Learn about the top 10 card readers for small businesses, with pros, cons, and guidelines for choosing the best option.
When you’re out shopping and want to pay with your credit card—you insert, swipe, or tap your card on a small device. That piece of hardware is a credit card reader, which transmits your information to a payment processor and bank for approval.
While credit card readers may look similar at first glance, they can vary significantly in terms of functionality and cost. There are several considerations, including fees, features, connectivity, integrations, and compatibility, to take into account when deciding.
This article looks at the top 10 best card readers for small businesses, highlights which features credit card readers should have, and helps you pick the right one for your store.
The 10 best card readers for small businesses
Card Reader | Payment Processing Fees | Monthly Subscription | Hardware Costs |
---|---|---|---|
Shopify POS | 2.7% + $0 (Basic plan) 2.4% + $0 (Advanced and Plus plans) |
POS plans: From $5/month + processing fees Shopify monthly fee: From $32/month |
Card reader hardware: From $49 |
Square | From 2.6% + 10¢ per transaction | None | Prices vary, starting at $59 to $799 Additional fees for add-on commerce services |
Clover Flex | From 2.5% + 10¢ per transaction | Basic plan: $0 Premium plan upgrades: From $14.99/month |
$649 |
PayPal Zettle | 1.75% per transaction | None | One-time $29 hardware fee One-time $79 hardware fee for additional readers |
Toast Go 2 | From 2.49% + 15¢ per transaction | From $0 | $494.10 |
Stripe Terminal | From 2.7% + 5¢ per transaction | None | From $59 |
Lightspeed | 2.6% + 10¢ for card-present transactions 2.6% + 30¢ per keyed transaction |
From $109/month | From $359 |
eHopper | Card present transactions: 2.5% + 10¢ per swipe, dip, or tap Online transactions: Interchange plus + 1% + 29¢ per transaction |
Free basic plan; premium plans available | From $350 |
Aloha Cloud | Free plan: 2.95% processing + 15¢ per transaction Premium plan: 2.5% processing + 15¢ per transaction |
Free plan: $0/month Premium: $170/month |
Included in POS package |
KORONA POS | No credit card processing agreements or fees—only flat fees | From $59/month per terminal | Hardware prices vary |
Our methodology
We believe Shopify POS is the top choice for retailers due to its unified platform and robust features. But card readers aren’t one-size-fits-all, so we created this comparison to help you evaluate your options.
After reviewing various card readers based on features, pricing, payment methods, fees, integrations, and ease of use, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 card readers that offer the most value, functionality, reliability, and versatility for retailers.
1. Shopify POS: Best for a unified retail experience
Shopify POS is more than one of the best small business credit and debit card readers on the market. It’s a fully integrated, customizable, omnichannel point-of-sale (POS) system that helps you manage transactions smoothly wherever you sell.
Shopify POS makes everything you need to run your retail business—no matter how big or small—easy to handle, from one place. When paired with a tablet, Shopify’s POS terminal lets merchants offer buyers a dedicated customer-facing display for checkouts in-store.
A portable Tap & Chip Card Reader is available for on-the-go selling, and supports major payment methods, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and digital wallets. Or, you can turn your smartphone into a card reader with Tap to Pay.
Shopify POS features
- Omnichannel selling
- Staff management
- Unified customer profiles
- Reporting and analytics
- Smart inventory management
- Unlimited products and variants
- Shopify Payments
- Built-in marketing tools
- Intuitive and fast checkout
- Various hardware choices
Pros
- Reliable connectivity to support the completion of every transaction
- Various card reader devices that accommodate every kind of small business
- Fully integrated with Shopify’s online store for a unified commerce platform
- Streamlined inventory management for every product across all stores
- Strict security and full PCI compliance to protect cardholder data
- 24/7 support from Shopify’s team of dedicated retail specialists
Cons:
- Features include robust ecommerce capabilities that brick-and-mortar-only retailers may not need
Pricing:
- POS plans start at $5/month + processing fees
- Card reader hardware pricing starts at $49
- Shopify monthly fee required
2. Square
Square is a flexible and user-friendly platform that provides tailored product suites for restaurants, retail, and beauty.
It also offers simple solutions for selling anywhere and secure payment options: Square Reader for chip cards and contactless payments on the counter or on the go, and a reader for magstripe that comes in Type-C, Lightning, and 3.5 millimeter headset jack versions, depending on your device’s connection.
