Best Wireless Credit Card Machine

Wireless credit card machines are quickly becoming a norm for businesses of all sizes. With so many options available, it can be confusing for a new business owner what to select for their business. Even established business owners looking to upgrade their current credit card machines may find the selection process complicated. Keep reading as we will be touching on the things to look out for when you shop around for the best wireless credit card machine.

What criteria to look for while shopping for a credit card machine?

Let’s start with a set of criteria for which we will use in selecting the best wireless credit card machine, tailored to ensure a comprehensive evaluation:

Customer Service

When considering customer service, it's important to look at how responsive and effective the support team is, whether there are dedicated account managers available, and the different channels you can use to get help, like phone, email, or live chat.

Ease of Setup

The ease of setting up the service matters a lot. A smooth onboarding process, whether self-serve or with assistance, is crucial. Having setup guides and tutorials can be a big help, as well as support during the initial setup phase.

Contract

The flexibility of the contract terms can make a big difference. Some providers offer month-to-month terms, while others require long-term commitments. Transparency in contract terms and conditions is key, and it's important to watch out for hidden fees or early termination penalties.

Cost

Cost considerations include the initial price of hardware, transaction fees (both percentage and flat fees), and any monthly fees or additional charges. It's also worth checking if there are volume discounts or tiered pricing options available.

Ease of Integration

Ease of integration is essential for a seamless experience. Look for plug-and-play capabilities, compatibility with your existing systems and software, and a user-friendly installation process.

Ease of Use

A user-friendly interface can make a big difference in daily operations. Consider how intuitive the system is, the training requirements for your staff, the speed and reliability of transactions, and the usability of any mobile apps if applicable.

Hardware Variety

The variety of hardware available can impact how well the system fits your business needs. Look for different models, portability, design, durability, and battery life of the devices.

Free / Payment Tool Selection

Access to free payment processing tools and a variety of payment options, including credit/debit cards, contactless payments, and mobile wallets, are important. Additional features like inventory management and customer data collection can be very beneficial.

Security

Security features are crucial. Ensure compliance with PCI-DSS standards, and look for advanced security features like encryption and tokenization, as well as fraud detection and prevention mechanisms.

Integration

Integration capabilities should include compatibility with POS systems, e-commerce platforms, and accounting software. Availability of APIs and SDKs for custom integrations can be very useful.

Scalability

The ability to scale with your business growth is important. Check if the system supports multiple locations and users.

Reporting and Analytics

Detailed transaction reports and real-time analytics provide valuable insights. Look for customizable reporting options to meet your specific needs.

Customer Feedback

Lastly, consider reviews and testimonials from other businesses. Look at ratings on reliability, customer service, and overall satisfaction to gauge how well the service might work for you

How do popular credit card machines fare on our criteria list?

Let’s have a look at some of the most recognized names based on the criteria we defined above and evaluate the credit card machines that they offer.

1. Customer Service:

• Helcim: Human first approach, dedicated account managers, multiple support channels (phone, email, chat).
• Moneris: Dedicated account managers, extensive online resources.
• Clover: Online resources, dedicated account managers for higher plans.
• Square: Extensive online resources, community forums.
• Stripe: Extensive documentation, dedicated support for premium plans.

2. Ease of Setup:

• Helcim: Simple onboarding, comprehensive setup guides.
• Moneris: Relatively straightforward, good onboarding support.
• Clover: Easy onboarding, guided setup process.
• Square: Very easy to start, instant approval for most users.
• Stripe: Developer-friendly, requires some technical knowledge but well-documented.

3. Contract:

• Helcim: No long-term contracts, transparent pricing.
• Moneris: Typically requires a contract, variable terms.
• Clover: Month-to-month and long-term contracts available.
• Square: No contracts, pay-as-you-go.
• Stripe: No contracts, pay-as-you-go.

4. Cost:

• Helcim: Competitive pricing, volume discounts, transparent fees.
• Moneris: Higher transaction fees, additional monthly fees.
• Clover: Moderate transaction fees, hardware costs vary.
• Square: Flat-rate transaction fees, no monthly fees for basic plan.
• Stripe: Competitive transaction fees, additional features at extra cost.

