5 Credit Card Reader Apps That Are Perfect for Small Businesses

For small business owners, investing in a mobile credit card reader is considered a smart decision nowadays because it gives your customers more payment options, especially if you are travelling and are usually involved in outside sales. Businesses are rarely cash-only and it can frustrate your customers if your business only accepts limited forms of payment. There are apps designed to make it easier for customers to pay how they want, even for small purchases, and will help boost customer satisfaction and retention. When comparing mobile credit card reader apps, there are several factors that a small business owner must consider, like ease of use and compatibility with a wide range of mobile devices and phones.

Check out some popular mobile credit card reader apps on the market now.

ROAMpay

The ROAMpay app is unique among its competitors because it is one of the few on the market that offers a combination card swiper that works with Android phones, iPhone, and BlackBerry. It is also compatible with some flip phones and older mobile phones. The app provides end-to-end encryption when transactions are made as well as a secure PIN-based user authentication, ensuring the highest level of data security possible. ROAMpay is a great option for small business owners because of its ability to work with so many types of devices. For this reason, having this app will surely provide convenience to your customers and higher possibility of sales increase.

Square

Square is currently one of the most acknowledged and popular apps. It charges 2.75 percent per swipe, but you can get both the device and app for free. It doesn't require any contract, and the money will be deposited directly to your bank account right after a transaction. What makes the app attractive is its ease of use, as well as the sleekness and the small size of the app. Simply plug it into the audio jack of your mobile device. The only downside of the Square app is that it is only compatible with Android and iPhones.

PayAnywhere

One of the least expensive you can get for a mobile credit card reader app is PayAnywhere. The reader is free and accepts most major credit cards, including MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover. It charges a low rate of 2.69 percent per card swipe. With its basic features and free from any setup costs, hidden fees, or minimum monthly payments, the PayAnywhere app is one of the best solutions you can get.

Intuit GoPayment

Intuit GoPayment is somehow similar to Square because it works with Android, iPhone and other Apple products, as well as BlackBerry devices. It's startup is free and simple -- all you need to do is sign up and install the free app. Enjoy rates as low as 1.7% per swipe, with no setup fees, no commitment and the ability to cancel anytime. With Intuit GoPayment, you can have safe and secure payments because it has two levels of security to ensure that all of your transactions are safe and secure with the encrypted card reader. Intuit GoPayment is compatible with major credit cards, including VISA, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express with authorization in seconds.

PayPal Here

This mobile payment solution is part of the overall PayPal package and connects with your PayPal debit card and online account. One cool feature of the PayPal Here app is that you can use your GPS signal to attract buyers, who can search for local businesses that accept PayPal or use PayPal Here. This also means you can simultaneously accept payments by credit card or online through PayPal's payment service. However, just like Square, it only works with Apple and Android devices. PayPal Here offers different types of payment plans, so you can choose a package depending on how advanced your business is or you can tailor a package that will perfectly fit to your needs.