Small credit card reader, big possibilities.

Square’s free credit card reader works with the free Square Point of Sale app to let everyone accept swipe payments on their smartphone or tablet.

Fast setup, no commitments

Sign up for Square and we’ll drop your free card reader in the mail—no commitments or long-term contracts.

Clear pricing, fast transfers

Pay 2.6% + 10¢ per swipe for Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. Get your money as fast as the next business day.

Works with iOS and Android

With two versions of Square Reader for magstripe—one for a headset jack, the other a Lightning connector—you’re covered. Just pick the credit card reader that works for you. Get paid any way you like with the Square Point of Sale app.
Take payments at the counter or on the go, remotely through invoices, or by manually entering card numbers.

Run your business anywhere—all in one place.

• Get set up fast with no training required
• Sell smarter with real-time analytics
• Know what’s in stock with intuitive inventory management

Serious security

Credit card information is encrypted at the moment of swipe. Square doesn’t store card data on your device after a payment has been processed.

No charging necessary

Square Reader fits right in your pocket, and with no battery to keep charged, you’re ready to sell and process payments wherever business takes you.

Keep selling, even offline
Let customers pay even when you’re temporarily offline with offline payments² and pay the usual 2.6% + 10¢ per swipe. Additional terms apply.

Send receipts digitally, or print like usual

Send receipts via email or text message, or connect a receipt printer to a tablet. Your customers can even leave you private feedback directly through their digital receipt.

Pro tip: Improve your tips
Customers tip right on the device in one easy, math-free motion—easier for them and better for your business.

Accept chip cards and Apple Pay, too

With Square Reader for contactless and chip, you connect wirelessly to your device to accept contactless payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay, and chip cards, too.

Square Reader for contactless and chip
(2nd generation) $59

Take payments and print receipts, all in one

Square Terminal is a portable credit card machine that accepts every card payment — tap, dip, and swipe. Take payments, print receipts, get paid fast.

Square Terminal $299

Pricing

at sign-up for your first card reader¹

for each additional reader

Get updates and insights

Stay up to date on Square Reader for magstripe, new products, expert advice, and more.

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Frequently asked questions

Square Reader for magstripe works with the free Square Point of Sale app to let you accept swiped card payments on your phone or tablet.

Your first Square Reader for magstripe is free. Additional readers are $10. Sign up for an account to receive your free Square Reader for magstripe. Sign up now

You can connect your Square Reader for magstripe to a variety of Apple or Android phones and tablets. We offer two versions of Square Reader for magstripe depending on your device — one with a lightning connector and the other with a 3.5mm headset jack. Explore our full list of compatible devices and software

Square Reader for magstripe simply needs to be inserted into your compatible phone or tablet, allowing you to easily swipe payment cards. Learn how to swipe card payments with Square Reader for magstripe

Square Reader for magstripe does not need Wi-Fi to process payments. When you don’t have a Wi-Fi or internet connection, you can use Offline Mode in the Square Point of Sale app to take payments. Learn more about Offline Mode

No, Square Reader for magstripe only accepts swiped (magstripe card) payments. To accept dip (chip card) and tap (contactless) payments, try Square Reader for contactless and chip.

Available at local retailers

Other hardware options

Square Reader for contactless & chip

Simple, portable, and exceptionally fast

Square Terminal

A mobile all-in-one credit card machine

Square Stand

A powerful iPad POS for your countertop

Take contactless payments with just your phone — no hardware needed.

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.