Whether you’re running your entire business from a cell phone or only taking payments, there are secure credit card processing apps for every situation. Top mobile payment apps for entrepreneurs offer tap-to-pay on smartphones with no card reader needed and support Bluetooth devices for fast acceptance of credit cards, contactless, or mobile wallet payments.

To help you get started, our guide explores seven popular solutions. Learn how to choose the best mobile payment app for your small business by examining costs, features, and tips for security.

What is a credit card payment app?

A credit card payment app is the software you download to your mobile phone to process transactions. It typically works on iOS and Android devices, including iPhones, tablets, and iPads.

With Square or Venmo, you can use your phone without a card reader to take tap-to-pay, QR code, or digital wallet payments. Payment apps with card readers process swipe, tap, and dip transactions. The software also supports card-not-present (CNP) or manually keyed-in payments.

Some vendors provide point-of-sale (POS) functionality. These platforms offer additional features, like inventory management, invoicing, and integrations.

[Read more: A Guide to Understanding Credit Card Processing]

Top payment apps for credit card processing

Compare payment apps and services to find solutions that offer the best combination of features. Remember to verify that the vendor’s mobile app and hardware are compatible with your device and test the software before entering into long-term contracts. Here are seven apps to take credit card payments.

1. Best payment app for small business services: Helcim:

The merchant account provider Helcim is best known for its transparent interchange-plus pricing and free small business payment apps and services, including mobile POS software and invoicing tools. Helcim offers tap-to-pay on iPhone or an optional $99 mobile card reader to process credit and debit cards or mobile payments such as Google Pay or Apple Pay.

2. Fastest credit card processing setup: Square

Square is a popular payment app and free mobile POS system for processing credit cards at fairs, markets, and retail stores. After signing up, you can almost immediately take in-person payments via tap-to-pay for Android and iOS phones. Request a free Square mobile card reader for magstripe or buy a $59 Bluetooth-enabled (BLE) device to accept EMV (Europay, Mastercard, and Visa) cards.

3. Most scalable for high-volume sellers: Stax Pay

The subscription-based Stax Pay offers mobile apps for iOS and Android phones. You can manually enter card payments or, for lower transaction rates, use a compatible BLE reader to accept credit cards, as well as contactless and mobile payments like 
Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Stax works with several mobile readers, including SwipeSimple, IDTech, and ChipperBT models. It also integrates with POS systems and third-party tools.

4. Top payment app with restaurant and retail features: Clover Go

Pair the Clover Go mobile app with the optional $199 Go reader to qualify for lower card-present fees when accepting payments using your smartphone or tablet. The payment app processes all major credit cards and mobile wallet payments. It provides restaurant and retail POS features like order management, refund and exchange, and tipping tools.

5. Lowest flat rates for in-person sales: PayPal Zettle

Zettle by PayPal’s low in-person rates and tablet-optimized POS and payment apps scale from booths to small shops. You can take contactless payments with the PayPal Zettle app and your phone; no hardware is required. Or get your first Zettle card reader for $29 to accept Samsung Pay, Google Pay, Apple Pay, chip and PIN cards, and near-field communication (NFC) payments.

6. Best mobile app for integrated accounting: QuickBooks GoPayment

Set up your accounting and sync payments at the same time with QuickBooks. You don’t need a card reader to use tap-to-pay on iPhone and the GoPayment or QuickBooks mobile apps. With the $49 BLE card reader, customers can use digital wallets or tap, insert, or swipe cards.

7. Popular payment app for occasional use: Venmo

Venmo gained traction as a peer-to-peer (P2P) payment platform, so much so that consumers use the brand name as a verb: “Venmo me your half of the bill.” With a Venmo business account, customers can tap-to-pay using digital wallets and compatible credit cards or “Venmo” funds to your business profile.

Most vendors support contactless and mobile card payments via tap-to-pay and work with card readers to accept major credit cards through your phone’s wireless connection.

Do mobile payment apps charge fees?

Mobile payment app providers charge transaction fees, but most don’t require a monthly subscription. Each time you process a payment, the credit card network assesses a fee, and the payment app adds a markup. They deduct this cost before depositing funds in your business bank account.

Transaction fee comparison for top mobile payment apps

Keep processing fees low by comparing rates for each channel and payment method your customers use. For example, a pop-up boutique might offer QR code payments or invoice options for made-to-order items.

See how much the top payment apps charge per transaction for in-person sales:

  • Helcim: Card network interchange fees plus Helcim’s margin of 0.40% plus 8 cents and an additional 10 cents for tap-to-pay transactions.
  • Square: Flat rate fees of 2.6% plus 15 cents.
  • Stax Pay: Card network interchange fees plus 8 to 15 cents.
  • Clover Go: Flat rate fees of 2.6% plus 10 cents.
  • PayPal Zettle: Flat rate fees of 2.29% plus 9 cents.
  • QuickBooks GoPayment: Flat rate fees of 2.5%.
  • Venmo for Business: Flat rate fees of 2.99% for Venmo payments and 1.9% plus 10 cents for payments sent to your business profile or 2.29% plus 9 cents for tap-to-pay payments.

[Read more: How to Choose a Credit Card Processing Provider]

Are payment apps safe?

Reputable payment apps like Venmo and PayPal go the extra mile to secure your transactions. These vendors comply with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS), provide EMV and NFC-enabled hardware, and combine tokenization, encryption, and authentication protocols to protect sensitive information.

Security features of credit card payment apps

Two-factor authentication and your smartphone’s security tools can improve mobile payment security. However, fraud prevention features in top mobile payment apps can catch nefarious acts before they impact your business. The most secure processing services monitor transactions and frequently update payment apps and POS software.

You’re also responsible for securing mobile devices and installing operating system updates. Consider disconnecting from public Wi-Fi networks while processing credit card payments and choosing a mobile app with real-time transaction monitoring tools.

How to choose a credit card payment app

Top payment apps for smartphones are secure and easy to use. Most vendors support contactless and mobile card payments via tap-to-pay and work with card readers to accept major credit cards through your phone’s wireless connection.

However, payment app functionality differs. For example, accepting P2P payments through Venmo is convenient but lacks sales reporting and inventory management tools. Square is a mobile payments and POS app, whereas Stax plays nicely with different POS terminals.

Consider these factors when choosing payment apps for credit card processing:

  • Payment methods: Estimate how many credit card sales you expect for in-person sales, such as tap-to-pay, QR codes or pay links, and major credit cards. Decide if you need other options like recurring invoicing or online payments.
  • Mobile payment hardware: Decide if you will use your smartphone with a mobile card reader, need portable terminals and credit card machines, or want a solution that integrates with third-party devices.
  • Virtual terminal features: Compare POS and payment features for invoicing, receipts, customer management, and sales tracking.
  • Scalability: See how many users can simultaneously use the app for credit card payments. Also, make sure the processing software can handle your next growth stage, whether that's through adding POS hardware or expanding to new sales channels.
  • Support and payouts: Review the vendor’s terms and customer service options to learn when they transfer funds, why accounts get frozen, and how to contact support.

[Read more: How New Digital Payments Help Cut Lines and Boost Customer Experience]

CO— aims to bring you inspiration from leading respected experts. However, before making any business decision, you should consult a professional who can advise you based on your individual situation.

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