Square POS features
- Flexible payments
- Third-party integrations
- Customer accounts
- Inventory management
- Offline payments
- Reporting and insights
- Multi-location management
- Commerce tool add-ons (additional price)
Pros
- Intuitive, user-friendly software
- Multi-card reader for swipe, tap, and insert chip cards
- Compatible with USB-C
- Works with Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android
- Quick and secure payment processing
- Flexible hardware upgrades
Cons
- Free card reader doesn’t accept contactless payments or chip cards
- Must upgrade from the free reader to new hardware to scale
- Additional commerce services aren’t included in the price
Pricing
- Processing fees start at 2.6% + 10¢ per transaction
- Hardware prices vary, starting at $10 per additional reader
- Additional fees for add-on commerce services
3. Clover Flex
Clover Flex is a handheld wireless card reader with all the features of a full POS and flexible payment options. It’s a portable, sleek option for a mobile point-of-sale making it a nice choice for tableside transactions.
This small card reader is also suitable for those who sell in dynamic environments, including pop-up shops, farmers markets, and events. Clover also offers the Flex Pocket reader, which is lighter for portability and uses Type-C charging, but lacks a receipt printer.
Clover Flex POS features
- 100% wireless
- 6-inch LCD display
- Flexible payments
- Built-in receipt printer
- Digital receipts
- End-to-end encryption
- 1D/2D barcode scanner
- WiFi & LTE connectivity
Pros
- Small and portable for on-the-go transactions
- Ready to go right out of the box
- Accepts digital wallets
Cons
- 8-hour battery life
- Only includes basic sales reports
- Can’t create and categorize items on the basic plan
Pricing
- Processing fees start at 2.6% + 10¢ per transaction
- $40/month or $649 flat fee for hardware
- Upgrades to premium plans available for additional fees
- No monthly fee for the basic plan
4. PayPal Zettle
Zettle by PayPal offers two mobile card readers: the Zettle Payment Terminal and Zettle Card Reader 2. The payment terminal on-the-spot sales and seamless payments while the Zettle Card Reader 2 allows contactless payments by all major credit cards.
Both are portable and versatile, work for smaller business setups, and are quick and easy to set up. The biggest draws of Zettle are that it doesn’t require a contract and integrates with many POS systems.
Zettle features
- Mobile card reader
- Contactless payments
- No monthly fee
- Major cards accepted
- Fast setup
- PCI-certified security
- Bluetooth connectivity
- POS app integration
- Secure payment processing
Pros
- No contract needed
- Contactless payments with Tap to Pay
- Schedule transfers to your bank with no extra fee
- Funds arrive within minutes of making a sale to your PayPal balance
Cons
- Battery life is only 8 hours
- No age-verification features
- Only compatible with iOS and Android compatible
- Simple card reader that doesn’t work well for larger retail operations
Pricing
- Processing fees are 2.29% + 9¢
- One-time $29 hardware fee
- One-time $79 hardware fee for additional readers
5. Toast Go 2
Toast Go 2 is a card reader built specifically for restaurants. Its durability and functionality meet the demands of bustling restaurant environments, and it can be used for indoor payments, drive-throughs, and curbside services.
Toast supports contactless payments, including NFC and digital wallet transactions. It also integrates with other Toast commerce products and several essential restaurant industry tools.
Toast features
- Mobile handheld POS
- Contactless payments
- Restaurant-grade durability
- Fully integrated system
- 24-hour battery
- Lightning-fast processing
- Comfortable for long shifts
- Multi-payment options
- Unified platform integration
Pros
- Free starter kit (1–2 terminals)
- Long-lasting 24-hour battery life
- Durable build, spill, dust, and drop-resistant
- Easy-to-view touchscreen suitable for various lighting conditions
- Free Toast Care support in all subscriptions 24/7/365 by phone or web messaging
Cons
- Higher transaction fees
- Only works for food services
- Must upgrade to a paid plan for tools beyond basic credit card processing
Pricing
- 2.49% plus 15¢ per in-person transaction; 3.50% plus 15¢ per online transaction
- Monthly fees start at $0
6. Stripe Terminal
Stripe Terminal is a mobile card reader built for Stripe online users who also want to accept payments in person. Stripe Terminal is highly customizable, but it’s also built with developers in mind. In other words, to get the full benefit of Stripe Terminal, you either need to know how to code or need to hire a developer.
