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The Best Credit Card Machines & Terminals For Small Businesses
Today's credit card processing machines do more than just take payments; they can also give you real-time reporting, analytical data, and more.
Frank has been writing about payment processing and business services since 2015. He is a retired Air Force officer and a former practicing attorney. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from The Pennsylvania State University and a Juris Doctorate degree from the Ventura College of Law, and currently resides in Paso Robles, California.
WRITTEN & RESEARCHED BY
Frank KehlFrank has been writing about payment processing and business services since 2015. He is a retired Air Force officer and a former practicing attorney. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from The Pennsylvania State University and a Juris Doctorate degree from the Ventura College of Law, and currently resides in Paso Robles, California.
Expert Contributor
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Jason has been writing about small business software platforms, services, and financing since 2015. Jason’s expertise has been featured in Yahoo Finance, Time/NextAdvisor, Home Business Magazine, CreditCards.com, GoBankingRates, TheLadders.com, and other publications. He has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from San Diego State University and currently lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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Jason VissersJason has been writing about small business software platforms, services, and financing since 2015. Jason’s expertise has been featured in Yahoo Finance, Time/NextAdvisor, Home Business Magazine, CreditCards.com, GoBankingRates, TheLadders.com, and other publications. He has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from San Diego State University and currently lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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The best credit card machines and terminals have evolved from having little more than simple transaction processing capabilities to today’s high-tech devices with color touch screens, multiple displays, and the ability to install additional software apps to help run your business. If you want your business to accept credit cards (and you do), you need a high-quality credit card terminal to process your customers’ cards.
This article will explain how much you can expect to pay for a credit card machine and what features to look for. We’ll also give you some recommendations for the best credit card machines and terminals available on the market today.
The credit card processing hardware market includes a bewildering variety of manufacturers and devices — all of which essentially do the same thing.
Choices range from basic mobile card readers that require a smartphone or tablet to function to fully-featured POS systems that accept payments and run most aspects of your business. Costs are likewise all over the map, with larger devices and additional features adding to the price.
Here’s an overview of the capabilities and typical costs of each type of credit card machine:
Cost
Pros
Cons
Can Be Reprogrammed?
Mobile Card Reader
$10-$130
Affordable
May be unreliable & have hardware compatibility issues
As of 2024, all new terminals include support for EMV payments. Most new terminals also support NFC-based payment methods (e.g., Apple Pay and Google Pay). You should choose a model with this capability due to the increasing popularity of contactless payments among your customers.
A built-in receipt printer adds to the cost of the machine but is essential for most businesses so that you can provide paper receipts to your customers. Wireless terminals, while important for some businesses, are bulkier and significantly more expensive than wired models. You’ll usually also have to pay monthly fees for a wireless data plan. Smart terminals with color touch screens and installable apps are becoming increasingly common, but they also cost more.
Where Do You Get A Payment Terminal From?
When it comes to how to pick a credit card machine, the easiest way is to buy them outright from your merchant services provider. They’ll come preprogrammed and ready to use right out of the box, and you’ll own them. A universal model can often be reprogrammed to work with a different processing network if you later decide to change providers. While buying your equipment outright is the best option, it can also be costly — especially if you need more than one. Taking out a small business loan might be your best alternative if you don’t have the necessary cash for a large, one-time purchase.
Whatever you do, don’t agree to lease your credit card terminals. Those seemingly low monthly payments add up to several times more than the actual value of the machine over the length of your lease, which is noncancelable. Leasing has become so unpopular among merchants that some providers now allow you to rent your terminals on a month-to-month basis instead. While this can also be a costly option in the long run, it can possibly save you money when you’re first starting out.
Be very careful with offers of “free” credit card terminals. Many providers will essentially loan you a terminal to go with your merchant account. However, you won’t own it, and you’ll have to return it promptly if you close your account. Also, these terminals usually aren’t really “free.” You can expect some concessions on your part, such as higher processing rates, a higher monthly account fee, or (most likely) a long-term contract.
How Much Should You Really Pay For A Credit Card Machine?
A word of caution regarding the cost of credit card machines: Don’t spend more than you have to. Sales agents are quick to try to upsell you on a more fully-featured (and more expensive) device than what you really need. A machine that meets all of your current needs is going to be a better choice than a more expensive device that comes with features you’re never going to use.
The Best Credit Card Machines & Terminals For Small Businesses
The best credit card machines for small businesses support EMV, NFC, and magstripe payment methods. In addition to being rugged and reliable, they’re increasingly likely to connect to your processor via a payment gateway, giving you real-time reporting and advanced analytics data.
