By Tim Adler on Small Business UK – Advice and Ideas for UK Small Businesses and SMEs Including Square, the SumUp Air and Zettle 2, we break down the fees and functions of the best card payment machines for UK small businesses The post 10 card payment machines ideal for small business appeared first on Small Business UK.
By Tim Adler on Small Business UK – Advice and Ideas for UK Small Businesses and SMEs
In an increasingly cashless society, if you don’t have card payment machines, you risk losing out on sales.
A survey carried out by UK Finance published in July 2024, found that debit card payments made up more than half of all payments made in the UK, and were expected to reach 5.7 billion instances by 2033. It is also estimated that over 90 per cent of of consumers make contactless payments at least once a month or more frequently.
40 per cent of the UK’s micro businesses do not accept card payments – This is despite digital payments being the preferred way to pay for 47 per cent of shoppers
There are countless card machines for small businesses on the market today, and most enable you to take chip and PIN, contactless, and mobile payments.
But there are differences in features, fees and upfront costs which will make some more or less suitable for your business than others.
This article will break down the hardware and functionality of the best card payment machines currently on the market to help you choose the one that’s right for you.
You can jump straight to a particular card machine or read on to find more info on the 10 best card payment machines for small UK businesses in 2025.
Card Payment Machine Reviews
- Square Reader
- Tide Card Reader
- TakePayments
- SumUp Air
- Zettle Reader 2
- MyPOS Go
- Barclaycard Smartpay Anywhere
- Tyl (by Natwest)
- Shopify
- Worldpay DX800
How much does a typical card payment machine cost?
Card payment machine costs are made up of the cost of the device and the cost of payment processing fees.
Device cost
Mobile card readers generally cost between £20 and £60, countertop card machines cost between £40 and £250.
You can either buy the device outright or rent the device for a monthly cost. This changes from provider to provider.
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Fees
Transaction fees are taken by your card payment provider as a percentage of every payment made through your card machine. They’re typically between 1.5 per cent and 2 per cent of the value of the transaction, and sometimes have a fixed amount in pennies (e.g. 20p) added on top.
So, if the customer buys an item costing £25, and your transaction fee is 1.75 per cent, you’ll be charged around 43p by your card payment provider.
Card payment providers will also advertise a card not present (CNP) transaction. A CNP transaction occurs when neither the cardholder or their card are present for the transaction – in other words, an online or phone payment, or a recurring payment.
CNP fees are usually around 2.5 per cent. They’re higher for the simple reason that there’s a greater risk of fraud during these kinds of payments.
Countertop vs portable vs mobile card readers
There are three types of card payment machine: countertop, portable, and mobile.
Countertop card machines are designed to be used at designated till points in your store. Although they don’t offer any portability, they’re usually very reliable in terms of their connectivity. They’re best for businesses with a fixed payment point such as a grocery or small retailer.
Portable credit card machines are battery-powered devices that use Wi-Fi to take card payments anywhere on your site. They’re best for cafes and restaurants.
Mobile card readers are even more compact, battery-powered devices that use a GPRS (3G or 4G) signal to take card payments wherever you are. They also usually have Wi-Fi functionality as well. They’re great for pop up shops, markets, festivals, street food vans – anywhere really.
This article will predominantly focus on mobile card readers, as they’re the most affordable and offer the most flexibility to growing small businesses.
Most of the providers below also sell other hardware such as charging docks, receipt printers, countertop systems and tills.
You only need the card payment device to start taking payments, but these items allow you to enhance your POS system as your business grows.
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Card payment machines – the options
The 10 card payment machines below are great options for small businesses, offering competitive fees and great features.
Square Reader
| Device cost | £19 + VAT |
| Transaction fee | 1.75% |
| CNP fee | 2.5% |
| Key features | ● Battery lasts 20 per cent longer than previous model ● Weighs just 56g ● Accepts chip and PIN cards, contactless, Apple Pay and Google Pay ● Funds deposited the next business day |
The Square Reader is the most sleek, simple and affordable card reader on the market. This appropriately square-shaped device costs just £19 + VAT, much lower than competitors.
And weighing in at just 56g, it’s not just the price that’s low. All you have to do is sync it to your phone via Bluetooth and start selling. You can then monitor and manage all your sales from Square’s free app. All funds are deposited the next working day. As a Square user, you also get 24/7 fraud prevention, payment dispute and data protection included as standard.
Nifty features include specially-designed POS dashboards for restaurants, restaurants and mobile businesses who need to make appointments, such as hairdressers or masseurs.
And Square also has a whole arsenal of other payments kit you can buy to create a full POS setup including terminals, registers, and other hardware and accessories.
Businesses that take more than £200,000 a year in card sales can request a customised transaction fee.
