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The best mobile credit card reader is the one that works with your point-of-sale (POS) app, payment provider, country, and phone or tablet—not necessarily the one with the lowest advertised fee. For U.S. sellers using Square, Square Reader for contactless and chip is a straightforward option; Shopify sellers in supported markets can consider BBPOS WisePad 3; and PayPal’s UK reader is worth comparing if its UK offer applies to you. Check compatibility and accepted payment methods before buying.
How to choose a mobile card reader
Start with the system you already use to take payments. A reader can be unusable if it requires a different POS app, payment account, country, or currency than yours. Then check what cards and wallets it accepts, whether your device is compatible, how it connects, and the full cost of taking a transaction.
- Match the reader to your POS and payment provider. Confirm the reader is supported by your current POS app and payment account. For example, WisePad 3 requires Shopify POS and Shopify Payments.
- Check payment methods individually. Look for chip, contactless wallets, and swipe. “Card reader” does not guarantee support for all three.
- Verify your country, currency, and device. Hardware availability can vary by region, while some setups require particular operating systems, Bluetooth, or a USB connection.
- Compare total transaction cost. Include the hardware price, percentage processing rate, fixed per-transaction charge, any required plan, and whether a special offer applies to you.
- Confirm connectivity and offline behavior. Check the provider’s current guidance for your exact reader, device, and account before relying on it without internet access.
Mobile card readers compared
| Reader | Platform and availability | Accepted payments | Connection and requirements | Published cost details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Square Reader for contactless and chip (2nd generation) | Square; the cited specifications are for the U.S. | EMV chip, NFC contactless including Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay, and swipe, according to Square’s U.S. specifications. | Wireless reader; 56 g. Charges using the included USB cable or a Square Stand USB hub. | Square’s U.S. page lists 2.6% + 15¢ per tap, dip, or swipe, with no monthly fees or long-term commitments. Square lists a one-year limited warranty. |
| BBPOS WisePad 3 | Shopify POS and Shopify Payments in supported countries; availability is regional. | Chip and contactless payments, including PIN. Does not support swipe. | Bluetooth; USB-C options are documented for iPads through Shopify POS Hub and for Android devices. Requires a compatible device and matching store/location country and currency. | Reader price and processing rates are not stated in the cited Shopify reader and compatibility pages; check current local Shopify hardware and payment pricing. |
| PayPal Reader | PayPal Point of Sale; the cited product and offer page is for the UK. | Not stated on the cited UK product page. | Pairs wirelessly over Bluetooth with the PayPal Point of Sale app on a supported smartphone or tablet. Requires internet through Wi-Fi or mobile data. | PayPal’s UK page reviewed in 2026 lists £29 excluding VAT for one eligible new business user, a free app, and a 1.75% transaction fee. Additional-reader pricing differs; PayPal says prices and fees can change. |
What each reader is best suited to
Square Reader: Square sellers in the U.S. who need swipe as well as tap and chip
Square’s U.S. specifications list chip, NFC contactless wallets, and swipe, making this the clearest fit of these three for a seller whose customers still use magnetic-stripe cards. Square also describes industry-specific POS features for food and beverage, retail, beauty, and services. The published rate is tied to Square’s U.S. page and can change, so confirm the current rate and terms for your account before purchase.
Source: Square Reader technical specifications.
WisePad 3: Shopify sellers in a supported country who do not need swipe
WisePad 3 is a practical candidate when your business already uses Shopify POS and Shopify Payments and your country, currency, and device meet Shopify’s requirements. It accepts chip and contactless payments, including PIN, but not swiped cards. Shopify’s hardware page lists it for Canada; Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, and the UK; and Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. Confirm the current country listing and exact model before ordering.
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#1 Best Overall
- Get your money as soon as the next business day.
- Get set up quickly with no long-term commitments. Download the Square Point of Sale app for free, create an account, and start taking payments anywhere.
- Run your business all in one place with the free Square Point of Sale app. Track your sales, manage inventory, accept tips, send receipts digitally, and more.
- Works with Apple devices with a Lightning connector.
Shopify’s documented reader requirements specify iOS/iPadOS 15.1 or later or Android 10 or later, with Bluetooth 4.2 or later. USB-C connection options are documented for iPads through Shopify POS Hub and for Android devices. These are reader compatibility requirements, separate from Shopify’s announced future POS operating-system policy: beginning in January 2027, Shopify says POS will require Android 13 or later and iOS 18 or later, with devices on older systems to be updated by June 6, 2027 to continue using POS. Check Shopify’s live help pages for changes.
