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Square Reader
Best for Overall iPhone credit card reader
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
- Free magstripe card reader.
- Tap and chip reader costs $59.
- Free POS software plan.
- No long-term contracts or termination fees.
- Magstripe reader doesn’t have to be charged.
Cons
- Free plan processing rates are more expensive than competitors.
Businesses signing up with Square receive a free magstripe reader that plugs into an iPhone. You can choose from three connection types: USB-C, Lightning or a headset jack.
Admittedly, a free magstripe reader isn't that valuable anymore. Shoppers typically tap or insert cards to pay now. In fact, swipes accounted for just 2% of credit card transactions in April 2025, according to a report from payment processor Velera.
The Square tap and chip reader costs $59. That's not as good as $0, but the price is reasonable. And what actually makes this hardware a top option is its software. Square is our editorial team’s top pick for the best overall free POS system.
Square earned that honor because of its versatility. Quick-service restaurants, cafes, retailers and service-based businesses can all use it. The system also gives you access to a wide variety of POS software features for free. For example, you’ll find a website for selling online, sales reports, item management tools and invoicing.
Pros
- Free magstripe card reader.
- Tap and chip reader costs $59.
- Free POS software plan.
- No long-term contracts or termination fees.
- Magstripe reader doesn’t have to be charged.
Cons
- Free plan processing rates are more expensive than competitors.
Businesses signing up with Square receive a free magstripe reader that plugs into an iPhone. You can choose from three connection types: USB-C, Lightning or a headset jack.
Admittedly, a free magstripe reader isn't that valuable anymore. Shoppers typically tap or insert cards to pay now. In fact, swipes accounted for just 2% of credit card transactions in April 2025, according to a report from payment processor Velera.
The Square tap and chip reader costs $59. That's not as good as $0, but the price is reasonable. And what actually makes this hardware a top option is its software. Square is our editorial team’s top pick for the best overall free POS system.
Square earned that honor because of its versatility. Quick-service restaurants, cafes, retailers and service-based businesses can all use it. The system also gives you access to a wide variety of POS software features for free. For example, you’ll find a website for selling online, sales reports, item management tools and invoicing.
Helcim Card Reader
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
- No long-term contracts or termination fees.
- Automatically applies volume discounts when monthly credit card volume surpasses $50,000.
- Interchange-plus processing rates help high-volume businesses save money.
- Card reader has a touchscreen and doesn’t need to be paired with an iPhone to function.
- Free POS software plan.
Cons
- Card reader costs $199.
- No offline mode.
- No full POS register options for businesses that would like to expand.
Helcim’s interchange-plus pricing and automatic volume discounts are ideal for high-volume businesses. All the other options on this list use flat-rate processing instead. That means you pay the same percentage per transaction, regardless of what card a customer uses. Interchange-plus passes interchange rates (which vary by card) straight to you.
Helcim’s card reader is expensive compared to some of the competition. But it’s also more versatile. For example, it has a 4-inch touchscreen that makes it easy for customers to view their total or leave a tip. You can pair the reader with your iPhone to access more features via the Helcim app, like a customer database and full item catalog. But you don’t have to, since it also has a standalone mode.
The card reader’s major downside is its lack of offline mode. It has built-in 4G/LTE data (for an extra $7 per month). That’s certainly a plus. But if you lose cell service and Wi-Fi, you won’t be able to keep processing transactions.
Pros
- No long-term contracts or termination fees.
- Automatically applies volume discounts when monthly credit card volume surpasses $50,000.
- Interchange-plus processing rates help high-volume businesses save money.
- Card reader has a touchscreen and doesn’t need to be paired with an iPhone to function.
- Free POS software plan.
Cons
- Card reader costs $199.
- No offline mode.
- No full POS register options for businesses that would like to expand.
Helcim’s interchange-plus pricing and automatic volume discounts are ideal for high-volume businesses. All the other options on this list use flat-rate processing instead. That means you pay the same percentage per transaction, regardless of what card a customer uses. Interchange-plus passes interchange rates (which vary by card) straight to you.
Helcim’s card reader is expensive compared to some of the competition. But it’s also more versatile. For example, it has a 4-inch touchscreen that makes it easy for customers to view their total or leave a tip. You can pair the reader with your iPhone to access more features via the Helcim app, like a customer database and full item catalog. But you don’t have to, since it also has a standalone mode.
The card reader’s major downside is its lack of offline mode. It has built-in 4G/LTE data (for an extra $7 per month). That’s certainly a plus. But if you lose cell service and Wi-Fi, you won’t be able to keep processing transactions.
