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Best Credit Card Readers For iPhone In Canada For May 2024

Kathy Haan,  Cassie Bottorff
Contributor,  Editor

Updated: May 7, 2024, 3:52am

Courtney Reilly-Larke
editor

Fact Checked

Editorial Note: Forbes Advisor may earn a commission on sales made from partner links on this page, but that doesn't affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.

The iPhone is one of the most popular smartphones in the world—among consumers and businesses alike. While Android might beat iOS in credit card reader support, there are still plenty of options available for iPhone users who want to accept credit card payments on the go. We’ve done the research to determine the best credit card reader for iPhone.

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Best Credit Card Readers for iPhone In 2024

Why You Can Trust Forbes Advisor Small Business

The Forbes Advisor Small Business team is committed to bringing you unbiased rankings and information with full editorial independence. We use product data, strategic methodologies and expert insights to inform all of our content and guide you in making the best decisions for your business journey.

We reviewed several mobile point-of-sale (POS) systems using a detailed process to determine the seven best credit card readers for iPhone. Our ratings looked at key factors that included pricing, the quality of features that come with the credit card reader and a final review by our expert panel that took real user responses into consideration to arrive at a final ranking. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

FEATURED PARTNER OFFER

BEST FOR CONTACTLESS PAYMENTS

Square

Square

Starting price

Free

Cost per reader

$69 CAD

for contactless and free for magstripe

Processing fees

Starts at 2.65%

Square

Starting price

Free

Cost per reader

$69 CAD

for contactless and free for magstripe

Processing fees

Starts at 2.65%

Why We Picked It

Square offers an omnichannel solution for small businesses within any industry or niche. With Square, businesses can manage inventory, customer data and sales from one platform. iPhone users just got access to contactless payments with Square, thanks to near-field communication (NFC) technology. You don’t need a headset jack, either. Connect the device via Bluetooth LE, launch the Square POS app and accept payments.

Pricing:
Square’s POS software is free, and you won’t pay a monthly fee. Instead, pay for your hardware (get your first magstripe reader for free, contactless is $69 CAD and processing fees of 2.65% per transaction for all major credit cards.

Who should use it:
Small businesses with an iOS device looking for a contactless credit card reader solution and powerful inventory management software.

Pros & Cons
  • POS app is free
  • NFC technology in its newest card reader
  • No monthly fee
  • One free card reader
  • Buy now, pay later Afterpay transactions have expensive processing fees
  • Add-ons, such as email marketing, loyalty and gift cards, can be costly
FEATURED PARTNER OFFER

BEST FOR ONLINE BUSINESSES

Shopify

Shopify

Starting price

$38 CAD

per month

Cost per reader

$69 CAD

Processing fees

Start at 2.7% plus $0

Shopify
Learn More

On Shopify's Website

Starting price

$38 CAD

per month

Cost per reader

$69 CAD

Processing fees

Start at 2.7% plus $0

Why We Picked It

Shopify is one of the biggest names in e-commerce and for good reason. Its platform makes it easy to set up an online store and start selling products. With Shopify’s credit card reader, you can take your business offline and accept payments anywhere. The credit card reader connects to your iPhone via Bluetooth and allows you to accept chip, magstripe and contactless payments.

Pricing:
Shopify POS Basic starts at $38 CAD per month, and you’ll pay credit card processing fees starting at 2.7% plus $0 per transaction. With its Shopify plan, pay $99 CAD per month, and 2.6% plus $0 per transaction. Its Advanced plan costs $389 CAD per month, and you’ll pay 2.4% plus $0 per transaction. iOS-compatible hardware costs $69 CAD.

Learn more: Read our full Shopify review.

Who should use it:
Small businesses that are looking for an all-in-one solution for their e-commerce business, including credit card processing, inventory management and point of sale (POS).

Pros & Cons
  • Free shipping
  • Weighs only 130 grams
  • 24/7 support
  • You’ll pay a monthly fee, even if you sell nothing that month
  • Supply chain issues mean hardware is often on back order
FEATURED PARTNER OFFER

BEST FOR RETAILERS

Lightspeed

Lightspeed

Starting price

Must contact sales

Cost per reader

Quote basis

Processing fees

2.6% plus $0.10 CAD

Lightspeed

Starting price

Must contact sales

Cost per reader

Quote basis

Processing fees

2.6% plus $0.10 CAD

Why We Picked It

Lightspeed is a cloud-based POS and retail management system. It’s designed for businesses of all sizes, but it’s especially helpful for retailers who need to track inventory and sales data. With Lightspeed, you can connect multiple credit card readers to your iPhone and take payments anywhere. The credit card reader accepts chip, magstripe and contactless payments.

