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There are seemingly countless mobile payment solutions available, so figuring out which is best for you is tough. You want to enable users to make and receive payments digitally through smartphones or tablets, eliminating the need for physical cash or cards—but now need to figure out which tool is the best fit. I've got you! In this post, I make things simple, leveraging my experience managing online commerce businesses, and using dozens of different online payment tools to bring you this shortlist of the best mobile payment solutions overall.

What are Mobile Payment Solutions?

Mobile payment solutions are digital systems that enable financial transactions through mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. They allow users to make and receive payments electronically, bypassing traditional methods like cash or credit cards.

The purpose is to enhance convenience, speed, and security, catering to the needs of modern, on-the-go lifestyles. They support various forms of transactions, including in-store purchases, online shopping, and peer-to-peer transfers.

Overviews Of The 19 Best Mobile Payment Solutions

You can use the simple overviews of each tool below to understand how each tool stands out from other mobile payment solutions.

Best for powering your retail business with more tools

  • The first month is free and the following three months are only $1/month
  • Plans start at $31/month

The Shopify POS mobile payment solution offers businesses software that can streamline their entire purchase process in a centralized platform, from recording customer data and managing loyalty programs to tracking inventory, processing payments, and distributing commissions to staff.

With Shopify POS, you get all the essential features of a traditional POS system, as well as unique solutions for scalability and growth. With omnichannel options that manage online and retail stores, you don’t need to track multiple inventories, payment systems, and catalogs separately. This all-in-one solution syncs data across the entire platform for easier management.

Shopify is for businesses of all sizes, but they especially excel in supporting retail and wholesale businesses. Whether you’re just starting your business or trying to grow it with a robust marketing strategy, Shopify POS offers a place to sell, market, and manage everything associated with your organization.

Shopify POS Standout Features and Integrations

Features include contactless NFC, electronic payments, mobile access, POS, pricing management, customer history, email marketing, accounting integrations, employee management, return tracking and management, forecasting, multi-location, and sales reports.

Integrations include Shopify, Meta for Business, DataFeedWatch, TapMango, Extensiv Order Manager, Sling, Better Reports, Marsello, SendCloud, and Glew.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • All-in-one platform for business management
  • Modern and intuitive navigation
  • Convenient for customers

Cons:

  • No variable or custom pricing
  • Minimal customer support

Best for small business accounting tools

  • 30-day free trial
  • from $22.50/month
Visit Website
Rating: 4/5

QuickBooks Online is a cloud-based accounting software that you can use to process your payments, track your expenses, and manage your invoices. It's designed for small- and medium-sized businesses, and is available in the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia. You can access the platform from anywhere because it's cloud-based, making it possible to manage transactions on the go.

To automate your data entry, you can connect your bank feeds to the software. It calculates sales tax automatically for transactions, and allows you to charge clients and customers via invoice. The invoicing tool creates customizable invoices, which you can then send by email or by printing and mailing.

The software's expense tracking feature lets you categorize and track your business expenses, helping you keep clean and up-to-date financial records for your business. It has a detailed analytics and reporting dashboard to give you a comprehensive overview of where money is coming from, and where it's going.

QuickBooks Online integrates with over 450 business apps like Square, Stripe, Paychex, Insightly CRM, Mailchimp, Shopify, eBay, BigCommerce, Magento, Squarespace, and Etsys. Paid plans start from $30 per month, and a 30-day free trial is available.

Best for cost-effective payment processing

  • Free account available
  • From 0.50% + $0.25 per transaction
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Rating: 4.4/5

Helcim is a payment processing tool designed to provide businesses with cost-effective solutions for accepting credit and debit card payments, both in-person and online. Its commitment to transparent pricing and low processing rates positions Helcim as a competitive choice for businesses aiming to reduce their processing fees.

I chose Helcim for mobile payment solutions because of its commitment to low processing rates and transparent pricing, which is crucial for businesses looking to manage costs effectively. What makes Helcim different is its Interchange Plus pricing model and the Helcim Fee Saver feature, which can significantly reduce credit card fees.

