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Mobile credit card processors let you ring up sales from anywhere, including online, meeting customers where they are.
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When selecting the best mobile credit processing solutions to recommend to our readers, we looked closely at the hardware and software provided by each vendor. This involved seeing which devices the processor was compatible with, how easy or difficult it was to set...
When selecting the best mobile credit processing solutions to recommend to our readers, we looked closely at the hardware and software provided by each vendor. This involved seeing which devices the processor was compatible with, how easy or difficult it was to set up and whether it also facilitated e-commerce or only in-person sales. We also tried any included POS tools, such as product catalogs and inventory tracking, and studied integration options. Last but not least, we examined pricing models and processing fees, in addition to contract terms.
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When selecting the best mobile credit processing solutions to recommend to our readers, we looked closely at the hardware and software provided by each vendor. This involved seeing which devices the processor was compatible with, how easy or difficult it was to set up and whether it also facilitated e-commerce or only in-person sales. We also tried any included POS tools, such as product catalogs and inventory tracking, and studied integration options. Last but not least, we examined pricing models and processing fees, in addition to contract terms.
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researched
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Mobile credit card processors are often the most cost-effective option for businesses with low transaction volumes. These processors typically charge a per-transaction fee with no monthly or annual contracts, making them ideal for startups, freelancers and businesses that run less than $5,000 to $10,000 in monthly sales.
Mobile payment processing has also become an essential part of doing business. In fact, Mastercard says contactless payments account for more than 75 percent of transactions across its network, while Visa reports that Tap to Pay makes up 79 percent of its face-to-face transactions globally. We’ve reviewed the best mobile credit card processors below, comparing pricing, features and ease of use to help you find the right fit for your business.
 | Helcim  | PayPal Credit Card Processing | Shopify POS | Square | SumUp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rating (Out of 10) | |||||
| Transparent pricing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Interchange-plus | Flat rate | Flat rate | Flat rate | Flat rate |
| Rates for in-person transaction | Interchange + markup | 2.29% + 9¢ | 2.6% + 10¢ (Basic) 2.5% + 10¢ (Grow) 2.4% + 10¢ (Advanced) | 2.6% + 15¢ (Free) | 2.6% + 10¢ |
| Chip and contactless (tap) card reader | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Monthly fees | None | None | Starts at $39/month | None (free plan) | None |
| Contract length | No long-term contract | No long-term contract | No long-term contract (except with Shopify Plus) | No long-term contract | No long-term contract |
| 24/7 Phone support | No | No | Plan-dependent | Premium plan only | No |
| Review Link |
Helcim is a strong option for businesses that want mobile credit card processing without monthly fees or long-term contracts. Its free POS app works on iOS and Android devices, letting merchants accept credit card payments as well as debit and contactless payments on the go. Businesses can pair the app with the Helcim Card Reader ($199) for chip and tap payments or use Tap to Pay on iPhone without additional hardware.
What sets Helcim apart from most mobile processors on this list is its interchange-plus pricing model. Rather than charging a flat rate per transaction, Helcim passes through the actual interchange cost and adds a transparent markup that starts at 0.40 percent + $0.08 and decreases automatically as processing volume grows. For businesses processing higher volumes, this pricing model is often more cost-effective than the flat rates charged by competitors like Square or SumUp.
The Helcim POS app supports unlimited users at no extra charge, which is a notable advantage for businesses with multiple employees handling transactions. The app includes inventory tracking, product catalogs, customer management, sales reporting and the ability to apply discounts and tips. Merchants can also pair the app with accessories like a barcode scanner or cash drawer to build out a more complete checkout station.
For businesses that want a dedicated device, the Helcim Smart Terminal ($349) is a standalone unit with a built-in POS app, card reader and receipt printer. It connects via Wi-Fi or optional 4G service, making it suitable for mobile and pop-up environments. The Smart Terminal can also be paired with a desktop computer to serve as a dedicated card reader in a fixed location.
Helcim also offers a virtual terminal for keyed-in transactions, online invoicing, payment pages, online checkout and recurring billing — all included at no additional cost. This makes it a particularly compelling choice for omnichannel businesses that need to process payments across mobile, in-person and online channels without juggling multiple platforms or paying extra subscription fees.
