9+ best card machines for small UK businesses compared

At MobileTransaction, we have spent the last ten years testing and comparing card machines so you don’t have to. The models in shops and on my desk used to be clunky, but now there are many sleek mobile card readers that work just as well.

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Square Reader is the smallest, most lightweight card machine on this list, but it does need a Bluetooth connection to the free Point of Sale app on your phone or tablet. It is literally a square-shaped, plastic card machine that’s white all over, but the technology makes it just as reliable as push-button PIN pad machines.

When a transaction is entered in the iOS/Android app, your mobile device communicates with the card reader to accept the tap or chip card. Lacking a keypad, PIN codes are entered on your mobile screen in the POS app, which we didn’t have any trouble with.

The app makes it simple to add items from your product library to the shopping cart or enter a custom amount at checkout, before choosing a payment method.

Frankly, Square Point of Sale has the most POS features out of all the free card machine apps. Specialised till apps for retail, restaurants and professional services are also offered by Square, including add-on subscriptions for customer loyalty, email marketing and team management.

If you prefer a standalone credit card machine, Square Terminal connects directly with a WiFi network. It has a touchscreen with Square Point of Sale features built in – perfect as a portable checkout on your premises.

You can also send e-invoices, accept phone payments and enter card details in the app for 2.5% per transaction. Transactions through Square’s online store, payment links and QR codes cost 1.4% + 25p for UK-issued cards and 2.5% + 25p for all non-UK cards.

Accepted cards

To get started, you complete an online sign-up form, then order the chosen card machine. It takes a few days to get your bank account verified, but you can start taking payments before that.

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The most popular plan, Takepaymentsplus, includes the smart POS terminal PAX A920Pro with a large touchscreen, tactile sticker for the visually impaired and built-in SIM card with mobile data.

It has a complete (and easy to use, in our tests) till app that’s ideal as a mobile checkout, with the ability to add a product library and monitor sales by staff members. The package costs £25 + VAT per month and has an 18 months’ contract.

For £7.50 + VAT monthly (Easy Deal) and a £150 + VAT one-off charge, you only get basic payment software on the same terminal so you can accept cards. This doesn’t have a minimum monthly service charge, includes PCI compliance, and only has a contract of 30 days that is cancellable any time with a month’s notice.

Credit: MobileTransaction

If you want a different high-end card machine, Takepayments offers the Ingenico DX8000 terminal that’s black and also has a large touchscreen. We find this better for dirty environments, as marks and stains won’t show easily on its dark exterior.

Transaction fees depend on your average transaction value, turnover and cards accepted, ranging between 0.3%-2.5% + a flat fee. The quoted rates are better if your business usually accepts high transaction values. Fees for refunds and chargebacks also apply.

On an annual plan, we were given the following extra fees.

Firstly, an early cancellation fee equivalent to buying out the contract applies if you do not give an exit notice of two months during the initial term. If you make less than an agreed amount during a month, there’s also a monthly minimum service charge. Monthly or annual fees for PCI-DSS compliance apply.

Accepted cards

Takepayments actually signs you up for two contracts: one for themselves and one for EVO or Elavon that provide your merchant account for card processing. Next-day settlement with EVO is free.

For an additional cost, remote payments can be added, such as pay by link, telephone payments, QR codes for table service, and an online payment gateway for ecommerce. For more extensive POS features, you can opt for a tPOS package with a touchscreen register and EPOS software tailored to your industry.

Signing up requires talking to a Takepayments sales rep, most likely in connection with a physical visit to your premises. After onboarding, you have access to customer support every day within working hours.

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The standalone terminal SumUp Solo and Printer is the cheapest card machine with a receipt printer in the UK. It features a black and white touchscreen that’s visible in bright daylight, with basic software for accepting tips, chip and contactless cards. It doesn’t have a product library or much to impress, but we find it effective for simple transactions nonetheless.

The printing cradle doubles as a power bank, ideal for both countertops and on the go. It works with WiFi or 4G, since it has a SIM card built in free of charge.

