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Comparing iZettle vs Sumup vs Square vs Paypal Here – June 2020 Card Reader Review
iZettle company overview
iZettle was founded in Stockholm in the year 2010, to help small companies succeed in the world at large. It revolutionized mobile payments, using the world’s first mini chip card reader and mobile device technology. Our small business platform today provides tools to get paid, sell and expand your business more cleverly in Europe and Latin America. We are committed to improving our innovative resources to provide small businesses with equal footing.
izettle Card Reader Description
The iZettle card reader 2 is fast, easy to use and simple elegant design. it allows for both chips and pins payments. However, you can use an iZettle reader without a merchant’s account, unlike many other card machines. The new coating makes the reader more resistant to dirt, it has no magstripe.
It has BLE (Bluetooth low energy) technology that makes it more effective and allows new technology possibilities. In the area of sunlight, it also survives without any obvious fading. It is smarter with a new power button and the cardholder will no longer turn off by mistake. the software updates are very fast and save time (from taking minutes to seconds). the removal of magstripe helps in fraud prevention.
Features
- product weight: 125 g
- product Dimension: 11 x 7 x 2 CM
- payment indication: Blinks light when ready to take payment
- magstripe: No
- Connects to your device via Low Energy Bluetooth
- introduced: November 2018
- Charges via USB cable or through the dock within 1-2 hours
- It accepts chip & pin, contactless, and other payments including Apple Pay, google pay and Samsung Pay.
Benefits
- It helps to prevent fraud due to the removal of magstripe
- It pairs with smartphones and tablets.
- 8-hour battery life once charged
- Powers up in 2 seconds and takes contactless payments in 5 seconds
- iZettle Card Reader 2 has a new Improved Look, Bluetooth, Connection, Sleep Mode & More
- It accepts credit, debit, American Express, Apple, Samsung and Google Pay.
Pricing
The iZettle reader facilitates the payment of cards and its charges are one of the lowest in the industry. Pricing breaks down are as follows:
- Cost of iZettle Reader: Currently £29
- Setup fee: £0
- Monthly fee: £0 (with Optional GO PLUS option costs £20/month)
- Point of sale app: free
- Phone support: free
- Daily Reports: free
Square Company overview
Square believes that everyone must be able to participate in the economy and prosper. They, therefore, develop simple tools to inspire and enrich people. They prioritise helping sellers of different sizes start, run and grow their businesses.
The company started with a little white card reader but did not stop there. The new square reader lets sellers accept contactless, chip and PIN transactions. The company also has consumer devices, such as our cash app, which allows people to send money faster and quicker to families or friends.
Square card reader Description
The Square Card Reader is like a mobile PDQ machine. The square card reader can be used either to accept chips or pins or contactless payments wherever a mobile signal is received.it is very fast, secure and simple.
However, a market account, monthly terminal charges, or a contract are not required by the Square Reader. It is, therefore, a very cost-effective way to get paid. This makes it become one of the popular card readers for mobile applications. This card reader also enabled the use of an Apple, Android smartphone and tablet with a data plan.
It has Square’s Card on File feature which lets you securely and safely store your customers’ card information in the Square system with their permission.
Features
- Square card reader connects wirelessly with android and apple devices via Bluetooth
- It accepts chip & pin, contactless and mobile payments It has a dimension of 1.31″ H (2″ if including jack) x 1.31″ W x 0.56″ D
- It weighs 20 grams.
- it has the Option to save cards on file
Benefits
- it can also be used for digital, mobile and invoice payments.
- Square card reader accepts Visa, MasterCard, and American Express all for one low rate.
- Suitable for all kinds of businesses
- It is very fast when processing contactless payment
- Its battery lasts all day for transactions.
- Administrative access to the square card reader requires two-factor authentication and strong password control.
Pricing
The square card reader is designed in such a way that it has a transparent fee structure. It has no installation charges, no monthly fees or early termination. you will pay once you sell using the reader.
Below is the pricing breakdown:
- Reader Price: £19 + VAT
- Transaction fees: 1.75% for Chip & Pin or Contactless payments and 2.5% for online, invoice or keyed-in payments.
- Set-up cost: £0
- Monthly cost: £0
- Employee Management Software: £3.00 per employee, monthly (optional extra, not required)
- App Marketplace and Third-Party Integrations: Varies (optional extra, not required)
SumUp Company overview
SumUp is one of the leading companies in Europe in terms of mobile point-of-sale (MPOS). 6 years ago, the company started and a payment service was built to shake up the industry. a unique card reader device was created that offers in-person payment processing which also works with the smartphone.
It is the only provider to develop and design its EMV card terminals. SumUp describes its mobile point-of-sale system as the first fully certified in the world. The EMV MPOS system cover all payment process such as card terminals, Android and iOS mobile apps and a payment processing platform. It also makes provision for risk and anti-fraud.
SumUp is backed by well-known venture capital investors such as American Express, BBVA, Groupon, Holtzbrinck Ventures, etc. Hundreds of thousands of small businesses around the world today rely on SumUp to get paid.
SumUp Air Card Reader Description
The SumUp Air Card Reader accepts both credit card and contactless payments. The device retails at £29 but is currently on sale for only £19 with free shipping. *Offer currently is only available to new customers and for one card reader. SumUp Air card reader works using the SumUp App on tablets or smartphones.
There is also the Sumup 3G Card Reader which is currently retailing at £69* at a sales price. This reader’s non-sales price is £99. The 3G card reader has a built-in sim with unlimited data allowing you to accept payments from anywhere. In this article, however, we will focus on the Sumup Air Card reader.