Shopify Retail POS
Best for Syncing online and in-person transactions
Payment processing fees
In-person:
2.6% + $0.10
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Online: 2.9% + $0.30
Monthly fee
$39
and up for e-commerce plans; Can upgrade to POS Pro for an extra $89.
on Shopify's website
Pros
- Chip and tap card reader costs $49.
- Syncs inventory levels across online and in-person sales channels.
- No long-term contracts or termination fees.
- POS software comes with shipping discounts, AI chat selling and a custom domain name.
- Stays charged for up to a week.
Cons
- No free POS software plans.
- Business and American Express cards carry higher online rates (3.5% plus 30 cents in the Basic plan).
Shopify’s $49 iPhone card reader is great for businesses that sell mostly online but sometimes need to accept in-person payments. It’s compact, inexpensive and connects with your iPhone’s Shopify app via Bluetooth.
First and foremost, Shopify is a POS solution for online businesses. Its lowest-tier Basic plan lets you choose from hundreds of website templates and includes abandoned checkout recovery, as well as up to 87% off shipping. But it’s not just for online sales. Shopify also sells a variety of POS hardware. And all plans sync online and in-person sales, so your inventory is always up to date.
Pros
- Chip and tap card reader costs $49.
- Syncs inventory levels across online and in-person sales channels.
- No long-term contracts or termination fees.
- POS software comes with shipping discounts, AI chat selling and a custom domain name.
- Stays charged for up to a week.
Cons
- No free POS software plans.
- Business and American Express cards carry higher online rates (3.5% plus 30 cents in the Basic plan).
Shopify’s $49 iPhone card reader is great for businesses that sell mostly online but sometimes need to accept in-person payments. It’s compact, inexpensive and connects with your iPhone’s Shopify app via Bluetooth.
First and foremost, Shopify is a POS solution for online businesses. Its lowest-tier Basic plan lets you choose from hundreds of website templates and includes abandoned checkout recovery, as well as up to 87% off shipping. But it’s not just for online sales. Shopify also sells a variety of POS hardware. And all plans sync online and in-person sales, so your inventory is always up to date.
PayPal POS
Best for Cheapest iPhone credit card reader
Payment processing fees
In-person:
2.29% + $0.09
Online: 2.99% + $0.49
Online: 2.99% + $0.49
Monthly fee
$0
Pros
- Low in-person transaction fees.
- No long-term contracts or termination fees.
- First tap and chip card reader costs $29.
- Card reader has a touchscreen and keypad.
- Free POS software.
Cons
- Limited POS software features.
- No offline mode.
- Deposits can take up to three days.
PayPal combines inexpensive hardware with free software and low payment processing rates.
Your first tap and chip card reader is just $29 (additional readers cost $79). PayPal’s free POS software includes basic reporting, inventory tracking, invoicing and a customer loyalty program. And at 2.29% plus 9 cents, the platform’s in-person processing rates are some of the lowest.
That said, low costs come with trade-offs. PayPal is one of the simpler payment systems on this list. It doesn’t have all the tools you’ll find with competitors (e.g., staff management, marketing). But it can do the trick for solopreneurs who work in retail or service-based industries. They’ll just need reliable Wi-Fi or cell service. PayPal’s card reader doesn’t have an offline mode.
Pros
- Low in-person transaction fees.
- No long-term contracts or termination fees.
- First tap and chip card reader costs $29.
- Card reader has a touchscreen and keypad.
- Free POS software.
Cons
- Limited POS software features.
- No offline mode.
- Deposits can take up to three days.
PayPal combines inexpensive hardware with free software and low payment processing rates.
Your first tap and chip card reader is just $29 (additional readers cost $79). PayPal’s free POS software includes basic reporting, inventory tracking, invoicing and a customer loyalty program. And at 2.29% plus 9 cents, the platform’s in-person processing rates are some of the lowest.
That said, low costs come with trade-offs. PayPal is one of the simpler payment systems on this list. It doesn’t have all the tools you’ll find with competitors (e.g., staff management, marketing). But it can do the trick for solopreneurs who work in retail or service-based industries. They’ll just need reliable Wi-Fi or cell service. PayPal’s card reader doesn’t have an offline mode.
Clover Go
Best for Food trucks
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.
- Customers can tap, dip or swipe their card.
- Low in-person processing rates compared to the competition.
- All plans include QR-code ordering, online ordering and stock tracking.