Pricing:
Lightspeed no longer offers transparent pricing. Instead, it requires potential users to contact sales for pricing. For insight, plans previously ranged from $89 CAD per month to $229 CAD per month when paid annually. Card-present transactions are 2.6% plus $0.10 CAD per transaction. For hardware, you must obtain a quote from its sales team.

Who should use it:
Retail businesses of all sizes that need a robust retail management system, including credit card processing, inventory management and point of sale.

Pros & Cons
  • Mobile Tap accepts contactless payments
  • Discount when using Lightspeed Payments
  • 24/7 customer support
  • Hardware pricing isn’t transparent
  • Mobile Tap only available to Lightspeed Payments users
FEATURED PARTNER OFFER

BEST FOR LOYALTY

Loyverse

Loyverse

Starting price

Free

Cost per reader

Varies by payment processor

Processing fees

Varies by payment processor

Loyverse

Starting price

Free

Cost per reader

Varies by payment processor

Processing fees

Varies by payment processor

Why We Picked It

Loyverse operates a little differently compared to the other credit card readers for iPhone options on this list. It doesn’t do any payment processing. However, its free app integrates with iOS-compatible payment solutions, including Sum Up, Zettle by PayPal, Worldpay, Yoco, Ezetap, Tyro, SmartPay, PayGate and SB Payment Service. Loyverse’s app has a built-in customer relationship management (CRM) platform, so you can track customer rewards and interactions.

Pricing:
Loyverse is free to download and use. However, you’ll need to sign up for a credit card processing service, which will have its own fees.

Who should use it:
Small businesses that want powerful customer loyalty features.

Pros & Cons
  • Many options for payment processors
  • You can use multiple payment processors
  • Integrates with third parties, such as WooCommerce, QuickBooks and Xero.
  • It doesn’t have a built-in payment processor
  • Must pay a fee per integration, in addition to the third-party cost
FEATURED PARTNER OFFER

BEST FOR RESTAURANTS

TouchBistro

TouchBistro

Starting price

$69 USD ($93.16 CAD)

Cost per reader

Contact sales for quote

Processing fees

Custom rate per each transaction

TouchBistro

Starting price

$69 USD ($93.16 CAD)

Cost per reader

Contact sales for quote

Processing fees

Custom rate per each transaction

Why We Picked It

TouchBistro is a cloud-based POS software designed for restaurants of all shapes and sizes. It offers features such as table management, staff management, integrations, analytics and menu engineering. With TouchBistro, you can take orders and payments from anywhere in your restaurant using an iPhone or iPad. It also has add-ons such as loyalty, online ordering, marketing, gift cards and reservations.

Pricing:
TouchBistro starts at $69 USD ($93.16 CAD) per month (plus equipment costs). Add-ons include online ordering (from $50 USD ($67.51 CAD) per month), loyalty (from $99 USD ($133.68 CAD) per month), marketing (from $99 USD ($133.68 CAD) per month), gift cards (from $25 USD ($33.75 CAD) per month) and reservations (from $229 USD ($309.23 CAD) per month). With cost plus pricing, you pay a custom rate with each transaction. For hardware, you’ll need to obtain a custom quote from its sales team.

Who should use it:
Restaurants of all sizes seeking an iOS-compatible credit card reader with robust features such as table management, menu engineering and online ordering.

Pros & Cons
  • Integrates with apps such as QuickBooks, Xero, Bevchek, Worldpay and 7shifts
  • Built specifically for restaurants
  • No commission fees for online ordering
  • 24/7/365 customer support
  • Its add-ons come standard for some of its competition at a lower price
  • Hardware pricing isn’t transparent
FEATURED PARTNER OFFER

BEST FOR HIGH-VOLUME MERCHANTS

Helcim

Helcim

Starting price

Free

Cost per reader

$129 CAD

Processing fees

Starts at 1.76% plus $0.08 CAD

Helcim

Starting price

Free

Cost per reader

$129 CAD

Processing fees

Starts at 1.76% plus $0.08 CAD

Why We Picked It

Helcim offers an all-in-one solution for small businesses. With Helcim, you can process credit cards, manage your inventory, create invoices, accept payments online and in person and track your sales and customers. It has a self-service portal where customers can see their transaction history, manage their account and more. Helcim also offers features such as QuickBooks integration, detailed reporting, fraud protection and 24/7 customer support.

