9 Best Credit Card Readers of 2026

This list is for market stall holders, mobile trades, pop-up shops and solo service businesses that want to take card payments on an iPhone or Android phone. We ranked each reader by value first, then features, then ease of use, using the vendor's own hardware and pricing pages. The price shown is the one-time cost of the reader in USD on the check date, and we list the in-person card rate next to it because the rate costs more than the device for most sellers within a few months. We compared documented features and published prices; where a vendor showed no USD price to us, the price is marked pending.

1. 01Top value

   

   Square Reader

   9.1/10

   Square's pocket-sized Bluetooth reader for chip cards, contactless cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay, paired with the free Square Point of Sale app.

   Price

   $59one-time per reader

   $59 one-time for the reader; 2.6% + 15¢ per in-person payment; no monthly fee

   “$59 2.6% + 15¢ per in-person payment.” Quoted from the pricing page, November 10, 2026.

   Free plan

   Yes

   Value (40%)

   9.3

   Features (35%)

   8.8

   Ease of use (25%)

   9.3

   Best forMost small sellers who want a cheap reader for iPhone or Android with no monthly fee.

   Square Reader ranks first because it is the most complete package for selling from a phone at a low fixed cost. The reader costs $59, the Square Point of Sale app is free, and every dip or tap is billed at 2.6% + 15¢ with no contract or monthly fee. It accepts chip cards, contactless cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay, and pairs over Bluetooth LE 5.3 with a Stay Connected mode so you do not have to re-pair between sales. If signal drops, Square's offline payments keep you selling for up to 24 hours, with additional terms. Money arrives as soon as the next business day, or instantly for a 1.5% fee. Square includes fraud prevention and dispute management at no extra cost and offers a one-year limited warranty. The trade-offs are small: there is no magstripe slot on this model, and its 15¢ fixed fee is a little higher than SumUp's or PayPal's on small tickets. Businesses over $250K a year in card sales can ask for a custom rate.

   • ✓One flat rate of 2.6% + 15¢ for every dip or tap
   • ✓No contracts and no monthly fees
   • ✓Free Square Point of Sale app plus restaurant, retail and appointment versions

   • ✕The 2nd generation reader has no magstripe slot
   • ✕The 15¢ fixed fee is higher than SumUp's 10¢ or PayPal's 9¢
   • ✕Instant transfers cost 1.5% of the amount

   Reader price:

   $59

   In-person rate:

   2.6% + 15¢

   Phones:

   iOS and Android

   Warranty:

   One-year limited

   Bottom line: Square Reader is the safest default for anyone selling from a phone. Pick it unless your average sale is tiny and the fixed fee matters most.

   Visit squareup.com ↗

2. 02

   

   SumUp Plus Card Reader

   8.7/10

   SumUp's Bluetooth card reader that takes magstripe, chip and contactless payments through the free SumUp app.

   Price

   $54one-time per reader

   $54 one-time for the reader; 2.6% + 10¢ per card-present payment; free plan at $0 a month, POS Plus $49 a month

   “Buy now for $54*” Quoted from the pricing page, November 10, 2026.

   Free plan

   Yes

   Value (40%)

   9.2

   Features (35%)

   7.9

   Ease of use (25%)

   9.0

   Best forLow-ticket sellers who want the smallest fixed fee per sale and a long battery.

   SumUp Plus ranks second because it matches Square on the basics for slightly less money and charges a lower fixed fee per sale. The reader costs $54, and on SumUp's free tier you pay no monthly fee, only 2.6% + 10¢ per card-present transaction. That 5¢ difference against Square adds up for sellers with many small sales, such as coffee carts or craft stalls. SumUp says the Plus handles over 500 transactions on a single charge and accepts magstripe, chip and contactless payments, including Apple Pay and Google Pay, so no customer is turned away. It connects over Bluetooth to the free SumUp app, and a Plus Cradle Bundle turns it into a countertop setup. The free tier also includes appointment bookings and a free business account. Extra point of sale tools such as floor plans, cash drawer management and multi-device sync sit in POS Plus at $49 a month, and keyed or online payments cost 3.5% + 15¢.

