Accepting Credit Card Payments With Android
Android smartphones are quickly becoming as popular as the iPhone and offer many of the same apps (also see: Best iPhone Credit Card Processing Apps). In fact, the U.S. is the only country where the iPhone has more market share than Android, with Android dominating over 80% of the global smartphone market. Gone are the days when developers left Android as an afterthought to their app development. If company wants to compete, they need to take Android just seriously as iPhone. Due to this, there are now numerous credit card processing apps for Android that were once only available on Apple devices. Most Android payment apps offer all the same features and conveniences that you would find on Apple devices and in some cases Android has better compatibility.
Article Summary:
Before we dive into the rest of the article, here’s a summary of what we’ll cover.
- Android credit card processing allows businesses to accept payments from customers using their Android devices.
- There are a number of different Android credit card processing options available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. We’ll cover them below.
- These options offer a variety of features, including mobile payment acceptance, contactless payments, and chip card processing.
- The pricing for Android credit card processing varies depending on the provider and the features offered.
- Some of the potential drawbacks to using Android credit card processing include the possibility of funding holds and limited customer support.
Android Devices Offer Flexibility
When you are considering the adoption of mobile apps to accept credit card payments, the choice of hardware plays a crucial role in determining the overall efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the payment process. Android devices emerge as a standout option for businesses due to the wide range of choices available and the cost advantages they offer compared to other platforms.
Numerous Device Options
Android devices offer a wide variety of options for businesses to choose from. These devices come in different sizes and configurations, allowing businesses to find the perfect fit for their specific needs and budget. Whether they require small and portable tablets for mobile sales or larger ones for fixed point-of-sale (POS) systems, the Android platform provides numerous options to cater to different business requirements.
Affordability and Durability
For businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, cost considerations are crucial. Android devices are often more budget-friendly compared to other platforms like iOS. The availability of competitively priced Android tablets and smartphones allows businesses to equip their employees with payment-capable devices without breaking the bank. This cost-effectiveness is particularly beneficial for businesses that require multiple devices for multiple checkout stations or mobile sales teams.
Additionally, when was the last time you saw an Android with a cracked screen? As we all know, iPhones are prone to screen damage with even a small drop. For whatever reason, Androids simply do not suffer from this problem as much. If you want a device that can take a beating, Androids win in this category.
Seamless Integration with Payment Apps
Android’s open-source nature facilitates easy integration with a wide range of payment apps and software solutions. Payment providers and third-party developers prioritize developing and updating their applications for Android devices due to the larger user base and more flexible development environment. As a result, businesses have access to a plethora of payment processing options and features that can be tailored to their specific needs.
Customizability and Flexibility
Android devices offer businesses a higher degree of customization and flexibility. Companies can customize the user interface, install additional software, and adapt devices to suit their unique workflows. This level of customization is particularly advantageous for businesses operating in niche industries or those with specialized requirements.
NFC Technology and Contactless Payments
Near Field Communication (NFC) technology is prevalent in Android devices, enabling contactless payment methods such as Google Pay, Samsung Pay and Apply Pay. With the growing popularity of contactless payments, businesses that accept credit cards on Android devices can provide customers with a faster and more secure payment experience, enhancing customer satisfaction and encouraging repeat business.
Wider Availability and Accessibility
Android devices are widely available across the globe, making it easier for businesses to find and acquire the necessary hardware for their payment systems. Additionally, Android devices are not tied to a single manufacturer, making it less challenging to replace or upgrade devices if needed.
Robust Support and Development Community
Android benefits from a large and active community of developers and tech enthusiasts. This support ecosystem ensures ongoing updates, security patches, and a wealth of resources for businesses to troubleshoot issues and stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in mobile payment technology.
Android vs iPhone Market Share, U.S.
How to Choose The Best Android Credit Card Reader
Choosing a credit card processing app for an Android smartphone requires careful consideration of your specific business needs. Here are some key factors to consider:
- Costs: Every provider has a different fee structure, including transaction fees, monthly fees, setup fees, and potential incidental fees. Look for a clear, upfront pricing model that aligns with your sales volume and budget.
- Security: The app should follow PCI-DSS standards to ensure the secure handling of card information. Look for features like tokenization and encryption that protect data during transactions.
- Usability: The app should be user-friendly for both you and your customers. It should have a simple interface, easy setup, and intuitive features that make processing transactions seamless.
- Compatibility: Make sure the app is compatible with your Android device and software version. If you’re using other business software, check if the app can integrate with these systems for things like sales reporting or inventory management.
- Payment Types: Your chosen app should be able to accept a variety of payment types including magnetic stripe cards, chip cards (EMV), and contactless payments like NFC (Near Field Communication).
- Customer Support: Reliable customer support is crucial. Look for providers that offer 24/7 support via multiple channels like phone, email, or live chat.
- Reputation: Check reviews and ratings on the Google Play Store and other online platforms. Also, consider the provider’s reputation within the industry.
- Features: Depending on your business needs, you may require additional features like invoicing, recurring billing, multi-currency support, or the ability to add tips.
- Funding Time: This is how long it takes for funds from a transaction to reach your account. Faster funding times can improve cash flow.