Pricing:
Helcim uses interchange pricing that depends on the payment type and volume of transactions. You won’t pay a monthly fee, nor do you have a contract or early termination fee.

Who should use it:
Small businesses that process a high volume of transactions and need features such as inventory management, invoicing, online payments and QuickBooks integration.

Pros & Cons
  • No contract
  • No monthly fee
  • Transparent hardware costs
  • No onboarding fees
  • It’s not easy to calculate processing fees
FEATURED PARTNER OFFER

BEST FOR SAME-DAY FUNDING

Payanywhere

Payanywhere

Starting price

Free

Cost per reader

$59.95 USD ($80.95 CAD)

Processing fees

Starts at 2.69%

Payanywhere

Starting price

Free

Cost per reader

$59.95 USD ($80.95 CAD)

Processing fees

Starts at 2.69%

Why We Picked It

Payanywhere is a mobile POS system that offers features such as inventory management, reporting, same- and next-day funding, offline transactions, tabs, open tickets, dispute management, recurring payments and invoicing. Its hardware includes a three-in-one card reader that accepts EMV chip cards, contactless payments and magstripe cards.

Pricing:
Payanywhere has no monthly fee when using its three-in-one card reader. If you choose any of its other hardware, there’s a software fee ranging from $14.95 USD ($20.18 CAD) to $44.95 USD ($60.69 CAD) per month. If opting for this hardware with a monthly fee, you won’t pay anything for hardware placement.

Who should use it:
Small businesses that want same-day funding without being charged a fee for quick access to funds.

Pros & Cons
  • Dispute management
  • Free same-day funding
  • No monthly fee when buying a $59.95 USD ($80.95 CAD) card reader
  • Inventory management
  • $3.99 USD ($5.38 CAD) per month inactivity fee

Forbes Advisor Ratings


Company Starting price Cost per reader Processing fees LEARN MORE
Square Free $69 CAD for contactless and free for magstripe Starts at 2.65% View More
Shopify $38 CAD per month $69 CAD Start at 2.7% plus $0 Learn More On Shopify’s Website
Lightspeed Must contact sales Quote basis 2.6% plus $0.10 CAD View More
Loyverse Free Varies by payment processor Varies by payment processor View More
TouchBistro $69 USD ($93.16 CAD) Contact sales for quote Custom rate per each transaction View More
Helcim Free $129 CAD Starts at 1.76% plus $0.08 CAD View More
Payanywhere Free $59.95 USD ($80.95 CAD) Starts at 2.69% View More

What Is a Credit Card Reader?

A credit card reader is a device that allows you to accept credit and debit card payments. Credit card readers come in many different shapes and sizes, but all have one common goal: to process card-based transactions. The most popular type of credit card reader is a POS system, which is a device that includes a credit card reader, receipt printer and oftentimes a cash drawer.

When you run a credit or debit card through a reader, the device will use either a wired or wireless connection to process the payment. If you’re using a POS system, the reader will be connected to the receipt printer and cash drawer. If you’re using a mobile reader, such as those used with smartphone- or tablet-based POS systems, the reader will be connected to your device via Bluetooth.

After you’ve run a card through the reader, the device will send the information to your processor, which will then route it to the card’s issuing bank. The issuing bank will either approve or decline the transaction. If the transaction is approved, the funds will then be deposited into your account.

Credit card readers are an essential piece of hardware for any business that wants to accept card-based payments. There are many credit card readers on the market, so it’s important to choose the right one for your business.

How To Choose the Best iPhone Credit Card Reader

There are a few things to consider when choosing a credit card reader for an iPhone. The first is features, then ease of use, pricing and customer support. Implementing a new system can take time and be costly, especially if there’s an onboarding fee, although this is rare. This is why it’s important to choose an iPhone credit card reader carefully.