   • ✓The lowest fixed fee among flat-rate readers here at 10¢
   • ✓Free tier with no monthly fee, plus a free business account
   • ✓Long battery rated for over 500 transactions

   • ✕Online and manual entry payments cost 3.5% + 15¢
   • ✕Floor plans, cash drawer management and multi-device sync need POS Plus at $49 a month
   • ✕The app has fewer built-in retail and appointment tools than Square's

   Reader price:

   $54

   In-person rate:

   2.6% + 10¢

   Battery:

   500+ transactions per charge

   Monthly fee:

   $0 on the free tier

   Bottom line: SumUp Plus is the best value pick when most of your sales are small. It also covers magstripe cards that Square's current reader does not.

   Visit sumup.com ↗

3. 03

   

   PayPal Card Reader

   8.6/10

   PayPal's mobile card reader, formerly sold under the Zettle name, that pairs with the PayPal Point of Sale app.

   Price

   $29one-time for the first reader

   $29 for your first reader, $79 for each additional reader; 2.29% + $0.09 per card-present transaction; no monthly or setup fees

   “$29 for your first Card Reader. Additional readers $79 each.” Quoted from the pricing page, November 10, 2026.

   Free plan

   Yes

   Value (40%)

   9.4

   Features (35%)

   7.6

   Ease of use (25%)

   8.7

   Best forSellers who already use PayPal and want the cheapest reader and lowest in-person rate.

   PayPal's Card Reader ranks third because it is the cheapest way to get a chip reader and carries the lowest published flat rate here. PayPal Zettle is now PayPal Point of Sale, and the first Card Reader costs $29 for new business users, with the standard price at $79 and additional readers $79 each. Card-present and QR code payments are 2.29% + $0.09, below Square's 2.6% + 15¢ and SumUp's 2.6% + 10¢, and there are no monthly or setup fees. Money lands in your PayPal balance within minutes, which suits sellers who already run their business through PayPal. The free app covers inventory and sales tracking on iOS and Android. If you outgrow a phone setup, PayPal sells an all-in-one Terminal for $199, or $239 with a barcode scanner. The catch is that the $29 price is a promotion PayPal can change or suspend, keyed entries cost 3.49% + $0.09, and the dock and wall plug are not included.

   • ✓The lowest published card-present rate on this list
   • ✓Only $29 for the first reader
   • ✓No monthly or setup fees

   • ✕Additional readers cost $79 each
   • ✕The $29 offer is limited to one reader per new business user and can change
   • ✕Keyed card entry costs 3.49% + $0.09

   Reader price:

   $29 first reader, $79 standard

   In-person rate:

   2.29% + $0.09

   Monthly fee:

   None

   Terminal option:

   $199, or $239 with barcode scanner

   Bottom line: PayPal Card Reader is the cheapest serious reader and the lowest rate on this list. It is the obvious pick for anyone whose business already runs on PayPal.

   Visit paypal.com ↗

4. 04

   

   Tap to Pay on iPhone (Square)

   8.5/10

   Square's version of Apple's Tap to Pay on iPhone, which turns a compatible iPhone into a contactless card reader in the free Square app.

   Price

   Freeno hardware cost

   No reader to buy; 2.6% + 15¢ per tap in the free Square Point of Sale app

   “Transparent pricing. Always. 2.6% + 15¢ per tap” Quoted from the pricing page, November 10, 2026.

   Free plan

   Yes

   Value (40%)

   9.5

   Features (35%)

   6.8

   Ease of use (25%)

   9.2

   Best forOccasional sellers with an iPhone XS or newer who only need contactless payments.

