Credit card machines and virtual terminals are capable of accepting payments, printing receipts, and making transactions easier for small businesses. Based on the type of your business, the best credit card terminals or machines might function offline while scanning barcodes or having a customer-facing screen.
It is estimated that consumers tend to spend credit cards around 28 percent more of all modes of payments. The presence of a credit card machine or virtual terminal enables a business to accept both debit as well as credit card payments. It turns out to be a major benefit as it enables customers to make payments with the card of their choice while also offering businesses with a way to ensure payments easily and quickly.
There is a myriad of credit card machines and virtual machines out there. Therefore, it can be confusing to understand which one is the right for your business.
The Best Credit Card Machines & Terminals for Small Businesses
Mobile-based card machines are for everyone who are expected to accept card payments on the go. Mobile-based credit card payment terminals offer a myriad of benefits for small businesses. For instance, they are super simple to use. You are only expected to pay a single fee for purchasing the credit card reader instead of renting out the same on a monthly basis.
Most of the credit card machines and terminals nowadays are available with a built-in app to help businesses in the processing and reconciliation of payments, sending digital receipts, and taking stock of the inventory.
Some of the best options for credit card machines and virtual terminals are:
- Square
With a wide range of diverse, mobile-based card machines for small-scale businesses (along with a functional range of POS tools for booting), Square serves to be a suitable solution for futuristic merchants -especially those having an eye for aesthetics. The credit card reader is capable of connecting wireless to both iOS and Android devices while accepting Samsung Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and so more. Moreover, once you upgrade to the feature of instant deposits of Square, you will observe payments in your account within a matter of 20 minutes.
Some of the unique features of the credit card terminal are:
- Amazing customer reviews
- Fully PCI compliant
- Provision of next-day deposits into the business bank account
- No long-term commitments or contracts
- Real-time sales reporting & analytics
Out of most of the credit card terminals out there, Square delivers access to the quickest mode of fund transfer and time -in the next day itself. The concept functions great for businesses requiring cash flow -including SMBs and startups. Moreover, the higher number of integrations offered by Square for your business implies that you are seamlessly capable of connecting different aspects of your business. It also implies that you will continue using the same software as well as programs currently in use by your business -without having the need to swap them for something to function with the card reader.
- Square Register
While this credit card machine will function only with the payment service of Square, the virtual terminal Square Register is a great choice for businesses requiring power as well as added functionality of the full POS or Point of Sale system.
Some of the major features you can enjoy with Square Register are:
- 7 inches of display for customer information
- 13.25 inches of register display
- Acceptance of magstripe and EMV payments
- Ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity
- Support for USB peripherals through the integrated 5-port hub
- Acceptance of NFC-centric payment methods -like Samsung Pay, Google Pay, Apple Pay, and Cash App Pay
- Expandable through the Square app marketplace
The credit card machine of Square Register is helpful in combining the functionalities of a fully-featured Point of Sale system with the affordable credit card processing system of Square. At a price of $799, it turns out to be a highly affordable countertop POS system. You might have to purchase additional accessories -like the cash drawer and receipt printer.
- Clover Mini
The series of POS systems and credit card terminals by Clover are quite popular with the merchants. It is because of the overall ease of use as well as expandability through the Clover App Market. The terminal of Clover Mini is known to combine the overall expandability of large-scale Clover POS systems with the features of a standard countertop credit card terminal.
Some of the key features of the credit card machine to look out for are:
- Utilization of 110V AC power
- 7 inches of color display with the touch screen capability
- Acceptance of magstripe and EMV payments
- LTE, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet connectivity
- Support for paper check, gift card payments, and cash
- Acceptance of NFC-based payments -including Samsung Pay, Google Pay, and Apple Pay
- Presence of the built-in receipt printer
- Presence of the integrated PIN pad for the use of debit cards
- Expandable with the help of Clover App Marketplace
- Presence of the virtual terminals for keyed-in transactions
- Availability of the optional cash drawer
The Clover Mini credit card machine offers almost all types of POS capabilities of the large-scale Clover Station Duo or Solo. Clover Mini comes forth with almost all types of features you would require out of a credit card machine.
- Zettle Card Reader 2
Zettle serves to be a practical merchant account having access to a wide range of features for both merchants as well as customers. Zettle comes forth with an affordable offering for credit card machines or terminals. The pricing factor is combined with the inventory management and sales forecasting capabilities. Therefore, it serves as one of the best mobile-based merchant accounts for small-scale businesses.
Some of the benefits of using Zettle Card Reader 2 are:
- Absence of any monthly cost
- Affordability throughout
- Support for around 25 major currencies
- Fully EMV and PCI compliant
- Offering a wide range of EPOS systems for complementing the card reader
- Ease of setting up and using
One of the key aspects of Zettle and its card reader is that it is capable of doubling up as the EPOS system. This can be started with the help of the easy sign-up or purchase requirements. It is a major win for businesses that wish to combine the existing features while saving money at the same time. Zettle makes use of meaningful reporting tools along with a dedicated sales forecasting report. This report allows you to plan beforehand while also managing the inventory.
- Revolut Reader
Revolut has been declared as the best credit card machine for cheaper transaction fees. There is the fee of 0.8 percent along with 2p for in-person transactions along with one percent and 20p for online transactions. As it turns out to be the only recurring fee, it is an ideal solution for small businesses that wish to close an eye of the entire budget.
The card reader of Revolut is known to pair effectively through a tablet or a smartphone. This makes it an ideal option for pop-up stores or retail businesses. Revolut also serves to be PCI compliant. You can make use of either the feature of Payment Request or plugins or even API. The provider also offers credit checks for helping you secure the business from prospective ‘poor actors’ with a bad credit history.
Revolut offers access to as many as 30 currencies -more than Square and Zettle. In case your business is selling internationally, it is a major benefit.
- Dejavoo Z11
Are you looking for a standard countertop credit card reader or terminal that is securely able to accept the most common types of payment methods? Dejavoo Z11 can be the ideal solution in this case. The credit card payment terminal offers access to all core features you require for accepting both debit as well as credit cards.
Some of the essential features to look out for are:
- Inclusion of EMV tip adjustment feature
- Acceptance of magstripe and EMV payment methods
- Connections through Wi-Fi, dial-up, or IP
- 3.5 inches of colored, touchscreen display
- Acceptance of NFC-based payment methods -including MasterCard PayPass, Visa PayWave, Google Pay, and Apple Pay
- Inclusion of built-in receipt printer
- Inclusion of integrated PIN pad along with PIN-based debit card transactions
Not every business will require fancy features in a credit card machine. If you are looking for an affordable and simple terminal to sit on the countertop while processing both debit and credit card transactions, the Dejavoo Z11 serves to be an excellent choice. It is capable of supporting all major forms of accepting credit card payments.
Conclusion
The best credit card terminals or machines for small businesses are capable of meeting the modern needs while supporting the latest technology trends to become more important in the future.
