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Last Updated: Apr 2025

10 Best Credit Card Reader Services

Read our in-depth expert reviews and compare the top Credit Card Processing services available for your business.

Top 3 Merchant Services
Special Deal
Paysafe
excellent
9.1
Worldwide payment solutions
Visit Site
Leaders Merchant Services
exceptional
9.8
Save or get $200 guarantee
Visit Site
Clover
very good
8.8
Save up to $500 on your next purchase
Visit Site
High Approval Rate
1
Read Review
Paysafe -Helping businesses of all sizes process payments globally
  • Supports over 260 payment methods
  • Get 50% off the latest POS terminals
  • Customized for your business
  • 24/7 personalized support
  • Trusted by 250,000+ merchants
excellent
9.1
View Rates
2
Leaders Merchant Services -Transparent pricing with low rates & fees
  • Ideal for merchants of all sizes
  • Get approved within 24 hours
  • 24/7 technical support
  • Accept POS, in-store, mobile, and online payments
  • Same day approval
exceptional
9.8
3
Clover -Secure payment processing solution for restaurants and retail businesses
  • Save up to $500 on your next purchase
  • Automatic surcharging compliance
  • Access to all Clover hardware
very good
8.8
4
Worldpay -Fast & reliable payment processing solutions
  • Get $650 for signing up
  • Contactless payments
  • Customizable pricing plans
good
8.3
5
Merchant One -Credit card processing for businesses of all sizes
  • No application fees
  • Automatic surcharging compliance
  • 24/7 support
very good
8.6
6
GoDaddy -All-in-one merchant services with low fees
  • Accept payments in person, online and on-the-go
  • Get paid out as fast as the next business day
  • 24/7 support by phone, text, and chat
excellent
9.1
7
Payment Depot -Wholesale rates ideal for minimizing fees
  • Rates as low as 0.2% - 1.95%
  • Pricing customized for your business
  • $0 setup + no cancellation fees
good
8.3
8
U.S. Bank -Flexible payment solutions for small businesses
  • Get merchant fees refunded up to $1,000 over three months*
    Earn up to $1,000 in statement credits over 3 months when you open a new U.S. Bank Payment Solutions account and complete qualifying activities. Member FDIC. Offer: - Open, and be approved for, a new U.S. Bank Payment Solutions Merchant Account (MID) by June 30, 2025. - Keep the approved account in an open status and be actively accepting and settling card payments at the time the statement credit is issued.
  • Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
  • 24/7 support from payment specialists
good
8.3
9
Chase for Business® -Competitive payment processing rates
  • Rich marketplace of integrated business apps
  • Get deposits as soon as same-day
  • Rates starting from 2.6% + $0.10
very good
8.8
10
Square -Accept payments quickly, easily, and securely
  • Intuitive and easy to use
  • Accept payments anywhere, even offline
  • Rates from 2.6% + 15¢
excellent
9.0
Our Best Overall Provider
Our Most Popular
1
Paysafe -Helping businesses of all sizes process payments globally
  • Supports over 260 payment methods
  • Get 50% off the latest POS terminals
  • Customized for your business
  • 24/7 personalized support
  • Trusted by 250,000+ merchants
excellent
9.1
Our Top Picks for April 2025
Leaders Merchant Services
favicon-LEADERS MERCHANT SERVICES
Leaders Merchant Services
Rates as low as 0.15%
Paysafe
favicon-PAYSAFE
Paysafe
Over 25 years of experience
Worldpay
favicon-WORLDPAY
Worldpay
Get $650 for signing up

The Benefits of Using a Credit Card Reader

Maybe you've been in business for years, and maybe you're just starting out, but either way, you've got a business that you can grow, cherish, and love. Speaking of growing businesses, how do you let your customers pay for goods? I'm sure you let them pay with cash, but what about credit cards? Do you let them use a credit card reader, or do you have your employees type in their information? Not even sure about what credit card readers are? Keep reading to find out.

What Are They?

Credit card readers scan the magnetic strip located on the back of your credit card used to make a purchase. That's it. You have the traditional stationary credit card reader located at the register, but there are other types of readers available, such as:

Paypal Credit Card Reader

Mobile Credit Card Reader

Credit Card Reader for Android/iPhone

So? Who cares, you say? Well I can give you seven reasons as to why you should care about how your customers pay.

1. Credit Card Swipers are Protected Swiping means avoiding writing down information for a credit card onto a piece of paper to be shred later. Readers keep your customer's card safe and has additional safeguards to encrypt card information quickly.

2. Swiping a Credit Card is Fast It's quicker to swipe than manually typing in a credit card number. Time is money, and the faster your customers can swipe their card, the faster you can make money for your business.

3. Credit Swiping is Foolproof Credit card numbers consists of 16 digits, which means employees have 16 chances to mess up your number when keying it in. A credit card reader solves the problem.

