Online Payments
Square (get paid via credit card)
Square provides a simple way for anyone (even you!) to accept payment via credit card. Whether you have a little shop or traveling band that you want to accept payments by card, or you just want to split the dinner tab with a friend, now you can.Gadgetizd covered Square a little while back, recommending the completely free hardware that allows you to swipe credit cards on your iPhone, iPad or Android device.
All three versions of the Square app are beautifully designed and simple to use. While the apps do leave some features to be desired (like an editable, searchable payment record), they work exactly as advertised. Just enter a price, select the “Credit Card” option and swipe your customer or friend’s card. A signature pad will show up on your screen, and it’s easy to sign with the tip of a finger. You can even email a receipt with one tap.
You have the option to either swipe the person’s card using the free swiping “Square” that plugs directly into your device’s headphone jack, or to type in the credit card information manually. You can even add a photo of the item purchased or use the “Cash” option (just to keep a record of the transaction and quickly calculate change).
Thanks to Square, you can accept credit card payments no matter where – or who – you are. Square accounts are free and come with the hardware to swipe credit cards. For credit card swipe payments, there is a 2.75% + ¢15 transaction fee, which is slightly less than online card-accepting services like Google Checkout and PayPal.
Venmo (get paid instantly from anywhere)
Venmo lets you easily pay or charge money to anyone in the U.S. with a cell phone number. It’s a super-simple and straightforward idea, and similarly simple to use. It’s invite only for now (though it’s easy to get one via Twitter), and it’s easy to setup an account and connect a Credit/Debit card, bank account or both (that’s is how your instant payments will be funded).
One of the great features of Venmo is that you can “Trust” other people to access your money. I “Trust” my girlfriend on my account, meaning if she ever needs money she can instantaneously take it from me. “Trusting” is only for the people you’re closest with, but Venmo will notify you every time someone you trust takes money from your account, and you have 24 hours to reverse every change.
Though the design of the website could be improved, the ease of sending/receiving money and setting up an account via SMS texting is remarkable. PayPal provides a similar SMS-based service (see below), but the simplicity of the Venmo service (and the fact that it’s free!) makes it the best way to transfer money between friends. There are no fees for individuals. It’s currently in the Beta testing phase, but I have 20 invites, so Tweet @Bgrasberger if you want one.
Paypal Mobile – (get paid from anywhere with extra security and fees)
Unfortunately, setting up mobile payments from your account at paypal.com is unnecessarily cumbersome, as is PayPal’s version of texting payments. Once PayPal Mobile is setup, you can send a payment just like Venmo: by sending a SMS message reading “Send 4.99 to [phone number] or [email address]” to PayPal. You will then receive an automated phone call that prompts you to approve the payment with your PIN.
Of all the options out there, anyone really concerned about security should use PayPal Mobile. The additional steps in setting up your account and confirmations for each transaction provide extra security you might like. If you have a smart phone, PayPal’s mobile apps do make transactions easier. If you’re with the person you want to pay, the “Bump” feature for iPhone works well to send and receive money (see a full description here). For PayPal payments, there is a 2.9% + ¢30 transaction fee.
No longer, my friends, is “sorry, dude, I don’t have any cash.” an excuse. How do you pay and get paid by your friends?
OBOPAY
https://www.obopay.com/corporate/en_US/fees.shtml
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