Accepts EMV, NFC-based, and magstripe transactions
Includes some basic POS functions
Cons
Bulky for mobile use
Account stability issues
Why Square Terminal Is The Best Choice For Low-Volume Retail Businesses
Square Terminal is a great choice for small businesses that need a reliable terminal to accept credit and debit card transactions at their brick-and-mortar location. It also adds several features you won't normally find at this price point, including a stripped-down version of the Square for Restaurants app. While there's no support for Bluetooth peripherals, you can use an optional USB hub to connect a variety of add-ons, including some third-party devices.
Square Terminal is one of the most affordable devices we've found that can function as a mobile or countertop terminal, although it's a little on the large size for mobile use. Square Terminal comes with the Square payments app pre-installed and can be purchased at full price or via installment payments.
If you're having trouble deciding between this device and the Square Register (see below), check out our guide on Square POS readers and bundles for a side-by-side comparison of every product that Square currently offers.
Square Terminal Features
Business owners who use Square for credit card processing and want something more advanced than a mobile card reader will find what they’re looking for with the Square Terminal. This versatile device offers the following key features:
5.5″ color touchscreen
Built-in thermal receipt printer
Supports EMV, NFC, and magstripe payment methods
Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity
Rechargeable battery or 110v AC power
Square Terminal Hardware Cost & Options
$299/unit (or $27/month for 12 months)
+$39 for Hub for Square Terminal
+$29 for 20 rolls of Square Terminal Printer Paper
Square Terminal Payment Processing Costs
No monthly fees (for basic account)
2.6% + $0.10/in-person transaction (swiped, dipped, or tapped)
Custom pricing for businesses processing over $250,000/year
Get a free card swiper from Square at no cost when you create a free account. Claim your card reader.
Pros
Accepts EMV, NFC-based, and magstripe transactions
Expandable via a 5-port USB hub
Access to Square App Marketplace
Cons
Only works with Square’s processing service
Account stability issues
Why Square Register Is The Best Choice For Low-Cost Access To POS Features
Square Register combines the power of a fully-featured POS system with Square's affordable credit card processing service. At $799, this is one of the most affordable countertop POS systems you'll find anywhere. You will likely need to purchase some accessories, including a receipt printer and a cash drawer. However, Square offers Square Register bundles that can save money over buying each product individually.
Unlike most POS system providers, Square uses the same pay-as-you-go billing model, regardless of which hardware product you use. Square Terminal's built-in software list is impressive and includes support for inventory management, employee management, loyalty/gift card programs, appointment scheduling, reporting, and eCommerce sales. Special features for restaurants are also available.
Square Register Features
Although it only works with Square’s payment processing service, the Square Register is an excellent choice for businesses that need the power and extra functionality of a full point of sale (POS) system.
With Square Register, you’ll enjoy the following major features:
13.25″ register display
7″ customer-facing display
Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity
Accepts EMV and magstripe payments
Accepts NFC-based payment methods (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and Cash App Pay)
Supports USB peripherals via an integrated 5-port hub
Includes Square POS, Square for Retail, and Square for Restaurants (free version) apps
Expandable via Square App Marketplace
Square Register Hardware Cost & Options
$799/unit (or $39/month for 24 months)
$12 for an extended 6.5′ customer display cable
$299 for a USB receipt printer
$119 for a USB barcode scanner
$129 for a 16″ printer-driven cash drawer
Other accessories and replacement parts available on Square’s website
Square Register Payment Processing Costs
No monthly fees (for basic accounts)
2.6% + $0.10/in-person transaction (swiped, dipped, or tapped)
Custom pricing for businesses processing over $250,000/year
Additional monthly fees for optional services (Square for Restaurants’ paid version, etc.)
There are no additional fees or long-term contracts. However, be aware that Square’s flat-rate pricing might be more expensive than a full-service merchant account if your monthly processing volume is higher than $5,000.
Usually requires a monthly software subscription fee
Not reprogrammable
Why Clover Mini Is The Best Choice For POS Features In A Small Form Factor
The Clover Mini offers nearly all of the point-of-sale capabilities of the larger Clover Station Solo/Duo but in a smaller (and less expensive) form factor. Like other Clover devices, you can expand the functionality of the Clover Mini by installing additional apps from the Clover App Market. Most of these are free, but some require additional monthly subscriptions.