Tide Card Reader
| Device cost | £59 + VAT or upgrade to Card Reader Pus for £79 |
|---|---|
| Transaction fee | From 0.79% + 3p |
| CNP fee | TBC |
| Key features | Lifetime free 4G connectivity (worth £5 pm)
Accept Contactless, Chip + Pin, Digital wallets Sleek and compact device to enable both in-store and mobile payments |
The Tide Card Reader is designed for mobility, so you can use it for in-store or on-the-go transactions. It is your ticket to seamless payments, anytime, anywhere.
With Tide Card reader, you can accept card and mobile payments on the go with no monthly contracts and minimal transaction fees. You also have unlimited 4G data, eliminating the need for Bluetooth connectivity. With a lifetime of free 4G connectivity and compatibility with Visa, Mastercard, ApplePay, and GooglePay, it’s time to unlock a new level of payment convenience.
When it comes to payment, you have a couple of options. You can pay (£59 or upgrade to the Tide Card Reader Plus for £79) upfront, as well as a monthly fee of £12.99. Alternatively, you can choose to rent the device for £24.99 per month (the minimum rental period is 12 months), with nothing to pay up front. With both these options, transaction fees start from 0.79 per cent + 3p. Finally, you can also opt for the pay-as-you-go model. You pay £59 upfront, but there’s no monthly fee. Instead, you’ll pay increased transaction fees of 1.39 per cent + 5p.
Get £200 Cash with Tide when you sign up using code GETPAIDSUMMER.
TakePayments
| Device cost | from £7.50 + VAT |
| Transaction fee | Based on business turnover but between 0.3%-2.5% + flat fee |
| CNP fee | Dependent on payment service provider |
| Key features | ● Shorter contract lengths ● No setup or exit fees ● Payments settled next working day ● Customisable dashboard ● Realtime inventory tracking ● Accepts all major payment types including Google and Apple Pay, Amex and Diners Club, and contactless |
Stockport-based TakePayments has provided card terminals and online payment solutions for over 30 years. It is one of the fastest-growing card payment companies in the UK with over 70,000 customers.
takepaymentsplus card reader
A fast and reliable Android terminal that lets you take both card and cash payments.
Some key features include:
- Speedy 4G and WiFi connection
- Stock and pricing management from the device
- Ability to split payments
- Detailed transaction reporting to see how your business is performing
- Access to a Management Portal to handle your business remotely
takepaymentsplus pricing: £25 + VAT monthly (18-month contract)
Or, if you’re just looking to take payments quickly, their A920Pro card machine and DX8000 terminal take only four simple steps to set up. Stay connected with 4G and WiFi, and accept Apple and Google Pay as standard.
Terminal rental from £15 + VAT.
The transaction fee based on business turnover and the CNP (card not present) fee is dependent on payment acquirer.
Own POS system
TakePayments uses its own EPOS system called tPOS, which cannot be downloaded onto an iPad or other tablet and has its own tablet register.
tPOS is available in two forms, Counter and Complete. Plus, their dedicated team will provide full training and customer support seven days a week.
tPOS starts from £45 a month.
Some key features include:
- Product management and stock inventory
- Ability to split payments and serve multiple customers at once
- Fixed discounts and offers
- Ability to add notes and configure orders
- Enhanced reporting
Get started with Take Payments
SumUp Air Card Reader
| Device cost | £30 (£34.80 with charging dock) |
| Transaction fee | 0.99% (subscription) 1.69% (pay-as-you-go) |
| CNP fee | 2.5% |
| Key features | ● 500 transactions per charge ● Contactless & Chip & PIN ● Payments settled in 1 day ● Accepts all major payment types including Google and Apple Pay, Amex and Diners Club ● Email and SMS receipts |
Thanks to its ease of use and practicality, this stylish and lightweight portable card reader is currently one of the popular card readers for small businesses.
It’s easy to set up and start using. All you need to do to start accepting contactless, chip and PIN, and mobile payments from all major providers is to pair the device with your smartphone, which takes minutes.
You can then start using the SumUp Air anywhere with Wi-Fi or data coverage, and it can process 500 transactions on a single charge – at 12 hours, it’s probably the best battery life on the market.
Available for a one-off cost of just £34.80* with the charging dock, and with a transaction fee of just 0.99 per cent if you subscribe to SumUp One (or 1.69 per cent for the pay-as-you-go option), it’s also very affordable. And they have also sped up the length of time for payments to appear in your account to just one day.
You also get access to a handy smartphone app, with a dashboard that allows you to view your product catalogue, track sales, and send digital receipts.
*Advertised cost for one card reader for new customers. Normal price is £49 + VAT.
