5 Best iPad Credit Card Reader

Credit card readers are becoming a must-have for businesses of all sizes. Allowing customers to quickly and easily pay for their goods or services but being able to take payments on the go is essential in keeping your business running smoothly.

If you’re like many other businesses that use an iPad as their checkout device, finding an effective and reliable credit card reader doesn’t have to be difficult.

Below we’ll dive into the 5 best iPad credit card readers available so you can choose the right one for your business needs!

*All credit card readers listed can connect to iPad

Table of Contents

Best iPad Credit Card Reader

1.) Square Card Reader

Square reader for iPads is one of the most popular point-of-sale (POS) systems available today. It offers a range of accessories that make it incredibly popular and easy to use.

The Square Magstripe reader allows customers to swipe their credit cards for purchases; while the Square Contactless Reader makes both contactless payments easy and secure thanks to its NFC connectivity, along with accepting mobile payments from Apple Pay or Google Pay.

With the Dock Station for the Square Reader, store owners can now have a stabilized area and keep it charging all day.

If you’re looking for a stationary setup, opt for the Square Register, which provides charging capability, an iPad enclosure stand, as well as numerous ports for charging other POS peripherals.

Square Services:

Pay 2.60% + $0.10 per transaction when a customer taps, dips, or swipes their card
Deposit money into the bank account in 1 – 2 business days, or Instant Deposit for 1% per deposit to receive in seconds
Use of the free Square point-of-sale app to process payments
No monthly fees or extra fees, or long-term commitments

Square Items:

Square Reader Magstripe Lightning Connector (Free card reader) – Swipe card payments only
Square Reader Contactless and Chip – Contactless card, credit chip reader, and accepts mobile payments
Dock for Square Reader Contactless and Chip – Station to hold your contactless Square Reader and keep it charged
Square Register – Full set up to create a stylish payment station. Insert your iPad into the station in minutes and be ready to accept credit card payments.
- Includes:
  - Square Register
  - Customer Display
  - Power Adapter and Cable
  - Customer Display Cable
  - USB Hardware Hub
  - Drill Mount and Adhesive Mount

These features combined with the Square reader and Square stand are a must-have POS item for iPad users everywhere.

2.) Clover Go Card Reader

Clover Go is ideal for businesses with iPads who want to move to the next level. In addition, hardware options for your business needs.

The Clover Go card reader allows customers to pay securely, and it’s mobile to bring it to them. Clover Mini POS system offers more advanced options to bill clients, personnel management, customer tracking, and inventory control.

For larger businesses, the Clover Station Solo and Duo provide fast station check-out, restaurant order-taking capabilities, and even loyalty programs that track customer data, so you can always be one step ahead.

Clover Go Services:

Pay 2.60% + $0.10 per transaction when a customer swipes, taps, or chips their card. Includes mobile wallets from Apple Pay or Google Pay
Deposit money into the bank account in 1 – 2 business days
Use of the free Clover Go point-of-sale app to process payments
No monthly fees and no hidden fees, or long-term commitments. Monthly fees included based on items as will include more accounting features

Clover Go Items:

Clover Go Reader – Portable mobile card reader to accept swipe, chip, or contactless payment. An additional $14.95 per month will include tracking and reporting details, inventory and order management, client management promotions, and employee logins.
Clover Mini – Touch screen terminal for customers to input their purchases and make purchases with their credit card. Generate receipts and a built-in camera for bar code scanning.
Clover Station Solo – Full POS station set up as two versions. Either as a retail/register or restaurant setup. Comes preloaded with Clover software and a lower price of 2.3% + $.10 per card transaction.
Clover Station Duo – Similar to the Clover Station Solo but with the addition of a dual-display setup allowing for customer interaction. Best to handle higher customer volume. Same price of 2.3% + $.10 per card transaction. Comes in two versions retail/register or restaurant setup.

*Both Clover Station Solo and Duo have 24/7 customer phone support to assist with any issues regarding Clover Go.

3.) PayPal by Zettle Card Reader

PayPal Zettle is a great tool to use if you would like to accept card payments on your iPad or iPhone.

When making purchases on the Zettle Reader 2, customers can quickly and securely do so via a credit card chip or contactless to process card data.

If your business needs a more permanent setup, the Store Kits can set up your iPad and be ready to process payments in a fixed area with added additions.