   Tap to Pay on iPhone answers the question of whether you need a reader at all. With the free Square Point of Sale app, an iPhone XS or newer on iOS 15.5 or later accepts contactless cards, Apple Pay and other digital wallets by having the customer hold their card or phone near the top of your iPhone. Square charges 2.6% + 15¢ per tap, the same as its paid reader, so the only saving is the $59 device. Setup is the simplest on the list: download the app, connect your Apple ID and key in an amount. Apple does not store card numbers on the phone or its servers, and Square handles fraud monitoring and disputes. The limit is coverage. Chip-only and magstripe cards will not work, so you fall back to manual entry, a QR code or a checkout link, and Square notes that transaction limits may apply. Many sellers start here and add a Square Reader later, since both feed the same account.

   • ✓Nothing to buy, charge or pair
   • ✓The same 2.6% + 15¢ rate as Square's reader
   • ✓Can be added later alongside a physical Square reader

   • ✕No chip or swipe payments
   • ✕Needs an iPhone XS or newer
   • ✕Transaction limits may apply and some contactless cards may not be accepted

   Hardware cost:

   $0

   Rate:

   2.6% + 15¢ per tap

   Phone required:

   iPhone XS or later, iOS 15.5 or later

   Region:

   Anywhere in the United States

   Bottom line: Tap to Pay on iPhone is the cheapest way to start taking cards. Add a physical reader once you meet customers whose cards will not tap.

   Visit squareup.com ↗

5. 05

   

   Helcim Card Reader

   8.4/10

   Helcim's Bluetooth and Wi-Fi card reader that pairs with phones, tablets and computers and runs on interchange plus pricing.

   Price

   $199one-time per reader

   $199 per reader plus shipping; interchange plus processing with no monthly, PCI or statement fees

   “Helcim Card Reader Credit card reader compatible with iOS, Android, MacOS and Windows $199 / unit + shipping” Quoted from the pricing page, November 10, 2026.

   Free plan

   Yes

   Value (40%)

   8.6

   Features (35%)

   8.3

   Ease of use (25%)

   8.2

   Best forGrowing sellers with higher card volume who want interchange plus rates and surcharging.

   Helcim takes a different approach from the flat-rate readers above it. The Helcim Card Reader costs $199 per unit plus shipping, and instead of a fixed percentage Helcim charges interchange plus pricing: the bank and network cost of each card plus its own margin, with volume discounts. For a seller processing several thousand dollars a month, that often works out below 2.6%, though the exact rate depends on the card. There are no monthly, PCI, statement or cancellation fees, and deposits arrive the next business morning. The reader accepts tap and chip, pairs with iOS, Android, macOS and Windows or runs standalone, and supports surcharging, card on file and customer tracking. Optional 4G data costs $7 a month for places without Wi-Fi. Helcim also offers Tap to Pay on iPhone for an extra 10¢ per transaction. The upfront price is the main drawback for a new seller, and the variable rate makes monthly costs harder to forecast.

   • ✓No monthly, PCI, statement or cancellation fees
   • ✓Interchange plus pricing usually beats flat rates at higher volume
   • ✓Also works with desktop and tablet setups

   • ✕$199 is the highest price for a phone reader on this list
   • ✕Card rates vary by card, so costs are harder to predict
   • ✕Optional 4G data costs $7 a month

   Reader price:

   $199 plus shipping

   Pricing model:

   Interchange plus

   Monthly fee:

   $0

   Tap to Pay on iPhone:

   Extra 10¢ per transaction

   Bottom line: Helcim is the best reader for sellers whose volume makes interchange plus pricing pay off. Smaller or occasional sellers will save more with Square or SumUp.

   Visit helcim.com ↗

6. 06

   

   Shopify Tap & Chip Card Reader

   8.1/10

   Shopify's minimal Bluetooth and USB reader for mobile and countertop selling through the Shopify POS app.

   Price

   $49one-time per reader

   $49 for the reader without a dock, $89 with the dock; requires a Shopify plan

   “Tap & Chip Card Reader A minimal card reader with Bluetooth and USB connectivity for mobile and countertop selling. $49.00” Quoted from the pricing page, November 10, 2026.

