Difference between magstripe reader and square reader

[MGIfts]

Hi all! I am joining the square community and I still can't seem to understand the main differences between magstripe and square readers.  I need it to sell my wares at craft fairs.  Thank you for your help!

[TCSlaguna · Accepted solution]

Hi @MGIfts!  Welcome to the Community! 

The Square Reader (one on the left) is for Apple Pay, Google Pay, tap by card, or physically inserting your credit card into the chip reader. It connects to devices usually through Bluetooth. 

The Magstripe Reader (one on the right) is for swipe only. It usually connects to the bottom of your phone. 

Considering most people now use contactless payment methods, and you usually pay lower processing fees than swiping, you will likely want the Square Reader. 

Having said that, the Square POS app on iPhone now allows Tap to Pay directly on the phone, eliminating the need to have the Square Reader. 

I would love to learn more about your business and setup. Let me know how you intend to ring people up and I would love to discuss the best way to go about it!

[MGIfts]

Thank you so much TCSLaguna. Now I am totally confused after reading your post; "Having said that, the Square POS app on iPhone now allows Tap to Pay directly on the phone, eliminating the need to have the Square Reader. " I am selling decor sailboat tiles and felted jewelry at local craft fairs.  At the end of the month, I will be in a college space, while one next month I will be in the middle of the woods! Would just the magstripe be enough?  I'm not even sure I will have internet, but I do have hot spot on my phone.  I thought I was supposed to get it with the square reader but did not.  Thank you in advance for any help.  This is definitely not my forte!

L

[TCSlaguna]

Sorry for the confusion! 

Essentially what the Square Reader can do, you can do directly on an iPhone. 

More info here. 

It's not bad to have a magstripe reader just in case a customer does not have tap or chip on their card. 

________________ 

" I'm not even sure I will have internet, but I do have hot spot on my phone. " 

Will you be using an iPad or iPhone to ring up customers? 

If you are using an iPhone, you can use its cellular connection. 

If you are using an iPad, you can hot spot your phone and use its cellular connection on the iPad.