Bad scenarios can occur if small business owners don’t accept cards. Luckily, a credit card reader is a great solution. Find the best here.
Why You Should Consider Credit Card Reader For Your Small Business
The number of small businesses using credit card readers has increased recently. This is because more and more people are using credit cards for their purchases. For example, over 98% of transactions are made with a credit or debit card in the United States.
The best card reader for small businesses is one that can be used for both chip cards and swipe cards. This will ensure you can take advantage of the new technology without upgrading your reader in the near future.
Credit card readers are a small investment that can save you from the headaches of cash-only businesses. They provide a reliable and secure way for your customers to pay for your services.
A credit card reader will also help you avoid the 2% transaction fee that most banks charge when processing credit cards. This is not just an advantage for your business. It is something that benefits your customers as well.
The primary reason to get a credit card reader is to make it easier for your customers to buy your products or services.
Credit card readers can be installed through several methods. Most are wireless and can be easily plugged into a PC or tablet USB port. The other way is to plug it into the headphone jack and use an app on your phone.
The best credit card reader for small businesses offers high quality, durability, and ease of use at an affordable price.
Best Card Reader for Small Business All about
In the past, credit card readers have been bulky and difficult to carry around. But now, thanks to technological advancements, these are getting smaller and more portable. These are an essential part of any small business. They allow you to accept payments from your customers quickly and efficiently.
Many different types of credit card readers are available on the market today. Each with its own set of features and benefits. This article will talk about 8 of the best credit card readers for small business owners. These are all compact and lightweight enough to take with you wherever you go!
The following list contains the eight best credit card readers for small businesses available on the market today:
Option 1: Square POS
Square Reader is a popular option for businesses that want an affordable option with good features. It’s also one of the most popular options on the market today!
The Pricing
Square continues to include a free magstripe reader with each new account. While this gadget will do the job, it is restricted and rather old-fashioned. Square sells the Square Reader for contactless and chip, seen above, for $49. The device’s optional dock costs an extra $29.
You’ll pay a flat 2.6% + $0.10 fee for all card-present transactions for mobile processing. This flat-rate processing is generally ideal for lower-volume vendors (processing less than $10,000 per month) with smaller ticket sizes (such as coffee carts and food trucks). It can, however, be too expensive for high-volume organizations.
If you are searching for no fee merchant services, you should choose Square. Its standard service does not charge a monthly fee, but certain extra premium services do.
Why go for it no fee merchant services?
The best credit card reader for small businesses is the Square Reader. This card reader is perfect for small businesses because it doesn’t require a monthly fee and can be used with any kind of smartphone, tablet, or computer.
Option 2: PayPal Zettle
CPayPal Here is a good choice for small business owners who want a fast and easy way to accept customer payments. Plus, it has a free app that will help you stay organized!
The Pricing
PayPal Zettle comes with one card reader and costs $29 for the first reader and $79 for each subsequent reader. You will be charged 2.29% + 9 cents for each transaction. There are no monthly fees or commitments to worry about.
Why go for it?
This is ideal for organizations looking for a mobile card reader with no monthly fees or contracts.
PayPal’s Zettle card reader is no doubt one of the few contract-free mobile card readers on the list. You should choose if you are looking for no fee merchant services. There are no monthly or hidden costs; you just pay when you sell.
Furthermore, there is no limit to the transactions that may be processed. Accept contactless payments in 5 seconds and chip card payments in less than 10 seconds by connecting your tablet or smartphone to the card reader.
Option 3: Clover Go
You’ll have considerable leeway in selecting a Clover reseller, allowing you to choose plans that are appropriate for your volume.
The Pricing
If you purchase a Clover Go mobile payment reader from Clover.com, you will spend $49. If you are buying the device via a merchant services provider, the price might range from nothing to more than $100.
Clover is compatible with various payment processors, but if you prefer to use Clover directly, you may pick between Clover Payments for $0/month and Clover Essentials for $9/month. A fixed processing fee of 2.6% + $0.10 is applied to in-person transactions.
Why go for it?
If you use a Clover device, regardless of your processor, you’ll have your merchant account with Fiserv, which provides better consistency than third-party processors like Square or PayPal.
Option 4: Helcim Reader
Helcim has other capabilities, such as customer management, inventory monitoring, and food service management.
The Pricing
The NFC-enabled Helcim Card Reader costs $199, with a $79 reader countertop stand available as an option. It is device-agnostic, and while it is more robust than a standard mobile card reader (it even has a PIN pad), it is also totally portable.
Processing charges at Helcim begin at interchange fees plus 0.3% + $0.08, with a lower cost for higher volume firms. Your rate will be reduced the more you process.
Why go for it?
Helcim is a fantastic choice for small to medium-sized enterprises seeking interchange-plus pricing and a comprehensive feature set. Plus, It offers no fee merchant services, so you do not have to pay any monthly fee.
Helcim, like other prominent payment service providers (PSPs) like Square and PayPal, offers no monthly charge and bills monthly with no long-term contract. However, the firm provides a comprehensive, full-service merchant account, reducing the possibility that your account would be unexpectedly stopped or shut down.
