If you are taking your business on the road or simply looking for a convenient way to accept credit card payments, you need a mobile credit card reader. You can process transactions anywhere with these small, lightweight, and easy-to-use devices.
There are many such devices on the market, so how do you know which one is right for you? We've compiled a list of the best solutions, including Square, Shopify, and PayPal Zettle. Keep reading to see why we did that and what other manufacturers have to offer to your business.
Mobile Credit Card Reader Reviews
1. Square Review

2. PayPal Zettle Review

3. Shopify Review

4. Clover Go Review

5. SumUp Review

6. Payanywhere Review

Our Top 5 Picks of Credit Card Readers
Square
PayPal Zettle
Shopify
Clover Go
SumUp

Our Evaluation Method of Credit Card Readers for Small Businesses
As a business owner, you know that accepting credit cards and other cashless payment methods is essential for success. But what is the best way to accept them? Credit card scanners for phones are a popular option, and they come in all shapes and sizes.
So, how do you choose the right one for your business? Well, we’ll give you the specific criteria we used when deciding on the products showcased above and the important considerations for those in the market for a card reader that’s portable.
Mobile Reader Types
This section breaks down what kind of transactions the card reader needs to be capable of processing. Depending on what type of cards most of your customers will be using, you might want to prioritize a reader built to handle those specific cards. Even better, find a reader that supports them all.
Magnetic stripe cards are the most common. They work by swiping the card through the reader. Information from your card is then transferred to the reader, and your point-of-sale system processes it. Magnetic stripe readers are less expensive than EMV chip readers, but are also less secure. This is because magnetic stripe cards are easier to clone than EMV chip cards.
A credit card reader for a phone with EMV-chip support is more advanced than a magnetic stripe reader. It works by inserting the card into the reader; from there, it’s securely transmitted to your POS system. EMV chip cards are more secure, and most cards nowadays support them.
Some credit card readers for smartphones also support contactless or NFC payments. Contactless payments are made using near-field communication (NFC) technology. This allows customers to simply tap their card or smartphone against the reader to make a payment. NFC is a very convenient way to pay, and it’s becoming more and more popular. As such, we recommend using readers that support it, as that unlocks the option of receiving transactions from Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.
Fees and Subscriptions
Most portable card readers charge a percentage of each transaction. The fee is typically between 2% and 3.5% and may also include a fixed fee of up to 30 cents.
Some readers also come with a monthly subscription fee and offer features that might be worth the extra cost. For example, they might offer lower transaction fees or receipt-printing capabilities.
Additional Features and Functionality
Many POS system providers with credit card machine phone solutions also include features that will make your business run more smoothly.
For example, you might want to consider a reader compatible with a portable receipt printer. This will allow you to print receipts for your customers on the spot.
Inventory management
Inventory management is another helpful feature. With it, you can keep track of your inventory levels in real-time and receive low-stock alerts. This way, you’ll never have to worry about running out of products.
Expandable POS Systems
Another thing to consider is whether the credit card phone scanner you are using is easy to expand into a more comprehensive POS system.
A POS system that can be customized and expanded as your business grows is great: You might start with just a basic credit card reader, but add a barcode scanner, receipt printer, and cash drawer later on.
An expandable POS system can save you a lot of money in the long run, as you won’t have to replace all your hardware as your business grows.
By installing a mobile app from the company providing you with a smartphone card reader, and connecting to the device via Bluetooth, you become a mobile POS system user.
Yes, you can use your phone as a card reader. Many different credit card readers work with smartphones. We mention some of them in our comprehensive reviews (e.g., Square, PayPal Zettle, and Shopify).
Prices for smartphone credit card readers can vary depending on the features they offer. Some basic readers may cost as little as $30, while more advanced readers with additional features can cost around $100.