The Clover Mini is a great choice for businesses that don't need the capabilities of a full-blown POS system but want something more than just a basic credit card terminal. It's not the most affordable option, however, costing nearly twice as much as similar products from competitors and requiring a monthly software subscription fee. Clover Mini is available directly from Clover or through one of several of the best Clover resellers.
Clover Mini Features
Clover’s terminals and POS systems are popular with merchants due to their ease of use and expandability via the Clover App Market. The Clover Mini combines the expandability of larger Clover POS systems with the form factor of a standard countertop terminal and includes the following key features:
8″ color touchscreen display
Uses 110V AC power
Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and LTE connectivity
Accepts EMV and magstripe payments
Accepts NFC-based payment methods (Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal/Venmo)
Supports cash, paper checks, and gift card payments
Includes integrated PIN pad for debit cards
Includes built-in thermal dot receipt printer
Optional cash drawer available
Includes virtual terminal for keyed-in transactions
Expandable via Clover App Marketplace
Can be used as a customer-facing display with Clover Station POS
Clover Mini Hardware Cost & Options
$799/unit
$69 for the cash drawer
$0-$84.95 monthly software subscription fee (depending on the plan chosen)
Why Clover Flex Is The Best Choice For A Full-Featured Mobile Terminal
If you like Clover's point-of-sale functionality but need a mobile device, the Clover Flex is a good choice. With eight hours of battery life, it's ideal for businesses that need to process transactions in the field. However, it can also function as a countertop terminal if preferred. For truly mobile use in the field, you'll need to purchase an optional cellular data plan.
The ability to install apps and the addition of a built-in printer make the Clover Flex a great choice for businesses that need to accept payments wherever their customers are, although it's rather bulky compared to most smartphones. While the device itself is reasonably priced, the need for a monthly software subscription fee (and possibly a cellular data plan) adds to your overall costs.
Clover Flex Features
The Clover Flex bridges the gap between mobile and traditional countertop terminals, functioning equally well in either environment. Like other Clover devices, it comes with a bevy of features and can be expanded even more with apps from the Clover App Marketplace.
Here are the primary specifications:
Nearly 6″ color touchscreen display
8+ hours of battery life
Wi-Fi and LTE connectivity
Accepts EMV and magstripe payments
Accepts NFC-based payment methods (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay)
Includes built-in thermal dot receipt printer
Includes virtual terminal for keyed-in transactions
Expandable via Clover App Marketplace
Clover Flex Hardware Cost & Options
$599/unit (or $35/month for 36 months)
$0-$49.95 monthly software subscription fee (depending on the plan chosen)
Why Helcim Smart Terminal Is The Best Choice For Low-Cost Smart Terminal Functionality
We chose the Helcim Smart Terminal as one of the most cost-effective smart terminals on the market. The Helcim Smart Terminal has everything you need to get up and running for just $329. The terminal can be plugged in for countertop use but will also run for up to eight hours of mobile use. Helcim's proprietary POS software is pre-installed and includes additional features such as inventory management and employee log-in functions. It requires a Wi-Fi connection but doesn't offer cellular connectivity for true in-the-field use.
Helcim itself is an outstanding credit card processor for small businesses. With no monthly fee and a transparent interchange-plus pricing schedule for all users, it can accommodate most small and mid-sized businesses. (Note that Helcim does not accept high-risk merchants.)
The Helcim Smart Terminal is a great choice for businesses looking for an all-in-one solution that doesn't require a lot of extra fees and optional features. Setup is easy, and you can be up and running very quickly once your Helcim account is approved and your Helcim Smart Terminal arrives.
Helcim Smart Terminal Features
Includes 5.5″ color touchscreen
Up to eight hours of battery life
Accepts EMV and magstripe payments
Accepts NFC-based payment methods (Apple Pay & Google Pay)
Wi-Fi connectivity
Includes built-in thermal receipt printer
Helcim POS software pre-installed
Includes inventory management & employee log-in features
Universal terminal that works with almost any provider
Supports EMV, NFC-based, and magstripe payment methods
Includes integrated PIN pad
Very affordable
Cons
Highly variable pricing and contract terms
Limited “smart” functionality
Why The Dejavoo Z11 Is The Best Reprogrammable Credit Card Terminal
Not every business needs all the fancy, high-tech features of a modern "smart" terminal. If you just want a simple (and affordable) terminal to sit on your countertop and process basic credit/debit card transactions, the Dejavoo Z11 is an excellent choice. It supports all major forms of credit card acceptance, including popular contactless digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay. The color touch screen, while small, simplifies navigation and makes it easy for you and your employees to use.