One limitation to note is that Helcim does not offer same-day deposits; however, next-business-day deposits are free for eligible merchants. Phone support is available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. MT and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. MT. While Helcim doesn’t provide 24/7 phone support, it offers support from an in-house team along with online documentation, product tours and ticket-based assistance.
Helcim uses an interchange-plus pricing model, which means merchants pay the interchange cost set by the card networks plus Helcim’s markup. For businesses processing up to $50,000 per month, the in-person markup starts at 0.40 percent + $0.08 per transaction, while keyed-in and online payments start at 0.50 percent + $0.25. Rates decrease automatically based on the average of your previous three months of processing volume.
There are no monthly, setup, statement or PCI compliance fees. Helcim does not require a contract and charges no cancellation or early termination fees. Chargebacks cost $15, but Helcim refunds the fee when a dispute is resolved in the merchant’s favor. ACH payments cost 0.50 percent + $0.25 per approved transaction, with fees capped at $6 for transactions below $25,000. Amounts over $25,000 incur an additional 0.05 percent fee.
Hardware is sold separately. The Helcim Card Reader costs $199, while the Helcim Smart Terminal costs $349 or $32 per month for 12 months. U.S. merchants can also use Tap to Pay on iPhone for an additional $0.10 per approved transaction. Optional 4G service for compatible hardware costs $7 per month.
Helcim’s POS system includes a free mobile app (iOS and Android), a desktop POS app (Windows and Mac), and the option to use the Helcim Smart Terminal as a standalone device. The app supports unlimited users with configurable permissions, inventory management with low-stock alerts, customer profiles with purchase history and sales reporting. Merchants can switch between a numpad view for quick dollar-amount entries and an items view for selecting products from a catalog.
Beyond POS functionality, Helcim includes a virtual terminal for phone or mail-order payments, online invoicing with automated reminders, recurring billing, online checkout, hosted payment pages, QR code payments and payment links that can be shared by email, text or social media. The platform integrates with QuickBooks Online, Xero, WooCommerce, Jobber, Housecall Pro, Wave, Zoho Invoice and other popular business tools. Developers can also use Helcim’s API to build custom integrations.
Security features include PCI Level 1 compliance, end-to-end encryption, tokenization, multifactor authentication, and a Fraud Defender tool that scores transactions for risk and allows custom thresholds for automatic declines.
Helcim has plenty to offer, but it isn’t the right fit for every business. Here are a few drawbacks to keep in mind.
PayPal Point of Sale (formerly PayPal Here and PayPal Zettle) is one of the few processors that lets both businesses and individuals accept payments, making it a popular choice for freelancers, consultants, solopreneurs and other very small businesses. It also offers flat-rate pricing, no monthly fees and no contract, so you only pay for the processing services you use, and you can close your account at any time without paying a penalty.
A huge name in the payments industry, PayPal serves customers in more than 200 countries and regions. With a PayPal Business account and the free PayPal Point of Sale app, small businesses can accept credit, debit and contactless payments in person while managing inventory, tracking sales and monitoring reports from a single app. We like that the same app runs on both Android and iPhone and supports Tap to Pay on compatible devices, so you can start taking contactless payments with nothing but your phone — which is why PayPal remains our pick for Android users.
PayPal is transparent with its pricing, and you can find all of its rates and fees posted on its website. There are no monthly, setup or PCI compliance fees. Instead, you pay per transaction based on the payment method:
Because there are no monthly account fees, PayPal is more cost-effective than a full-service processor when your monthly volume is low. Its in-person rate is also among the lowest of the flat-rate mobile processors we reviewed — lower than Square’s 2.6% + 15¢, for example — though its manual-entry and invoicing rates run higher.
Our favorite PayPal features include the following, which make it a great fit for new businesses, freelancers and small retailers looking for an easy-to-use mobile POS system.
Although PayPal is easy to set up and doesn’t charge monthly fees for its basic service, there are a few limitations to consider before choosing the platform.