Beyond just payment processing, Helcim provides a full suite of integrated services, including a comprehensive merchant platform that supports a wide range of functionalities such as invoicing, customer management, and inventory management.

Helcim Standout Features and Integrations

Features include merchant accounts for accepting credit and debit card payments, a mobile app for iOS and Android for on-the-go payment acceptance, virtual terminals for processing transactions over the phone or via other non-direct methods, and payment gateways for integrating payments into business websites with features like hosted payment pages, QR codes, and recurring payment plans.

Integrations include Xero, Quickbooks, WooCommerce, Foxy.io, and Great Exposure.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Support through phone, email, and an online ticket system
  • Interchange-plus pricing model is highly transparent
  • Extensive range of services beyond payment prossing alone

Cons:

  • Limited physical presence outside Canada and the US
  • Complexity for small merchants

Best for POS system integrations

  • Free demo available
  • From 2.3% + $0.1 per transaction

Clover is a point-of-sale (POS) system that provides businesses with a combination of hardware and software to process sales transactions and manage various aspects of their operations. The system is designed to support businesses in the retail, restaurant, and service industries by providing a centralized solution for sales, payment processing, and business management tasks.

Clover offers portable devices that allow merchants to accept payments anywhere, whether at the counter, at the table, or on the go. These customizable POS devices can handle a wide range of payment types, including credit and debit card swipes, mobile wallets, EMV chips, and contactless payments.

Clover's software platform also includes features for tracking sales, managing inventory, and analyzing business performance. Overall, it is intended to provide businesses with the tools they need to process transactions efficiently while also offering insights into their operations.

Clover Standout Features and Integrations

Features include a customizable interface, employee management and order management tools, customer relationship management, loyalty and rewards programs, offline mode in the case of internet outages, point-to-point encryption (P2PE), and Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) compliance.

Integrations include WooCommerce, Homebase, 7shifts, Paychex Flex, Adobe Commerce, Deputy, Xero, Shopify, Mailchimp, and DocuSign.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Provides reliable customer support
  • User-friendly interface
  • Offers a good mix of hardware options

Cons:

  • Limited support for international currencies
  • Long-term contract required for some pricing plans

Best customizable payment solutions tailored to specific business needs

  • Free plan available
  • From $13.95 plus 0.29% + 1.55% per transaction

Merchant One is a payment processing solution that caters to a variety of business sectors, including retail, with a particular emphasis on credit card processing and point of sale (POS) systems. Recognized for its direct service approach and next-day funding capabilities, Merchant One stands out as a preferred choice for retail POS systems, serving over 100,000 customers with its reliable and cost-effective processing solutions.

Another distinctive feature of Merchant One is its commitment to providing customizable payment solutions tailored to the specific needs of each business. Unlike one-size-fits-all payment processors, Merchant One works closely with clients to understand their unique requirements and challenges, offering personalized setups that include various payment gateways, POS systems, and mobile payment solutions.

Merchant One differentiates itself by assigning dedicated account managers to each client. This approach ensures that businesses receive personalized support and guidance throughout their partnership with Merchant One. The dedicated account manager becomes familiar with the specific needs and challenges of the business, providing targeted advice, timely assistance with issues, and helping navigate the complexities of payment processing.

Merchant One Standout Features and Integrations

Features include high approval rates for high-risk businesses, customizable payment solutions, dedicated account managers, flexible payment processing options, mobile payment capabilities, e-commerce integration, pos systems support, 24/7 customer service, competitive pricing, comprehensive reporting and analytics, secure transaction processing, multi-channel payment acceptance.

Integrations include Authorize.net, Payeezy Gateway, Payflow Pro, Paytrace Gateway, USAePay, Aloha, Micros, Maitre’D, 1ShoppingCart, BigCommerce, ecwid, Fishbowl, Magento, PrestaShop, Salesforce, and dozens more ecommerce platforms, shopping cart solutions, and sales enablement tools.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Dedicated account managers for each client
  • Customizable payment solutions tailored to the specific needs businesses
  • High approval rates for high-risk businesses

Cons:

  • Cost cosiderations for smaller businesses
  • Learning curve for advanced features

Best value for high transaction volumes

  • 3-month free trial
  • From $79/month

Payment Depot offers merchant services that focus on transparent pricing and low-cost credit card processing, aiming to eliminate hidden fees for businesses. This approach has garnered positive feedback from customers who value honesty and have reported substantial savings, making Payment Depot a preferred choice for both small and large businesses seeking clarity in their transaction costs.

