How Square Can Help Your New Business Start Taking Payments

If you’re an independent business owner, taking payments on terms that best suit you should never be a stressor. That’s where Square can help. Square offers simple, reliable, and free to get started¹ (you only have to pay when you process payments) payment options that are well suited for taking payments, however you do business. See how Square Reader for magstripe, Tap to Pay on iPhone, and Tap to Pay on Android can fit your business’s payment needs.

What is Square Reader for magstripe?

Square Reader for magstripe is a simple, compact card reader for taking swipe payments. This reader plugs directly into your phone or tablet, doesn’t need to be charged, and is available in three connector type options: USB-C, Lightning, and headset jack. Just plug it in and start taking swipe payments.

What is Tap to Pay on iPhone and Tap to Pay on Android?

Tap to Pay on iPhone and Tap to Pay on Android allow you to take payments from contactless cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other digital wallets directly on your phone, no additional hardware needed. When you enable Tap to Pay on iPhone or Tap to Pay on Android, select that payment method at checkout and customers can simply tap their card or contactless device on your phone.

Which option is best for your business?

Depending on circumstances unique to you and your business, one or both of these solutions could offer the best solution to help you get started taking payments. Consider these details when deciding which option is right for you.

Free-to-get-started option that gets up and running quickly

Both Square Reader for magstripe and Tap to Pay on iPhone or Tap to Pay on Android are free to get started¹ and take just minutes to set up. You only pay when you process payments. 

Taking physical card payments

Square Reader for magstripe (for swipe payments ) and Tap to Pay on iPhone or Tap to Pay on Android (for tap payments ) accept cards. 

Accepting contactless payments (via Apple Pay or Google Pay)

Tap to Pay on iPhone or Tap to Pay on Android accept contactless payments directly on your mobile phone.

Taking payments without wifi or reception

You can accept offline payments² via the Square Reader for magstripe even when you’re temporarily disconnected.

Tap to Pay on iPhone and Tap to Pay on Android require a wifi or cellular connection to take payments.

Take card payments today

Tap to Pay on iPhone and Tap to Pay on Android are available to enable on your mobile device at any time. Square Reader for magstripe sets up quickly and is available for same-day purchase at many retail locations. For delivery, please allow 5-7 business days.

Professional look 

Square Reader for magstripe offers you and your customers the look and feel of a dedicated, hardware device, but is still free to get started¹ and sets up quickly.

No need to charge or carry another piece of hardware

Square Reader for magstripe does not have a battery and does not need to be charged, it plugs directly into your phone. However, it is a physical device that you’ll need where you take payments.

Tap to Pay on iPhone and Tap to Pay on Android requires no additional hardware. So there is no device to charge aside from your phone, and no additional hardware to carry.

Offer customers multiple options, or have backup ways to take payments

You can use both Square Reader for magstripe and Tap to Pay on iPhone or Tap to Pay on Android together, and take payments from both magstripe cards, and contactless methods. Both options are free to get started¹, with the same applicable transaction fees.

Take payments on a tablet

Square Reader for magstripe works with both mobile phones and tablets. Just choose the connector type that best fits your needs (USB-C, Lightning, or headset jack). Tap to Pay on iPhone and Tap to Pay on Android are not available on tablets.

Learn more about Square Reader for magstripe, Tap to Pay on iPhone, and Tap to Pay on Android.

¹Offer is limited to one redemption per Square account holder.

²Offline payments are processed automatically when you reconnect your device to the internet and will be declined if you do not reconnect to the internet within 24 hours of taking your first offline payment. By enabling offline payments, you are responsible for any expired, declined, or disputed payments accepted while offline. Square is unable to provide customer contact information for payments declined while offline. Offline payments are not supported on older versions of Square Reader for contactless and chip (1st generation – v1 and v2). Click here for help identifying your contactless reader. Learn more about how to enable and use offline payments here.