You can also buy SumUp Solo with just a desktop charging stand. Either way, Solo can be taken out of its cradle or printer and put in your pocket for the most compact setup.

Credit: MobileTransaction

Alternatively, the cheap card reader SumUp Air has been a trusted option for years in the UK. It works with a user-friendly app that has a wide range of features including a product library and cash acceptance.

The app also gives access to payment links, email invoices and a basic online store creator at no monthly cost, just a 2.5% transaction fee. SumUp Virtual Terminal is available for eligible merchants for 2.95% + 25p per transaction.

SumUp accepts mobile wallets and most card brands.

Accepted cards

It’s quick to sign up on SumUp’s website, after which you can order a card machine. Shipping takes up to a week, which is a bit longer than the other options on this list.

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There’s a monthly rental fee (max. £20 + VAT) for Dojo Go, monthly platform fee (£10 + VAT) for access to the payment platform, and charges for transactions and a few other things.

The plan is best suited for businesses with a consistent sales volume, because you’ll have to pay a minimum of £24.95 per month towards transactions (“monthly minimum service charge”).

Credit: MobileTransaction

Transaction fees depend on the brand and type of card accepted. Consumer debit cards from Visa, Mastercard and Maestro cost only 0.75% + 5p per transaction, while consumer credit cards are 1.2% + 5p. Business, premium and corporate cards cost 1.99% + 5p per transaction. Amex has their own (typically higher) fees that are variable.

Above an annual card turnover of £150k, Dojo customises your rates which may fall between 0.3%-2% plus a fixed authorisation fee.

You get free next-day payouts with Dojo – including Bank Holidays and weekends – which is faster than most payment providers can guarantee.

Accepted cards

A smaller card terminal, Dojo Pocket, is available for table service, but this is only for Dojo Go customers who’s renting the PAX A920 terminal as well.

Overall, Dojo is a great option for staffed businesses that consistently make several thousands of pounds a month and need a quality card machine for most situations. If onboarding goes smoothly, you should be up and running within a week.

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Additional fees may apply, like a monthly minimum service charge if you don’t make enough money one month. The Custom fee plan is overall better value than Simplicity, but it’s not available for lower-earning businesses.

To receive a quote on fees, you just need to sign up online and await a callback from a Worldpay consultant. Card machine packages are unique to your business, so it’s not a one-size-fits-all arrangement.

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Card machine rental starts at £17.95 + VAT for a standard model (Ingenico Desk/5000), and then you have transaction charges and merchant account fees on top. While SumUp and Square use their own merchant account for card processing, Worldpay gives you a unique merchant account that is better for payments stability.

Beware that Worldpay may not be transparent about all fees, so make sure you get them to explain all the costs and responsibilities involved. For instance, PCI-DSS compliance is required for a cost of £5 + VAT monthly on the Custom plan.

Accepted cards

Email invoicing, an online payment gateway (for ecommerce), virtual terminal for phone payments and payment links have an additional monthly cost.

A great thing about Worldpay is the free phone support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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myPOS sells a choice of card machines to meet the needs of any merchant. They all come with a built-in SIM card connecting with the local mobile network anywhere in the UK and EEA to process chip, swipe and contactless card payments.

The lowest-cost option is myPOS Go, which is in fact the cheapest standalone card reader in the UK. The latest version (myPOS Go 2) looks simple, but it exceeds even SumUp in its ability to accept preauthorisation payments and sell mobile top-ups. If you get the bundle that includes a charging and printing dock (£179 + VAT), you can print receipts too. It does not, however, work with WiFi.

Credit: MobileTransaction

myPOS Pro (top) and myPOS Go 2 (bottom) are independent terminals that include a debit card.

myPOS Pro, on the other hand, works with WiFi and network connections like 4G. Featuring all-day battery power and a large touchscreen, its selection of optional apps elevates it from a simple card machine to portable POS system. It comes with a built-in receipt printer too.