5. Ease of Integration:

• Helcim : Plug-and-play setup, user-friendly.
• Moneris: More complex setup, requires some technical support.
• Clover: Easy setup with guided instructions.
• Square: Extremely easy setup, plug-and-play.
• Stripe: Requires some technical setup, well-documented

6. Ease of Use:

• Helcim: Intuitive interface, minimal training required.
• Moneris: User-friendly but may require training.
• Clover: Very user-friendly, intuitive interface.
• Square: Highly intuitive, minimal training needed.
• Stripe: User-friendly for developers, may need training for non-tech users.

7. Hardware Variety:

• Helcim: Limited hardware options, focuses on portable solutions.
• Moneris: Wide range of hardware options.
• Clover: Extensive range of devices for different needs.
• Square: Multiple hardware options, including mobile and POS.
• Stripe: Limited to online and mobile integrations, no proprietary hardware.

8. Free / Payment Tool Selection:

• Helcim: Offers free tools, supports various payment options.
• Moneris: Limited free tools, wide payment options.
• Clover: Extensive free and paid tools, wide payment options.
• Square: Comprehensive free tools, supports numerous payment methods.
• Stripe: Offers robust tools for developers, supports various payment methods.

9. Security:

• Helcim: Helcim is PCI-DSS compliant and offers advanced security features, including encryption and tokenization, to ensure transaction security
• Square: Square is also PCI-DSS compliant and provides robust security measures, including end-to-end encryption and fraud detection systems.
• Stripe: Stripe's advanced security features include PCI-DSS compliance, encryption, and sophisticated fraud detection mechanisms.
• Moneris: Moneris ensures PCI-DSS compliance and implements robust security measures to protect transaction data.
• Clover: Clover is PCI-DSS compliant and offers strong security features, including encryption and fraud prevention tools.

10. Integration:

• Helcim: Helcim is known for its plug-and-play capabilities, compatibility with various systems and software like QuickBooks, Xero, WooCommerce, and a user-friendly installation process.
• Square: Square offers seamless integration with existing systems and software, including QuickBooks, WooCommerce, Shopify, and Xero, featuring plug-and-play capabilities and an easy installation process.
• Stripe: Stripe excels in integration with a wide range of systems and software, such as WooCommerce, Shopify, BigCommerce, QuickBooks, and NetSuite, providing APIs and SDKs for custom integrations.
• Moneris: Moneris integrates well with various systems, including QuickBooks, WooCommerce, Shopify, and Magento, offering plug-and-play capabilities and a straightforward installation process.
• Clover: Clover provides robust integration capabilities, ensuring compatibility with existing systems and software like QuickBooks, WooCommerce, Shopify, and Xero, with a user-friendly installation process.

11. Scalability:

• Helcim: Scales well with business growth, supports multiple locations.
• Moneris: Scales moderately, supports multiple locations.
• Clover: Highly scalable, suitable for businesses of all sizes.
• Square: Very scalable, supports multi-location businesses.
• Stripe: Highly scalable, designed for businesses of all sizes.

12. Reporting and Analytics:

• Helcim: Comprehensive reporting and analytics.
• Moneris: Good reporting features.
• Clover: Advanced reporting and analytics.
• Square: Excellent reporting tools, real-time insights.
• Stripe: Advanced analytics and customizable reports.

13. Customer Feedback:

• Helcim: Positive reviews for customer service and ease of use.
• Moneris: Mixed reviews, some issues with customer service.
• Clover: Generally positive reviews, praised for ease of use.
• Square: Highly positive reviews, known for ease of use and support.
• Stripe: Positive reviews, especially from developers for integration ease.

Summary:

From this evaluation, Square and Clover stand out as the best overall options due to their ease of use, comprehensive tools, and excellent integration capabilities. Helcim offers competitive pricing and a human-first customer service experience, making it a solid option for smaller businesses or those looking for cost-effective solutions. Stripe is also a great choice, particularly for businesses with a strong technical/developer focus. Moneris may be better suited for larger enterprises needing a wide range of hardware options, despite its higher cost and more complex setup.