For e-commerce businesses that open pop-up shops and need a way to accept credit cards in person, we recommend Shopify POS. It’s our choice as the best mobile credit card processing solution for online businesses because it makes it easy to accept payments across multiple sales channels: on your website, on social media (via social selling) and in person using your phone or in-store tablet.
Shopify Payments uses straightforward flat-rate pricing with no long-term contract, while Shopify POS gives businesses everything they need to sell in person. You can pair the software with Shopify’s Tap & Chip Card Reader, POS Terminal or other compatible hardware, and the platform makes it easy to expand as your business grows. Shopify also offers 24/7 help resources and AI-assisted support, with additional live support options available depending on your plan. Most businesses receive deposits within one or two business days, and you can customize your payout schedule to better manage cash flow.
To use Shopify Payments, you’ll first need a paid Shopify subscription. Processing rates are flat, and your in-person rate decreases as you move up to higher-tier plans. Current U.S. plans include:
Every plan includes Shopify POS Lite for casual in-person selling. Businesses that need more advanced retail features, such as inventory management, staff permissions, customer loyalty insights and omnichannel selling, can upgrade to Shopify POS Pro for $89 per month per location (or $79 per month per location when billed annually). If you use a third-party payment provider instead of Shopify Payments, Shopify also charges an additional transaction fee, which decreases on higher-tier plans.
Shopify POS combines payment processing with tools for managing inventory, customers, orders and sales across online and in-person channels. Below are the Shopify POS features that impressed us most.
Consider these potential drawbacks before choosing Shopify Payments as your mobile processor:
Square has the best mobile credit card processing app because, in addition to the register features you use to accept payments, it includes full-featured POS software for tracking inventory, managing customer information and generating sales reports. The app is free to download and use, and the Free plan has no monthly subscription fee. It works on both iPhone and Android smartphones and tablets, and you can unlock additional POS system features by upgrading to Square Plus or Square Premium or integrating with third-party apps you already use.
When you accept in-person card payments with Square, you pay a flat rate per transaction. Square offers free next-day transfers, or you can pay a fee for instant transfers. There are no monthly, setup, PCI compliance or early termination fees and — unusually — no chargeback fee, which is rare among payment processors. Square’s lack of subscription fees on its Free plan makes it an affordable option for small businesses and individuals that don’t process enough transactions to justify paying for a monthly plan.
Square offers three subscription plans, making it easy to choose the option that best fits your business. The Free plan doesn’t charge a monthly fee, while the Plus and Premium plans include additional features and lower in-person processing rates.
Businesses processing more than $250,000 annually can contact Square about custom pricing.
As for hardware, new sellers receive a free magstripe reader or can accept contactless payments using Tap to Pay on iPhone or Tap to Pay on Android with no additional hardware. Square also offers a range of hardware, including the Square Reader for contactless and chip ($59), Square Stand ($149), Square Terminal ($299), Square Handheld ($399), Square Register (2nd generation) ($899) and Square Kiosk ($149).
Square combines payment processing with a full-featured POS system that helps businesses manage sales, inventory, customers and employees from virtually anywhere. Below are the Square features we found most valuable.
Consider these potential drawbacks before choosing Square as your mobile payment processor:
SumUp is our choice as the best mobile credit card processor for Apple devices because it combines affordable card readers with a simple, easy-to-use POS platform that works seamlessly on iPhones and iPads. Businesses can start accepting chip and contactless payments in minutes using the free SumUp app, which also includes tools for managing products, inventory and sales. Although it’s our pick for Apple users, SumUp also supports Android phones and tablets.
Like other top mobile processors, SumUp offers transparent, flat-rate pricing with no monthly fees, annual contracts or minimum processing requirements, so you only pay when you make a sale. As your business grows, you can upgrade to more advanced POS solutions with customer management, loyalty and marketing tools while keeping the same straightforward pricing model.
SumUp keeps pricing straightforward with flat transaction rates, no monthly fees for its basic service and no long-term contracts.