Sources: Shopify’s WisePad 3 overview, reader requirements, and regional reader availability.
Rank #2
- Use the, easy-to-use, and customizable POS to get started.
- Accept contactless payments, chip cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay from anywhere, with improved connectivity, extended battery life, and enhanced security. Pay one low rate for every tap or dip.
- No long-term commitments or contracts, no monthly fees- and with offline payments, keep taking payments for up to 24 hours.
- Safely and securely accepts payments anywhere. Plus, get data security, 24/7 fraud prevention, and payment-dispute management at no extra cost.
- Use the, easy-to-use, and customizable POS to get started.
PayPal Reader: UK sellers comparing the eligible introductory offer
PayPal’s cited UK page describes a Bluetooth reader used with the PayPal Point of Sale app on a supported smartphone or tablet. The page requires internet via Wi-Fi or mobile data. Its £29 excluding VAT offer is for one eligible new business user, not a general or global price; PayPal says additional readers have different pricing and that prices and fees can change. Check the current offer terms and your eligibility before relying on the listed price or 1.75% transaction fee.
Source: PayPal Zettle UK card reader page.
Which reader should you choose?
- Choose Square Reader if you use Square in the U.S. and want a reader whose listed methods include chip, contactless wallets, and swipe.
- Consider WisePad 3 if you use Shopify POS with Shopify Payments in a supported country, have a compatible device, and do not need swipe acceptance.
- Compare PayPal Reader if you are in the UK, use PayPal Point of Sale, meet the new-business offer terms, and can maintain an internet connection.
If none fits your provider, country, currency, device, or payment-method needs, do not buy based only on a low hardware price. Ask your POS or payment provider which exact reader model it supports for your account.
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- With Square Terminal, you can ring up sales, accept payments, and print receipts, all with one device. Use it at the counter or ring up customers anywhere in your store.
- Accept all major credit and debit cards and pay one low rate with no hidden fees and no long-term contracts.
- Process chip cards in just two seconds.
- Get your money as soon as the next business day.
- Use it cordlessly with the built-in battery, designed to last all day.
Check offline payments before relying on a reader
The cited PayPal UK page explicitly requires an internet connection. The cited Square and Shopify pages do not establish a complete, directly comparable offline-payment policy for every account and setup. If you sell at markets, fairs, or other locations with unreliable service, verify offline acceptance, transaction limits, when payments upload, and what happens to declined or unsent transactions with the provider for your exact configuration.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- With Square Handheld, you can accept payments, take tableside orders, or scan barcodes anywhere. With a slim design and comfortable grip, the POS is easy to carry in your palm or pocket. Square Handheld is designed to withstand water splashes and dust. Add an optional protective case for accidental drops. A long-lasting battery and offline payments let you keep selling.
- Slim, pocketable, and lightweight so you can accept payments wherever your customers are.
- Take tableside orders, bust lines, or use the built-in barcode scanner, all with one sleek device.
- A battery that can power through your shift and offline payments let you keep selling, even if your internet is down.
- Accept all major credit and debit cards and pay one simple rate with no hidden fees and no long-term contracts required.
Rank #4
- Pay one transparent rate per swipe for Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express.
- Works in conjunction with most downloadable Square point-of-sale apps on your device. Customers can pay, tip and sign directly on your device. Track payments in cash, gift cards and more. Also lets you send receipts via e-mail or text message, makes it easy to apply discounts, keeps a data and sales history log and more.
- Accepts magstripe credit card payments, including those from Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express (fees apply).
- App sends deposits to your bank account within 1 to 2 business days, or enjoy instant deposits (fees apply).
Before you buy
- Confirm the exact model is sold and supported in your country and works with your POS and payment account.
- Match the store or location currency to the provider’s requirements.
- Check your phone or tablet’s operating system, Bluetooth version, and any USB hub or cable requirements.
- Make sure the reader accepts the payment methods your customers use, especially if swipe is important.
- Review current hardware pricing, transaction fees, recurring plan requirements, offer eligibility, and warranty terms on the provider’s official page.
- Ask the provider about internet outages and offline payments before using the reader at events or in areas with weak service.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
