7 Best Credit Card Readers for iPhone of January 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.
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| Product | Best for | NerdWallet rating | Payment processing fees | Monthly fee | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Square Reader | Integrating with full POS system | In-person: 2.6% + $0.15 Online: 3.3% + $0.30 | $0 Free plan; $49 Plus plan; $149 Premium plan. | on Square's website | |
 Helcim card reader | Volume discounts | In-person: 0.4% + $0.08 Online: 0.5% + $0.25 Plus interchange | $0 | on Helcim's website | |
 Clover Go | Quick deposits | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 3.5% + $0.10 | $0 Payments plan; $14.95 Essentials plan. | on Clover's website | |
 SumUp Plus | iPhone credit card reader with a screen | In-person: 2.6% + $0.10 Online: 3.5% + $0.15 | $0 for card readers only; $99 for Connect Lite plan; $199 for Connect Plus plan; $289 for Connect Pro plan. | on SumUp's website | |
 Payanywhere 3-in-1 reader | Reputation management tools | In-person: 2.69% + $0.00 Online: 3.49% + $0.19 | $0 | ||
 PayPal POS | Alternative payment options | In-person: 2.29% + $0.09 Online: 2.99% + $0.49 | $0 | ||
 QuickBooks card reader | Accounting integration | In-person: 2.5% + $0.00 Online: 2.99% + $0.00 | $0 |
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.
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
Payments plan; $14.95 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 and 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.
Sort by:
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.
Square Reader
Best for Integrating with full POS system
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.
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 card reader
Best for Volume discounts
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.
Payment processing fees
In-person: 2.6% + $0.10
Online: 3.5% + $0.10
Online: 3.5% + $0.10
Monthly fee
$0
Payments plan; $14.95 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.
Clover Go
Best for Quick deposits
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
Payments plan; $14.95 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.
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.
SumUp Plus
Best for iPhone credit card reader with a screen
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.
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 3-in-1 reader
Best for Reputation management tools
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.
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.
PayPal POS
Best for Alternative payment options
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 and payroll integrations.
- Deposits may take up to 3 days.
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 card reader
Best for Accounting integration
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.
Jump to
iPhone credit card reader comparison
What is an iPhone credit card reader?
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 POS system
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
How to choose the best credit card reader for iPhone
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: