Disclosure: Our editorial staff write reviews independently. We may be compensated if you sign up for a service through our affiliate links.

Square’s idea was a stroke of genius in its simplicity: use your smartphone or tablet to accept credit and debit card payments.

But in the US, businesses looking for mobile credit card processing solutions can choose between an increasing number of companies like Square with their own apps.

PayPal’s card reader solution might be the best-known, but other players have entered the market too. Some, like Flint and Amazon Local Register, have shut down.

Here, we list the most viable alternatives to Square.

Provider Price Ongoing costs To site
SumUp From $39 No monthly fees
Pay as you go
PayPal Zettle From $29 No monthly fees
Pay as you go
Intuit QuickBooks $49 $20/mo, or pay as you go
Clover $49 $0-$14.95/mo
Cancelable contract
Stripe $59 No monthly fees
Pay as you go
PayAnywhere  $59.95 Pay as you go, but $3.99/mo after 12 months’ inactivity
Brand Pricing Link
SumUp Terminal: From $39
No monthly fees
Pay as you go
PayPal Zettle Terminal: From $29
No monthly fees
Pay as you go
Intuit QuickBooks Terminal: $49
Pay as you go or $20/mo
Clover Terminal: $49
$0-$14.95/mo
Cancelable contract
Stripe Terminal: $59
No monthly fees
Pay as you go
PayAnywhere Terminal: $59.95
Pay as you go, but $3.99/mo after 12 months’ inactivity

SumUp – low cost, simple fees

SumUp offers an all-in-one swipe, dip and tap card reader called SumUp Plus Card Reader with long battery life and a PIN pad. It costs just $39, making SumUp the cheapest option for all-in-one readers.

The transaction rate is 2.75% for magstripe, chip and contactless cards. There’s no additional fee for foreign cards, no contract lock-in and no monthly fees.

You’ll be able to take Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, American Express, Discover and Diners Club, as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Photo: Mobile Transaction

SumUp Plus in hand

SumUp Plus Card Reader accepts swipe without a separate swipe reader and has a PIN pad.

App features are basic compared to Square’s, but those who do not plan on running a food and beverage place – or require integrations with third-party software – will in most cases be satisfied. SumUp lets you key in transactions, send payment links, generate QR codes, electronic gift cards and email invoices.

SumUp charges
SumUp Plus Card Reader (swipe, chip, tap) $39
Swipe, dip & tap transaction rate 2.75%
Keyed rate (virtual terminal) 3.25% + 15¢
Online rate (payment links, QR codes, invoices) 2.9% + 15¢
SumUp
charges
SumUp Plus Card Reader (swipe, chip, tap) $39
Swipe, dip & tap transaction rate 2.75%
Keyed rate (virtual terminal) 3.25% + 15¢
Online rate (payment links, QR codes, invoices) 2.9% + 15¢

If you’d rather have a credit card reader that works without an app, SumUp Solo ($129) is a great alternative. It accepts tap and chip cards and come with unlimited data for 4G as well as WiFi connectivity.

SumUp is ideal for sporadic use since you’re not committing to a long-term contract and pay the same rate regardless of card type. Like Square, standard bank account deposits take 1-2 days, unless you apply for the free SumUp Business Bank Account where you consistently receive next-day payouts free.

To get the card reader, you complete the 5-minute sign-up form online, then pay $39 (if ordered through our link).

Full review of SumUp

PayPal Zettle – payouts in online account

PayPal Here has managed to stay in business, offering a pay-as-you-go card reader with no monthly fee or contractual commitment.

The latest card reader, PayPal Zettle, was originally designed in Europe and has now replaced the old PayPal Here offering. PayPal Zettle reader is an elegant card reader with a PIN pad, contactless and chip card acceptance.

Photo: Mobile Transaction

PayPal Zettle card reader in charging dock

The PayPal Zettle reader can be used on the go or as a modern countertop checkout.

Payouts go into your online PayPal Business account. If you don’t mind manual transfers to a bank account, then PayPal Zettle offers a fairly competitive way to take cards in person. The PayPal Business Debit Mastercard enables you to spend the card earnings straight from the online PayPal account.

The accompanying Zettle app comes with useful POS features like a product library, stock counts, barcode scanning, sales reports and discounts.

You can accept payments via cash, cards (Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Amex, Discover, JCB, UnionPay), mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay), invoices, payment links, QR codes and gift cards.

PayPal Zettle charges
PayPal Zettle card reader (chip, tap) $29
Dip & tap transaction rate 2.29% + 9¢
Cross-border fee +1.5%
Keyed transaction rate 3.49% + 9¢
PayPal
Zettle
charges
PayPal Zettle card reader (chip, tap) $29
Dip & tap transaction rate 2.29% + 9¢
Cross-border fee +1.5%
Keyed transaction rate 3.49% + 9¢

The standard rate for EMV and contactless card payments is 2.29% + 9¢. Keep in mind that for international cards issued outside the US, you pay an additional cross-border fee of 1.5%. The PayPal Zettle app allows you to take key-in card transactions for 3.49% + 9¢ if you haven’t got the card reader handy.

Full review of PayPal Zettle

Full comparison with Square

QuickBooks GoPayment – best accounting integration

QuickBooks GoPayment (previously Intuit GoPayment) is the mobile payment solution from Intuit, best known for their accounting software. If you use or plan on using QuickBooks, choosing GoPayment makes sense as it integrates perfectly.

You also get a full-fledged merchant account without contractual commitment and optional instant deposits for an added fee of 1.75% (Square offers this as well for the same fee).

To get GoPayment, download the free app available on Android and iOS devices (but not Windows or Blackberry devices). You can take payments immediately by keying in card details which the customer can confirm and sign for in the app.

Photo: QuickBooks

QuickBooks Card Reader tap payment

Unique-looking QuickBooks Card Reader accepts tap and EMV cards, but not swipe.

The latest chip and contactless QuickBooks card reader costs $49.

Transaction fees and ongoing charges depend on which QuickBooks subscription you have for accounting and payments. QuickBooks has never been very clear about in-person fees, but the current pay-as-you-go charge is 2.5% per EMV and contactless tap. Keyed transactions on the same plan cost 3.5%. While these rates are competitive, a hidden monthly cost of $9.95 for PCI-DSS compliance may apply.

If you’re subscribed to QuickBooks Desktop, there’s a subscription for $20 per month that lowers your tap and dip fee to 1.6% + $0.30.

QuickBooks charges
QuickBooks Card Reader (chip, tap) $49
Pay as you go (w/QuickBooks Online) $0/mo
Chip, tap: 2.5%
Keyed: 3.5%
$9.95/mo PCI compliance may apply
Monthly plan (w/QuickBooks Desktop) $20/mo
Chip, tap: 1.6% + 30¢
Keyed: 3.3% + 30¢
Instant deposits 1.75% on top of transaction fee
GoPayment
charges
QuickBooks Card Reader (chip, tap) $49
Pay as you go (w/QuickBooks Online) $0/mo
Chip, tap: 2.5%
Keyed: 3.5%
$9.95/mo PCI compliance may apply
Monthly plan (w/QuickBooks Desktop) $20/mo
Chip, tap: 1.6% + 30¢
Keyed: 3.3% + 30¢
Instant deposits 1.75% on top of transaction fee

The card reader accepts credit and debit cards via Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay. There used to be swipe acceptance, but this has been phased out with the new card reader.

Full review of QuickBooks GoPayment

Clover Go – with merchant account

Clover Go’s latest card reader looks smaller and elongated compared to Square Reader, but similarly accepts EMV chip and contactless cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay. It connects through Bluetooth with your cell phone’s Clover Go app.

Clover used to only offer their services through partners like Bank of America (each with different rates), but now sell Clover Go directly from their website for standard fees.

Photo: Clover

Clover Go card reader with iPhone app

Clover Go looks is smaller than Square Reader, but it still accepts contactless and EMV cards.

The card reader costs $49, and then you have a choice of plans. The Payments plan is for basic payment features only – this has no monthly fee. If you want inventory management features, you can subscribe to Essentials for $14.95 per month, which unlocks more features in the Clover Go app.

The chip and tap transaction fee is 2.6% + 10¢ whereas keyed transactions cost 3.5% + 10¢ on both plans. The card reader does not accept swipe payments.

Clover Go charges
Clover Go card reader (chip, tap) $49
Payments plan $0/mo
Tap, chip: 2.6% + 10¢
Keyed: 3.5% + 10¢
Essentials plan $14.95/mo
Tap, chip: 2.6% + 10¢
Keyed: 3.5% + 10¢
Rapid deposits 1.5% on top of transaction fee
Clover Go
charges
Clover Go card reader (chip, tap) $49
Payments plan $0/mo
Tap, chip: 2.6% + 10¢
Keyed: 3.5% + 10¢
Essentials plan $14.95/mo
Tap, chip: 2.6% + 10¢
Keyed: 3.5% + 10¢
Rapid deposits 1.5% on top of transaction fee

Instant deposits within minutes of accepting a payment are available for an additional fee of 1.5% per transaction.

This card reader is a good choice for existing Clover merchants, since more features and integrations are available within Clover’s ecosystem. It also comes with your own merchant account by First Data/Fiserv, which some businesses might prefer for account stability.

Full review of Clover Go

Stripe Reader M2 – for online merchants

Another credit card reader that’s strikingly similar to Square Reader is Stripe Reader M2 for chip and contactless payments. It’s part of the Stripe Terminal offering that integrates with Stripe’s wider online payment platform, so it’s ideal for ecommerce businesses who need in-person payments too.

Like other solutions on this list, the M2 card reader connects with an app on Apple or Android devices, but the setup is more complicated. You actually need to build your own point of sale (POS) application that connects with the terminal, which is great for businesses who need a custom solution. Those who need an out-of-the-box solution can connect with a few basic apps like Collect for Stripe or the Big Cartel app.

Photo: Stripe

Stripe Reader M2

Another Square lookalike, Stripe Reader M2 is a new product for Stripe users.

There’s no monthly fee for Stripe Terminal, just an upfront price of $59 for the card reader and then pay-as-you-go transaction costs. Domestic credit and debit cards cost 2.7% + $0.05, whereas international cards have an additional fee of 1.5%.

Stripe Terminal charges
Stripe Reader M2 (chip, tap) $59
Domestic card payments – tap, chip 2.7% + 5¢ per transaction
International card payments – tap, chip 4.2% + 5¢ per transaction
Currency conversion 1% on top of transaction fee
Instant deposits 1% on top of transaction fee
Stripe Terminal
charges
Stripe Reader M2 (chip, tap) $59
Domestic card payments – tap, chip 2.7% + 5¢ per transaction
International card payments – tap, chip 4.2% + 5¢ per transaction
Currency conversion 1% on top of transaction fee
Instant deposits 1% on top of transaction fee

There is also a 1% currency conversion fee if the transaction is charged in a different currency to the cardholder’s account. Some out-of-the-box apps for Stripe Reader also add their own commission charge, so it can quickly get expensive depending on your setup and whether your customers are international.

Standard Stripe payouts take a whopping 2-7 business, unless you pay 1% extra for instant payouts in your debit card account.

Full review of Stripe Terminal

Payanywhere – viable option, possibly hidden fees

The Payanywhere website might lead you to think you are dealing with a technology startup, but the company is a subsidiary of Wells Fargo. On the surface, their rates look transparent and simple.

Photo: Payanywhere

PayAnywhere 3-in-1 card reader

Payanywhere’s 3-in-1 card reader accepts swipe, EMV chip and contactless cards.

The system works with iPhone, iPad and Android devices.

Businesses making less than $10k a month can be on the pay-as-you-go plan which comes with no monthly fee or setup cost. You just need to buy the 3-in-1 credit card reader for $59.95 to accept contactless, EMV and swipe card payments too.

Payanywhere charges
3-in-1 Credit Card Reader (swipe, chip, tap) $59.95
Card reader transaction rate 2.69%
Keyed transaction rate 3.49% + 19¢
Inactivity fee $3.99/mo
Payanywhere
charges
3-in-1 Credit Card Reader (swipe, chip, tap) $59.95
Card reader transaction rate 2.69%
Keyed transaction rate 3.49% + 19¢
Inactivity fee $3.99/mo

Note: if you haven’t processed a card sale for 12 months, an “inactivity fee” of $3.99 is charged every month until you next accept a card.

On pay-as-you-go, each swipe, dip and tap transaction costs 2.69%, and keyed transactions cost 3.49% + $0.19. Those making over $10,000 a month can ask for custom pricing.

This all looks good, but users have complained of hidden fees including a monthly fee on the pay-as-you-go plan and an early termination fee ($249 has been quoted). We therefore suggest asking upfront about these before signing any contract from Payanywhere.

Full review of Payanywhere

Summary

Among Square competitors, we’ve noticed increasingly greater similarities in pricing and features – but they are still very distinguisable.

Monthly costs can rack up with Clover Go, GoPayment and Payanywhere if you don’t use them every month, making them best for committed merchants with a steady turnover. While GoPayment makes sense for QuickBooks users, Clover is better if you might expand with Clover POS equipment later on.

The pay-as-you-go solutions from SumUp, Stripe and PayPal Zettle and SumUp have different card rates, with SumUp leading as the best-value package for merchants accepting international cards. PayPal Zettle and Stripe can get expensive with their currency conversion and cross-border fees, and Stripe is only really worth it with a custom setup linked to ecommerce sales.

It’s clear that wireless mobile card readers and Bluetooth connectivity are the norm. Swipe acceptance is nearly phased out in favor of the more secure contactless and EMV technologies. It’s also clear that manufacturers are unafraid of new designs – square-shaped readers are no longer the norm.

Also worth mentioning: which alternatives offer fast deposits and Tap to Pay on iPhone or Android without a card reader present? These are increasingly popular functions not included with all platforms:

Company Fastest deposits Tap-on-phone
Square Instant in bank account (1.75% fee) Yes (Android, iPhone)
SumUp Next day in SumUp Business Bank Account (free) No
PayPal Zettle Instant in PayPal account (free), instant bank account transfer (1.5% fee) Yes (Android, iPhone)
QuickBooks Instant in bank account (1.75% fee) No
Clover Instant in bank account (1.5% fee fee) Yes (iPhone)
Stripe Instant in bank account (1% fee) Yes (Android, iPhone)
Payanywhere Same-day deposits for transaction by 10.30am ET (free) Yes (iPhone)
Company Fastest deposits Tap-on-phone
Square Instant in bank account (1.75% fee) Yes (Android, iPhone)
SumUp Next day in SumUp Business Bank Account (free) No
PayPal Zettle Instant in PayPal account (free), instant bank account transfer (1.5% fee) Yes (Android, iPhone)
QuickBooks Instant in bank account (1.75% fee) No
Clover Instant in bank account (1.5% fee fee) Yes (iPhone)
Stripe Instant in bank account (1% fee) Yes (Android, iPhone)
Payanywhere Same-day deposits for transaction by 10.30am ET (free) Yes (iPhone)

As for Square, the company still leads as the most innovative payment provider with the broadest offerings for small businesses. Square Reader is now just one of several terminals able to integrate with many more tools and features than ever.