4. Readers Show Your Professional Side It can unnerve customers to watch someone manually type in their credit card number. It looks like you don't want to invest time in protecting your customer's information when you don't have one.

5. A Card Reader is Cheaper Than a Full Terminal Full and wireless terminals are useful and have their place, but you don't need all of that just to swipe a card. Terminals can be bulky, have service fees, and need reprogramming, all of which costs money. They're is easier and cheaper to have and use.

6. They're Compact Typical card swipers are an inch high, four inches long, and weigh about half a pound. They can work from various angles and can be attached to any workstation. With a mobile credit card reader, Paypal credit card reader, and a credit card reader for android/iPhone, Bluetooth card readers can be carried in a pocket.

7. They'll Get You Lower Credit Card Processing Rates The bottom line is that they save money. Per-transaction fees are charged after every transaction, and having a credit card swiper can reduce the cost each time, saving you lots of money in the long run.

We hope you found this information useful. Now it should seem like a no-brainer on deciding whether to get one or not. Keep it in mind as you continue to grow and expand your company. Good luck!

Our Top 3 Picks

  • 1
    Offers global payments in 17 countries
    Visit Site
    • Best for - Businesses and corporations looking to scale up
    • Rates - Quote-based
    • Contract Length - From month-to-month to three years
    Offers global payments in 17 countries
    Visit Site

    Paysafe is a comprehensive payment solution that is transforming how businesses handle transactions. It accepts global payments in 17 currencies, including credit cards, debit cards, digital wallets, POS systems, cash cards, and installment payments. The scale-based pricing starts at 15% for low volume, 3.9% per volume, and 9.5% for higher volume. There's also a fixed fee of 1.5 euros per transaction. Paysafe offers various services, including online, digital wallet, and in-person payments, and additional benefits like POS systems, receipt management, and currency conversion. This makes it a versatile choice for businesses of all sizes and types.

    Paysafe offers several tools to assist businesses with their in-store payment processing. One of the notable equipment offerings is Paysafe's Android tablet POS (Point of Sale) system, which facilitates on-the-spot payment acceptance. This POS system, combined with Paysafe's sophisticated in-store payment structure, allows businesses to provide their customers with various payment options, including installment payments and mobile purchasing. For detailed pricing, contact Paysafe directly for a tailored quote.

    Read Paysafe Review

    Paysafe Pros & Cons

    PROS

    Flexible pricing
    Integrates with major Ecommerce platforms like Shopify
    Advanced security measures including tokenization

    CONS

    Customer support response can take up to 24 business hours
    No clear application process mentioned for setup
    Paysafe
    Visit Site
  • 2
    Industry-leading CCP with value-added services
    • Best for - Additional value-added services, low rates
    • Rates - Starts at 0.15%
    • Contract Length - 3 years
    Industry-leading CCP with value-added services

    Leaders is one of the best credit card processing services in the industry. It’s been around for 20 years, and its parent company is the reputable Paysafe Group Subsidiary. Leaders gives businesses a lot of reasons to love it, including some of the best credit card processing rates in the industry. We’re talking about rates that start at just 0.15%. Plus, Leaders has a 98% approval rating. So, businesses having a hard time getting the green flag will find Leaders’ process refreshing.

    What's more, Leaders offers a solid $500 Assurance guarantee. This states that if the company can't save you money within the first 6 months of your contract, you'll be awarded $500 in compensation. Leaders works with the reliable Clover point of sale system, and it also integrates with QuickBooks. New SMBs will appreciate the helpful glossary of terms and 24/7/365 customer service for troubleshooting any issues. Additionally, Leaders offers value-added services such as business cash advances, loyalty programs, gift cards, check guarantee services, and point of sale systems.

    Read Leaders Merchant Services Review

    Leaders Merchant Services Pros & Cons

    PROS

    $500 Assurance Program
    Integrates with QuickBooks
    Rates starting at 0.15%

    CONS

    Long contract terms
    Pricey early termination fee
    Leaders Merchant Services
  • 3
    Payment processing + Clover POS apps
    • Best for - Restaurants, retailers
    • Rates - 2.3% - 2.7% + $0.10
    • Contract Length - Starts from 1 year
    Payment processing + Clover POS apps

    Many top credit card processing companies sell Clover’s point-of-sale systems. But did you know that Clover itself offers credit card processing through parent company Fiserv? That’s right. While Clover is primarily known for its POS hardware, it also offers a range of other services including payment processing, gift cards, invoicing and payroll solution, and working capital financing.

    That said, if you’re looking for a payment processor that offers Clover devices, you should compare Clover to the many other payment processing companies that are authorized to resell Clover products. Clover’s flat-rate processing may seem convenient, but it looks less attractive when you consider the hundreds of poor reviews it has received from small business owners that have used its service.

    Read Clover Review

    Clover Pros & Cons

    PROS

    Predictable, flat-rate processing
    Access to all Clover hardware
    Large app store

    CONS

    Poor customer service reputation
    Monthly fees