Best of all, you won't have to deal with the additional fees that come with many smart credit card machines. Other than refilling the paper for the built-in receipt printer, there are usually no other expenses to worry about.
The Dejavoo Z11 is quite popular with merchants for its simplicity and ease of use, but it still includes all the features you need to accept credit and debit cards in your business.
Dejavoo Z11 Features
If you want a basic countertop credit card terminal that can securely accept the most common payment methods, the Dejavoo Z11 is an excellent choice. It includes all the essential features you’ll need to accept credit and debit cards but doesn’t include a lot of extra features that you’ll never use.
Highlights include the following:
3.5″ color touchscreen display
Connects via IP, dial-up, or Wi-Fi
Accepts EMV and magstripe payment methods
Accepts NFC-based payment methods (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Visa payWave, and MasterCard PayPass)
Includes EMV tip adjust feature
Includes integrated PIN pad for chip + PIN debit card transactions
Requires additional printer paper rolls (pricing varies)
No monthly software subscription fees
Dejavoo Z11 Payment Processing Costs
Because the Dejavoo Z11 is a universal terminal offered by a wide variety of merchant services providers, transaction processing fees, monthly/annual account fees, and contract terms are all highly variable. Please consult our reviews of individual merchant account providers for additional information.
POS Hardware & Mobile Credit Card Reader Rating Methodology
We spend hours researching and evaluating each POS hardware and mobile payments device that we review at Merchant Maverick, placing special emphasis on key characteristics to generate our product ratings.
Weighted Rating Breakdown
Pricing 40%
Features 25%
Ease Of Use 20%
Customer Service 10%
User Reviews 5%
When rating POS hardware (which might include registers, mobile card readers, and other similar devices), we use a 38-point rubric that looks at pricing, ease of use, features, customer service, and user reviews. We weigh each section differently to calculate the total star rating.
Pricing: 40% of the total star rating
Ease of Use: 20% of the total star rating
Features: 25% of the total star rating
Customer Service: 10% of the total star rating
User Reviews: 5% of the total star rating
Each section is further broken down into granular, weighted subsections, in which we look at specific attributes, like whether reduced fees are available for multiple terminals, which payment processing options are available, and how well the hardware integrates with POS or payment processing software apps. We’re also paying careful attention to hardware’s relative cost, any associated fees, and whether financing is available, among other things.
7 Features To Look For In A Credit Card Processing Machine
Before you decide on a particular type of credit card terminal, consider all of the features listed below and how they’ll fit in with your business’s needs. Here are the things to look for in choosing a credit card machine:
Processor Compatibility
Above all else, you’ll need to ensure that your chosen credit card machine is compatible with your credit card processor. Many providers sell proprietary hardware that can only be used with their processing networks. However, universal options are also available that sync up with most processors and give you more flexibility.
Some credit card processors charge reprogramming fees (typically around $100) to configure your existing terminal to work with their network, while others perform this service at no cost to you.
Payment Method Support
EMV (or “chip”) cards have been the standard payment method in the United States since 2015, and you shouldn’t purchase any terminal that lacks this capability. Magstripe processing remains important, but only as a backup method of processing a customer’s card. Today, most new terminals also support NFC-based (or contactless) payment methods, such as Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Adoption by consumers of contactless payment methods has steadily grown over the last few years, but the COVID-19 pandemic really pushed it into overdrive. As long as your chosen credit card machine supports these three payment methods, you shouldn’t have to worry about replacing it for many years to come.
Support for payment via QR codes or gift cards can also be valuable for some businesses. Support for advanced security features, such as credit card tokenization and encryption, is also essential.
Connectivity Options
Your level of connectivity is also crucial, as any downtime or lag that impedes your ability to process payments can have a significantly negative impact on your business. Most newer machines can send transactions to your processor over the internet through either a Wi-Fi or hard-wired (Ethernet) connection. Many terminals can also connect via a landline telephone line if your internet connection is unavailable.
Wireless terminals designed to be used in the field instead of at a fixed retail location rely on a cellular data connection that’s the same as what your smartphone uses. Unfortunately, these data plans typically run an extra $15-30 per month on top of the cost of the machine. If you want to purchase one of these terminals, ensure that it operates on either the LTE or 5G network, as the older 3G network is no longer in service with most carriers.
PIN Debit Support
Since you’ll be accepting debit cards as well as credit cards with your terminal, it’s essential that you include a PIN pad (either built-in or as a separate, customer-facing unit) for customers to enter their PIN.
