If you’ve ever tried to make a payment with your phone only to be thwarted by a card reader that only supports a certain type of phone, or requires you to download a specific app, then you know the pain of trying to make a mobile payment with your phone only to be stymied by the fact that your phone doesn’t support mobile payments or you have to download a separate app to make a mobile payment.
Luckily, there are a variety of phone credit card readers that can make a mobile payment work with your phone’s existing software. Plus, they make it easy to upload your business’s photos to Instagram and Facebook, and they’re compatible with most phones.
Read on for our list of the best mobile credit card readers.
Our Editor’s Best Mobile Credit Card Readers Reviews
- Use the free, easy-to-use, and customizable Point of Sale app or get started with Square for Retail, Square Appointments or Square for Restaurants plan (with free and premium options).
- Accept contactless payments, chip cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay from anywhere, with improved connectivity, extended battery life, and enhanced security.
- Pay just 2.6% + $0.10 for every tap or dip. No long-term commitments or contracts, no monthly fees- and with offline payments, keep taking payments for up to 24 hours.
- Safely and securely accepts payments anywhere. Plus, get data security, 24/7 fraud prevention, and payment-dispute management at no extra cost.
- Get funds in your bank account in one to two business days, or spend the money you earn instantly with Square Card.
- With Square Terminal, you can ring up sales, accept payments, and print receipts, all with one device. Use it at the counter or ring up customers anywhere in your store.
- Accept all major credit and debit cards and pay one low rate with no hidden fees and no long-term contracts.
- Process chip cards in just two seconds.
- Get your money as soon as the next business day.
- Use it cordlessly with the built-in battery, designed to last all day.
- Accept all major credit and debit cards for one low rate.
- Pay just 2.6% + $0.10 per swipe for Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express—no hidden fees.
- Track your earnings and view your complete sales history from the free Square Point of Sale app.
- Works with Apple and Android devices that have a 3.5 mm headphone jack. No charging needed
- REQUIRES SHOPIFY ACCOUNT - The secure and reliable Tap & Chip machine and holding dock work with Shopify's POS software to manage payment and credit card data. They are supported by Shopify customer service and backed by a standard 1-year warranty against defects and an extended 2-year warranty with POS Pro.
- CONTACTLESS PAYMENT - The Tap & Chip Card Reader mobile payment device accepts both tap and chip payments for smooth, secure transactions and the stand makes contactless payments simple. Accept major payment methods including chip credit or debit cards and digital wallets.
- MOBILE OR COUNTER CHECKOUT - The portable Tap & Chip Card Reader connects to a tablet or cell phone with Bluetooth, allowing customers to pay with either tap or chip. The sturdy dock raises the card reader to a height that is optimized for customer comfort and includes an option for countertop mounting for added stability.
- SAFE AND SECURE - Shopify's POS system protects customer card data per Payment Card Data Security Standard requirements, while Tap & Chip card readers are EMV-certified for safe transactions. The base has a USB-C connector for the reader and a USB-A connector to securely connect to a power source during charging.
- USER-FRIENDLY - The dock makes it easy to switch between using the Tap & Chip Card Reader at the counter or on the sales floor. The system is fully compatible with the most up-to-date Bluetooth, Apple iOS, and Android systems to seamlessly work with your business and give you more options.
- Merchant account required through Payarc.
- Dual Pricing Available- Pass all fees to customers
- Supports Windows 98/me/2000/xp/vista/Win7(32bit&64bit), OS X, Linux or system
- Compatible with USB-CCID driver. Supports T0, T1 protocol.
- Supports I2C memory card, SLE4418, SLE4428, SLE4432, SLE4442, SLE4436, SLE5536, SLE6636, AT88SC1608, AT45D041 card and AT45DB041 card via.
- Supports PC smart card industry standard - PC/SC 1.0/2.0. Supports power saving mode
- Supports USB 2.0 full speed. Supports EMV Level 1 specification
- 【Built In Buzzer】- Equipped with a built in buzzer, Our Mobile Card Reader emits sound up to 20db, effectively providing audible prompts for user convenience.
