. The best choices are compatible with your POS system and have competitive processing fees.
Square Reader
Best for Integrating with full POS system
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.15
Online: 3.3% + $0.30
Online: 3.3% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$0
Free plan; $49 Plus plan; $149 Premium plan.
Learn more on Square's website
Pros
- Has a compact design.
- Square Reader for magstripe and POS app are free.
- Magstripe reader doesn’t have to be charged.
Cons
- Free Square Reader only lets you swipe cards; must purchase upgraded Square Reader to accept contactless and chip payments.
- Square Reader for contactless and chip payments takes roughly two to three hours to charge.
Helcim Card Reader
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
- Has volume discounts.
- Includes colored countertop stand, but is also portable enough to use on the go.
- Accepts chip, swipe and contactless payments.
Cons
- Processing rates may increase if monthly transaction volume drops.
- No full POS register options to pair with.
Clover Go
Best for Quick deposits
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 3.5% + $0.10
Online: 3.5% + $0.10
Monthly fee
$0
Starter plan; $29.95 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.
SumUp Plus
Best for iPhone credit card reader with a screen
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 3.5% + $0.15
Online: 3.5% + $0.15
Monthly fee
$0
for card readers only; $99 for Connect Lite plan; $199 for Connect Plus plan; $289 for Connect Pro plan.
on SumUp's website
Pros
- Accepts chip, swipe and contactless payments.
- Has a screen to display transaction details.
- Can complete more than 500 transactions before having to recharge.
Cons
- Has less robust POS software features than other card readers.
Payanywhere 3-in-1 reader
Best for Reputation management tools
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.69% + $0.00
Online: 3.49% + $0.19
Online: 3.49% + $0.19
Monthly fee
$0
Pros
- No monthly fee.
- Transparent pricing.
- Can process all three payment types.
Cons
- No screen to display transaction details.
- POS software is not as advanced as some competitors.
- $3.99 per month inactivity fee for 12 months without a transaction.
PayPal POS
Best for Alternative 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 integrations; no payroll integrations.
- Deposits may take up to 3 days.
QuickBooks card reader
Best for Accounting integration
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.5% + $0.00
Online: 2.99% + $0.00
Online: 2.99% + $0.00
Monthly fee
$0
Pros
- No monthly fee.
- Transparent pricing.
- Has a screen to display transaction details.
Cons
- Doesn't process swiped payments.
- Requires a QuickBooks account, which starts at $30 per month.
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Default Square Reader
Best for Integrating with full POS system
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.15
Online: 3.3% + $0.30
Online: 3.3% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$0
Free plan; $49 Plus plan; $149 Premium plan.
on Square's website
Pros
- Has a compact design.
- Square Reader for magstripe and POS app are free.
- Magstripe reader doesn’t have to be charged.
Cons
- Free Square Reader only lets you swipe cards; must purchase upgraded Square Reader to accept contactless and chip payments.
- Square Reader for contactless and chip payments takes roughly two to three hours to charge.
In addition to offering multiple card reader options, Square sells a variety of POS hardware setups for restaurants and retail stores. You can buy a register kit with a cash drawer and receipt printer or piece your own setup together by purchasing an iPad stand and whichever accessories you need. Square offers free POS plans for these more robust hardware setups, too.
Pros
- Has a compact design.
- Square Reader for magstripe and POS app are free.
- Magstripe reader doesn’t have to be charged.
Cons
- Free Square Reader only lets you swipe cards; must purchase upgraded Square Reader to accept contactless and chip payments.
- Square Reader for contactless and chip payments takes roughly two to three hours to charge.
In addition to offering multiple card reader options, Square sells a variety of POS hardware setups for restaurants and retail stores. You can buy a register kit with a cash drawer and receipt printer or piece your own setup together by purchasing an iPad stand and whichever accessories you need. Square offers free POS plans for these more robust hardware setups, too.
Pros
- Has a compact design.
- Square Reader for magstripe and POS app are free.
- Magstripe reader doesn’t have to be charged.
Cons
- Free Square Reader only lets you swipe cards; must purchase upgraded Square Reader to accept contactless and chip payments.
- Square Reader for contactless and chip payments takes roughly two to three hours to charge.
Helcim Card Reader
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
- Has volume discounts.
- Includes colored countertop stand, but is also portable enough to use on the go.
- Accepts chip, swipe and contactless payments.
Cons
- Processing rates may increase if monthly transaction volume drops.