Consider these potential drawbacks before choosing SumUp as your mobile payment processor:
A mobile credit card reader is a compact device that pairs with a smartphone or tablet to accept in-person credit and debit card payments. If you’re looking for a way to accept credit card payments using your phone, a mobile credit card reader is one of the easiest and most affordable solutions for taking in-person payments.
Used with a mobile payment app, it lets businesses securely process chip, contactless and mobile wallet payments from virtually anywhere, making it ideal for pop-up shops, trade shows, service calls and other mobile businesses.
While the terms are often used interchangeably, a mobile credit card reader and a mobile credit card processor serve different purposes.
Many mobile credit card processors offer affordable card readers, with entry-level models typically costing $30 to $100. Some providers also let you accept contactless payments using your phone through Tap to Pay, eliminating the need to purchase a card reader altogether.
In addition to any hardware costs, you’ll pay a processing fee for each transaction. Most mobile credit card processors use flat-rate pricing, which generally falls into one of two categories:
Although flat-rate pricing often has higher transaction rates than interchange-plus pricing, it usually comes with no monthly account fees, long-term contracts or hidden charges, making it a cost-effective option for businesses that process a relatively low volume of card payments.
Selecting the right mobile credit card processor and reader takes more than comparing transaction rates. Follow these steps to narrow your options and choose a system that fits your business.
Today’s mobile credit card readers typically support multiple payment methods, including EMV chip cards, contactless payments (NFC) and traditional magnetic stripe cards. The best models also accept digital payment methods like Apple Pay and Google Pay, giving customers more ways to pay.
When comparing mobile credit card readers, look for these key features:
Contactless payments have become increasingly popular, making NFC mobile payment support an essential feature for most businesses.
To identify the best mobile credit card processors, we examined the hardware and software provided by each vendor, including which devices the processor is compatible with, how easy it is to set up, and whether it supports e-commerce, in-person sales or both. We reviewed the included POS tools such as product catalogs and inventory tracking, studied integration options, and examined pricing models, processing fees and contract terms. For this update, we verified every vendor’s current rates, hardware and plans against the providers’ own pricing pages.
Our analysis focused on five areas important to small business owners: rates (30%), reader functionality and features (25%), ease of use and payment acceptance (20%), customer service (15%) and expert analysis (10%). To learn more, see our full editorial process.
Our top pick for iPhone users is SumUp. Its affordable card readers accept EMV chip cards, contactless payments and digital wallets like Apple Pay, and the free mobile app makes it easy to start accepting payments with minimal setup.
If you’d rather skip the hardware altogether, Square, PayPal and SumUp also support Tap to Pay on iPhone, allowing you to accept contactless payments directly on a compatible iPhone without a separate card reader.
Yes. Reputable mobile credit card processors use advanced security measures, including encryption and tokenization, to protect customers’ payment information and reduce the risk of fraud. They also comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), a set of security requirements designed to safeguard cardholder data. Many processors also include fraud monitoring and chargeback protection tools to help businesses identify and respond to suspicious transactions.
Yes. Several mobile credit card processors, including Square, PayPal and SumUp, support Tap to Pay, allowing you to accept contactless credit cards, debit cards and digital wallets directly on a compatible iPhone or Android phone without a separate card reader. This can be a convenient, low-cost option for businesses that only occasionally accept in-person payments or want to get started quickly.
Some mobile credit card processors offer free or discounted card readers to new customers as part of a promotional offer, while others sell entry-level readers for less than $100. Although you’ll still pay processing fees on each transaction, many providers don’t charge monthly fees, making it inexpensive to start accepting card payments.
Some businesses also offset processing costs by adding a credit card surcharge or offering a cash discount where permitted by state law and card network rules.
The best mobile credit card processor depends on your needs. PayPal is a strong choice for individuals and sole proprietors because it’s easy to set up and is one of the few payment processors available to users who don’t have a registered business. Square is better suited to growing small businesses thanks to its built-in POS software, inventory management and customer tools. If you’re looking for an affordable option for in-person payments, SumUp is another excellent choice, with low-cost hardware and no monthly fee for its basic service.
For a more detailed comparison, read our comprehensive PayPal vs. Square comparison.