Cons
- Card reader costs $199.
- Promotions require a three-year contract.
- Restaurant software plans start at $89.95 per month.
There’s no getting around the fact that Clover’s hardware is expensive. But it can be a good investment for food trucks that need industry-specific, portable POS solutions.
For example, Clover sells a mini 8-inch touchscreen system that’s easy to move around and pack up at the end of the night. You can flip it around toward the customer so that they can leave a tip too. I’d probably use that device as my main food truck POS system.
If you’re selling food items that have already been made (e.g., baked goods), Clover’s mobile card reader is a good addition to the mini system. Paired with an iPhone, you can use it to take orders in line and shorten the queue on busy days.
That said, the Clover Go reader cannot route orders to your food truck. That’s why it’s best for ringing up pre-prepped items you can hand to customers right away.
Pros
- Can purchase from third-party payment processors.
- Customers can tap, dip or swipe their card.
- Low in-person processing rates compared to the competition.
- All plans include QR-code ordering, online ordering and stock tracking.
Cons
- Card reader costs $199.
- Promotions require a three-year contract.
- Restaurant software plans start at $89.95 per month.
There’s no getting around the fact that Clover’s hardware is expensive. But it can be a good investment for food trucks that need industry-specific, portable POS solutions.
For example, Clover sells a mini 8-inch touchscreen system that’s easy to move around and pack up at the end of the night. You can flip it around toward the customer so that they can leave a tip too. I’d probably use that device as my main food truck POS system.
If you’re selling food items that have already been made (e.g., baked goods), Clover’s mobile card reader is a good addition to the mini system. Paired with an iPhone, you can use it to take orders in line and shorten the queue on busy days.
That said, the Clover Go reader cannot route orders to your food truck. That’s why it’s best for ringing up pre-prepped items you can hand to customers right away.
Jump to
How we selected the best credit card readers for iPhone
Who should use iPhone credit card readers?
Why use iPhone credit card readers when there’s Tap to Pay?
How much do iPhone credit card readers cost?
What features do the best iPhone credit card readers have?
How to choose the best iPhone credit card reader for your business
Table of Contents
How we selected the best credit card readers for iPhone
To find the best iPhone credit card readers, I started with the pool of POS systems I review. Most of them sell mobile card readers that you can pair with an iPhone app.
Aside from including a touchscreen or keypad, these readers are all physically pretty similar. They each fit in your hand and mostly accept chip and tap payments. And when it comes to connecting with your iPhone, they’re all plug-and-play. I ruled out options, like the Stripe M2 reader, that can’t connect to a native mobile app.
To further narrow down the list, I focused on affordability and POS software. I considered features like battery life and offline mode as well. Those specs matter, but not as much as software that works for your industry. There’s much more variation with that.
I wanted to make sure there were options with free POS software plans and card readers that cost less than $60. That’s where Square and PayPal come in. I also considered alternative processing models (like interchange-plus) that are more cost efficient for high-volume businesses. That’s why I included Helcim.
Industry-specific features were another big factor. Shopify, for example, is built mainly for online businesses. But it excels in managing multichannel sales too. This is a big plus for online retailers that make the occasional in-person sale.
Shopify aside, most of the options on this list could work for service-based businesses and retailers. What about businesses in food and beverage, though? Square could certainly work for them. But Clover’s quick-service restaurant software plan and portable hardware selection make it a good fit too.
Who should use iPhone credit card readers?
iPhone credit card readers are mostly meant for mobile sales. They’re not something you’d typically use in a brick-and-mortar location.
The exception is certain service-based businesses. For example, I’ve seen massage therapists use mobile card readers in their offices. This works just fine for operations with a limited number of services available.
Otherwise, in general, you might use an iPhone credit card reader if you:
- Sell at farmers markets, festivals or pop-ups.
- Work on home and field projects in various locations.
- Run a food truck.
Why use iPhone credit card readers when there’s Tap to Pay?
All of the options I listed above have mobile apps that support Tap to Pay. So, why pay for hardware if you can accept payments with just your iPhone? The main answer: Not everyone uses contactless payment methods.
Some older or niche cards don’t have that capability. Instead, you need to insert the card’s chip or swipe its magstripe to pay. On top of that, even cards with contactless payment capabilities can fail. I used to exclusively tap one of my credit cards to pay. Recently, tapping it stopped working. I need to insert the chip instead.