While you can run a debit card “as credit” (without a PIN), you’ll miss out on the significantly lower processing costs associated with PIN debit transactions. These lower rates are generally only available with interchange-plus or membership pricing plans. Flat-rate and tiered plans usually charge the same rates for both debit and credit cards.
EBT Payments Support
Depending on your industry, you may also need a device that handles EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) payments. This capability is most important for grocery and general merchandise stores. There are no processing fees for EBT transactions (except those tacked on by your merchant account provider), so it’s in your best interest to expand your customer base by supporting this payment method.
In the healthcare industry, support for HSA and FSA accounts — which also use debit cards tied to the user’s HSA/FSA account — is also a must.
Receipt Printer
Although sending customers their receipts via email is becoming more popular, most receipts are still printed on paper and handed to the customer at the point of sale. You’ll want a device that includes a reliable built-in printer, even if it’s a battery-operated wireless device.
Smart Terminal Functions
Smart terminals add significant capabilities to your humble credit card machine that were once reserved for much more expensive POS systems. But do you really need them? If the answer is “yes,” then go ahead and spend the extra money to add the additional capabilities of a smart terminal to your payment acceptance solution. Smart terminals are rapidly replacing the older, not-so-smart credit card terminals — especially in states that have mandated customer-facing displays.
Which Credit Card Machine Is Right For My Business?
The best credit card machine for small businesses will meet your needs today and support up-and-coming technology trends that will become more important in the future. These trends include NFC capability for contactless payments and the ability to connect to a payment gateway for tokenized in-person transactions.
At the same time, we strongly encourage you to avoid the temptation to choose a merchant services provider because it offers a certain terminal that you like. Fair contract terms, reasonable prices, and excellent customer service are more important considerations in the long run.
As we’ve seen, hardware capabilities don’t vary much from company to company. For example, we really love the Clover line of terminals and POS systems and the expanded capabilities they bring to a business. But we’ve also received many complaints from merchants who signed up with Fiserv (formerly First Data) or one of its less-than-stellar ISOs because they liked the Clover machines. Then they discover that they were locked into a long-term contract, charged exorbitant rates and fees, and offered poor customer service. Worst of all, they couldn’t take their Clover equipment to a new provider if they wanted to switch to a better provider.
FAQs: Credit Card Machines & Terminals
How does a credit card terminal work?
Credit card terminals collect payment data in a variety of ways. EMV and magstripe terminals read data encoded directly onto your customer’s card through a magnetic stripe or an embedded EMV chip. NFC-equipped terminals use near-field communication to transmit and receive data wirelessly between either the customer’s card (tap-to-pay) or mobile device (Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc.). The terminal sends this data to your provider’s payment processing network through a landline, cellphone, Ethernet, or Wi-Fi connection. Modern terminals increasingly communicate with your processor via a payment gateway for enhanced security and cloud-based data synchronization.
Do credit card machines need internet?
While traditional credit card machines communicated over landline telephone connections, most modern payment terminals send data over the internet (either wirelessly or through a wired connection). One feature to look for is “offline processing,” which allows a terminal to store payment data when its internet connection is disrupted and then transmit it automatically when the connection is restored.
Frank has been writing about payment processing and business services since 2015. He is a retired Air Force officer and a former practicing attorney. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from The Pennsylvania State University and a Juris Doctorate degree from the Ventura College of Law, and currently resides in Paso Robles, California.
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We recommend Square Credit Card Processing 🏆Get a free credit card reader when you sign up!Square Payments is a secure and reliable credit card processing platform. Its advanced solutions and broad feature-set makes it a great fit for most businesses.Get StartedNo credit card required
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The vendors that appear on this list were chosen by subject matter experts on the basis of product quality, wide usage and availability, and positive reputation.
Merchant Maverick’s ratings are editorial in nature, and are not aggregated from user reviews. Each staff reviewer at Merchant Maverick is a subject matter expert with experience researching, testing, and evaluating small business software and services. The rating of this company or service is based on the author’s expert opinion and analysis of the product, and assessed and seconded by another subject matter expert on staff before publication. Merchant Maverick’s ratings are not influenced by affiliate partnerships.
Our unbiased reviews and content are supported in part by affiliate partnerships, and we adhere to strict guidelines to preserve editorial integrity. The editorial content on this page is not provided by any of the companies mentioned and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone.
We recommend Square Credit Card Processing 🏆Get a free credit card reader when you sign up!Square Payments is a secure and reliable credit card processing platform. Its advanced solutions and broad feature-set makes it a great fit for most businesses.Get StartedNo credit card required
