Apex Reader vs SwipeSimple
Apex Reader
apexonepayments.com
SwipeSimple
swipesimple.comSide by side
| Figure | Apex Reader | SwipeSimple |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | $19.95/mo |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 0 | 11 |
| Spec score · Mobile Payment Processing Software | 7.9 (#6) | 8.5 (#4) |
| Integrations | The page lists QuickBooks Online, invoicing and pay-by-link, SMS receipts, tip prompts, and multi-location reporting as platform features. | The App Marketplace includes QuickBooks Online Sync, Appointments, and Text Loyalty & Reviews. |
| Pricing availability | The product page describes hardware cost and transaction processing but gives no specific price; the shop page offers a Buy now link without displaying a price. | SwipeSimple says it is commonly sold with a merchant account and processing agreement supplied by a merchant acquirer, ISO, agent, financial institution, or processor. |
| Reporting | Reader transactions sync to the Apexonepayments dashboard in real time and share a ledger with the counter POS. | The reporting dashboard provides real-time transaction data, sales trends, customer records, and exportable reports. |
| Security | The product page states that Reader is PCI PTS certified, uses end-to-end encryption, and keeps card data off the phone. | SwipeSimple states that its systems are designed for PCI DSS compliance and enforce HTTPS, HSTS, and 256-bit encryption. |
| Support | The Help Center says support is available 24/7/365 in English and Spanish. | SwipeSimple is generally sold through merchant service providers, and merchants are directed to their provider for account support and billing or fee questions. |
| What it does | Apex Reader is a pocket-sized Bluetooth card reader that pairs with an iPhone or Android phone to accept contactless, chip, and swipe payments. | SwipeSimple is a payments and small-business management platform for accepting cards and running payment operations. |
Plans
SwipeSimple
- SwipeSimple Connect ZeroFree
- SwipeSimple Connect — card-present processing$2.61, paid once
- SwipeSimple Connect card-present processing$2.61, paid once
- SwipeSimple Connect — card-not-present processing$3.51, paid once
- SwipeSimple Connect card-not-present processing$3.51, paid once
- QuickBooks Online Sync$19.95 a month
- SwipeSimple Appointments$29.95 a month
- Bluetooth card reader$49, paid once
- Text Loyalty & Reviews Starter$59.99 a month
- Text Loyalty & Reviews Standard$95.95 a month
In their own words
Apex Reader
Apex Reader is a pocket-sized Bluetooth card reader for in-person payments away from a counter. It pairs with an iPhone or Android phone and accepts NFC contactless payments, EMV chip cards, and magnetic-stripe swipes, including Apple Pay and Google Pay. Bluetooth LE connectivity requires iOS 14 or later or Android 10 or later, and no separate data plan is required. The reader provides up to 12 hours of active use and charges through micro-USB. The Apexonepayments app can start a sale or retrieve one from an invoice, process refunds and voids, and add optional tax and tips. It sends branded receipts by SMS or email, while sales synchronize to the dashboard in real time. Reader transactions share a ledger with Apex Flex and Mini. Account activation takes under two minutes, with no setup fees or monthly minimums. Pricing is on request.
SwipeSimple
SwipeSimple provides payment acceptance tools for small businesses across Android, iOS, and web, with mobile, terminal, and computer-based processing. Its mobile app supports swiped, dipped, tapped, and keyed card payments, with an optional reader for physical cards; it can also accept payments offline when cell reception is poor. Businesses can manage customers, review purchase histories and sales trends, and export transaction reports compatible with tools such as QuickBooks and Excel. Invoices can be emailed or texted, shared as links, saved as drafts, and configured with automatic payment reminders. The App Marketplace lists QuickBooks Online Sync, Appointments, and Text Loyalty & Reviews, while SwipeSimple says it has no public API or third-party integrations. Connect Zero is $0.00 per free for eligible businesses, with card-paying customers covering a 3.5% card fee. Card-present processing is $2.61; card-not-present processing is $3.51. SwipeSimple is commonly sold with a merchant account and processing agreement through a provider, which handles account support and billing questions.