Stripe Terminal features
- Tap to Pay
- Unified commerce
- Customizable checkout
- Customer personalization
- Device-management tools
- Multiple card reader options
- Third-party integrations
- API-integration
- Stripe Payments and Connect integrations
Pros
- Unified online and in-person payments for Stripe users
- Supports contactless and NFC payments
- Global scalability for business expansion
- Compatible with multiple devices
Cons
- Requires developer skills to access full benefits
- Processing fees are higher than many of its competitors
Pricing
- Hardware costs start at $59
- Processing fees start at 2.7% + 5¢ per successful charge for domestic cards
- No monthly fees for the Standard package
- Additional fees for add-on services
7. Lightspeed
Lightspeed offers full POS hardware for retail, restaurants, and golf pro shops. Merchants can choose one of two credit card readers: a smart countertop reader that connects to Lightspeed Payments via the internet and Mobile Tap v2—a small, portable Bluetooth card reader, and one of the most compact on the market, at 40 grams.
Lightspeed features
- Key-in card payments
- Intelligent inventory management
- Hardware integration
- Loyalty programs
- Flexible hardware
- Ecommerce integrations
- NuORDER integration
Pros
- One-on-one onboarding
- Dedicated account manager
- Detailed inventory management tools
- Battery can last a day of trading and support 800 NFC transactions and 1200 contact transactions on a single charge
Cons
- Must upgrade to access advanced reporting
- Deposits take two days after a sale
- Hardware prices lack transparency
Pricing
- Processing fees are 2.6% + 10¢ for card-present transactions
- Processing fees are 2.6% + 30¢ per keyed transaction
- POS plans start at $79 per month and $29 for each additional register
- Hardware prices vary
8. eHopper
eHopper is well-suited for businesses looking to save on costly processing fees. It supports surcharging and cash discounting, which passes processing fees on to shoppers at checkout.
eHopper also offers a free, fully integrated Pax S300 payment terminal for processing in-store credit card payments and online orders. Grocers and retailers in specialty markets can benefit from eHopper as it offers features for managing and selling products by custom measurements and tracking perishable goods.
eHopper features
- Large color touch screen and loudspeaker
- Omnichannel capabilities
- Surcharge and cash discount programs
- Encryption security
- Large memory capacity
- EMV & PCI compliant
Pros
- User-friendly interface
- Allows selling products by custom weight
- Can track perishable goods
- Handles contactless, e-signature, magstripe, and EMV chip card transactions
- Integrated payment processing
Cons
- Free POS software and processing for US merchants only
- Limited reporting and customization
- Basic customer management functions
- No iOS software compatibility
Pricing
- Card present transactions: 2.5% + 10¢ per swipe, dip, or tap (processing fees should total at least $20 in a month)
- Online transactions: Interchange plus + 1% + 29¢ per transaction
- POS plans start at $14.99 per month per license
- Hardware prices vary
9. Aloha Cloud
Aloha Cloud is an all-in-one cloud- and Android-based POS solution. It includes everything you need to accept and process payments securely via digital wallets, EMV cards, and more. It’s available as a monthly subscription that includes all software, hardware, services, and payments.
Aloha features
- Fixed and handheld terminals
- 6-inch screen display
- EMV and NFC technology to prevent fraud
- Chargeback management
- Reports, including deposits, ACH, chargebacks, and more
- Built-in email marketing and loyalty tools
Pros
- Next-day funding
- Personalized onboarding
- Accepts NFC and digital wallets
- Handheld readers compatible with Verizon and T-Mobile SIM cards
- Point-to-point encryption against data security threats
Cons
- Android based
- 8- to 10-hour battery life
- Subscription plans lock you into a three-year contract
Pricing
- Free plan at $0 per month comes with a payment processing fee of 2.99% +15¢
- Premium plan costs $170/month with a 2.5% + 15¢ processing fee
10. KORONA POS
KORONA POS is also a cloud-based solution that comes with EMV and contactless payment options and seamlessly integrates with various merchant services without disruption, so you can process transactions efficiently. It promises a 60-day money-back guarantee.
KORONA POS features
- EMV and mobile payment solutions
- Split and custom payments (for large transactions)
- Cashier permissions and reports
- Cash control to ensure everything is accounted for
- Loyalty programs
- Ecommerce integrations
- Automatic inventory reordering
- Cloud reporting and analytics with data backup for real-time access
Pros
- Free trial available
- Multi-location support
- Accepts modern payment methods, like NFC with Android Pay and Apple Pay
- Integrates with any payment processor of your choice
- 30-day money-back guarantee on hardware and 60-day money-back guarantee on software
Cons
- No built-in payment processor
- Hardware pricing isn’t transparent
- Integrations offered as premium add-ons
Pricing
KORONA POS has no credit card processing agreements or fees, only flat fees.