Essential Hardware Features

When considering an iPhone credit card reader, there are a few essential hardware features to look out for:

  • EMV Chip reader: An EMV chip reader is a must-have for any business that wants to accept credit and debit cards. EMV is short for Europay, Mastercard and Visa and is the global standard for credit and debit card processing. EMV chip cards are more secure than traditional magstripe cards and are now the standard in the U.S. If you don’t have an EMV chip reader, you could be liable for certain types of fraud.
  • Magstripe reader: If you want to accept credit and debit cards, a magstripe reader is an absolute necessity for your business. Magstripe cards are the traditional type of credit and debit card and are still used by many people. If you don’t have a magstripe reader, you won’t be able to accept these types of cards.
  • NFC reader: An NFC reader is necessary for any business that wants to accept contactless payments, such as Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay. NFC stands for near-field communication and is the technology that allows contactless payments to be made. If you don’t have an NFC reader, you won’t be able to accept contactless payments.

Essential Software Features

In addition to hardware features, there are also a few essential software features to look for in an iPhone credit card reader:

  • Payment processing: The most important feature of any credit card reader is the ability to process payments. Payment processing is the process of sending transaction information to your processor, which will then route it to the card’s issuing bank. The issuing bank will either approve or decline the transaction. If the transaction is approved, the funds will then be deposited into your account.
  • Payment gateway: A payment gateway is software that allows you to accept and process credit and debit card payments. Payment gateways are provided by payment processors and allow you to accept payments online, in person or over the phone.
  • Virtual terminal: A virtual terminal is software that allows you to manually process credit and debit card payments. Virtual terminals are often used by businesses that don’t have a physical location, such as home-based businesses or businesses that sell products online.
  • Customer management: Customer management is a software feature that allows you to store customer information, such as contact details and purchase history. Customer management can be helpful for marketing and customer support purposes.
  • Invoicing: Invoicing is a software feature that allows you to create and send invoices to customers. Invoicing can be helpful for businesses that sell products or services on a recurring basis, such as subscription-based businesses.

Ease of Use

When considering an iPhone credit card reader, ease of use is an important factor to consider. The last thing you want is to implement a new system that is difficult to use, as this can lead to errors and frustration. There are a few things to look for when considering the ease of use of an iPhone credit card reader:

  • User interface (UI): The UI is the way that you interact with the credit card reader. It should be straightforward to use and should allow you to easily process payments.
  • Compatibility: The credit card reader should be compatible with the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. It should also be compatible with a wide range of payment processors.
  • Setup and configuration: The credit card reader should be easy to set up and configure. It should also be easy to add new users, such as employees or contractors.

Pricing and Fees

When considering an iPhone credit card reader, pricing and fees are important factors to consider. Do you have to pay for the card reader? Or is there a free option? Are there discounts for signing a longer contract? Additionally, there are a few more things to look for when considering the pricing and fees of an iPhone credit card reader:

  • Transaction fees: Most credit card readers charge a per-transaction fee. Typically, this fee is a percentage of the total transaction amount and is charged by the payment processor.
  • Monthly fees: Some credit card readers charge a monthly fee. This fee is typically a flat rate and is charged by the payment processor.
  • Setup fees: Some credit card readers charge a one-time setup fee. This fee is charged by the payment processor and is typically a flat rate.
  • Discount rate: The discount rate is the fee charged by the payment processor for processing credit and debit card payments. The discount rate is a percentage of the total transaction amount and is typically charged on a monthly basis.
  • Hardware costs: In addition to the cost of the credit card reader itself, there may be additional hardware costs, such as a Bluetooth adapter or receipt printer.


Card Reader Hardware Cost Processing Fee
Square $69 CAD, free Starts at 2.65%
Shopify POS $69 CAD Starts at 2.7% plus $0
Lightspeed Quote-based Starts at 2.6% plus $0.10 CAD
Loyverse Varies by payment processor Varies by payment processor
TouchBistro Custom Custom
Helcim $129 CAD Starts at 1.76% plus $0.08 CAD
Payanywhere $59.95 USD ($80.95 CAD) Starts at 2.69%

Customer Support

Customer support is an important factor to consider. Do they have a phone number? An email address? A live chat option? What hours are they available? Additionally, it can be helpful to read online reviews of the credit card reader to see what other customers have to say about their experience.

