What Credit Card Readers Can I Use for Desktop?

Every small business needs to have a credit card reader; you can’t grow your business if you can’t process payments. But how do you choose the credit card reader for your business? If you want it to connect to your desktop computer, you should focus on that functionality.

It’s now quite common to find credit card readers that connect to mobile devices rather than desktops. That said, you can still choose from plenty of excellent options.

In this article, we’ll go over some tips that will help you choose the right card reader for your needs.

Tips for Choosing a Credit Card Reader

When selecting credit card readers that you can use with a desktop computer, keep the following factors in mind to help you make an appropriate choice for your business.

Ease of Setup and Use

Ease of setup and use are among the most important things to look for in a desktop credit card reader. Check whether you need to install a program on your PC or Mac to use the reader. You should also pay attention to background checks, credit checks, and other potential hoops to jump through before you can get the card reader.

Ability to Accept EMVs

Nowadays, you don’t want to get a credit card reader that only uses a magnetic stripe. You must be able to accept chip-and-PIN cards. These will require EMV compatibility. The good news is that this is a standard feature for most card readers due to the high demand for it.

Deposit Time

Like any other part of your POS system, pay attention to how long it will take for you to receive the funds in your account. The duration will likely depend on the payment processing and the card reader itself. Factor in the payment processing offered with your chosen card reader.

Integrations

The software used to process credit cards frequently integrates with other software used by your small business. Account integrations are among the most popular. So, it is worth confirming that the software accompanying your chosen card reader is compatible with other systems in your business.

Customer Service and Support

If your card reader stops working properly, you won’t be able to accept payments, which can be incredibly damaging for your small business. Reduce the risk of failed payments by choosing a company that offers live customer support that is easy to reach.

Company Reputation

Always choose a credit card reader from a company with a good reputation. You need to be able to trust them to handle your money. You should look at the overall reputation of the company, as well as reviews for the card reader and the accompanying software.

Scalability

Plan on growing your small business in the future? Make sure to choose a card reader that works with a scalable system. As your business expands, you should be able to buy additional card readers and connect them to your existing system with ease.

Security

Make sure to choose PCI-compliant card readers. This will protect your company’s and customers’ sensitive information.

Pricing

Of course, you will also want to consider the pricing for your chosen card reader. Do you have to pay for the card reader itself, or does it come free with the software? Are there monthly fees to budget for? Are there minimum charges? Once again, make sure you factor in payment processing and hardware fees.

8 Top Desktop Credit Card Readers

Most credit card readers will work with desktop devices in addition to mobile devices, with a handful of exceptions. PayPal Zettle, for example, only works with mobile devices. The following are strong options for a desktop credit card reader.

1. Clover

Clover is a big name in the market, offering competitive transaction fees and a small card reader. You can connect it to your desktop or mobile device, making it a portable option for you.

2. Helcim

Helcim is not as well-known among small businesses because its main advantage is volume-based discounts. Many small businesses may not qualify for those. That said, it offers the advantages of no monthly fees and gives you a dedicated merchant account.

3. Host Merchant Services

You will get your own merchant account with Host Merchant Services, which accepts high-risk merchants. The device is fairly basic, but it is easy to use and connects to your desktop or mobile device.

4. Podium

Podium’s card readers work with a range of devices, although they are optimized to work with your mobile device. Best of all, Podium’s card readers integrate with other Podium features that you can access via desktop or mobile. These include customer reviews and more. You can even accept payments via text messages.

5. Shopify

Given that you likely control your Shopify account via a computer, it is no surprise that the brand’s card reader supports desktop use. This is a popular option among those who use Shopify, thanks to its integration.

6. Square

You can set up Square instantly, which you may appreciate for its transparent pricing. Additionally, you can connect the system to a free online POS accessible from your computer. The reader accepts both swiped and chip-and-PIN transactions.

7. SumUp

SumUp is another card reader that works with desktops or mobile devices. It is an affordable option that comes with basic features.

8. Toast

Toast is a good option for restaurants and other small businesses in the food industry. It offers a free setup and lets you accept payments from digital wallets. You can get separate hardware or connect it to your computer.

Bonus: Small Business Payment Collection Tips

In addition to choosing the right credit card swiper for computer setups, savvy small businesses will follow best practices when collecting payments. The following tips will help you improve customer service when accepting credit cards.

Offer Buy Now, Pay Later

Consider offering the option to buy now and pay later, which usually involves paying in installments. Some credit card readers include this functionality. Accepting credit cards with a buy now, pay later scheme encourages your customers to spend more on your products.

Offer Text-to-pay

While most small businesses offer chip and contactless payments on top of traditional credit card readers, only a few offer text-to-pay. Offering this payment method can give you an edge over your competitors and add convenience to your customers’ purchase experience. As a bonus, it will prevent you from having to track down payments or send reminders, as customers are more likely to pay immediately with a credit card or bank account via text-to-pay.

Accept Multiple Forms of Payment

Smart small businesses choose a point-of-sale system that lets them accept multiple forms of payments. You want a cash drawer for cash transactions and credit card readers for card transactions. But you should also accept contactless payments, text-to-pay, and other payment methods more accessible to your customers.

The more forms of payment you accept, the more opportunities to sell your products to your customers using their preferred method. This added convenience helps you attract and retain a loyal following.

Collect Payments In-Store or in the Field With Podium

Podium offers credit card readers that make it easy to collect payments in-store or on the go. Best of all, with Podium, you can accept other types of contactless payments, including text-to-pay and Buy Now, Pay Later. The Podium credit card readers even integrate with other Podium features, making it easy to track your customers and personalize their purchasing experiences.

Ready to give it a try? Start a free trial today.