Features
- The SumUp Air card reader has NFC, Bluetooth.
- Start accepting all major debit and credit cards. Contactless, via Chip & PIN, Apple Pay, Google Pay.
- Always have the card terminal ready for use on your counter while it’s charging at the same time.
- It has a rechargeable integrated Li-ion battery good for 500+ transactions per charge.
- It uses mobile data or Wi-Fi connection or on your smartphone.
Benefits
- SumUp Air card reader has No fixed costs or contractual obligations
- it gives solutions to PCI-compliant
- it works perfectly with the free app via your smartphone or tablet
- SumUp Air card reader has No monthly minimums
- The chip card hardware is affordable
- The flat-rate pricing is predictable.
- It is good for low-volume merchants
- Free virtual terminal for qualifying businesses
- Easy to get paid on card reader via card or contactless.
Pricing
SumUp pricing and fees are very clear and easy to understand with no recurring costs.
- Reader Cost: One of cost. Currently on sale for £19
- Transaction Fees: Flat 1.69%
- Monthly Costs: £0
- Delivery: Free
- iOS / Android app: Free
- Dashboard and reporting: Free
- Telephone & email support: Free
- Payouts to your bank account: 1-3 days
PayPal Company overview
PayPal is an e-commerce platform that allows companies and individuals without disclosing the financial details, to pay, send money and accept payments. The secure payment system of PayPal allows sellers to accept payment for a percentage transaction fee through credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal. Sellers can accept on-the-go, shop, mobile transactions, or give their customers an invoice via e-mail.
PayPal One Touch allows customers to sign in with PayPal in just one touch without reinserting their login details each time. Business loans allow businesses to grow because lending encourages customers to pay in instalments. PayPal Working Capital offers businesses the opportunity to grow.
PayPal Payments Standard & Payments Pro is also entirely flexible and able to create custom eCommerce pages for all sizes of online retailers.
PayPal Here Card Reader Description
PayPal Here Card Reader makes sending and receiving transactions simple and secure. You will instantly find the balance of your account or what you are searching for. It allows you to send payment requests to clients or friends and transfer money from your bank account to others. The registration process for PayPal is easy and secure. Also adding an account in PayPal is very fast.
It has a simple interface, easy to navigate, that puts it all in order. Most online retailers accept PayPal, which allows you to make anonymous transactions online.
Features
- Products dimension: 4.5 x 3.8 x 1 inches
- Item weight: 2.08 ounces
- Shipping weight: 2.4 ounces
- PayPal Here Card Reader Cash & Check Recording
- It has an inventory Tracking
- PayPal Here Card Reader has Item Add-Ons
- It has an Online Invoicing
- It has an item Library
- PayPal Here Card Reader has express Checkout
Benefits
- It helps to send and receive API in our application through PayPal fee.
- Using PayPal make it easy to integrate with websites
- PayPal makes it easy to access eCommerce stores
- It works well to pay and get paid with PayPal.
Pricing
These are the fees expect to pay if you are only using PayPal Here:
- Reader Cost: £45
- Swiped Transactions: 2.7% per transaction
- Scanned Transactions: 3.5% + £0.15
- PayPal Transactions: 2.9% + £0.30
- International Fees: 2.7% per swipe plus for non-US cards for the standard
- Discounted Rate for Eligible Charity (Only Online): 2.2% + £0.30 per transaction
- Monthly/annual fees: Free
- PCI compliance fees: Free
- Setup fees: Free
- Equipment fees: Free
Top 4 Mobile card readers compared
| Brands | izettle Card Reader | Square card reader | SumUp Air Card Reader | PayPal Here Card Reader |
| Card reader price | £59 excl. VAT but currently £29 excl. VAT | £19 + VAT | Currently on sale for £19 | £45 |
| Monthly cost: | It is free | It is free | It is free | It is free |
| Transaction fee | 1.75% for Chip & Pin or Contactless payments and 2.5% for Invoicing, payment links, and eCommerce: | 1.75% for Chip & Pin or Contactless payments and 2.95% + 25p for virtual terminal. | 1.69% for Chip & Pin or Contactless payments and 2.5% for online. | 2.7% for Chip & Pin or Contactless payments and 2.2% for online. |
| Minimum sales volume | None | None | None | None |
| PIN pad | It is on the card reader | It is in the app on the phone/tablet screen | It is on the card reader | It is in the app on the phone/tablet screen |
| Product library | Yes | Yes | yes | yes |
| Bank acc. settlement | It is between 1-3 working days | It is between 1-2 working days | It is between 2-3 working days | It is between 1-2 working days |
| Text & email receipts | Yes | Yes | yes | yes |
| Solution type | It is of card reader plus mobile app | It is of card reader plus mobile app | It is of card reader plus mobile app | It is of card reader plus mobile app |
| Compatible receipt printers | The use of Star Micronics, Air Print | The use of Star Micronics, Epson | The use of Star Micronics, Bixolon, Air Print, Google Cloud Print | The use of Star TSP143LAN, Woosim WSR R240 |
| Accounting | It uses CSV/Excel, Xero or Debtor integration | It uses CSV/Excel, Xero or Enterprise integration | It uses Transaction and payout reports | It uses Transaction and payout reports |
| Cards accepted | Maestro card, V pay, JCB, credit and debit cards, visa card, master card, and America Express. | Visa, Maestro card MasterCard, and American Express | Maestro card, V pay, JCB, credit and debit cards, visa card, master card, America Express, and Dinner clubs. | Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. |
- Please note all the above prices were correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change from the card reader providers.
- Looking for more options. Check out our top 20 card machine providers list
