Taking cards in person
You do not have to buy anything to get started. When you're ready for real counter hardware, these are the options we suggest — pick one during setup and we'll walk you through pairing it.
Setup wizard
Four quick questions about where you sell and which state you're in, and we'll show the exact kit to buy — with links straight to the seller.
Everything we support
The phone or tablet you already own
$0Run the whole register in a browser and take payment links, invoices, or a tap-to-pay phone. Cheapest way to open tomorrow.
Works with Stripe: Uses Stripe Tap to Pay on iPhone/Android plus Stripe payment links — no reader needed.
- Best for:
- Markets, booths, testing the waters
- Connects by:
- Wi-Fi or cellular
Pocket tap & chip reader
~$59Palm-sized Bluetooth reader that pairs with your phone or tablet. Takes tap, chip, and phone wallets.
Works with Stripe: Official Stripe Terminal reader — pairs straight to your register, no extra account.
- Best for:
- One-person shops and food trucks
- Connects by:
- Bluetooth
Countertop terminal
~$149Standalone screen with a built-in card reader. The customer-facing display shows the card price or surcharge line before they tap.
Works with Stripe: Official Stripe Terminal countertop reader — the buyer sees the card price on its screen.
- Best for:
- Steady foot traffic and a fixed counter
- Connects by:
- Wi-Fi or ethernet
Handheld all-in-one
~$349Carry the register to the customer. Full touchscreen, built-in reader, all-day battery. Receipts go out by text or email, or pair the printer below.
Works with Stripe: Official Stripe Terminal handheld — same Stripe account, nothing else to sign up for.
- Best for:
- Table service, curbside, salon chairs
- Connects by:
- Wi-Fi or cellular
Tablet register stand + reader
~$249A swiveling stand for the tablet running MainStreet Checkout, with a Stripe reader on the customer side so they can read the card price and tip.
Works with Stripe: Stripe reader in its dock, facing the buyer; the stand is just a holder for your tablet.
- Best for:
- Busy counters that need a real till
- Connects by:
- Wi-Fi
Receipt printer + cash drawer
~$199Thermal receipt printer that pops the drawer. Printed receipts are the simplest way to show the card fee line you disclosed.
Works with Stripe: On Stripe's supported printer list — prints from the register, no separate system.
- Best for:
- Anyone still taking real cash
- Connects by:
- USB or ethernet
New tablet for the system
~$329A dedicated 10-inch tablet that only runs MainStreet Checkout. Nothing else installed means nothing else to go wrong on a Saturday.
Works with Stripe: Runs the register and drives any Stripe Terminal reader over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
- Best for:
- Shops with no spare device
- Connects by:
- Wi-Fi