Option 5: Toast POS
Control changing guest expectations with online ordering, delivery, contactless order and pay, e-gift cards, email marketing, and other services.
The Pricing
The cost of Toast Go varies greatly depending on your chosen package and whether you want numerous devices. The gadget costs $409, but you can obtain a terminal for “free” as part of your package. However, be aware that this will bind you to a long-term contract.
Toast prices vary from $0 to $165 per month, with bespoke plans available for high-volume establishments. Processing costs are 2.99% + $0.15 for the free plan and 2.49% + $0.15 for the regular plan.
Why go for it?
Toast is built primarily for restaurants and has features that simplify order processing. While sophisticated features might be costly, the designs are flexible enough to accommodate restaurants of any size.
Option 6: SumUp
Connect the reader to your phone or tablet to take a swipe, chip, and tap payments.
The Pricing
The SumUp reader costs $19 in the United States, making it one of the most affordable NFC readers. Prices and card reader choices vary outside of the United States.
SumUp also just announced the SumUp Pro card reader for $59, which is available now. This stylish pocket reader includes a built-in SIM card, unlimited free mobile data, and Wi-Fi access.
Why go for it?
SumUp’s lack of a set markup on transaction costs might make it especially effective for low-volume enterprises that deal primarily with tiny transactions.
While it isn’t as extensive as many other solutions (for example, it doesn’t support discounts or invoicing), SumUp covers most merchants’ bases. SumUp is also available in several European countries (including the United Kingdom) and South America, making it an intriguing worldwide option.
Option 7. SwipeSimple by Host Merchant Services
SwipeSimple works with various credit card processors, including three of our favorites: Host Merchant Services, Payment Depot, and National Processing.
The Pricing
Prices may differ based on the processor you choose. For example, our Payment Depot review describes how the firm provides new merchants with a complimentary chip and swipe reader, the Swift B200, which connects through Bluetooth. If you’re interested in contactless payments, the Swift B250 swipe, chip, and tap reader are only $25.
Why go for it?
SwipeSimple differs from the others in this list in that you will receive your merchant account if you go through any of the suppliers listed above. Still, most of the others in this list employ the third-party aggregating business model.
That implies SwipeSimple has a lower risk of account suspension or cancellation if you do not run an inherently high-risk firm. Yes, it’s a bit more expensive than Square. Still, a small monthly fee is a tiny amount to pay for dependability for businesses that a third-party processor has previously burned.
Option 8. Shopify
Shopify Funds execute in-person transactions at 2.7%; payments typically appear in your bank account within 24 to 72 hours.
The two readers from Shopify cover all of the fundamentals of mobile credit card processing. It should be noted that the Chipper 2X BT is exclusively accessible to retailers in the United States.
The Pricing
Shopify offers two readers for $49 with optional docks: the Chipper 2x BT Reader and the Shopify Tap & Chip Reader. The Chipper is $29, while the Tap & Chip is $39.
According to our Shopify POS review, the full-fledged countertop with a cash drawer and receipt printer costs $79 per month. Shopify Lite, the company’s mobile solution, costs $9 monthly.
Why go for it?
Shopify Lite is a fantastic mobile credit card processing option for businesses that sell at craft fairs, pop-up events, or even on social media.
Shopify Lite facilitates sales via social media, a buy button on your website, and access to mobile POS. A mobile invoicing capability is also included in the Shopify Lite package. Everything syncs with your in-person sales and any online transactions via Facebook.
The core POS capabilities in the Lite plan are the same as those in other Shopify service levels, the significant difference being the lack of hardware support, restricted employee PIN access, and limited online selling possibilities.
Sellers with a physical retail location may prefer the Shopify POS package, which has a 2.5% in-person processing rate and more advanced capabilities, such as a full-fledged Shopify online shop.
How To Successfully Utilize The Credit Card Reader For Small Business
There are a lot of different types of credit card readers available for small businesses. They range from the simple swipe reader to the more advanced contactless reader. The kind of credit card reader you purchase will depend on your needs and what your business is looking to achieve.
Credit card readers are devices that allow merchants to accept payments from credit cards. They work by reading the magnetic stripe on the back of a credit card and then transmitting it to a computer or mobile device.
The first step in choosing a credit card reader is to find out what kind of credit cards they need to accept. This will depend on what types of customers they want to attract. Some businesses only accept Visa or Mastercard, while others also take American Express and Discover cards.
Next, they should look at the cost of the device and how often it needs to be replaced. The best credit card readers for small business owners are inexpensive and last longer before needing a replacement.
A good credit card reader should also be compatible with various devices and be able to read magnetic stripes and chip cards. Also, the best card reader for small businesses is easy to use, attractive in design and can process transactions quickly.
The Verdict – How To Choose the Best Card Reader for Small Business
A card reader is a device that reads data from a card. In most cases, the card reader is used to read information stored on credit and debit cards. The device also reads information stored on smartcards, such as contactless cards.
There are different types of card readers available in the market. The best card reader for a small business will depend on the needs of the company and the style of credit or debit card it accepts.
If you are a small business owner looking for the best credit card reader, the list above will surely help you.