It’s simple for businesses of all sizes to securely manage their payment data and accept card payments in person or online – making it easy to stay on top of transactions.

Zettle Services:

Pay 2.29% + $0.09 per transaction when a customer taps or chips their card (Does not accept swipe payments as it’s less secured)
Deposit money into the bank account in 1 – 2 business days
Use of the free PayPal Zettle point-of-sale app to process payments
No monthly fees and no hidden fees, or long-term commitments

Zettle Items:

Zettle Reader 2 – Contactless and chip reader, and accepts mobile payments from Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Pay.
Zettle Dock 2 – Lock in Zettle Reader 2 in place and charges all day to avoid keeping customers from paying.
Zettle Terminal – All-in-one portable device to checkout customers on the move. Not required to connect with smartphones or tablets.
Ready-made Store Kits – Multiple variations to set up your checkout station with your iPad all in one package.
- Store Kit Mini Includes:
  - Zettle Reader 2
  - Zettler Dock 2
  - Zettle Stand 360 (Hold iPad)
- Store Kit Standard Includes:
  - All items from Store Kit Mini
  - Smart Printer
  - Thermal Rolls (10 receipt rolls per package)
- Store Kit Plus:
  - All items from Store Kit Standard
  - Barcode Scanner

4.) SumUp Card Reader

SumUp has made it easier than ever to accept card payments on iPads a range of card readers, and payment solutions.

The Plus Card Reader accepts almost any kind of payment: chip cards, contactless payments, as well as magstripe credit cards.

In addition, the SumUp Point of Sale (POS) system enables you to easily manage your inventory, create reports for taxes, track sales, and more.

With features like these, SumUp has made transacting using tablets easier, quicker, and perhaps most importantly – secure for both seller and buyer.

SumUp Services:

Pay 2.75% per transaction when a customer swipes, taps, or chips their card. Includes mobile wallets from Apple Pay or Google Pay
Deposit money into the bank account in 2 – 3 business days
Use of the free SumUp point-of-sale app to process payments
No monthly fees and no hidden fees, or long-term commitments

SumUp Items:

SumUp Plus Reader – Portable mobile card reader to accept swipe, chip, or contactless payment.
SumUp Plus Cradle Bundle – Includes Plus Reader and charging stand.
Solo Card Reader – Touch screen terminal for customers to input their purchases and make purchases with their credit card. Send digital receipts and access reports. If needed can pair it with a receipt printer to print a physical copy.
Point of Sale – Full POS station with additional features from reporting, accounting, and other business tools. A lower price of 2.6% per card transaction. Includes cash drawer, customer touch screen, iPad stand, and receipt printer.

5.) Intuit QuickBooks Card Reader

For business owners looking to streamline financial operations, QuickBooks Intuit is another tool for iPad access.

The app provides different features that focus on personal finance management and is available in multiple subscription plans.

The QuickBooks Card Reader handles payment transactions that accept contactless cards, chip cards, and swipes, while the QuickBooks Power Stand keeps the Card Reader charged wirelessly and portable to move around.

QuickBooks have greater flexibility when it comes to efficiently processing payments from customers.

QuickBooks Services:

Pay 2.40% + $0.25 per transaction when a customer swipes, taps, or chips their card. Includes mobile wallets from Apple Pay or Google Pay
Deposit money into the bank account the next business day
Use of the free Intuit Quickbooks point-of-sale app to process payments
No monthly fees and no hidden fees, or long-term commitments.

QuickBooks Items:

QuickBooks Card Reader – Portable mobile card reader to accept swipe, chip, or contactless payment.
QuickBooks Power Stand – Portable wireless charger to Card Reader and can charge other devices from smartphones or tablets by USB-C port.

FAQ

Can you use a card reader with an iPad?

Yes, you can use a card reader with an iPad. All card readers listed on this post can use an iPad if it meets the minimum iOS update.

Older iPads may be limited to a maximum iOS update, and a new generation iPad may be needed.

Can you use a card reader with an iPad Pro?

Yes, you can use a card reader for an iPad Pro. In addition, you can use a card reader for a normal iPad, iPad mini, and iPad Air.

Closing Thoughts

It’s now easier than ever to run a successful business with the help of modern technology.

Credit card readers for iPad are essential for any business that wants to process card payments quickly and securely.

Once you’ve weighed up all your options and evaluated the pros and cons of each type, sign up now and purchase a card reader so that you can begin taking card payments in no time!