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In the era of digital transactions, having a card payment reader for a small business is not an option but a necessity. Whether you own a brick-and-mortar store or run a mobile business, accepting card payments can significantly enhance the customer experience and elevate your business’s efficiency and credibility.
This article aims to shed light on the best card readers for small businesses, providing a comprehensive analysis of various options available in the market.
Our Top 10
Price
Best For
Overall Total
Helcim
Starting at $109
Large ticket transactions
Clover
Starting at $49
Programmability for various payment systems
Stax
Starting at $99 monthly
Transparent Pricing
Square
$299 for a card reader or $27 monthly for 12 months
All-in-one design
eHopper POS
$99 monthly discounted from the usual price: $129 monthly
Intuitive interface
PayPal Zettle
$29 per card reader, terminals are $129
Reliability
Lightspeed
Packages range from $199 monthly
Best selection of payment readers
Toast
Starting at $0 to $69 for lower-tier packages
Restaurants
Sumup
$39 per card reader
Value for money
Shopify
Starts at $89
E-commerce features
What is a Card Payment Reader?
A card payment reader is a device that enables businesses to accept credit or debit card payments by reading the card’s information and processing the transaction. It’s a crucial tool for businesses of all sizes, but especially for small businesses that need to offer various payment options to their customers.
Why Do I Need a Credit Card Reader?
The necessity of a credit card reader for small businesses arises from the increasing trend of cashless transactions. Customers prefer paying with cards or digital wallets for their convenience and safety. Moreover, having a card reader can streamline your business operations by automating transaction records, improving accuracy, and reducing the risks associated with handling cash.
How Much is a Credit Card Reader?
The cost of a credit card reader can vary significantly based on its features and the associated payment processing service. Some providers offer free card readers as part of their payment processing package, while others charge for the hardware. The cost can range from as low as $30 to as high as $800 or more for advanced systems.
This article will explore the ten best card payment readers for small businesses, discussing their unique features, pricing, and suitability for different industries.
How Did We Choose Our Top Ten?
Our evaluation process involved comparing various card payment readers based on their pricing, features, user reviews, and compatibility with different business types. We also considered transaction fees, ease of use, and customer support.
Best Card Payment Readers for Small Businesses
Helcim is a versatile card payment reader that offers a blend of affordability and efficiency. It’s compatible with iOS and Android devices and operates on an interchange-plus pricing model.
Who are they best for?
Helcim is an ideal choice for businesses with large-ticket transactions, thanks to its volume-based discounts.
Pricing
The cost of the Helcim card reader is $109. The transaction fees are based on an interchange-plus model, starting at 0.15% + 6 cents for card-present transactions.
What Industries?
Helcim is ideal for various industries, including retail, restaurants, and professional services.
Style
Helcim features a sleek and compact design, perfect for businesses on the go. It accepts tap-and-dip payments and includes a PIN pad for additional security.
Why do we like it?
What stands out about Helcim is its transparent pricing and automatic volume discounts, making it a cost-effective option for businesses with high transaction volumes.
- Interchange-plus pricing
- Automatic volume discount
- Compatible with iOS and Android
- Interchange-plus pricing
- Automatic volume discounts
- Expensive card reader
- It does not support swiped payments
Clover offers a range of card payment readers, including the Clover Go, a 3-in-1 mobile reader that accepts swipe, dip, and tap payments.
Who are they best for?
Clover Go is perfect for businesses that already have a preferred merchant account and want a flexible payment processing tool.
Pricing
The Clover Go reader costs $49. The transaction fees are 2.6% + 10 cents for card-present transactions and 3.5% + 10 cents for card-not-present transactions.
What Industries?
Clover serves various industries, including retail, food and beverage, and services.
Style
The Clover Go reader features a sleek and compact design that connects to any mobile device, making it ideal for businesses on the move.
Why do we like it?
Clover Go is flexible as it can be programmed for different payment systems. Besides, it’s one of the few readers still supporting magstripe payments.
- It can be programmed for different payment systems
- It can be programmed for various payment systems
- Accepts magstripe payments
- Optional extended three-year warranty with no upfront cost
- No free POS app
- E-commerce tools are an add-on
Stax offers a reliable and efficient card payment reader that integrates seamlessly with its payment processing service.
Who are they best for?
Stax is best suited for small to medium-sized businesses looking for an all-in-one payment processing solution.
Pricing
Stax offers competitive pricing for its card payment reader, but the exact cost is available upon request. The transaction fees are based on an interchange-plus pricing model.
What Industries?
Stax serves various industries, including retail, healthcare, and professional services.
Style
Stax provides a sleek and compact card reader that can be used as a countertop device or on the go.
Why do we like it?
Stax stands out for its transparent pricing, efficient payment processing, and excellent customer service.
- Interchange-plus pricing
- Offers a variety of card readers
- Easy to use
- Seamless integration with POS software
- Pricing information not readily available
- Lack of advanced features
Square offers a range of card payment readers, including the Square Terminal, an all-in-one device with a built-in display and receipt printer.
Who are they best for?
Square Terminal is ideal for businesses that want a versatile card reader that can function as a primary or secondary card processor.
Pricing
The Square Terminal costs $299 or $27/month for 12 months. The transaction fees are 2.6% + 10 cents for card-present transactions and 3.5% + 15 cents for keyed-in transactions.
What Industries?
Square serves several industries: retail, food and beverage, professional services, and more.
Style
Square Terminal’s compact and portable design makes it suitable for countertop and on-the-go use.
Why do we like it?
Its all-in-one design, affordable payment plans, and compatibility with various hardware and software tools set Square Terminal apart.
