Accepting credit cards is a must-have for any business today, small or large. If you run a brick-and-mortar operation, you may need something more than a mobile reader that attaches to your smartphone.
Fortunately today, there are many credit card machine options available that are affordable, safe, and travel well. Check out our top choices for credit card machines for small businesses below.
PAX A920
The PAX A920 has an Android operating system and a 5-inch touchscreen. It provides the convenience of an Android tablet in a much smaller design that’s easy to take wherever you accept payments. Its high-powered battery and fast thermal printer provides the speed busy businesses need while ensuring all security measures are in place.
The A920 credit card machine operates on your store’s Wi-Fi or 4G LTE when you’re on-the-go. The A920 is great for all businesses including delivery services, restaurants, transportation companies, and retail stores. It’s small enough to bring around with you (great for mobile businesses) as well as businesses that only conduct checkout at the front counter. It gives your employees the flexibility to interact with customers throughout the store, potentially increasing your sales.
Businesses can accept traditional credit cards (chip and swipe) as well as contactless payments with the A920. Its high capacity battery lasts all day long, giving you plenty of power without the need to recharge. Bring the PAX A920 anywhere you sell your products easily and with quality processing the entire time.
Dejavoo Z11
The Dejavoo Z11 credit card machine has a touch screen for easy use and is great for countertop use. It’s EMV certified and has Wi-Fi capabilities. The 2.4-inch color LCD screen is easy to see and it has a backlight for use in low light. The Dejavoo Z11 utilizes swipe and chip credit cards as well as Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Wallet, making it easy to please all consumers.
The Z11 has a Linux operating system, which provides fast transactions and terminal updates. Business owners love the high level of security offered by the Z11, including its EMV capabilities and PCI compliance.
If you offer loyalty or rewards, the Z11 offers these features as well as a remote merchant portal for you to see your business transactions from anywhere. Business owners can customize the display on the credit card machine and printed receipts, placing the company’s logo on it for further branding. It’s the ideal model if you need to capture signatures and it integrates well with many POS systems simplifying your business needs.
Clover Mini
If you’re looking for a credit card machine that does more than accept credit cards, look at the Clover Mini. Despite its name, this is a powerful machine that can manage your entire business including processing credit cards, but it offers so much more.
The Clover Mini accepts all payment types whether swipe, chip, or contactless payments. You don’t need additional software or hardware to process all payment options consumers use today. The Clover Mini fits well on any countertop (hence the name) but it has powerful features that make any business run smoothly in both the front and back of the house.
The Clover Mini takes security seriously, protecting all information with built-in fraud protection, which is a plus for your customers. You can also set up loyalty rewards programs, making it easy to bring customers back in or get new business.
As far as the back-end, manage your entire business from the powerful POS features of the Clover Mini. Know what your customers buy, your inventory levels, sales levels, and any other pertinent information that helps you manage your business all in one place. Why waste time managing multiple platforms and run the risk of mistakes or getting confused?
The Clover Mini also has a variety of accessories and software packages business owners can choose from based on their budget. Even better is the fact that the Clover Mini scales with your business – you’ll never outgrow its features as your business grows and succeeds.
SwipeSimple B250 Reader
If you’re looking for a simple answer to your credit card machine needs, such as a reader that fits right in your pocket, check out the SwipeSimple B250 reader.
This small reader looks like it doesn’t do much, but it’s a powerful processor that meets the needs of any small business.
The B250 reader attaches to your smartphone, enabling you to accept credit card payments anywhere, whether in your store, at the market, or out on the street. You just need an internet connection and you’re ready to accept payments.
The B250 accepts all payments including swipe, chip, and contactless payments. It connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth but uses little battery life and the battery lasts all day. With the SwipeSimple mobile app, you can manage your payment options, create invoices, and set custom rates.
You’ll also get access to the SwipeSimple dashboard that helps you run your business’s back-end, staying on track with your sales, inventory, and more.
Which Credit Card Machine is Right for You?
Choosing the right credit card machine may seem overwhelming, but break it down into simple steps. Think about where you’ll use your machine. Will you travel or will it sit stationary on your counter? If you travel, pay close attention to the internet capabilities of the machines as you want to process transactions in real-time, not after the fact – the risk of fraud is too high.
Next, figure out the capabilities you want. Will you do more than process credit cards? Do you want powerful software that helps you manage your back-end? If you will accept chip payments or contactless payments, make sure the reader accommodates those needs.
Do your research and see which credit card machine provides what you need at the prices you can afford. You may buy or lease equipment, depending on the credit card processor choose. Weigh your options and choose your machine wisely as it’s an important part of your business.
Bio:
Lou Honick is the CEO of Host Merchant Services. Prior to founding Host Merchant Services in 2010, Lou was the founder of HostMySite.com and received numerous awards including SBA Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Inc Magazine 30 under 30, and multiple listings on the Inc 500. As a serial entrepreneur, all of his companies have operated on a singular devotion to outstanding customer service and support. Lou is a respected expert on the topics of customer service, payments and fintech, Internet technology, and entrepreneurship.