Payment Depot offers a robust mobile payment solution that caters well to businesses on the go, combining convenience with efficiency. By partnering with SwipeSimple, Payment Depot provides a mobile app and card reader that enable merchants to accept payments directly from their smartphones or tablets, regardless of location. This mobile app supports a wide range of functionalities, including the ability to manage a product catalog, save payment information securely, add tips, and process refunds.

Moreover, Payment Depot's mobile payment solution is designed with user experience in mind, supporting payments from mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay. This inclusivity in accepted payment methods caters to the growing consumer preference for contactless payments, enhancing the customer experience by offering quick and convenient payment options. The mobile app's intuitive interface ensures that business owners and their staff can easily navigate its features, from transaction processing to inventory management.

Payment Depot Standout Features and Integrations

Features include subscription-based pricing, free payment gateway, virtual terminal through swipesimple, compatibility with pos systems like clover and vital select, user-friendly interface, support for mobile and ach payments, integration with major ecommerce platforms, no hidden fees, and dedicated customer support​​​​​​​​​​.

Integrations include OpenCart, PrestaShop, 3dCart, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, Magento, Zen Cart, NCR, Authorize.Net, PayTrace, and others.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Cost-effective for businesses with high transaction volumes
  • User interface is straightforward and intuitive
  • Comprehensive equipment offerings

Cons:

  • Not ideal for low-volume businesses
  • Limited to US-based, non-high-risk merchants

Best for bringing together all sides of your business

  • Free plan available
  • From $36/month plus 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction
Visit Website
Rating: 4.4/5

With Square, you have everything you need to take payments and grow your sales. This payment service allows you to sell in-person, over the phone, online, and even out and about when in the field. Square also allows you to track customer preferences, feedback, and inventory.

One of the best things about Square is the versatility it offers. You can charge credit cards by magstripe, chip cards, and contactless readers, as well as Google, Apple, and Samsung Pay. Businesses also have the option to enable virtual terminal payments, where you enter a card number and other details manually with no card reader required.

Square has the power to support individuals and small businesses with simple tools, as well as massive organizations with custom plans. This platform works for food and beverage, retail, beauty, services, and much more.

Square Standout Features and Integrations

Features include mobile card reader, near-field communication, ACH payment processing, POS system, fraud detection, bank transfers, electronic payments, subscription billing, reporting and analytics, partial payments, receipt management, offline access, and SSL security features.

Integrations include Mailchimp, Wix, FreshBooks, Weebly, WooCommerce, Paymo, QuickBooks, Make, Zoho Invoice, and Book Like A Boss.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Easy to set up
  • Summaries of every transaction
  • No monthly fee for small businesses

Cons:

  • No geo-mapping capabilities
  • Bluetooth connectivity issues

Best for a technology-first approach to payment processing

  • Contact Sales for more info
  • From 2.9% + 0.30 per transaction
Visit Website
Rating: 4.3/5

Stripe is an online payment processing tool that’s targeted towards internet businesses. It allows users to set up a marketplace, accept payments with a global payment platform, and bill customers on a monthly or recurring basis.

One of the best things about Stripe is its technology-first approach, which encourages developers to build integrations into the system with real-time webhooks. Using the developer platform means businesses spend less time on maintenance for legacy systems and more time focusing on the customer experience.

As an online tool for internet retailers, Stripe is scalable for businesses of every size. Its versatility allows business owners to accept payments in over 135 currencies and global transfers, manage a subscription service, or create a crowdfunding platform. Using Stripe, you can ensure you have a variety of payment options for your customers.