- Portable, all-in-one POS and card reader
- Affordable installment plan
- Robust POS, inventory, and customer management tools
- Accepts Cash App payments
- Installment plans not available in certain states
- No Bluetooth connectivity
- Limited compatibility with non-Square hardware
eHopper POS offers a reliable and intuitive card payment reader that seamlessly integrates with its POS software.
Who are they best for?
eHopper POS is an excellent choice for small businesses looking for a user-friendly card payment reader with integrated POS features.
Pricing
The cost of the eHopper POS card reader is available upon request. The transaction fees are competitive and based on an interchange-plus pricing model.
What Industries?
eHopper POS serves various industries, including retail, food and beverage, professional services, and more.
Style
eHopper POS features a sleek and compact design, perfect for businesses with limited counter space.
Why do we like it?
eHopper POS has an intuitive interface, integrated features, and competitive pricing.
- User-friendly interface
- Integrated POS features
- Includes a range of valuable features
- Pricing information not readily available
- Limited advanced features
PayPal Zettle offers a simple yet efficient card payment reader that integrates seamlessly with PayPal’s payment processing service.
Who are they best for?
PayPal Zettle is an excellent choice for small businesses that want a simple and reliable card payment reader with the backing of a trusted brand.
Pricing
The PayPal Zettle card reader costs $29 for new users. The transaction fees are competitive, starting at 2.29% + 9 cents for in-person transactions.
What Industries?
PayPal Zettle caters to various industries, including retail, professional services, and food and beverage.
Style
PayPal Zettle features a compact and minimalist design, making it a suitable option for businesses on the go.
Why do we like it?
PayPal Zettle scores high marks for affordability, ease of use, and seamless integration with PayPal’s payment processing service.
- Affordable price
- Seamless integration with PayPal
- Inexpensive hardware with a fee-free software plan option
- It does not support swiped payments
- Limited advanced features
- It does not offer plan upgrades or add-ons
Lightspeed offers a range of card payment readers that integrate seamlessly with its POS software, providing a comprehensive solution for small businesses.
Who are they best for?
Lightspeed best suits small businesses looking for a comprehensive card payment solution with integrated POS features.
Pricing
The cost of the Lightspeed card reader is variable, depending on the model and features. The transaction fees are competitive and based on a flat-rate pricing model.
What Industries?
Lightspeed caters to various industries, including retail, food and beverage, professional services, and more.
Style
Lightspeed offers multiple card readers, from compact mobile to fully integrated countertop systems.
Why do we like it?
Lightspeed has a diverse selection of card payment readers, integrated POS features, and competitive pricing.
- Range of card payment readers
- Integrated POS features
- Excellent customer support
- Pricing information not readily available
- Requires a monthly subscription for POS software
- Some models lack portability
Toast offers the Toast Go 2, a handheld, proprietary hardware designed for restaurant operations and tableside payments.
Who are they best for?
Toast Go 2 is perfect for restaurants looking for an all-in-one solution for managing operations and processing payments.
Pricing
The cost of the Toast Go 2 starts at $0 for the pay-as-you-go plan, with a higher transaction fee. The transaction fees start at 2.99% + 15 cents per transaction for the pay-as-you-go plan.
What Industries?
Toast is explicitly designed for the food and beverage industry, making it an excellent choice for restaurants, cafes, and food trucks.
Style
Toast Go 2 is a standalone, handheld device that manages restaurant operations and processes tableside payments.
Why do we like it?
Toast Go two stands out for its industry-grade features, intuitive interface, fully integrated kitchen display system (KDS), marketing, and loyalty tools.
- Intuitive interface
- Durable, industry-grade hardware
- Enables tableside ordering and payments
- Limited to Toast proprietary hardware and payment processor
- Long-term contract
- Expensive add-on software/hardware
Sumup offers an affordable 3-in-1 mobile card reader with a PIN pad and a free payment app.
Who are they best for?
Sumup is an ideal choice for small, mobile merchants on a budget.
Pricing
The cost of the Sumup Plus card reader is $39. The transaction fees are a flat 2.75% for card-present transactions.
What Industries?
Sumup caters to various industries: retail, professional services, food, and beverage.
Style
Sumup Plus features a compact and portable design, making it ideal for businesses on the go.
Why do we like it?
Sumup stands out as the most affordable 3-in-1 mobile card reader, offering value for money for small businesses.
- The most affordable 3-in-1 mobile card reader
- Includes PIN pad
- Compatible with iOS and Android devices
- Lacks in-person invoice payments
- Does not work with high-risk businesses
- Complaints on fund holds and freezes
Shopify POS offers a reliable and efficient card payment reader that integrates seamlessly with its POS software.
Who are they best for?
Shopify POS is an excellent choice for small businesses looking for a user-friendly card payment reader with integrated POS features.
Pricing
The cost of the Shopify POS card reader is available upon request. The transaction fees are competitive and based on an interchange-plus pricing model.
What Industries?
Shopify POS serves various industries, including retail, food and beverage, professional services, and more.
Style
Shopify POS features a sleek and compact design, perfect for businesses with limited counter space.
Why do we like it?
Shopify POS stands out for its intuitive interface, integrated features, and competitive pricing.
- User-friendly interface
- Integrated POS features
- Excellent e-commerce features
- Can be expensive
- Limited advanced features
- Some models lack portability
Frequently Asked Questions
Bottom Line
Choosing the right card payment reader for your small business can significantly enhance your operational efficiency and customer experience. It’s crucial to consider your business’s unique needs, the reader’s cost, the transaction fees, and the features each option offers. Whether you run a mobile business, a retail store, or a restaurant, there’s a card reader out there that’s perfect for you.
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