- No full POS register options to pair with.
Helcim stands out for its interchange-plus processing fees and volume discounts, making it a good option for high-volume businesses. The company offers lower interchange markups when your business processes more than $50,000 in card transactions each month.
Pros
- Has volume discounts.
- Includes colored countertop stand, but is also portable enough to use on the go.
- Accepts chip, swipe and contactless payments.
Cons
- Processing rates may increase if monthly transaction volume drops.
- No full POS register options to pair with.
Helcim stands out for its interchange-plus processing fees and volume discounts, making it a good option for high-volume businesses. The company offers lower interchange markups when your business processes more than $50,000 in card transactions each month.
Pros
- Has volume discounts.
- Includes colored countertop stand, but is also portable enough to use on the go.
- Accepts chip, swipe and contactless payments.
Cons
- Processing rates may increase if monthly transaction volume drops.
- No full POS register options to pair with.
Clover Go
Best for Quick deposits
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 3.5% + $0.10
Online: 3.5% + $0.10
Monthly fee
$0
Starter plan; $29.95 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.
Businesses with occasional cash flow issues might benefit from Clover’s rapid deposit option, which lets you access card transaction funds within minutes. However, keep in mind that it comes with an extra 1.5% fee. And if you don’t want to use Clover as your payment processor, its hardware is also available through resellers that use separate payment processing services.
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.
Businesses with occasional cash flow issues might benefit from Clover’s rapid deposit option, which lets you access card transaction funds within minutes. However, keep in mind that it comes with an extra 1.5% fee. And if you don’t want to use Clover as your payment processor, its hardware is also available through resellers that use separate payment processing services.
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.
SumUp Plus
Best for iPhone credit card reader with a screen
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 3.5% + $0.15
Online: 3.5% + $0.15
Monthly fee
$0
for card readers only; $99 for Connect Lite plan; $199 for Connect Plus plan; $289 for Connect Pro plan.
on SumUp's website
Pros
- Accepts chip, swipe and contactless payments.
- Has a screen to display transaction details.
- Can complete more than 500 transactions before having to recharge.
Cons
- Has less robust POS software features than other card readers.
The SumUp Plus card reader includes its own built-in screen that displays the amount owed and lets customers know when to tap, insert or swipe their cards and whether it’s necessary to leave a signature on the merchant’s iPhone. There’s also a keypad for manually keying in card information.
Pros
- Accepts chip, swipe and contactless payments.
- Has a screen to display transaction details.
- Can complete more than 500 transactions before having to recharge.
Cons
- Has less robust POS software features than other card readers.
The SumUp Plus card reader includes its own built-in screen that displays the amount owed and lets customers know when to tap, insert or swipe their cards and whether it’s necessary to leave a signature on the merchant’s iPhone. There’s also a keypad for manually keying in card information.
Pros
- Accepts chip, swipe and contactless payments.
- Has a screen to display transaction details.
- Can complete more than 500 transactions before having to recharge.
Cons
- Has less robust POS software features than other card readers.
Payanywhere 3-in-1 reader
Best for Reputation management tools
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.69% + $0.00
Online: 3.49% + $0.19
Online: 3.49% + $0.19
Monthly fee
$0
Pros
- No monthly fee.
- Transparent pricing.
- Can process all three payment types.
Cons
- No screen to display transaction details.
- POS software is not as advanced as some competitors.
- $3.99 per month inactivity fee for 12 months without a transaction.
Payanywhere has a unique reputation management feature that lets you monitor what people are saying about your business online, whether it’s through your Google Business profile or a social media platform. You can use the reputation management platform to receive notifications each time someone leaves a new review and quickly respond.
Pros
- No monthly fee.
- Transparent pricing.
- Can process all three payment types.
Cons
- No screen to display transaction details.
- POS software is not as advanced as some competitors.
- $3.99 per month inactivity fee for 12 months without a transaction.
Payanywhere has a unique reputation management feature that lets you monitor what people are saying about your business online, whether it’s through your Google Business profile or a social media platform. You can use the reputation management platform to receive notifications each time someone leaves a new review and quickly respond.
Pros
- No monthly fee.
- Transparent pricing.
- Can process all three payment types.
Cons
- No screen to display transaction details.
- POS software is not as advanced as some competitors.
- $3.99 per month inactivity fee for 12 months without a transaction.
PayPal POS
Best for Alternative 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 integrations; no payroll integrations.
