
The second cost you have to think about is the payment processing fee. It can also accept payments via chip & PIN, contactless, magnetic stripe and NFC. With SumUp, you get an outstanding card reader with a screen and 13-button keypad. SumUp is almost as cheap, offering low cost without compromising on functionality. However, for chip and PIN, you will need to connect the reader to your own device for customers to enter their PIN. The Square reader is obviously the cheapest device, allowing you to accept chip and PIN, contactless cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay wirelessly.

*Promotional prices may apply for limited times.Īs you can see the Square reader is the cheapest followed by SumUp, then PayPal Here, then Shopify and finally the iZettle card reader. Here’s how the main card readers stack up in terms of the credit card reader cost. You might be cheaper buying a more expensive but more durable reader than buying a less well made cheaper alternative. It’s also worth checking online forums for first-hand accounts of device durability and build quality before you buy. At the moment, you can buy the SumUp reader for £19+VAT, Square reader for £15+VAT, and the Zettle Reader 2 for £19+VAT using our links. Almost all card readers can be purchased via an affiliate link for a significant discount. Prices range from £59 for the iZettle down to £19 for the Square reader. You buy the reader from one of the card reader companies and it’s yours forever.

The cost of the reader is pretty straightforward. Let’s get started.Ĭredit and debit card readers have two costs you need to think about: the upfront cost of the reader and the ongoing payment processing fees. In this article, I take a deep dive into the card reader niche to discover which card reader is the best for businesses that need to accept mobile payments. At the time, SumUp, iZettle, PayPal Here and Square dominated the space with WorldPay Zinc and Shuttle quietly shutting up shop. At the time, a handful of providers were solidifying their position in the market and forcing out smaller competitors. At the end of 2019, I wrote an article on the battle for the card reader niche.
