Accepting credit cards with a mobile device can help you serve more customers and increase your revenue. You’ll need to find a great Android-compatible card reader if you’re using Android devices. To help you find the right option for your needs, read our guide on the best credit card reader for Android devices available today.
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We reviewed 15 mobile POS systems using a comprehensive process to help you find the seven best credit card readers for Android. Our ratings considered several factors that included plan pricing and processing fees, available features that come with mobile readers and our experts’ review based on customer reactions to the products. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Forbes Advisor chose the best credit card readers for Android based on several factors, including price, features, durability and ease of use. We also considered whether the reader could be used with a variety of Android devices and whether it offered any special features that would be beneficial for businesses. Then, we scored these contenders across several categories of features using 12 different metrics that were weighted to favour features that small business owners find valuable in an Android card reader.
For pricing, we considered whether a mobile POS provider offered an initial card reader for free or at a deep discount. We also looked at the pricing plans available in terms of their affordability. This not only included the monthly pricing but the processing fees, such as for card-present and card-not-present transactions, and how the provider compared to others on the list. Pricing and fees accounted for 35% of our weighted scoring.
For mobile credit card readers, we expected them to provide certain features, so those that included them as part of their base plan fared the best in our ratings. These features included offering options for both retail and restaurant POS, offering inventory management and built-in payment processing, taking mobile payments and having access to third-party software integrations. We weighted features at 35% of our total score.
Based on our market research, our panel of experts turned to popular third-party review sites to gauge actual users’ reactions to and opinions of these card readers. Specifically, we focused on popularity, value for the price, ease of use and any stand-out features. Altogether, these criteria make up 30% of the total score.
A credit card reader is a device that allows you to accept credit card payments from customers. The reader is connected to your Android device, typically through the headphone jack, and allows you to process payments using your chosen payment processor.
Most readers will also come with a companion app that you’ll need to download to process payments. Once you’ve set up your account and linked your reader, you’ll be able to start taking payments from customers.
There are a few different types of credit card readers available, so you’ll need to choose the one that’s best for your business. The three most common types of readers are magnetic stripe readers, EMV chip readers and NFC readers.
Magnetic Stripe Readers
Magnetic stripe readers are the most basic type of reader and are typically the cheapest. These readers will require you to swipe the customer’s credit card through the reader to process the payment.
EMV Chip Readers
EMV chip readers are the next step up and are becoming increasingly common. These readers will require the customer to insert their credit card into the reader to process the payment.
NFC Readers
NFC readers are the most advanced type of reader and allow you to process payments without even having to swipe or insert a credit card. Instead, the customer can hold their credit card near the reader to process the payment.
The features that are important in a credit card reader will vary depending on the type of business you have. However, some features that may be important include the ability to accept payments on the go, EMV certification and a wide variety of card types that can be accepted.
No matter which type of reader you choose, you’ll need to make sure that it’s compatible with your Android device. Most readers will connect to your device through the headphone jack or Bluetooth but some may require a different type of connection.
There are many hardware features that can be important when choosing a credit card reader. However, the most important feature is compatibility with your Android device. The reader should connect to your device easily and be able to process payments quickly. Other hardware features that can be important include a long battery life, the ability to accept a wide variety of card types and EMV certification.
Features to consider include:
Some credit card readers will offer integrations with other apps and software, helping to expand the functionality of the device. These integrations can be beneficial if you want to streamline your sales process. Examples of integrations include QuickBooks, Salesforce and FreshBooks. Most card readers offering integrations have an app marketplace with a list of third-party apps to connect, many of which are free, although most are paid options.
When choosing a credit card reader, you’ll also want to consider the cost of the device. The price can vary depending on the features and functionality offered. In general, the more features and functionality a reader has, the more expensive it will be. You’ll also want to consider the cost of any companion mobile apps and any third-party integrations you may want to use.
Equipment Costs
Depending on the desired features and functionality, the cost of a credit card reader will differ. A credit card reader with fewer functions generally costs less than one stacked with multiple features.
| CARD READER | CARD READER COST |
|---|---|
|
Square Reader
|
$69 USD ($93.15 CAD)
|
|
Clover Go
|
Contact sales
|
|
SumUp
|
$54 USD ($72.89 CAD)
|
|
Shopify Tap & Chip Card Reader
|
$69 CAD
|
|
Loyverse
|
Must purchase outside of Loyverse
|
|
Stripe
|
$79 CAD or $299 CAD
|
Payment Processing Fees
Customary transaction fees for in-person credit card processing are typically around 2.65% plus a small flat fee and can vary depending on the type of reader you use. For example, the Square Reader’s fee is 2.65% per transaction.
| CREDIT CARD READER | IN-PERSON TRANSACTIONS START AT |
|---|---|
|
Square Reader
|
2.65% per transaction
|
|
Clover Go
|
Contact Sales
|
|
SumUp
|
2.75% per transaction
|
|
Shopify Tap & Chip Card Reader
|
2.4% per transaction (Advanced plan)
|
|
Loyverse
|
Depends on payment processor
|
|
Stripe
|
2.9% plus $0.30 CAD per transaction
|
Bank Connectivity & Transaction Speed
When you use a credit card reader, your bank account is linked to the device so that payments can be processed. The transaction speed will vary depending on the reader you use and the type of connection it has. For example, a Bluetooth connection generally will be slower than a wired connection.
Canadian specific editing and research (including pricing) conducted by Anna Rey.
Related: Best Card Reader For Small Business
Square Reader: If you’re looking for a credit card reader that works well with Android and has features to support most businesses, Square Reader is a great option. One of the best things about it is that there’s no monthly fee to use it, plus sign-up is fast and easy. Another perk is that transfers typically are processed within one business day.
Clover Go: Clover Go is an excellent choice for small businesses that need to take payments while away from the office. It’s easy to use and has a lot of processing power. With Clover Go, you can accept payments even when you’re not in the same location as your customer, so you can relax knowing your business’s data is protected securely, no matter where you are.
The cheapest credit card reader available in Canada comes from Shopify and costs $69.
The cost of credit card readers for Android will vary depending on the features and quality of the reader. However, you can expect to pay anywhere from $69 CAD to $299 CAD for a quality credit card reader. You can even find a free reader, such as the Square Reader.
There are many ways to accept credit card payments on an Android device. Some companies, such as Square, offer a free credit card reader that plugs into your device. Others, such as PayPal and Clover, have credit card readers that connect wirelessly to your device. You can also find apps that allow you to accept credit card payments, such as the Square app.
Android devices are safe to process credit cards. Android devices are equipped with built-in security features that help protect your data. When you use a credit card reader, your customer’s data is encrypted and sent directly to the processor, so it’s never stored on your device. Plus, most credit card readers come with fraud protection features that help keep their data safe.
