Growing in popularity, mobile card readers are quickly becoming the main choice for small businesses over standard rented terminals. With their small size and portability, there are definitely some great advantages. The next question then becomes: which mobile card reader should you go with? You’ve probably heard of both the iZettle and the Square, but you are likely unsure of which option is best for you. Here at Compare Card Processing, we are experts in all forms of card machines, so have created this guide to help you choose which is the card machine is the best option for you and your business
Overview
Square
Launched in the UK in 2017, after succeeding in the US for eight years. The square card machine differs slightly from others as it is extremely compact with no screen or keypad. The customer can simply pay with contactless or chip and pin by entering their pin on the external mobile or tablet. It also comes with a free point of sale app which is very user-friendly and easy to use.
iZettle
Launched in Sweden in 2010, iZettle is the only card reader company to have released a second-generation reader. Again the iZettle comes with a great, easily navigable app with features that cater to most industries.
Costs
When it comes to transaction fees, both card machines are almost equal. Neither charges a monthly fee, but instead a flat transaction fee of 1.75% per transaction. They both also offer email invoicing, charged at 2.5% for both companies. The main differences are seen when looking at the initial price for the reader itself. The iZettle Card Reader 2 usually comes in at £59, but this does vary so check their website for the current price. The square reader comes in a lot cheaper, at £19 but is a bit more basic, with no screen or keypad.
Which Is Easier To Use?
When thinking about the usability of the readers, our immediate answer would be the iZettle. The screen and keypad can make it a lot easier for your customers to use, however, the compact Square does have some positives. A lot more customers these days opt to use contactless over chip and pin and the small size does make it easier to carry around. On the other hand, if customers go over the contactless limit, they are forced to enter their pin which is slightly more complicated with the Square as the use of a mobile phone or tablet is needed. Some customers also like to see the amount they’re paying on the screen, to make them feel more comfortable, which is where the iZettle proves its worth with the higher price tag.
Contact Us
We are experts in all forms of card readers and are here to help. If you have any questions or would like more information then please feel free to get in touch. Give us a call on 020 3490 0097 or email us at enquiries@comparecardprocessing.co.uk