- Monthly subscriptions start at $59/month per terminal for the Core plan and $69/month for the Retail plan
- Add-ons cost $10–$50 per month per terminal
- Hardware prices vary
How to choose a card reader for your small business
As you research your business’s credit card processing needs, here is everything to consider.
1. Unified commerce functionality
The future of commerce is unified. According to a January 2025 report by an independent consulting firm, retailers using unified commerce platforms like Shopify POS achieve 22% lower total cost of ownership and 20% faster implementation time compared to other solutions.
That’s because Shopify integrates your front- and back-end operations in-store and online. That way, you can sell omnichannel and manage your inventory, customer data, sales, and payments in a single platform—no more relying on third-party APIs or software to sync your ecommerce platform and POS system.
When you run your business with Shopify POS’s unified system, you can:
- Streamline your workflow
- Boost operational efficiency and revenue
- Get real-time data visibility for better decision-making
- Make the customer shopping experience seamless and consistent across all touchpoints
Luxury clothing brand Derek Rose struggled with a fragmented payment and inventory system that caused stock errors, didn’t integrate with its ERP software, and lacked a unified customer view. This made it difficult for the brand to optimize the customer experience and marketing efforts.
“Prior to Shopify, the reality was there were very few native omnichannel solutions,” says Sacha Rose, CEO of Derek Rose. “We needed an approach that worked seamlessly between our online and offline channels, and Shopify was able to provide that.”
The retailer chose Shopify POS because of its ability to sync real-time data between its physical and online stores in a single platform. This allowed it to provide a smooth omnichannel shopping experience and streamline payments, inventory management, and customer experience across all channels.
Shopify POS’s intuitive interface and integrated payment processing improved the brand’s efficiency, reduced friction at checkout, and ensured a consistent experience for their customers.
2. Reliability and uptime
The last thing you want when a customer is in line ready to buy your products is for your credit card reader to stop working. A piece of hardware with an unreliable network, low battery life, or reputation for breaking can mean a loss of thousands of dollars in monthly sales.
When picking a card reader, choose one with high uptime percentages—ideally above 99%. Also, look for reviews, testimonials, and case studies about the hardware’s reliability.
3. Check security features
Eighty percent of consumers choose a credit card based on its security features. It’s a merchant’s duty to provide the same level of security and protection when reading and processing a credit card.
Opt for a card reader that adheres to the latest PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) requirements. Look for features like EMV compliance for chip cards, contactless payment encryption, and tokenization of payment data.
4. Evaluate pricing
Some card readers are free. Others cost thousands of dollars.
The first step in evaluating pricing is to examine your monthly revenue, count how many stores and employees will need a card reader, and determine what features you’ll need.
Once you have settled on these numbers, you can compare prices across card readers and providers. Look for:
- Contract requirements. Is there a long-term commitment or a more flexible month-to-month option? What will this cost you in the long run?
- Card reader hardware fees. How many card readers do you need? What kind? Do you need to buy the hardware outright, or is there a rental option?
- Processing fees. Look at the cost per transaction, including the percentage and the additional fee for each transaction. These can vary widely.
- Monthly fees. Is there a recurring charge for using the service or system? What does the monthly fee cover?
- Hidden fees. Are there any fees that you don’t know about? Will you need to pay extra cash for features you thought were included.
5. Review essential features
When picking a card reader for your small business, the most important questions to answer are: What can this card reader do? Does it have the essential features I need? And does it integrate well into my full business management tool suite?
To help you out with your research, here are the top features a credit card reader should have:
- Tap to Pay for quick transactions.
- Mobile integration to make sales from your smartphone.
- Multi-payment support to accept different card types and payment methods.
- User-friendly interface that’s easy for all your employees to navigate and use (including returns).
- High uptime and reliable performance.
- Durable hardware that’s resistant to wear and damage.
- EMV compliance to ensure secure chip card processing.
- NFC capability to process contactless transactions.
- PCI compliance to adhere to industry data security standards.
- Battery life with long-lasting power for continuous use.
- Receipts that offer physical and digital transaction receipts.
- Customizable options with tailorable features to fit business needs.
- Warranty to get the most out of your equipment.