Compare card payment machine quotes
Zettle Reader 2
| Device cost | from £29 + VAT (with Zettle Dock 2 £68) |
| Transaction fee | 1.75% |
| CNP fee | 2.5% |
| Key features | ● 8 hour battery life (100 transactions) ● Accepts all major payment types including Google and Apple Pay, Amex and Diners Club, and contactless ● Payments settled in 1-2 business days ● Email and print receipts |
The Zettle Reader 2 is another lightweight (just 130g) device that you can pair with your Apple or Android smartphone and start using within minutes using the Zettle app.
It accepts all major debit and credit card payment types and has a decent eight-hour battery life – though this only lasts for around 100 transactions, which is no match for SumUp’s 500.
Where the Zettle Reader 2 really seeks to differentiate itself is in its focus on security. Claiming to be one of the safest card readers on the market, Zettle’s tamper-proof device adheres to the highest industry standards, and is fully encrypted by HSMs cryptographic servers.
And if you do spot a suspicious charge, Zettle’s transaction protection covers up to £250 in chargebacks per month.
As with the SumUp Air, there are no monthly fees – you just pay a flat rate per transaction, though at 1.75 per cent, this is slightly higher than its rival.
But at £29 + VAT, the Zettle Reader 2 is cheaper than the SumUp Air. Be aware that this price is only available or new users. Additional card readers are charged at £69 + VAT.
Compare card payment machine quotes
myPOS Go 2
| Device cost | £29 + VAT |
| Transaction fee | 1.1% + 7p (Amex 2.45% + 7p) |
| CNP fee | 1.3% + 15p (Amex 2.5% + 15p) |
| Key features | ● Digital receipts via email or SMS; ability to pair with the myPOS Go 2 Printing Dock ● Instant access to funds at no added fees ● Accepts all major payment types including Google and Apple Pay, Amex and local payment methods such as JCB, UnionPay and Bancontact, plus contactless and Chip & PIN ● Tracks individual staff performance and splits tips ● Tactile keyboard |
Weighing 180g, its design isn’t as sleek and stylish as rivals, but under the hood, myPOS Go 2 is another highly functional and compact mobile card reader.
The device costs £39 + VAT and its transaction fee is 1.10 per cent + 7p (up to £10,000 monthky turnover, custom fees from then on) but can be much lower as your turnover increases.
The Linux-driven myPOS Go 2 card reader has several other features that set it apart from competitors. You get a free e-money merchant account, with a dedicated IBAN in 14 currencies, making it easy to take international payments.
Unlike the days you might have to wait with other providers, card payments are settled in your account in less than three seconds, and you get instant access to funds via your free VISA business card.
We also like the multi-operator mode, which allows you to monitor individual staff performance and split tips accordingly.
Compare card payment machine quotes
Barclaycard Smartpay Anywhere
| Device cost | £29 + VAT |
| Transaction fee | Customised for each business |
| CNP fee | n/a |
| Key features | ● Contactless and Chip & PIN ● Accepts major payment providers including Visa, Mastercard, Google, Apple Pay, Diners Club (Discover), Union Pay, JCB and Amex ● Payments settled the next business day for transactions taken before 7pm ● Email receipts ● Free FreshBooks account ● Powered by a feature packed app for iOS and Android optimised for both mobile and tablet ● Includes access to a web portal giving real time access to sales reports and dashboards |
Barclaycard Smartpay Anywhere is aimed at hospitality and retail businesses, with the “app” turning it into a POS solution. It does not connect with cash drawers, or barcode scanners – but does connect to wireless printers and an app and web portal.
It has next-working-day settlement and, in addition to the standard Mastercard and Visa, accepts Amex and Diners Club (Discover).
Barclaycard has recently changed its transaction fee structure to be customised for each business. That means that, potentially, you could be able to access very competitively priced fees.
It’s also powered by a feature filled app as well as access to a web portal providing real time data and insight into your business performance. If you need support there is a 24/7 customer support team, and it is PCI compliant without fees or the need for attestation.
However, unlike some rivals, when applying for Smartpay Anywhere, you have to go through an online vetting process checking financial and borrowing history to be approved for a device, which Barclays says ensures the device is suitable for your business before you pay for it.
The pros are that it’s a compact and affordable card reader at £29 + VAT with low transaction fees and payments settled the next day (if transactions are done before 7pm).
Compare card payment machine quotes
Tyl (by NatWest)
| Device cost | From £13.99 + VAT monthly |
| Transaction fee | 1.39%-1.99% + 5p dependent on sales volume |
| CNP fee | N/A |
| Key features | ● 12-month contract ● 8-hour battery life ● Payments settled within one business day ● Accepts all major payment types including Google and Apple Pay, Amex and Diners Club, and contactless |
Tyl by NatWest offers a range of card machines to suit different business setups, from fixed retail counters to mobile operations. Its line-up now focuses on PAX-branded devices rather than the Clover Flex, giving businesses options that balance portability, features, and cost.