   Free plan

   No

   Value (40%)

   7.8

   Features (35%)

   8.4

   Ease of use (25%)

   8.3

   Best forShopify store owners who sell in person at markets, pop-ups or a small shop.

   Shopify's Tap & Chip Card Reader makes sense for one group: people who already sell online with Shopify. The reader costs $49 without a dock or $89 with one, ships free and comes with free 30-day returns. It connects over Bluetooth or USB to the Shopify POS app on iOS 15.1 or later or Android 10 or later, and Shopify Payments is built in, so in-person sales, stock and customers sit in the same admin as your web store. That shared catalog is the real benefit for a brand doing markets or pop-ups, because you never have to reconcile two systems. The reader weighs 90.7 g and works with Shopify POS Hub if you later build a counter. The cost is that you need an active Shopify plan, which none of the higher-ranked options require, and Shopify's help center lists it for merchants in the United States. We could not confirm Shopify's US in-person card rate from here, so check it on Shopify's pricing page before you buy.

   • ✓In-person sales share one catalog and inventory with your online store
   • ✓$49 without a dock is among the cheaper readers here
   • ✓Can move from a market stall to a counter with the dock

   • ✕Needs a paid Shopify plan
   • ✕Sold for merchants in the United States
   • ✕Not a good fit if you do not sell online

   Reader price:

   $49, or $89 with dock

   Connectivity:

   Bluetooth, USB

   Phones:

   iOS 15.1+, Android 10+

   Weight:

   90.7 g

   Bottom line: Shopify's reader is the right choice when your main store is on Shopify. For sellers without one, the plan fee makes it poor value.

   Visit shopify.com ↗

7. 07

   

   Square Terminal

   8.0/10

   Square's all-in-one card machine with a built-in screen, receipt printer and battery, so no phone is needed.

   Price

   $299one-time per device

   $299 one-time, or $27 a month for 12 months with Square financing; Hub add-on $39

   “Square Terminal costs $299 before taxes and fees, with hardware financing options available at checkout.” Quoted from the pricing page, November 10, 2026.

   Free plan

   Yes

   Value (40%)

   7.2

   Features (35%)

   8.6

   Ease of use (25%)

   8.6

   Best forSellers who want printed receipts and a dedicated device instead of using their phone.

   Square Terminal is on this list for sellers who would rather not use their own phone at checkout. It is a single device with a screen, card slot, contactless reader, magstripe and a built-in receipt printer, and it comes with free Square point of sale software, so it is ready to sell on arrival with no downloads. The battery lasts all day and offline payments keep it working for up to 24 hours without a connection, with additional terms. It costs $299 before taxes and fees, or $27 a month for 12 months through Square's financing, which is not offered in six states. A $39 Hub adds Ethernet and lets you connect a cash drawer, barcode scanner or extra printers. Card rates follow the Square plan you choose. The downside for mobile sellers is that it connects over Wi-Fi or Ethernet rather than a phone's data, and at five times the price of Square Reader it only pays off if printed receipts or a separate device matter to you.

   • ✓No phone needed and no app to install
   • ✓Printed receipts on the spot
   • ✓Free Square point of sale software included

   • ✕$299 is five times the price of Square Reader
   • ✕Needs Wi-Fi or Ethernet rather than a phone's mobile data
   • ✕Financing is not available in AL, DE, MO, MS, NH and TN

   Device price:

   $299

   Financing:

   $27 a month for 12 months

   Payments:

   Chip, contactless, magstripe

   Hub add-on:

   $39

   Bottom line: Square Terminal is the best phone-free option on this list. Most mobile sellers will still get more value from the $59 Square Reader.

   Visit squareup.com ↗

8. 08

   

   Clover Go

   7.9/10

   Clover's portable Bluetooth card reader that pairs with the Clover Go app on iPhone or Android and syncs with other Clover devices.