- 【Hassle Usage】- The Mobile Phone Card Reader is plug and play. Boasting stable performance and high efficiency, it does not require any drivers to be installed, hence making it easy to use.
- 【Robust and Long-lasting】- Constructed with premium ABS material, our Portable Mobile Phone Card Reader is built to last. It is , , and has a long service life, providing you with enduring usability.
- 【Broad Compatibility】- Our card reader is designed with a Type-C connector, ensuring compatibility with various phone brands such as Xiaomi, , , and .
- 【Professionally Engineered】- Our credit card reader adopts an RF receiving line design and an embedded microcontroller. These combined with a powerful decoding algorithm, result in an ultra-efficient .
- Issue receipts on-the-go with the lightweight pocket-sized device, and benefit from fast and fully thermal inkless printing with 800 receipts on a single charge.
- Use the printer as a battery pack to kick in when your Solo’s running out of power. Both the reader and the printer stay ready to go with double fast charging and optimal power distribution.
- Accept all major payment types from chip and contactless to Google Pay and Apple Pay.
- View your transaction history, issue refunds and enable smart tipping directly on the device
- Connect to Wi-Fi or use the free, unlimited data service and enjoy automatic software updates to make sure you’re always ready to take payments
Best Mobile Credit Card Readers Buying Guide
Before choosing the best mobile credit card reader you should consider following options:
1. Portable: Nowadays, mobile credit card readers are designed to be portable and easily fits in your pocket or purse. This makes them ideal for small business owners who are always on the go.
2. Battery Life: Battery life is another important factor when choosing a mobile credit card reader. Look for a device that is energy efficient and offers long battery life.
3. Connectivity: Make sure your mobile credit card reader offers the connectivity you need. Some readers connect to your phone’s 3G or 4G network, while others connect via Wi-Fi.
4. Security: Security is always a top concern when processing credit cards and mobile credit card readers are no different. Look for readers that encrypt data, tokenization or use 3D secure.5. Cost: All mobile credit card readers have different features and specs, so it’s important to understand your specific needs and choose a device that meets them.
6. Compatibility: Make sure your mobile credit card reader is compatible with the POS system you use.
7. Ease of Use: Mobile credit card readers are designed to be used anywhere, which means people will be using them in the field. This means your device needs to be easy to use and simple to navigate.8. Optional add-ons: Most mobile credit card readers come with standard features, but some also offer additional features for a small fee. You can choose to add these features or not, depending on your specific needs.
What else you should know about mobile credit card readers
1. What are the best mobile credit card readers?
There is no definitive answer to this question as it largely depends on the specific needs and preferences of the person or business using the reader. However, some of the most popular mobile credit card readers include the Square Reader, the PayPal Here reader, and the Intuit GoPayment reader.
2. How do mobile credit card readers work?
Mobile credit card readers typically work by being plugged into a phone or tablet via the headphone jack or Lightning port. They will also often come with a corresponding app that needs to be downloaded in order to track transactions. When a customer is ready to pay, they will hold their card up to the reader and enter their PIN. The reader will then process the payment and the funds will be transferred to the merchant’s account.
3. What are the fees associated with mobile credit card readers?
The fees associated with mobile credit card readers vary depending on the provider. Some providers charge a monthly fee, while others charge a per-transaction fee.
4. Are mobile credit card readers secure?
Yes, mobile credit card readers are secure. They use the same encryption technology as regular credit card readers, so your information is safe.
5. What are the benefits of using a mobile credit card reader?
The benefits of using a mobile credit card reader include convenience, ease of use, and security. With a mobile credit card reader, you can accept credit card payments anywhere you have a cell phone signal. This means that you can take your business with you wherever you go. Additionally, mobile credit card readers are easy to use. You simply swipe the card and enter the amount you want to charge. Finally, mobile credit card readers are very secure. They use encryption to protect your customers’ credit card information.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best mobile credit card readers. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best mobile credit card readers will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.