At the entry level, the PAX A80 is a sturdy countertop model with flexible connectivity. For those who need something smaller, the PAX A50 is a pocket-sized mobile terminal with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and 4G, while the PAX A920 Pro offers a larger touchscreen and enhanced functionality for both in-store and on-the-go payments. Tyl also supports Tap to Pay on compatible iPhone and Android devices.
Monthly rental costs for Tyl’s card machines generally range from around £13.99 to £19.99 + VAT, depending on the device. Transaction fees start from 1.39% + 5p for UK and European personal cards, with higher rates for other card types. Additional features like sales tracking, reporting, and next-day settlement are included through the Tyl Portal, and optional online payment gateways are available for businesses that also sell remotely.
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Shopify WisePad 3 Reader
| Device cost | £59 + VAT |
| Transaction fee | 1.5%-2% online + 25p/1.5%-1.7% in person |
| CNP fee | 2.5% |
| Key features | ● Fully integrated with Shopify POS ● Payment within 3 working days ● 4-hour full charge for 500-600 transactions ● Accepts all major payment types including Google and Apple Pay, Amex and Diners Club, and contactless |
The Shopify WisePad 3 is a compact, Bluetooth-enabled card reader built to integrate seamlessly with the Shopify POS ecosystem. Designed for chip & PIN and contactless payments, it supports all major card types and mobile wallets, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, V Pay, Maestro, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. The device is EMV-certified and PCI-compliant, with built-in encryption to protect card data. A customer-facing display and integrated PIN pad provide a professional checkout experience while helping build trust at the point of sale.
Weighing just 130 g, the WisePad 3 is highly portable, making it suitable for both fixed in-store setups and mobile selling at pop-ups, events, or markets. It connects wirelessly to iPads, iPhones, and Android devices within a 10 m range, and its 750 mAh battery supports all-day operation. The reader is supplied with a charging cable and quick start guide, so setup is straightforward.
To use the WisePad 3, you’ll need a Shopify POS subscription, which links in-person and online sales through a unified back office. Plans start from as little as £1/month for the first three months after a 3-day free trial, with transparent in-person payment rates from 1.7% + 0p (excl. VAT). This integration means your sales, inventory, and customer data are all managed in one place. At £59, the WisePad 3 is more expensive than other card readers, but it’s a great option if you are a Shopify user.
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Worldpay DX800
| Device cost | £15 per month (special offer: £1 per month for 12 months on an 18-month contract) |
| Transaction cost | Custom pricing or Simplicity tariff (1.50% per Mastercard and Visa transaction) |
| CNP fee | Varies depending on the pricing plan and card type |
| Key features | ● Mobile & Wi-Fi enabled for payments on the go ● Accepts major cards ● Touchscreen display for easy navigation ● Prints receipts for customers ● Worldpay Dashboard access for transaction tracking and insights ● Next-day terminal replacement service available |
The Worldpay DX8000 is a mobile card machine designed for businesses that need flexible, on-the-go payment processing. It supports dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity, making it ideal for businesses operating across multiple indoor and outdoor locations. With a large touchscreen display, contactless reader, and receipt printing capabilities, the DX8000 enhances usability and improves transaction efficiency.
The DX800 also stands out thanks to its payment flexibility. If you want a pricing model that’s tailored to your business, you can opt for the custom pricing tariff, though this is only available to businesses taking £75k or more annually. If you have lower revenue, or if you prefer more predictable pricing, you can choose the simplicity pricing tariff, which rolls all the standard charges into one transparent monthly cost.
With its versatile payment options and strong connectivity features, the Worldpay DX8000 is a great choice for small businesses looking for a reliable and user-friendly card reader.
Compare card payment machine quotes
Which is the best card payment device?
By now you’ve either discovered the card reader that’s right for your business, or you are left bamboozled by a dizzying range of different card payment machines, fee structures and additional features.
If it’s the latter, don’t worry. Our top picks would be Square, Tide or Takepayments. Each offers a great balance of functionality and cost-effectiveness, and delivers the level of payment performance that you need to succeed.
That said, we’ve selected all the above card payment machines for their flexibility, simplicity and practicality, and each one would be a great option for your small business. Happy selling.
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Further reading
Best payment processors for UK small businesses – 11 of the best – What’s the best payment system for your small business? 11 of the best payment processors for UK SMEs reviewed
Other card payment solutions UK businesses might consider include: Dojo Go, Teya, Lightspeed, Ingenico, Revolut Reader
The post 10 card payment machines ideal for small business appeared first on Small Business UK.
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