6. Integrations
For a seamless checkout experience, choose a card reader that integrates with your existing retail toolstack. Here are the recommended integrations the best card readers should have:
- POS
- Accounting software
- Ecommerce platforms
- Inventory management system
- Employee management tools
- Customer relationship management (CRM) tools
- Payment gateways
- Marketing tools
- Data analytics and business intelligence software
- Security software
7. Flexibility
If your business operates across various selling environments, consider a card reader with versatile features that seamlessly adapt to any location and meet diverse customer preferences.
Shopify POS offers unmatched flexibility by streamlining operations and enabling easy access to all features from a single platform. Its contactless payment technology, Tap to Pay, turns your smartphone into a card reader, so you can take payments anywhere in-store—without the need for a separate terminal or stationary checkout desk. Customers can tap their mobile phone against yours to pay for their purchases in-person using digital wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.
8. Evaluate payment methods
Have you ever abandoned an online transaction because you couldn’t use your favorite one-click payment method? Or have you ever wanted to buy something at a brick-and-mortar location but only had your phone with you?
As a retailer, the best way to account for this is to pick a card reader that accepts all forms of payment. This includes cash, all major credit cards, and digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
9. Hardware needs
What it means to be a small business varies widely. At one end of the scale, a small business could be a sole proprietorship run by one person. On the other, it could be a handful of retail stores with several employees in each store. As such, it makes sense that credit card reader hardware needs would vary widely from one business to another.
If you’re a large operation with multiple brick-and-mortar stores and a complementary ecommerce store, you’ll need a full POS system and a robust hardware setup. For example, you may look into POS Terminal Countertop Kits for your sales counters.
But if you only sell your products online and at your local market, a POS plus a small and portable credit card reader (like a pin-and-chip machine) would be a better—and more affordable—fit.
How much does a card reader cost?
We’ve looked at the top 10 card readers for small businesses and discussed what you should consider when picking one, but how much will it set you back?
Again, it depends on how big your business is, your monthly revenues, and what features you need. But here is where you can plan on spending your money when setting up payments at your business:
Hardware
Your POS hardware costs will depend on the number of stores you have and the number of people at each store who need a card reader. You can plan on spending anywhere from $0 for something like a Tap to Pay on iPhone card reader, to hundreds for more robust hardware like an EPOS.
POS software
Card readers aren’t typically standalone devices. The best readers integrate with POS software so you can manage your payments across multiple sales channels and stores. For fully integrated POS software, you’ll likely pay a monthly fee. At Shopify, POS fees start at $5.
Payment processing fees
You’ll pay a processing fee every time you complete a transaction with a card reader. These fees vary between credit card reader providers. At Shopify, processing fees start at 2.6% + 10¢ in person.
Find the best card reader for your small business
If you’re starting your first retail store, expanding your online store to brick-and-mortar locations, or looking for a better way to process transactions, you’ll need a new credit card reader.
No matter how big or small your credit card payment processing system needs are, Shopify has a card reader for you to process payments. The best part? Every Shopify card reader integrates with Shopify’s POS, so you can keep everything from your sales to your inventory organized in one system as you scale.
Best Card Reader FAQ
Which card reader is the best?
The best card reader is Shopify POS. The unified commerce solution helps retailers of any size manage their in-store and online operations—including inventory, sales, payments, and customer data—on a single platform. It integrates seamlessly with more than 8,000 tools, so you can tailor the platform to your specific business needs.
What is the best card reader for a small business?
Here are some of the best card readers for small businesses:
- Shopify POS
- Square
- Clover Flex
- PayPal Zettle
- Toast
- Stripe Terminal
- Lightspeed
- eHopper
- Aloha Cloud
- KORONA POS
What is the best smart card reader?
Shopify POS is the best smart card reader because it’s reliable, has an easy-to-use interface, integrates with Shopify’s ecommerce platform, and lets you manage online and offline operations in one place. Plus, it offers flexible payment options and supports major payment methods, making checkout seamless.
Is it worth getting a card reader?
A card reader is often needed to take tap, chip, swipe, and PIN payments for in-person transactions. However, newer options, like Shopify’s Tap to Pay, turn your smartphone into a card reader, allowing you to accept contactless payments anywhere without a separate terminal.
How do I choose a card reader?
Consider these factors when choosing a card reader:
- Determine your business needs.
- Review essential features.
- Evaluate payment methods and integrations.
- Assess ease of use, security, reliability, and uptime.
- Analyze processing fees and subscription costs.
- Look for unified commerce functionality.
- Consider upgrade options and scalability.