Free Card Reader
POS equipment can get expensive, so here's a list of the best affordable (if not free) card readers available on the market.
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Here are the top 4 free credit card readers available now:
- Best Overall: Square
- Best for Mid-Sized Businesses: National Processing
- Best for Established Businesses: Clover Go
- Best for Android Devices: SecureGlobalPay
There are a ton of free card readers out there. But just because they're free doesn't mean you should pick them up. Some "free" payment processors will have expensive processing fees or even long-term contracts.
If you have a new or small business and aren't looking to spend on a credit card reader, here's a list of some of the best free ones on the market.
Square Reader: Free Mobile Credit Card Reader
- Pay 2.6% + 10¢ Per Swipe for Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express
- Accept Credit Cards Anywhere
- Fast Setup, No Commitments
Free Card Readers for Large and Small Businesses
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Smart terminals and other point-of-sale system hardware can get really pricey. But card readers won't hurt your wallet. Here are some of the best ones right now:
A card reader is a small device that can read the information on a credit or debit card's microchip or magnetic strip. This allows business owners to take credit or debit card payments with ease.
1. Square: Best Overall
Square offers one of the best POS systems out there. When you apply for an account, you get a free magstripe reader (swipe payments only). If you need more readers, you can buy an additional magstripe reader for $10 or a contactless reader for $59.[1]
With the Square Reader, you won't need to worry about battery life. The free reader will work as long as it's plugged into your device.
The Square POS app is compatible with most smartphones and tablets. The reader even has a built-in Offline Mode, making it a great choice for mobile businesses like food trucks.
How to get a free Square Reader:
After signing up for an account, your free Square Reader will be delivered to you in 7-10 business days.[2]
Once you place your order, you should get a confirmation email and shipping updates as soon as the reader is sent out. You can also track your order from your dashboard from the POS app.
The Square magstripe reader really is free—but only when you sign up for an account. If you need more card readers for your business, it'll cost you at least an additional $10. There also isn't a free Square contactless reader, but you can buy one for $59 to take contactless payments.
Pros + Cons
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Square's processing rates:[3]
| Type of Transaction | Cost |
|---|---|
| In-person | 2.6% + $0.10 |
| Online | 2.9% + $0.30 |
| Keyed-in | 3.5% + $0.15 |
| Invoices | 3.3% + $0.30 |
Square Reader: Free Mobile Credit Card Reader
- Pay 2.6% + 10¢ Per Swipe for Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express
- Accept Credit Cards Anywhere
- Fast Setup, No Commitments
2. National Processing: For Mid-Sized Businesses
National Processing offers more than just free mobile readers. They also throw in a free gateway setup and free reprogramming for your equipment.
The free reader they offer is called the SwipeSimple B250. It allows you to take magstripe, chip cards, and contactless payments. However, they connect wirelessly, which means you'll need to keep an eye on its battery at all times.
How to get the SwipeSimple B250:
The free mobile reader comes with your monthly subscription. Some plans even offer a free terminal or other free equipment, so be sure to pick one that fits you and your business.
The catch here is that if you want to cancel or terminate your contract early, you'll have to pay for early cancellation and equipment fees.
Pros + Cons
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National Processing's fees & monthly costs:[4]
National offers two different pricing programs. Smaller businesses can start with interchange-plus pricing, which has different rates for different businesses.
Larger businesses can opt for subscription pricing, which has a higher monthly fee, but lower markups.
| Account Type | Transaction Fees | Monthly Costs |
|---|---|---|
| Interchange Plus Pricing Plans | ||
| Restaurant | Interchange + 0.14% + $0.07 | $9.95/mo |
| Retail | Interchange + 0.18% + $0.10 | $9.95/mo |
| eCommerce | Interchange + 0.29% + $0.15 | $9.95/mo |
| Non-Profit | Interchange + 0.12% + $0.06 | $9.95/mo |
| Subscription Pricing Plans | ||
| Subscription | Interchange + $0.09 | $59/mo |
| Subscription Plus | Interchange + $0.05 | $199/mo |
3. Clover Go: For Established Businesses
Clover's free card reader offers easier payments, more flexibility, and tighter tracking. And since their processors are technically the merchant account providers, they're great for large and established businesses.
Clover Go, the Bluetooth card reader, gets you up to 160 swipes or 130 contactless transactions on one charge. If it runs low on battery, you can always use the stand that it comes with to give it more juice.
The reader comes with features like digital receipts. This allows you to instantly send a digital receipt via text or email right after purchase.
How to get a free card reader from Clover:
To get a free Clover Go reader, you'll have to apply to third-party payment processors like National Bankcard or American Merchant Brokers.
Just note that some processors may have sales volume requirements in order to get a free Clover Go. For example, American Merchant Brokers requires $30,000/month in sales volume to qualify for free Clover equipment.
Pros + Cons
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Clover Go's transaction fees:[5]
Your processing fees will depend on which processor you go with. But if you go directly with Clover, the transaction fees are:
| Type of Transaction | Cost |
|---|---|
| Card-present | 2.6% + $0.10 |
| Card-not-present | 3.5% + $0.10 |
4. SecureGlobalPay: For Android Devices
SecureGlobalPay is a merchant account provider that offers free card readers suited for Android devices. Their card readers connect via headphone jack, so you'll need an older iPhone if you prefer using iOS.
The card reader is designed and made by Payanywhere. It takes any type of payment like magnetic strip, chip cards, and contactless payments. It's also available for use on either a smartphone or a tablet.
The POS app is also fully customizable, giving you features like reporting which give you an overview of how your business is doing. It can also be integrated with QuickBooks Online, letting you update your books in real time.
How to get free Payanywhere credit card reader:
SecureGlobalPay has two plans: Mobile and Storefront. To get the free card reader, you'll need to apply for the mobile plan. The Storefront plan will require you to pay a basic service fee of $12.95/month.[6]
Luckily, SecureGlobalPay accepts low to high-risk businesses, giving you a good chance to get approved.
To get started, all you need to do is apply through their website. Just be sure to have all your requirements ready.
Pros + Cons
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SecureGlobalPay processing rates:[7]
| Type of Transaction | Cost |
|---|---|
| (Mobile) Swiped | 2.69% |
| (Mobile) Keyed-in | 3.49% + $0.19 |
| (Storefront) Swiped | 1.69% |
| (Storefront) Business | 2.69% |
| (Storefront) Keyed-in | 3.69% + $0.19 |
Alternatives: Cheapest Credit Card Readers
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If you're willing to shell out a little money for a free card reader alternative, here are some options from trusted brands.
Depending on the provider, card readers can be free or can set you back as much as a couple hundred bucks. It'll depend on the type of card payments it accepts and the other POS features it offers.
1. PayPal
PayPal is one of the biggest names in payment processing. They're great for online payments but they also offer card readers ideal for small businesses.
Their readers connect wirelessly to your device and have an 8-hour battery life.[8] Their app also comes with features like checkout, inventory management, and reporting.
If you're looking to just test it out, PayPal has no long-term contracts. This way, you can see if their card reader suits your needs and easily switch if it doesn't.
How to get the PayPal card reader
All you need to do to get your PayPal card reader is to apply for one on their website.
Your first reader will cost you $29 and any additional ones will be $79.[10] They all work with the PayPal Zettle POS app and let you accept PayPal and Venmo payments, among many others.
Pros + Cons
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PayPal's processing rates:[11]
| Type of Transaction | Cost |
|---|---|
| Card-present | 2.29% + $0.09 |
| Keyed-in | 3.49% + $0.09 |
| QR code | 2.29% + $0.09 |
| Invoicing (via PayPal) | 3.49% + $0.49 |
| Invoicing (via other payment methods) | 2.99% + $0.49 |
You can turn your phone into a card reader through Tap to Pay technology. Just enable "Tap to Pay on iPhone" or "Tap to Pay on Android" on your POS app. This will allow you to take contactless payments such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.
2. Shopify
Shopify, another titan in the payment processor space, also allows you to accept chip cards and contactless payments for your business.
The reader is integrated with Shopify's free POS app and has features for both online and in-person stores. With a subscription, you have everything you need to build your store from scratch. They even have features that will keep your physical and eCommerce stores in sync.
How to get the Shopify card reader:
To get started with Shopify, you can check out their website to see the different types of readers they offer.
You can start with a simple tap and chip reader at $49 (which charges extra for its charging doc) and work your way up to the high-end POS Go reader ($399).
Pros + Cons
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Shopify's processing rates:[12]
| Plan | Monthly Fee | Online Payments | In-person Payments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $39/month | 2.90% + $0.30 | 2.70% + $0.00 |
| Shopify | $105/month | 2.60% + $0.30 | 2.50% + $0.00 |
| Advanced | $399/month | 2.40% + $0.30 | 2.40% + $0.00 |
3. Helcim
Helcim offers a card reader that takes tap, chip, and PIN payments. It also comes with a stand that lets you keep it comfortably by your side.
The reader connects wirelessly to your device via Bluetooth but also gives you the option to plug it directly into your computer. It boasts an all-day battery life (but that'll mostly depend on your usage).
The POS app is free to download. It comes with features like email receipts, tracking features for inventory and customers, review reports, and save cards on file.
Through the app, you can create as many accounts as you want for your staff. You can also set permissions, limiting access to sensitive information. This is essential for dealing with customer data.
How to get the Helcim card reader:
You can get started with Helcim by heading to their website and signing up for a free account. The device itself will cost you $109 but it'll get you ready to start taking card payments in no time.
It's not the most affordable on this list, but its wide array of features still makes Helcim an interesting choice.
Pros + Cons
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Helcim's processing rates:
Helcim offers lower processing rates with higher volume. You'll get automatic rate deductions as you process more.[14]
| Monthly Credit Card Volume | In-Person | Online & Keyed |
|---|---|---|
| $0 - $50,000 | Interchange + 0.40% + $0.08 | Interchange + 0.50% + $0.25 |
| $50,001 - $100,000 | Interchange + 0.35% + $0.07 | Interchange + 0.45% + $0.20 |
| $100,001 - $500,000 | Interchange + 0.25% + $0.07 | Interchange + 0.35% + $0.20 |
| $500,001 - $1 million | Interchange + 0.20% + $0.06 | Interchange + 0.25% + $0.15 |
| $1 million+ | Interchange + 0.15% + $0.06 | Interchange + 0.15% + $0.15 |
Start Accepting Payments Fast
- Interchange Plus Pricing
- No Monthly Fees
- No Contracts
All these options can get overwhelming. Here's how you can make a choice.
How to Choose the Best Card Reader
When it comes to looking for the best card readers for your business, there are a ton of options—both paid and free. Before you settle on one, here are a few things you need to consider:
- Accepted payment methods
Does the card reader take EMV chip payments? Magstripe payments? What about contactless payments? Card readers let you take all or just a few of those types of payments. - Device compatibility
Card readers are typically suitable for both Android and iOS, but some readers are limited to one of the two. Make sure the device you plan on using is compatible.Also, consider how you want your device to be connected. Some are connected via Bluetooth, while others are directly plugged into your smartphone or tablet.
- Battery life
Card readers that are connected wirelessly will rely on batteries. Consider how many hours worth of payment processing you need based on how busy your store is during operating hours. - POS app features
Card readers work hand-in-hand with mobile POS apps. Features typically include digital receipts, inventory tracking, and customer management.When choosing a POS, consider what you need for your daily business operations.
- Processing rates
Since card readers typically come from payment processors, you need to consider processing rates.Take note of their online and in-person transaction fees, monthly charges, PCI compliance fees, chargeback fees, and other miscellaneous fees. Ideally, you'll want a service provider that doesn't take too much away from your profits.
Some mobile POS apps can read credit cards. You can scan the credit card info through your phone camera. But you can also use the app as a virtual terminal where you manually input the customer's details.
If all things considered, the free card readers offer what you need, should you go and grab one?
Should You Get a Free Card Reader?
Free card readers have their own set of pros and cons. Be sure to weigh them out before you go out and get one.
Pros:
- Free equipment
The obvious advantage is that you won't need to worry about leasing or buying POS hardware. The mobile POS apps that come with them are usually free as well and are enough to help you start accepting credit card payments. - Plugged and wireless options are available
Depending on the payment processor, the card reader may be plugged into your mobile device. This means you won't need to worry about battery life at all.Wireless options, on the other hand, may come with charging docks. This allows you to put them neatly on your countertops.
- Makes POS systems accessible
You don't need to worry about capital for POS equipment. You can start accepting credit and debit card payments as soon as you get your card reader. The setup is easy too.
Cons:
- Tied to a POS software
The company will likely tie the free card reader to the POS software they offer or work with. For example, a free Square reader will only work with Square's POS app. - Higher transaction fees
If you're choosing a credit card processing company due to the free reader, then you may not be getting the lowest transaction fees you could get. - Tied to long-term contracts
There are payment processing companies that may tie their free card readers to a long-term contract, especially if you're applying for a traditional merchant account.You may also be required to return the free equipment if you end your term. Be sure to read the fine print to know what you're getting yourself into.
Everything comes with a cost. If it's not capital, then it's something else. It could be in the form of transaction fees, long-term contracts, or a sub-par credit card processing service. It's always better to prioritize looking at the best payment processors over those that offer free equipment.
Free vs. Paid Card Reader
Free and paid mobile card readers will often offer similar features. They'll let you accept credit cards, debit cards, and contactless payments. Both will also include POS apps that'll help you grow your business and expand your reach.
The best way to look at it would be to see the free card readers as an added bonus. The main thing you should be looking at is the POS provider and what it can do for your business.
Prioritizing the POS system puts your business first. Don't get caught up with the free stuff that comes along with it.
Our Methodology
To come up with our list, we looked at several card readers that could help you accept card and contactless payments. We also looked at those that wouldn't cost you anything to get their product.
Additionally, we looked at other POS features that might help your business grow even more. We thought about which ones would help small, medium, and large businesses.
For the paid alternatives, we considered the best affordable options. We thought about their ease of use and pricing transparency, seeing which ones would help a growing business on a budget.
What the Experts Say
CreditDonkey asked a panel of industry experts to answer readers' most pressing questions. Here's what they said:
Bottom Line
Some payment processors and POS system providers offer free credit card readers when you apply for an account. But you shouldn't choose their service just for the free reader.
Be very picky. It's always best to consider the features and if your business can work with them in the long run. Free card readers can serve as a bonus instead of a cause for your application.
If the free card readers don't do enough for you, you can always check out other affordable options. You might also consider the cheapest credit card processors when hoping to save some money.
References
- ^ Square. Square Reader for contactless and chip, Retrieved 8/8/2023
- ^ Square. Get a Square Magstripe Reader, Retrieved 8/24/23
- ^ Square. Square Payments Fees, Retrieved 8/8/2023
- ^ National Processing. Pricing, Retrieved 8/8/2023
- ^ Clover Go. Pricing, Retrieved 05/16/2023
- ^ Storefront plan. Pricing, Retrieved 8/24/23
- ^ Secure Global Pay. Pricing for Credit Card Processing, Retrieved 05/17/2023
- ^ Paypal. Card Reader, Retrieved 8/24/23
- ^ Paypal. How long does it take to add money from my bank?, Retrieved 8/24/23
- ^ Paypal. Card Reader, Retrieved 8/8/2023
- ^ Paypal. Pricing, Retrieved 05/18/2023
- ^ Shopify. Pricing, Retrieved 8/8/2023
- ^ Shopify. POS pro, Retrieved 8/24/23
- ^ Helcim. Helcim Pricing, Retrieved 7/1/2023
Write to Karen Eloriaga at feedback@creditdonkey.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for our latest posts.
Note: This website is made possible through financial relationships with some of the products and services mentioned on this site. We may receive compensation if you shop through links in our content. You do not have to use our links, but you help support CreditDonkey if you do.
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