8 Best Credit Card Readers for Small Businesses of 2026 of March 2026

Pros

• No long-term contracts or termination fees. 
• Offers volume discounts when monthly credit card volume surpasses $50,000.
• Interchange-plus processing rates help high-volume businesses save money.
• Has a touchscreen.

Cons

• Processing rates may increase if monthly transaction volume drops.
• No full POS register options to pair with.

Pros

• No long-term contracts or termination fees. 
• Compact design can fit in the palm of your hand. 
• Square Reader for magstripe is 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.
• Free plan processing rates are more expensive than competitors.

Pros

• Compact design can fit in the palm of your hand. 
• Can purchase from third-party payment processors.
• Uses passcodes for employees.
• 24/7 phone support.

Cons

• Expensive. 
• Promotions require a three-year contract.

Pros

• Has a screen and keypad, but is still compact. 
• Can complete more than 500 transactions before having to recharge.
• Free POS plan doesn’t require a long-term contract.

Cons

• Has less robust POS software features than other card readers.
• Must sign an annual contract if you opt for the full POS system.

Pros

• Lower in-person processing rates than competitors.
• Accepts PayPal, Venmo and QR code payments.
• Can pay extra for built-in barcode scanner and receipt printer.
• No long-term contracts or termination fees. 
• Has a touchscreen.

Cons

• Limited accounting and payroll integrations. 
• Online payment processing rates can be difficult to navigate.

Pros

• Displays transaction details on a touchscreen.
• Includes a built-in receipt printer. 
• No long-term contracts or termination fees.

Cons

• Can take over four hours to charge.
• Free plan payment processing fees can be steep.

Pros

• Designed specifically for restaurants.
• Can opt for higher processing fees to cover the cost of the device.
• Lets you ask customers for feedback on their experience.
• 24/7 phone and web messaging support.
• Has a touchscreen.

Cons

• Requires a two-year contract and charges early termination fees.
• Charges setup fee, and offline mode includes hidden cost of backup router.

Pros

• Includes built-in receipt printer and barcode scanner.
• 24/7 phone support.
• Can purchase from third-party payment processors.
• Has a touchscreen.

Cons

• Promotions require a three-year contract.