- Hardware: Some apps may require specific hardware, like a card reader. Make sure you understand what’s needed and whether it’s included or must be purchased separately.
Editor Picks For The Top Android Credit Card Payment Apps
#1 Helcim
Helcim bubbled straight to the top when we were researching Android credit card processing options. First, the company has a dedicated app in the Google Play Store and offers an inexpensive card reader that can be synced over a bluetooth connection. From there, Helcim offers the best pricing and customer support of all the options we reviewed.
Helcim’s Pricing
Helcim offers Interchange-plus pricing to all of its clients at a low markup starting at just 0.30% plus $0.08 per transaction. This means that you pay the exact cost to process a credit as set my the card issuing bank plus the Helcim’s fixed markup. In general, Interchange-plus is the most transparent and most cost effective way to accept credit card payments. On top its low processing fees, Helcim charges not other fees, including no monthly fees, no annual fees, and no other junk fees whatsoever. The combination of Interchange-plus and no monthly fees is something that we have found to be unique to Helcim.
Helcim’s Customer Support
One of the biggest issues that most businesses complaint about when they use more well-know Android payment apps, is the lack of quality customer support. This, again, is where Helcim stands out. This processor has 24/7 dedication phone support that is highly rated among customer reviews. Many other Android credit card processing options only offer email and chat support. If they do offer phone support, it is only to businesses that process a certain threshold of payment volume. With Helcim, you can reach a human whether you process $5 or $5MM. Overall we feel that Helcim is the best Android app for taking credit card payments.
To get all the details or to signup, start at Helcim’s website here or call (888) 506-7812.
For more details, visit Helcim or call (888) 506-7812
#2 CDG Commerce
A very close second on this list is CDG Commerce. Like Helcim, CDG offers a dedicated Android credit card processing app available in the Google Play Store and inexpensive wireless card reader. Also like Helcim, CDG offers highly rated 24/7 customer phone support. The main differences between the company are in their pricing and technology.
CDG Commerce Pricing
CDG offers three different pricing options depending upon a businesses processing volume. These range from a fixed rate for all transactions with no monthly fees, to Interchange-plus, to Interchange with no markup and only a monthly fee. All of CDG’s pricing is competitive, but Helcim’s costs wins out in most scenarios we tested.
Technology & App
Like Helcim, CDG offers modern technology for its Android card acceptance. However, after testing the two, we preferred the design and user interface of the Helcim Android payment app. CDG’s app performed to our standards, but the look is just a little dated and feels a little clunky as compared to Helcim. That said, we still recommend CDG for Android card processing and think that it is a solid choice. This is especially true considering that CDG offers customer support by phone.
To get all the details, start by visiting CDG’s website here or call (888) 393-1079.
For more information, see CDG Commerce or call (888) 393-1079
#3 Square
We can’t call this a real list of Android credit card processing options without mentioning the Square card reader and app. Square was the first credit card processing app to hit the market and has been the most popular options for taking credit cards though Android devices since. Not only does this company offer one of the easiest and quickest ways to take mobile Android payments, but it does it with great tech and very competitive pricing. The Square app and card reader are easy to use and users are only charged a flat and fixed fee of 2.9% plus $0.30 per card-present transaction with no other monthly or junk fees. Like Helcim, it also offer a broad range of other processing services for various business needs, such as invoicing and an e-commerce store builder.
Square falls short of the top picks on this list due to its less competitive processing fee and customer support. The most common complaint we see about Square is dissatisfaction with customer’s ability to reach a human or get help they want. With Square’s popularity, it is easy to see how the company might struggle to scale up a customer service division capable of handling every issue over the telephone. Square is a great option if you want test a business idea, but for those with established revenues, we recommend one of the picks above.
To get all of the detail or to sign up, start by visiting Square’s website here.
For more details, visit Square
#4 Shopify
Shopify is primarily known as an e-commerce platform for online merchants, but the company recently launched a point-of-sale software solution for Android devices. The Shopify POS app can accept cards via a headphone jack card swiper or a $89 EMV reader and includes features like inventory syncing with a webstore, emailed receipts, automatic tax calculations, basic email marketing, and in-store refunds. The service can also be paired with a Shopify online store, which comes with numerous customization options. Shopify POS is a great fit for mobile merchants who would like to accept payments on-site using their phones as well as through a webstore. Service-industry merchants should note, however, that Shopify’s POS app does not currently support tipping.
Shopify Reviews
Shopify offers month-to-month pricing plans with variable pricing and product tiers. The company is headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario, and has been in operation since 2005. The company provides phone, email, and live chat support to all of its merchant tiers and enjoys very few online complaints despite its massive user base. The BBB gives Shopify an “A+” rating at this time, while CardPaymentOptions.com awards the company an “A.”
For more information, see the Shopify website.
Shopify POS Highlights
- $89 card reader
- 2.4% to 2.7% swiped
- 2.4% + $0.30 to 2.9% + $0.30 keyed
- Live customer support
For more information, visit Shopify
Bottom Line
We found that the most important features a person should consider when choosing an Android credit card processing app are: technology, pricing, and customer support. We reviewed dozens of options but the picks above were the ones that we feel most confident to recommend to our readers. If you have any thoughts, questions, or feedback, please leave it in the comment section below.