Tap to Pay can also be finicky in my experience. Sometimes the iPhone just won’t pick up on my card. Once this held up a line to the point that a vendor told me I could just take the item without paying. (I thankfully had cash and was able to pay.)
Tap to Pay requires a stable internet connection to work as well. If you sell in a spot without Wi-Fi or spotty cell service, you could end up without a way to take card payments. There’s no offline mode, which most card readers offer.
All of this to say, I would always have a physical card reader with you — even if you plan to mostly accept Tap to Pay payments on your iPhone. At the very least, a card reader will serve as a backup if Tap to Pay doesn’t work.
How much do iPhone credit card readers cost?
Costs for iPhone credit card readers range from free to almost $200. But hardware costs are rarely the only fees you’ll need to pay. You’ll also need to consider processing rates and monthly software subscription fees.
Here’s a rundown of those costs for each iPhone credit card reader.
Square | Helcim | Shopify | PayPal | Clover | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Card reader costs |
| $199 | $49 | $29 for your first reader; $79 for any after that. | $199 |
Payment processing rates |
|
|
|
| For quick-service restaurants:
|
Monthly software fees |
| $0 | Shopify e-commerce plans:
Shopify’s alternative solutions for mainly selling in-person:
| $0 | For quick-service restaurants:
|
What features do the best iPhone credit card readers have?
Here’s a rundown of each iPhone credit card reader’s capabilities:
How to choose the best iPhone credit card reader for your business
To find the best credit card reader for your iPhone, follow these steps:
1. Factor in costs
Card reader costs are important, but they’re a one-time upfront expense. It’s the ongoing costs you really need to look out for.
Start with payment processing fees for in-person transactions. After all, that’s what you’ll be accepting with the card reader. If you plan on accepting online transactions, check out those rates as well. You can use our credit card processing fees calculator to estimate how much you’ll owe each month.
Take monthly subscription fees into account too. Providers, like Square, offer free POS software plans. But those plans might not have everything you need. Make sure your business can afford paid plans if it needs to scale up in the future.
2. Consider your industry-specific needs
The biggest difference between the products above comes down to software capabilities. Take Clover’s and Shopify’s iPhone card readers. They’re about the same size, and each has an offline mode. They accept the same types of payments too. It’s their industry-specific software features that set them apart.
Certain products, like Clover and Square, are better for businesses in the food and beverage industry. Others, like Shopify, are built specifically for businesses that mainly sell online.
3. Look into providers’ additional hardware options
Credit card readers for iPhones are convenient and easy to use. But they won’t cut it if you move into a more permanent spot. The POS system provider you purchase your card reader from should also sell other hardware.
If you think you’ll need a full countertop register setup in the future, for example, I’d rule out Helcim. Its hardware is limited to a card reader and handheld terminal.
You could switch providers down the road. But I don’t recommend it. The process involves manual data transfers and taking the time to get the hang of a different system. You can avoid this by choosing a solution that grows with your business.
4. Compare battery life, offline modes, etc.
Now that you’ve ruled out certain options based on price, software features and scalability, compare the remaining readers’ more nuanced capabilities. Battery life and offline mode are the most important factors here.
Your iPhone credit card reader should stay charged throughout the day at the very least. Some companies measure battery life by the number of transactions you complete.
The Clover Go reader, for example, accepts 130-160 transactions before dying. If you often complete more sales than that in a single day, it’s probably not the best fit for you. (You can take payments while the Clover Go charges. Tethering it to a cord or dock will cost you portability, though.)
Another scenario: Let’s say you don’t think you’ll remember to charge your reader each night. In that case, you might want an option with a multi-day battery life.
Offline mode can be key too. Do you frequently set up shop in areas with poor cell service and/or no Wi-Fi? If so, it’s a must. You won’t find that feature with Helcim or PayPal readers.
» Looking for more options? See our list of the best overall credit card readers
Methodology
NerdWallet independently reviews point-of-sale (POS) system providers before determining our top picks. We collect the data for our software ratings from products’ public-facing websites and from company representatives. Our editorial team reviews information on a regular basis for consistency and accuracy.
We also periodically update our scoring system to reflect changing industry norms and business needs. For instance, in 2026, we added a payroll integration category to our POS systems rubric. It’s important that POS systems can sync up with payroll software to minimize manual data entry and keep track of employee hours.
NerdWallet’s POS system provider ratings reward 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 cost, system capabilities, contract requirements, customer service and integrations and add-ons. Learn more about how we rate POS system providers.
These ratings are a guide, but services, hardware and pricing 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.