Stripe Standout Features and Integrations

Features include an embeddable UI toolkit, authentication, in-person payments, authorization, payment links, online and recurring payments, iOS and android compatibility, financial reporting, and payout management.

Integrations include Magento, Shopware, WordPress, Drupal, WooCommerce, PrestaShop, Afterpay, Klarna, Shopify, and Rippling.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • No monthly fee, only transaction fee
  • Reliable and intuitive
  • Automated fraud detection

Cons:

  • No real-time payment deposits
  • Developer needed for some features

Best for leveraging the PayPal service to drive conversions

  • No free trial or demo
  • Plans start at 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction
Visit Website
Rating: 3.4/5

No matter what types of payments you need to process, Braintree by PayPal offers you the power of an online payment gateway with the reliability and security of an established brand. 

Because Braintree is a PayPal company, they make it easier for customers to pay through web and mobile shopping carts. Braintree offers a seamless payment experience with the most popular payment methods for a streamlined process that improves brand affinity and customer loyalty.

Braintree is a solution for everyone, including single-person operations, medium-sized businesses, and massive enterprise organizations. They offer transaction-based fees for basic checkout needs, as well as customized pricing that’s tailored for your transaction volume and business model.

Braintree Standout Features and Integrations

Features include fraud tools, data security, diverse payout options, instant bank validation, 24/7 dedicated payment management, 3DS2 authentication, activity monitoring and testing, transaction searches, decline analysis, global payment options, and web and mobile optimization.

Integrations include 3dcart, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, Primer, Demandware, Magento, NetSuite, Salesforce, Miva, and UltraCart.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Versatile solutions for all companies
  • Integrates flawlessly with websites
  • Comprehensive analytics

Cons:

  • Navigation is a little clunky
  • Limited customer support

Best for cross-border commerce and marketplaces

  • No free demo or trial available
  • Pricing is per transaction and varies by location and transaction type

A fully integrated payment page and banking platform, Fondy is designed for cross-border transactions that ensure online payments and invoicing are quick and easy. Their intelligent platform chooses the most relevant payment method, currency, and shipping costs (if applicable) to streamline and simplify checkout.

Because they specialize in cross-border sales, Fondy processes payments in 150 currencies throughout 200 countries. Businesses can automatically set up a payment page with a customer’s local language and provide over 300 payment methods through geolocation that displays local options, including eWallets and debit/credit card payments.

Fondy is ideal for SMBs as well as large organizations because they don’t require any setup or monthly fees. All costs are based on transactions in your location. With integration for ecommerce, billing, in-app payments from mobile devices, and POS systems, Fondy provides comprehensive solutions for whatever your business currently needs.

Fondy Standout Features and Integrations

Features include local payment options, hundreds of currency options, automate language settings, branded checkout, split payments, partial payments, refund management, payment links, QR codes, compatibility with iPhone and Android devices, and real-time tracking.

Integrations include WooCommerce, Shopify, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay, VirtueMart, MODX, PrestaShop, and Magento.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Responsive and fast checkout
  • Intuitive navigation for business owners
  • Excellent customer service

Cons:

  • Fees range drastically
  • Minimal onboarding and guidance tools

The Best Mobile Payment Solutions Summary

Tools Price
Shopify POS Plans start at $31/month
QuickBooks Online from $22.50/month
Helcim From 0.50% + $0.25 per transaction
Clover From 2.3% + $0.1 per transaction
Merchant One From $13.95 plus 0.29% + 1.55% per transaction
Payment Depot From $79/month
Square From $36/month plus 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction
Stripe From 2.9% + 0.30 per transaction
Braintree Plans start at 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction
Fondy Pricing is per transaction and varies by location and transaction type
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Other Options

Here are a few more options that didn’t make the best mobile payment solutions list:

  1. WePay

    Best for scaling with your business as it grows

  2. Authorize.net

    Best for credit card processing for small and medium businesses

  3. Amazon Payments

    Best for optimizing customer checkout experiences

  4. Venmo

    Best for supercharged word-of-mouth marketing

  5. Google Pay

    Best for easy integration with whatever you’re already using

  6. PayPal

    Best for reducing cart abandonment

  7. Apple Pay

    Best for protecting customers’ personal data

  8. Chase for Business

    Best for flexible payment options with fortress-level security

  9. Boku

    Best for a wide selection of international payment types

  10. Mobiyo

    Best for an ROI-centric approach to mobile payments

How I Selected the Best Mobile Payment Solutions

Are you wondering how I chose the payment solutions for this list? When it came to rooting out the top 10 best ways to accept payments on the go, I compared and evaluated a massive range of mobile payment options with positive user ratings.

Once I narrowed down the list to include only the most popular solutions, I honed the list even more with a series of selection criteria, such as usability and pricing. With this criteria, I was able to easily compare the platforms one to the other. Drawing on my years of ecommerce experience also allowed me to pinpoint the features that added the most value.

Selection Criteria

Here’s a short summary of the main selection and evaluation criteria I used to develop my list of the best mobile payment solutions for this article.

Usability

There is a lot to be said about usability when it comes to mobile payment solutions. Is the platform easy to learn and navigate? Is the app intuitive for both merchants and customers? Does it offer payment options that most of your customers actually want? I answered all of these questions and more to determine optimal usability.

Standout Features

All mobile payment systems have basic features that everyone expects, like mobile connectivity, security, and virtual terminals, but what about other tools that enhance your business processes and streamline your workflow? Many of the tools on this list showcase something special and unique to help your business thrive.

Software Integrations 

Your business isn’t confined to accepting payments! There is so much data that needs to flow between different parts of your organization. To ensure you have a tool that syncs across every department and need, I chose mobile payment solutions that had multiple integrations that shared data with your CRM, marketing tools, and accounting software.

Pricing

It’s rare to find a one-size-fits-all solution for any business tool. Because organization sizes and budget availability differ so greatly, I explored solutions that offered scalability to fit your business needs. I also considered the most affordable applications with high-value features to ensure a cost analysis that made each system appropriate for your industry or business size.

People Also Ask

Here are a few popular questions answered for your convenience!

What are mobile payments?

A mobile payment is any transfer of funds to a merchant, person, or business. These transactions can include payments for goods and services, paying bills, or transferring money to friends and family. Using a mobile device, the primary payment tool can be a web browser, SIM toolkit, or digital wallet.

What are the key features of mobile payment solutions?

To get the right software for your needs, you have to know about the key features of the best mobile payment solutions. Check out some of the essentials below:

  1. Omnichannel payment options: You want to be able to accept payments in-store, online, and on-the-go with a mobile POS system.
  2. Types of payment options: Accepting credit and debit cards is a given, but what about local options, bank transfers, and crypto wallets?
  3. Functionality and compatibility: The software you choose should be responsive and functional on all devices, including phones and tablets.
  4. Deposit times: Different mobile payment solutions have a range of holding times before you get your money. Look for those that offer real-time or quick deposits.
  5. Security features: Some software offers lots of safety features, including tokenization, SSL security, PCI compliance, and 3DS2 authentication.

What other ecommerce software should I use?

If you’re looking for even more tools to enhance your workflow and grow your business, these are some of the top tools I recommend.  

Other Payment Software Reviews

These software review lists may complement your search for mobile payment solutions. I focused on software reviews for payment or payment-adjacent technologies, like fraud prevention or BNPL.

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By Francois Marchand

Francois Marchand is The Ecomm Manager's content strategist and editor. He is passionate about helping and educating business leaders, ecommerce professionals, and digital marketers grow their skill sets to stay ahead of the competition. Francois holds a BA Specialization in Communication Studies & Journalism from Concordia University (Montreal, QC) and 20+ years of experience in ecommerce, marketing, traditional and digital media, and public relations, including The Vancouver Sun, National Post, CBC/Radio-Canada, Unbounce, and Vancouver Film School. He also hosts The Ecomm Manager Podcast, discussing ecommerce best practices, customer experience, branding, inventory management, shipping and delivery, and analytics with expert guests.