- Deposits may take up to 3 days.
PayPal's card reader also has a built-in screen and keypad, but its ability to accept a wide variety of payment options is what really sets it apart from its competitors. In addition to debit and credit card payments, PayPal POS lets customers use Venmo, PayPal and a handful of digital wallets.
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 integrations; no payroll integrations.
- Deposits may take up to 3 days.
PayPal's card reader also has a built-in screen and keypad, but its ability to accept a wide variety of payment options is what really sets it apart from its competitors. In addition to debit and credit card payments, PayPal POS lets customers use Venmo, PayPal and a handful of digital wallets.
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 integrations; no payroll integrations.
- Deposits may take up to 3 days.
QuickBooks card reader
Best for Accounting integration
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.5% + $0.00
Online: 2.99% + $0.00
Online: 2.99% + $0.00
Monthly fee
$0
Pros
- No monthly fee.
- Transparent pricing.
- Has a screen to display transaction details.
Cons
- Doesn't process swiped payments.
- Requires a QuickBooks account, which starts at $30 per month.
QuickBooks doesn’t offer its own in-house POS registers like some of its competitors, but its card reader is a convenient option for solopreneurs who take the occasional in-person payment and want to sync it directly with their QuickBooks Online accounting software.
Pros
- No monthly fee.
- Transparent pricing.
- Has a screen to display transaction details.
Cons
- Doesn't process swiped payments.
- Requires a QuickBooks account, which starts at $30 per month.
QuickBooks doesn’t offer its own in-house POS registers like some of its competitors, but its card reader is a convenient option for solopreneurs who take the occasional in-person payment and want to sync it directly with their QuickBooks Online accounting software.
Pros
- No monthly fee.
- Transparent pricing.
- Has a screen to display transaction details.
Cons
- Doesn't process swiped payments.
- Requires a QuickBooks account, which starts at $30 per month.
Jump to
iPhone credit card reader comparison
What is an iPhone credit card reader?
Methodology
iPhone credit card reader comparison
| Card Reader | Hardware Costs | Payments Accepted |
|---|---|---|
| Clover Go |
| Magstripe, chip and contactless. |
| SumUp Plus reader |
| Magstripe, chip and contactless. |
| Payanywhere 3-in-1 reader | $59.95. | Magstripe, chip and contactless. |
| Square Reader |
| Varies. The free Square Reader for magstripe only accepts swiped payments. The upgraded Square Reader accepts chip and contactless payment methods. |
| PayPal POS |
| Chip and contactless. |
| QuickBooks card reader |
| Chip and contactless. |
| Helcim card reader |
| Chip and contactless. |
» MORE: Best mobile POS systems
What is an iPhone credit card reader?
Credit card readers for iPhone turn your smartphone into a standalone mobile POS system or an extension of a larger, existing POS system. This gives you the flexibility to accept in-person payments anywhere, whether that’s in your brick-and-mortar storefront or at a pop-up event. Ultimately, brick-and-mortar, mobile and online businesses all have the potential to expand their customer base by adding iPhone credit card readers to their tool kit.
You’ll start by downloading a mobile POS app on your iPhone. Some providers send you an iPhone credit card reader for free and others require you to purchase one — they typically cost around $50, but prices vary. From there, you’ll pair the iPhone credit card reader with the mobile POS app and start accepting payments. Credit card readers either plug directly into your iPhone or connect to it via bluetooth.
How to choose the best credit card reader for iPhone
Types of payments acceptedAt a minimum, iPhone credit card readers should accept contactless payments and EMV chip cards that customers insert or “dip” into the reader. Some readers also allow you to swipe credit cards’ magstripe, though this is becoming less common.
IntegrationsIf you already use POS software in some capacity, make sure the card reader you’re considering has a mobile app that seamlessly integrates with that software so all your sales are consolidated in the same system. If you only plan to accept payment with your iPhone credit card reader, this doesn’t matter as much.
CostCard readers can range from free to over $100. Also factor in credit card processing fees and whether you’ll need to pay a monthly POS software fee. Look out for added chargeback fees and PCI compliance fees, too.
Explore more payment processing options
Payment processing companies often sell their own proprietary card readers or readers from a third-party company, like Clover. If you didn’t find what you’re looking for in the list above, here are some additional payment processors with competitive rates and hardware options.
Methodology
Here is more information on how NerdWallet evaluates POS systems, payment processors, their accompanying apps and card readers:
