Find Out Which Credit Card Payment App for Android Works Best for You

What is the best credit card payment app for Android?

Many of the best credit card processors and the best mobile credit card processing solutions provide Android apps and accompanying card readers with varying features and functionalities. 

Your business’s needs and budget will determine the right solution for you. To help you weigh your options, here’s an at-a-glance comparison of excellent services with Android credit card payment apps and compatible card readers. 

Editor’s note: Looking for the right credit card processor for your business? Fill out the below questionnaire to have our vendor partners contact you about your needs.

PayPal Zettle for Android

PayPal Zettle is a popular application for small businesses that want to accept payments with their Android devices. With PayPal Zettle you get:

• Competitive rates: Zettle doesn’t charge monthly account maintenance fees or monthly minimums. PayPal’s rates and fees range from 2.29 percent plus 9 cents per transaction to 3.49 percent plus 9 cents per transaction. QR code transactions are 2.29 percent plus 9 cents per transaction, while payment links and Zettle Invoices are 2.99 percent plus 49 cents per transaction.
• Accept contactless payments: The PayPal Zettle app for Android lets you accept payments via mobile wallets or by tapping a customer’s card on the back of your phone.
• Affordable card readers: When you sign up for PayPal’s merchant processing services, you can purchase a card reader for your Android device for $29; additional readers cost $79. 

Our detailed PayPal credit card processing review explains more about its Android app, which includes the same features as the iOS version.

Square Point of Sale for Android

Square is another popular option for merchants with Android devices. This payment app offers:

• Low rates with no fees or contracts: Square charges the same rates for all types of cards.Square’s rates run 2.6 percent plus 15 cents on card-present transactions. For card-not-present transactions, rates range from 2.9 percent plus 30 cents per transaction to 3.5 percent plus 15 cents per transaction.
• Convenience and security: “I’ve used Square in my small business and it’s very convenient for in-person transactions,” said Ambrosio Arizu, co-founder and managing partner at Argoz Consultants. “The benefits include speed, security and the elimination of traditional point-of-sale systems.”
• Free point-of-sale (POS) app and mobile reader: When you sign up with Square, you also receive its free POS Android app with Tap to Pay ― Square Point of Sale ― and a plug-in magstripe mobile reader for your Android device. You can purchase additional hardware options, including a Square contactless and chip reader for near-field communication (NFC) mobile payments and EMV chip cards for $59. 

Visit our comprehensive Square review to learn about features like a virtual terminal and inventory management. 

SumUp for Android

When you sign up for SumUp, you’ll download the free SumUp payment app for Android to start accepting payments. Once you’re all set up, here’s what to expect:

• Pay as you go: SumUp’s rates are straightforward, starting at 2.6 percent plus 10 cents per transaction for in-person transactions using the card reader. Payments accepted through the virtual terminal cost 3.5 percent plus 15 cents per transaction.
• No hidden fees: There are no setup fees, maintenance fees, statement fees, Payment Card Industry compliance fees or payment gateway fees. You can also close your account anytime with no cancellation fees.
• Buy a card reader or use Tap to Pay: You’ll purchase a $54 credit card reader for your Android device that accepts magstripe, chip and contactless credit and debit cards. You can also use the SumUp app without a card reader to accept contactless payments.

QuickBooks Payments

If you’re a QuickBooks user, you’ll find QuickBooks Payments helpful for syncing payment data with your accounting software. QuickBooks Payments includes:

• Flexible payment options: The company charges flat processing rates and has a pay-as-you-go plan for small businesses. No long-term contracts are required. When you opt for the QuickBooks Payments pay-as-you-go plan, you’ll pay transaction fees ranging from 2.99 percent to 3.5 percent. The company offers a $20-per-month plan with lower rates for businesses that process more than $7,500 monthly.
• Free access to mobile app: The GoPayment mobile application for Android devices includes core POS features, invoice-generation options and recurring payment functionality.
• Two card reader options: QuickBooks Chip and Magstripe Card Readers cost $49 each.

Shopify Payments

Shopify Payments is another great option for businesses that want to use an Android device to process in-person payments. Here’s what Shopify Payments users get:

• Month-to-month or flat rate payments: Shopify Payments charges flat rates from 5 percent plus 30 cents per transaction to 2.4 percent plus 10 cents per transaction. This depends on the plan you sign up for and whether a card is present during the transaction. Five plans, ranging from $5 to $399 per month, are available. There’s also a custom plan for high-volume merchants. You must pay a monthly subscription fee for Shopify’s e-commerce software to use its mobile payment processing app.
• Discount for long-term commitment:  There are no long-term contracts, but the company does offer discounts for those willing to sign up for a long-term plan.
• Accept mobile payments: When you sign up for Shopify Payments, you receive access to the company’s Android POS app, allowing you to accept credit cards and debit cards. Processing hardware, like the mobile Shopify Tap & Chip Reader, is available at an additional cost (in this case, $49).

Our Shopify review explains more about the platform’s features.

What to consider when choosing an Android credit card payment app

As you weigh your Android credit card payment app options, evaluate their credit card processing fees and the following additional considerations:

• Pricing model: Mobile credit card processors generally charge a flat, percentage-based rate and a per-transaction fee (in some cases). Rates generally cost 2 percent to 4 percent of each transaction. Other processors may offer an interchange-plus or tiered pricing model, which can reduce your per-transaction rates. However, these pricing models typically come with monthly and yearly account maintenance fees, making it expensive for merchants who process less than $3,000 monthly.
• Additional fees: Vendors that use the interchange-plus or tiered pricing model will also charge account maintenance fees, such as monthly statement fees, gateway fees and monthly minimum fees. Most mobile credit card processors with flat-rate pricing don’t charge many fees beyond their per-transaction rates (except for chargeback fees).
• Contract terms and services: Understand the terms and conditions and the required contractual obligations before deciding on a credit card processor. Many mobile credit card processors operate on a pay-as-you-go basis, so you only pay for the processing you use. Others use a month-to-month subscription model or require a long-term contract.
• EMV-compliant card readers: EMV-compliant credit card readers read the chips that most new cards contain. EMV chips generate a unique number during every transaction, making it impossible to replicate a transaction fraudulently. EMV-compliant mobile credit card reader is a cost-effective way for small businesses to stay current with modern credit card security standards and help mitigate credit card fraud.
• NFC-enabled card readers: NFC technology supports contactless payment solutions. NFC readers allow customers to tap their cards or phones quickly to make a payment.
• Third-party integrations: Consider your potential processor’s available third-party software integrations, which can streamline how sales data interacts with other software systems. For example, some credit card processors offer integrations from their POS software to some of the best accounting software, updating sales numbers automatically so you don’t have to re-enter the same data.
• Reporting: Ensure your processor supports transparent and detailed reports, including standard and customizable options.

“When choosing a payment app, businesses should consider transaction fees, hardware compatibility, security features and integration options with existing systems,” said Sergiy Fitsak, managing director at Softjourn. “… Ultimately, the right app depends on business size, sales volume and preferred payment methods.”

Mobile credit card processors are changing portable payments

A mobile credit card processor allows you to conduct business anywhere, whether your business is inherently mobile or you’re visiting a trade show or convention. Today’s mobile credit card processors means businesses are no longer required to accept credit card payments over the phone when traveling. 

If you have both Android and Apple platforms available for mobile payments, Lou Alfieri, merchant services consultant of Shift4, advised prioritizing Apple. 

“While both platforms are effective, iPhones often offer tighter security and more consistent software updates, making them a preferred choice for many small businesses,”  Alfieri said. 

Jennifer Dublino contributed to this article.