The Best Credit Card Payment Apps Of 2024
If you’re looking for the best credit card payment apps, look no further. Here are the top ten apps for 2024 that can help you manage your payments:
- Lightspeed POS: Best overall
- eHopper POS: Best for tight budgets
- Clover: Best for quick-service restaurants
- Square POS: Best for a free card reader
- SumUp: Best for occasional use
- Revel Systems POS: Best for open application programming interface (API)
- Erply: Best for low processing fees
- Shopify POS: Best for multichannel sellers
- PayPal Zettle POS: Best for social selling
- Stripe POS: Best for customization
Each app has its own unique features and benefits, so be sure to choose the one that best fits your needs. With these apps, you can easily manage your payments and streamline your business operations.
Best Overall
Lightspeed POS
If you’re looking for a credit card payment app that can accept payments in-store and on-the-go, Lightspeed POS is a great option. It offers PCI-compliant payments and end-to-end encryption, ensuring that your transactions are secure. With upfront pricing and unlimited fraud monitoring, you can be confident that you’re getting a transparent and reliable service.
One of the biggest advantages of Lightspeed POS is its third-party integrations and plug-and-play setup. This makes it easy to use with your existing hardware and software, so you don’t have to worry about compatibility issues. Whether you’re using the app on your mobile device or an iPad, you can accept all major debit and credit cards, as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Small businesses in particular will benefit from Lightspeed POS, as it offers a well-rounded solution for credit card payment needs. However, keep in mind that the lowest rates are only available if you use Lightspeed Payments. Additionally, while the fees are transparent, hardware pricing is not always clear.
Pros:
- Transparent fees
- Discounts for processing over $250,000
- Accepts Apple Pay and Google Pay
- Third-party integrations and plug-and-play setup
Cons:
- Must use Lightspeed Payments for lowest rates
- Hardware pricing not always transparent
Best for Quick-Service Restaurants
Clover
If you’re looking for a credit card payment app that offers mobile ordering and payments, Clover is a great option. With the Clover app, your customers can order ahead, reorder their favorite dishes, and pay for their orders on the go. They can also earn and track rewards. Clover integrates with third-party tools, allowing you to customize your credit card payment experience. Plus, it offers a $49 card reader and plans that start at $0 per month. And if you ever need help, Clover provides 24/7 customer support.
Pros:
- Has customer loyalty programs
- Customers can use the app to reorder their favorite dishes
- Integrates with third-party tools
Cons:
- Customers have reported issues with support
Overall, Clover is a solid choice for quick-service restaurants that want to offer mobile ordering and payments.
Best for Tight Budgets
eHopper POS
If you are looking for a credit card payment app that won’t break the bank, the eHopper POS app might be the right choice for your small business. This app is available for Android, iOS, Windows PC, and Poynt terminal. One of the best things about eHopper POS is that it offers free card processing and a free e-commerce site. Additionally, the POS software is free, and you will receive a free payment terminal so you can take payments on the go.
Who should use it:
Small businesses that need to take credit card payments on the go but don’t want to pay monthly fees would benefit from using eHopper POS.
Pros & Cons:
- Free credit card processing
- Get notifications when you need to order more inventory
- Includes a free payment terminal
- Its iOS app has received mixed reviews
Best for a Free Card Reader
Square POS
If you’re looking for a free, easy-to-use credit card reader, Square POS may be the best option for you. With the Square credit card payment app, you can take credit and debit card payments using the free credit card reader that plugs into your smartphone’s headphone jack.
In addition to its basic payment processing features, Square also offers a range of useful tools such as digital receipts, inventory management, and integrations with accounting software. You can even send digital invoices and use text message marketing for a fee.
However, some users have reported issues with money getting held up and customer service problems. Overall, Square POS is a great choice for small businesses that need a simple and affordable payment processing solution.
Best for Occasional Use
SumUp
If you’re a business that only needs to take credit card payments occasionally, SumUp might be the perfect app for you. One of the biggest advantages of SumUp is that you won’t pay a monthly fee. Instead, you’ll pay a flat 2.75% for each in-person transaction. This makes it a great option for businesses that don’t process many credit card transactions.
The app is free and allows you to send invoices directly from it, making it easy to manage payments. You can also send receipts, handle taxes, and customize your catalog. SumUp’s app is available on both iOS and Android, and includes a dashboard where you can download reports. Plus, there’s free email and phone support available if you need help.
However, it’s important to note that SumUp’s processing fee is higher than most on this list. Funds take one to two business days to hit your account, which is fairly standard for most payment apps. Overall, SumUp is a great option for businesses that only need to take credit card payments occasionally and want to avoid monthly fees.
For a more detailed review, check out our full SumUp review.
Best for Open API
Revel Systems POS
If you’re looking for a credit card payment app that offers an open API, Revel Systems POS is a great choice. This app has both a cloud and iPad version, and it comes with a range of features, including inventory management, bill splitting, mobile payments, chip cards, integrations, multiple location management, kitchen management, and customizable tech.
One of the standout features of Revel Systems POS is its open API, which allows you to integrate with the tools you’re already using. This makes it a great choice for businesses that need a flexible and customizable payment app.
Pros:
- Customizable
- Kitchen management
- Accepts chip and mobile payments
Cons:
- Onboarding fee of $674-plus
- Processing rates and hardware fees aren’t transparent
To learn more about Revel Systems POS, you can read our full review.
Best for Low Processing Fees
Erply
If you’re a small business looking for a credit card payment app with low processing fees, Erply is a great option. With a range of apps including customer display, customer registry, point of sale, and stocktake, Erply offers a variety of processing fees depending on which partner it pairs you with. Its point-of-sale app is free and comes with a basic CRM, basic reports, some email support, and integrations.
Who should use it?
Erply is best suited for businesses that need low processing fees.
Pros & Cons
- Low processing fees
- Offers layaway and split payments
- Free hardware
- No phone support on free plan
Erply is a great option for businesses looking to save on processing fees. Additionally, their layaway and split payment options can help improve customer satisfaction. However, it’s important to note that their free plan does not include phone support.
Best for Multichannel Sellers
Shopify POS
If you are a business that needs to sell credit card payments through multiple channels, Shopify POS may be the solution for you. With Shopify, you can sell in person, online, and through social and messaging apps. Its app includes features such as staff management, exchanges, discount codes, offline cash transactions, unlimited products, reports, analytics, marketing, and inventory.
Shopify’s cheapest plan is the Starter plan, which costs $5 per month and allows you to sell through social and messaging apps. The platform also offers 24/7 support and the ability to build an online store where customers can buy online and pick up in store.
However, it’s important to note that there is no free plan and you will have to pay a monthly fee even if you don’t make any sales. Overall, Shopify POS is a great option for businesses that need to sell credit card payments through multiple channels and want access to a wide range of features.
Best for Social Selling
PayPal Zettle POS
If you’re looking for a credit card payment app that is best suited for businesses that sell through social media channels, PayPal Zettle POS is a great option. The app and card reader are easy to use and offer a quick and easy way to take credit card payments.
One of the standout features of PayPal Zettle POS is that it allows you to handle your front and back office right from the app. Additionally, you can configure discounts on orders before sending off a link to your social media buyer.
Pros and Cons of PayPal Zettle POS:
- Pros: No monthly fee, ability to send invoices, simple UI
- Cons: Not as robust as some of its competition, no free card reader
Overall, if you’re a small business looking for a simple and straightforward credit card payment app that is best suited for social selling, PayPal Zettle POS is worth considering.
Best for Customization
Stripe POS
If you’re looking for a payment processing solution that can be tailored to meet the unique requirements of your business, Stripe POS is an excellent choice. This payment processing platform offers a variety of developer tools that allow you to customize your payment app to your business needs. You can choose to use pre-built payment forms or create your own. Additionally, Stripe POS integrates with third-party tools, making it easy to add new features to your payment app.
Stripe POS supports payments in over 135 currencies, making it an excellent choice for businesses that operate internationally. You’ll also receive 24/7 support via phone, chat, email, and Discord, ensuring that you always have access to the help you need.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- No monthly fee
- Supports 135-plus currencies
- 24/7 phone, chat, email and Discord support
Cons:
- Not as intuitive to use as others on this list
- Learning curve is steep
Methodology
To determine the best credit card payment apps, various credit card processors were analyzed and evaluated based on criteria such as credit card acceptance methods, features, ease of use, customer service, and processing fees. Forbes Advisor weighted each data point to rank the top ten apps.
How To Choose a Credit Card Payment App
When selecting a credit card payment app, it’s important to consider a few key factors to ensure that you choose the right one for your business needs. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Credit Card Compatibility: Make sure the payment app is compatible with the credit cards you accept. Some apps may only work with certain types of credit cards, so you’ll want to verify this before making a decision.
- Credit Card Processing Fees: Consider the processing fees associated with the app. Some apps charge higher processing fees, while others charge a monthly fee and lower processing fees. You’ll want to evaluate which option makes the most sense for your business.
- Features: Determine what features you need in a payment app. Some apps offer basic features like inventory management and sales reporting, while others come with more advanced features like customer relationship management and marketing tools.
- Customer Support: Look into the customer service and support options offered by the payment app. Some apps offer 24/7 customer support, while others only offer email or chat support during business hours. Consider what level of support you’ll need and choose an app that meets those needs.
By taking these factors into consideration, you’ll be able to choose a credit card payment app that fits your business needs and helps streamline your payment processing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do You Need a Credit Card Payment App?
If you own a small business, a credit card payment app can be an efficient way to accept credit card payments. Although it is not mandatory, it can save you time and money, especially when you are on the go or cannot afford a larger POS system.
How Much Does a Credit Card Payment App Cost?
The cost of a credit card payment app varies depending on the credit card processor. Some processors charge a monthly fee, while others charge a per-transaction fee. Some processors charge both a monthly fee and a per-transaction fee. It is important to research and compare different processors to find the best option for your business.
What Are the Benefits of Using a Credit Card Payment App?
Using a credit card payment app offers several benefits, including the ability to accept credit card payments, save time and money, and access features such as inventory management, sales reporting, and integrations. Credit card payment apps also provide a more convenient payment option for customers, which can lead to increased sales and customer loyalty.
Do Credit Cards Process on Weekends?
Yes, credit card processing is a 24/7/365 activity, and credit cards are processed on all weekends and holidays. However, merchant deposits typically occur on business days. This means that credit cards processed on a Friday may not be deposited until the following Monday or Tuesday, depending on the payment processing service’s funding schedule. It is important to keep this in mind when planning your business’s cash flow.
What are the best credit card payment apps for small businesses?
As a small business owner, you want to ensure that you are using the best credit card payment app for your needs. Some of the top-rated credit card payment apps for small businesses include Square, PayPal Here, and Shopify. These apps offer a variety of features such as easy setup, low transaction fees, and the ability to accept multiple payment methods.
Which credit card payment apps offer free processing options?
If you’re looking for a credit card payment app that offers free processing options, you may want to consider using Square or PayPal Here. Square offers free processing for up to $1,000 in sales per month, while PayPal Here offers free processing for the first $5,000 in sales. Both of these apps also offer competitive transaction fees and a variety of features to help you manage your business.
How do mobile credit card payment systems compare for Android users?
When it comes to mobile credit card payment systems for Android users, there are several options to choose from. Some of the most popular options include Square, PayPal Here, and Stripe. These apps offer a variety of features such as easy setup, low transaction fees, and the ability to accept multiple payment methods. However, it’s important to note that the specific features and functionality may vary depending on the app you choose.
What are the most reliable handheld credit card processing devices currently available?
If you’re looking for a reliable handheld credit card processing device, you may want to consider using the Clover Flex or the Verifone VX 520. These devices offer a variety of features such as fast processing times, easy setup, and the ability to accept multiple payment methods. Additionally, both devices are known for their reliability and durability.
Are there any apps that allow users to consolidate and pay multiple credit cards?
Yes, there are several apps that allow users to consolidate and pay multiple credit cards. Some of the most popular options include Mint, Credit Karma, and WalletHub. These apps offer a variety of features such as the ability to track spending, view credit scores, and pay multiple credit cards in one place.
What features should I look for in a mobile merchant services app?
When choosing a mobile merchant services app, there are several features you should look for. These include easy setup, low transaction fees, the ability to accept multiple payment methods, and robust reporting and analytics tools. Additionally, you may want to look for an app that offers integrations with other business tools such as accounting software or inventory management systems.
Next Up In Business
As the business world continues to evolve, it is important to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and developments. Here are some key areas to keep an eye on in the coming months:
- Digital Transformation: With the increasing importance of technology in business operations, companies will need to focus on digital transformation to remain competitive. This includes investing in new technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and blockchain.
- Sustainability: Consumers are becoming more environmentally conscious, and businesses need to follow suit. Companies that prioritize sustainability and implement eco-friendly practices will have a competitive advantage.
- Remote Work: The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the trend towards remote work, and it is likely that many companies will continue to offer remote work options in the future. This presents new challenges for businesses, including cybersecurity and employee engagement.
- E-commerce: The rise of e-commerce has transformed the retail industry, and it is expected to continue to grow in the coming years. Businesses that prioritize e-commerce and offer seamless online shopping experiences will be better positioned for success.
By keeping these trends in mind, businesses can stay ahead of the curve and adapt to the changing landscape of the business world.