Accepted cards

myPOS’s sign-up process is a bit longer than other pay-as-you-go services, as you’ll need to submit documentation and complete a video identification call. When ordering a card machine, myPOS also adds a £6 shipping charge.

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The main card machine is a PAX A920Pro smart POS terminal with a large touchscreen and receipt printer, a step up from the original PAX A920. It comes with a white desktop holder and lime-coloured silicone casing to protect it from wear and tear. Its complimentary SIM card with unlimited free data enables you to use it straight out of the box, though WiFi can be set up too.

The payment app on the terminal is quite basic, allowing you to enter a transaction amount, add a transaction reference (if relevant) and proceed to accept a chip and PIN card or contactless payment. Some additional functions can be switched on, like tipping, Dynamic Currency Conversion or preauthorisations if you’re a hotel.

Credit: MobileTransaction

Another model has recently been launched too: the Sunmi P2 Pro touchscreen card machine (Teya Pro). This is pricier than PAX A920Pro (Teya Essential), but with better speed, screen resolution and battery performance.

The card machines work on its own or integrated with certain POS systems. If more point of sale features are needed, it’s possible to download the Loyverse POS app on the terminal for a free, portable checkout with a product library.

There’s no direct integration with accounting software, only some basic end-of-day reports and exports of card sales.

When we received the PAX terminal for testing, it was extremely easy to set up. The long-lasting battery comes fully charged and the terminal has clear, simple instructions so it only takes minutes to accept the first card. Teya also likes to meet its merchants in person for onboarding, so the service is good from the start.

Accepted cards

Merchants typically get a fixed transaction fee for all Visa and Mastercard transactions and higher rate for Amex and Diners Club on most plans. These fees cover PCI-DSS compliance, chargebacks and everything else traditional providers tend to charge extra for. The chip and tap rates even apply to payment links sent from the terminal.

Transactions settle in your bank account the next working day morning, or in the free Teya Business Account with a debit card and 0.5% cash-back on card transactions.

The main downside of Teya is probably its limited support hours, which so far only covers weekday daytime hours, not weekends or evenings. If a terminal breaks down, however, a new one is sent free for the next working day.

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The tamper-proof Zettle Reader comes in black or white, with a simple push-button keypad and display asking the customer to add a tip (if relevant) or enter their PIN. You have to keep the card payment machine connected, via Bluetooth, to a smartphone or tablet with the Zettle Go POS app to take payments.

The Zettle app is user-friendly with important POS features for most businesses. We found it extremely efficient for straightforward payments when testing it, but it is likewise too basic for complicated product ranges.

Alternatively, you can opt for the latest card machine that feels like a smartphone: Zettle Terminal (£149 + VAT). It works without a phone or tablet, and features a touchscreen with Zettle’s free POS app installed. The built-in SIM card connects directly with 4G if not using WiFi, and you can get it with a built-in barcode scanner (£199 + VAT) or receipt printer attachment.

If you need to charge clients remotely, you can send payment links so the customer can pay on their phone. These key-in transactions cost 2.5%.

Accepted cards

Zettle accepts many card brands – whether contactless or chip and PIN – for the same fixed percentage even for foreign and premium cards. Payments are credited to your bank account within 1-2 working days, minus the transaction fee.

Signing up is straightforward: on Zettle’s website, you just fill in some details about your business and bank account. They will verify your identity and perform a credit check to ensure everything is in order. In most cases, you are accepted straight away and can order the contactless payment machine immediately.

While Zettle used to be the leading card reader company in the UK, it has had to give way to Square and SumUp competing in the same segments. The two latter has added more functionality in recent years, and SumUp’s transaction fee is the best in market for new businesses.

We’ve also noticed a clear rebrand towards PayPal (Zettle’s owner), with features removed and terms shared between the brands. In other words, Zettle might eventually be just ‘PayPal’ with a far less attractive product than Zettle was in its heyday.

What’s the best card machine? Questions answered

Any of these card machines can be considered ‘best’ for some businesses, so it’s important to consider your priorities.