Compare card payment machines

Card payment machines come in a range of shapes and sizes, with different machines designed for different businesses. Here’s how to find the right one for you.

Why should my business get a card reader?

According to UK Finance, cash was used for just 17% of all payments in the UK in 2020. Meanwhile, the number of contactless payments rose by 12% to 9.6 billion payments and accounted for more than a quarter of all UK payments. The use of mobile phones and smartwatches to make payments is also growing.

All of this means that it’s becoming increasingly important that your business is able to accept card payments if you don’t want to risk losing out on sales.

UK card readers

Below is a list of some of the best UK card readers available:

Barclaycard

The Barclaycard Anywhere card reader enables you to take credit, debit and digital payments in-store or on the move. It comes with a pay as you go contract and there’s a one-off rental fee of £29 plus VAT. It has a transaction fee of 1.6%.

You’ll be able to manage payments in real-time with the Barclaycard Anywhere app on your mobile device, and you can then connect your card reader via Bluetooth. The app allows users to export data to make accounting easier, check sales, issue e-receipts and give refunds from your online dashboard as well as add multiple users on a single account.

The Barclaycard Flex card reader has a monthly rental fee of £20 plus VAT and comes with an 18 month contract. You can choose between a pay-as-you-go option, which is useful if you’re a seasonal trader or your annual card turnover is less than £200,000. You can also choose a tailored pricing package for your business if you take more than £200,000 in card payments annually.

SumUp

SumUp has 4 different types of card reader. They come at different costs but all have a transaction fee of 1.69%.

SumUp Air and SumUp Air and Cradle are the most compact, and the cheapest options at £29 and £39, respectively. Both work together with the free SumUp app and both connect via Bluetooth to your smartphone or tablet. SumUp Air can be a good option for businesses in-store and on the go for deliveries.

SumUp Solo is a standalone device with a touchscreen interface and comes at a cost of £99. It works with Wi-Fi and also has free unlimited mobile data with a built-in SIM card. In addition, it comes with a charging station to keep your card reader constantly charged.

Finally, SumUp 3G and Printer costs £149 and works without a smartphone. It comes with a built-in SIM card and free unlimited mobile data and Wi-Fi connectivity. It can also print receipts and the printer functions as a charging base.

Square

Square Reader costs just £16 and has a transaction fee of 1.75%. The card reader accepts chip-and-PIN cards, contactless cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay, and it connects wirelessly. Its compact nature makes it easy for transactions on the go, and the app enables you to enter sales quickly and have access to real-time inventory and reporting.

Square Terminal is a larger device that enables you to take payments and print receipts. It is also portable and includes a powerful battery, allowing you to take payments anywhere in your store or restaurant. It comes at a cost of £149 plus VAT and has a 1.75% transaction fee.

Zettle

The Zettle Card Reader 2 is a straightforward device that costs just £29. There is also a 1.75% transaction fee. When paired with one of Zettle’s point-of-sale apps, the reader accepts all credit cards and contactless payments and can be set up quickly. You’ll also be able to send digital receipts, send online invoices and issue full or partial refunds. It also enables you to track staff productivity.

The Zettle Terminal is a larger device than the Zettle Card Reader 2 and allows you to add a receipt printer and docking station if needed, making it a good choice for stores and restaurants with a professional workstation. It comes at a cost of £149 plus VAT and has a 1.75% transaction fee.

takepayments

There are a number of different card readers to choose from with takepayments. All of them come with 12-month contracts and no set-up fees, but prices are personalised depending on your requirements.

• The touchscreen card machine has, as the name suggests, a touchscreen for ease of use and enables you to add up to 6 users.
• The countertop card machine is ideal for those who need to take payments behind a till or reception point. It plugs directly into your broadband or phone line.
• The portable card machine uses wireless Bluetooth technology so that you can take payments at the table. It’s small and light and has a long-lasting battery. /li>
• The mobile card machine uses 3G to connect to a GPRS signal via a SIM card so that you can accept card payments anytime, anywhere. It’s light and portable and has an integrated printer.

There’s also takepaymentsplus, which costs £25 a month and allows you to access real-time reporting and accountancy-ready sales reports. It also gives you up-to-date reporting on the stock you sell.

Dojo

Dojo offers two types of card reader – the Dojo Go which is a standalone, on-the-go device and the Dojo One which is an integrated, countertop terminal. Both card machines cost between £15 and £20 per month, depending on your business’s annual card turnover and a variable transaction cost of 1.3% +3p to 2.3% +3p depending on card type and payment method.

How to compare card reader machines

Fees and charges

Card machines feature a range of fees and charges. Some of the most common include the following:

• Initial or monthly costs. There will usually be an upfront fee for buying the card reader outright (or renting it in some cases) or a monthly fee for renting it. Check whether VAT is included.
• Transaction costs. These can range between 1.6% and 1.75% and are charged each time a transaction is carried out.
• Card not present transaction costs. Some card readers might charge separate fees for transactions taken over the phone.
• Chargeback costs. You may have to pay a fee if a customer disputes a transaction and the card payment is returned.
• Refund costs. If you’re signed up to a contract and want to get out of it early, there may be a fee to pay.
• Cancellation costs. You may have to pay a fee if a customer disputes a transaction and the card payment is returned.
• Contract. Depending on the provider, you might be charged a monthly contract fee.

Features

• Connectivity. Check whether your card reader needs to be connected to a phone or tablet, whether it only uses Wi-Fi or whether it can also use GPRS technology.
• Payment methods. Check whether the card reader can take chip-and-PIN and contactless payments as well as Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Google Pay.
• Settlement in working days. Check how soon the money from a transaction will reach your account. This is often between 1 and 3 working days.
• Battery life. How many transactions can the card reader carry out before needing to be recharged?
• Warranty period. Check whether it comes with a 12-month or 24-month warranty if there are any issues with the device.
• Money back guarantee. Will you get your money back if you’re not satisfied with your card reader? Check how long you have to return the device to qualify.
• Cashback. Some card reader providers offer benefits such as cashback, so factor this into your comparison.

Add-ons

• Printer. Some card readers come with an in-built printer, which can be handy for receipts.
• Barcode scanner. Consider whether your business would benefit from having a barcode scanner on the device.
• Dock. Check whether the device comes with a dock for easy charging.

Pros and cons of card readers

Frequently asked questions

• What is the cheapest way to take card payments?

  This will depend on the type of business you run and the type of card machine you need. Always compare your options carefully to check you’re getting the best deal.

• How do I take payment over the phone on a card machine?

  To do this, you’ll need to enter the cost of the item on the machine and then type in the customer’s 16-digit credit or debit card number. You’ll also be asked to enter the expiry date and the 3-digit security code from the back of the card.

• How much does a card payment machine cost?

  This will depend on the provider and the type of card reader you require, but it can vary between £16 and £149.

• How can I accept credit card payments without a machine?

  You can do this through digital payment services such as PayPal, beepaid or GoCardless.