   Price

   $199one-time per reader

   $199 for the Go reader on the Starter plan with 2.6% + 10¢ per in-person card; Essentials plan adds $29.95 a month and 2.5% + 10¢

   “STARTER ESSENTIALS $199 $199+ $29.95/mo” Quoted from the pricing page, November 10, 2026.

   Free plan

   Yes

   Value (40%)

   7.4

   Features (35%)

   8.2

   Ease of use (25%)

   8.2

   Best forBusinesses that already run Clover at a counter and want a matching reader on the road.

   Clover Go is a capable reader that costs more than it needs to for a solo seller. The Go reader costs $199 on Clover.com, and on the Starter plan in-person cards cost 2.6% + 10¢; the Essentials plan adds $29.95 a month, lowers the rate to 2.5% + 10¢ and unlocks item tracking, detailed sales and tax reports, customer records, promotions and gift cards. The reader accepts chip and contactless payments, including Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay, and the Clover Go app runs on iOS 15 and Android 9.0 or higher, with Tap to Pay on iPhone also supported. Clover rates the battery at about 160 dips, 160 swipes or 130 contactless transactions per charge. Its strongest point is that Go sales sync with the Clover Dashboard and any Clover countertop device, which helps a shop that also sells off site. Against Square or SumUp, though, you pay over three times as much for the device.

   • ✓Starter plan rate of 2.6% + 10¢ for tapped, swiped or inserted cards
   • ✓Syncs with Clover countertop systems
   • ✓24/7 support on all plans

   • ✕$199 is high for a phone reader
   • ✕Inventory, customer and loyalty tools need Essentials at $29.95 a month
   • ✕Charges over micro USB

   Reader price:

   $199

   In-person rate:

   2.6% + 10¢ (Starter), 2.5% + 10¢ (Essentials)

   Phones:

   iOS 15+, Android 9.0+

   Instant deposit:

   1.75% fee

   Bottom line: Clover Go fits businesses already on Clover that want a mobile add-on. New sellers will get similar features for far less from Square or SumUp.

   Visit clover.com ↗

9. 09

   

   Stripe Reader M2

   6.8/10

   Stripe's compact Bluetooth mobile reader for businesses that build their own payment app on Stripe Terminal.

   Price

   Check price

   See vendor pricing (USD check pending)

   US price check pending. Vendor pricing page

   Free plan

   No

   Value (40%)

   7.0

   Features (35%)

   7.2

   Ease of use (25%)

   6.0

   Best forBusinesses with developers who want in-person payments inside their own iOS or Android app.

   Stripe Reader M2 is a well-built reader aimed at a different buyer from the rest of this list. It accepts EMV chip, contactless cards and digital wallets, and magstripe, connects over Bluetooth or USB on Android, has an offline mode, and Stripe rates the battery at 28 hours of active use and 42 hours on standby. It weighs about 85 g and supports end-to-end encryption and P2PE. The catch is that it has no ready-made seller app. It talks to the Stripe Terminal SDK on iOS, Android or React Native, so someone has to build or buy an app that uses it. That suits a platform, a SaaS product or a business with its own app that wants online and in-person payments in one Stripe account. The product page listed the M2 for the US only, and it showed us no USD price, so the price is pending here. A solo seller who just wants to tap a card should choose Square, SumUp or PayPal.

   • ✓Payments land in the same Stripe account as online sales
   • ✓Long rated battery life
   • ✓End-to-end encryption and P2PE ready

   • ✕Needs a custom app built with the Stripe Terminal SDK
   • ✕Sold for use in the US only
   • ✕Ordered through the Stripe Dashboard, with no ready-made seller app

   Country:

   US

   Connectivity:

   Bluetooth, USB on Android

   Battery:

   28 hours active use

   Weight:

   About 85 g

   Bottom line: Stripe Reader M2 is the right pick only when you have developers and your own app. Everyone else will be faster to start with a reader that ships with an app.

   Visit stripe.com ↗

Questions or corrections: editorial@rankozo.comSee our disclosure. Prices change; confirm on the vendor page before buying.