Methodology

We evaluated the best credit card reader for iPhone options by features, ease of use, price, customer support and credit card processing fees, among many other metrics. We only considered credit card readers that connect to your iPhone as opposed to stand-alone credit card terminals.

Pricing

Costs are always a consideration when choosing a credit card reader. We looked for credit card readers that are affordable and have low credit card processing fees. Credit card processing fees can add up and, as a small business owner, every penny matters. We looked for credit card readers with reasonable credit card processing fees. Additionally, a credit reader provider that offered something free, whether it was an initial credit card reader, accessory or processing fee reduction, also fared well in this category, which accounted for 35 percent of the weighted scoring.

Features

We looked for credit card readers that accept the major credit card types, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover. We also considered credit card readers that accept contactless payments, such as Apple Pay and Google Pay. Other features we considered essential included offering iPhone POS options for retailers and restaurants, offering inventory management and built-in payment processing and being able to integrate with other software programs. Features accounted for 35 percent of the final score.

Expert Analysis

Our expert panel handled the final aspect of our scoring, turning to reviews by actual users of the credit card readers. For these reviews, we looked at several key issues, including ease of use and customer support. For ease of use, we considered this to be important for any credit card reader, but it’s especially important for iPhone credit card readers because you’ll likely be using them on the go. We looked for credit card readers that are easy to set up and use.

When it comes to customer support, help is important when you’re choosing any credit card reader, but it’s especially important for iPhone credit card readers because you may need help troubleshooting issues. We looked for credit card readers that have responsive customer support.

We also looked at other factors, such as any stand-out features, popularity and value for the money. Combining all of these factors together, these criteria make up 30% of the total score.

Bottom Line

The best credit card reader for iPhone is the one that fits your needs and budget. Consider features, ease of use, price and customer support when choosing a credit card reader. All things considered, Square offers the best credit card reader for iPhone because it’s affordable and easy to use. For more information, check out the overall best POS systems for small businesses.

Canadian specific editing and research (including pricing) conducted by Anna Rey.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the best credit card reader for iPhone?

  • Square: Small businesses now have access to Square’s omnichannel solution, which can help manage inventory, customer data and sales from a single platform. iPhone users can also take advantage of contactless payments using NFC technology.
  • Shopify: Shopify is extremely popular in e-commerce for a reason: it’s easy to set up an online store and sell products. With Shopify’s credit card reader, you can take your business offline by connecting the Bluetooth credit card reader to your iPhone. This allows you to accept chip, magstripe and contactless payments whether there’s an internet connection.
  • Lightspeed: Lightspeed is a cloud-based POS and retail management system designed for businesses of all sizes that need to track inventory and sales data. With Lightspeed, you can connect multiple credit card readers to your iPhone and take payments anywhere. The credit card reader accepts chip, magstripe and contactless payments.

How much do iPhone card readers cost?

Credit card readers vary in price. Some are free to download and use while others charge a monthly fee. Typically, this fee is less than $100 CAD per month but depends on the features of your entire setup.

Can I accept credit cards with an iPhone?

You can accept credit cards with an iPhone. There are many credit card readers that connect to your iPhone and allow you to take payments. Some of the most popular credit card readers for iPhone include Square, Shopify and Lightspeed.

How do I connect a card reader to an iPhone?

Most credit card readers will connect to your iPhone via Bluetooth. Once you have the credit card reader and your iPhone paired, you can begin taking payments. Some credit card readers may also require an internet connection to process payments. Other credit card readers plug into the charging jack on your iPhone.

Is credit card information stored on an iPhone?

Most credit card readers will not store credit card information on your iPhone. However, it’s always a good idea to check with your specific credit card reader to be sure. If you are concerned about storing credit card information on your iPhone, you can always choose a reader that uses tokenization. This means that your customers’ credit card information is never stored on your device.

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Kathy Haan Contributor

Kathy Haan, MBA is a former financial advisor-turned-writer and business coach. For over a decade, she’s helped small business owners make money online. When she’s not trying out the latest tech or travel blogging with her family, you can find her curling up with a good novel.

Cassie Bottorff Editor

Cassie is a deputy editor, collaborating with teams around the world while living in the beautiful hills of Kentucky. She is passionate about economic development and is on the board of two non-profit organizations seeking to revitalize her former railroad town. Prior to joining the team at Forbes Advisor, Cassie was a Content Operations Manager and Copywriting Manager at Fit Small Business.