The best card machines for UK small businesses in 2026 combine low transaction fees, no long-term contract tie-in, and fast next-day payouts. Pay-as-you-go readers like SumUp and Square suit low-volume traders with fees from 1.69%-1.75% per tap, while contract terminals from Dojo, Worldpay and Verifone offer lower per-transaction rates (from 1.4%) once turnover justifies a monthly fee.
With more than a dozen providers now competing for UK SME custom - from challenger fintechs to legacy bank-backed terminal suppliers - choosing the wrong card machine can cost hundreds of pounds a year in unnecessary fees or lock you into a contract that no longer fits your business. This guide compares upfront costs, ongoing fees and contract terms so you can pick the right fit with confidence.
Compare Card Machines And Card Readers — At a Glance
| Provider | Best For | Transaction Fee | Monthly Fee | Contract | Rating /5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low-volume & new businesses | 1.69% | £0 | None - pay as you go | 4.4 | |
| Retail and hospitality startups | 1.75% | £0 | None - pay as you go | 4.5 | |
| PayPal-integrated sellers | 1.75% | £0 | None - pay as you go | 4.2 | |
| Growing SMEs wanting low rates | From 1.4% + 5p | From £20 | Rolling monthly available | 4.6 | |
| Businesses already banking with Revolut | From 1.5% | From £0 | Rolling monthly | 4.3 | |
| Established multi-site businesses | From 1.5% | From £15 | 12-36 months | 4.0 | |
| Hardware-led terminal contracts | From 1.6% | From £15 | 12-48 months | 3.9 | |
| Businesses wanting bundled hardware + support | From 1.5% | From £19.99 | 12-36 months | 3.7 | |
| High street shops and salons | From 1.4% | From £19.99 | 12-48 months | 3.8 | |
| Existing Barclays business banking customers | From 1.6% | From £19.90 | Rolling and fixed options | 4.0 |
Top Card Machines And Card Readers Reviewed
SumUp
SumUp remains one of the most popular entry points for UK sole traders and market stallholders thanks to its £39 Air reader and complete absence of monthly fees. It is straightforward to set up and works well for anyone testing card payments for the first time without committing to a contract.
- No monthly fee or contract
- Cheap upfront hardware from £39
- Simple app-based setup, no bank account needed
- 1.69% flat fee becomes costly at higher volumes
- Limited advanced EPOS integrations
Transaction fee: 1.69%
Square
Square offers some of the best card reader UK options for hospitality and retail businesses, with free-to-£19 hardware and a polished point-of-sale ecosystem. It is particularly strong for businesses that want inventory, staff management and online ordering built in.
- Free or low-cost reader options
- Excellent POS and inventory software
- Fast next-business-day payouts
- 1.75% fee is slightly higher than some rivals
- Customer support can be slow at peak times
Transaction fee: 1.75%
Dojo
Dojo has built a strong reputation among growing UK SMEs for combining competitive interchange-plus pricing with genuinely flexible rolling contracts. Its terminals are fast and reliable, making it a good fit for businesses moving beyond a basic portable card machine UK setup.
- Rates from 1.4% + 5p suit higher volumes
- No long lock-in with rolling monthly plans
- Strong customer support reputation
- Monthly fee from £20 not ideal for very low volume
- Requires application and approval process
Transaction fee: From 1.4% + 5p
Zettle by PayPal
Zettle suits businesses already using PayPal for online sales, offering matching flat-rate pricing and quick fund transfers into a linked PayPal balance. It is a solid pay-as-you-go option but lacks some of Square's deeper retail features.
- Seamless PayPal account integration
- No monthly fees or contracts
- Affordable card reader hardware
- 1.75% fee is uncompetitive at scale
- Fewer EPOS integrations than Square
Transaction fee: 1.75%
Revolut
Revolut's card machine offering appeals to business owners already using Revolut Business banking, with competitive rates and no mandatory monthly fee on entry-level plans. It is a strong contender for tech-savvy small businesses wanting everything in one app.
- Rates from 1.5% with no monthly fee tier
- Instant integration with Revolut Business accounts
- Modern app and reporting dashboard
- Best value tied to using Revolut banking
- Newer to UK card machines than legacy rivals
Transaction fee: From 1.5%
Worldpay
Worldpay is a long-established name in UK card machine small business UK terminals, offering competitive interchange-plus rates for businesses with consistent turnover. It suits multi-site retailers needing reliable, bank-grade infrastructure.
- Competitive rates from 1.5% at volume
- Reliable, well-established infrastructure
- Wide range of terminal hardware options
- Contracts typically 12-36 months
- Less flexible for very small or seasonal businesses
Transaction fee: From 1.5%
Handepay
Handepay is a familiar face on the UK high street, offering bundled terminal packages with dedicated account management for shops, salons and cafes. Rates are competitive but contracts require careful review before signing.
- Rates from 1.4% for qualifying businesses
- Dedicated local account support
- Bundled hardware and software packages
- Contracts up to 48 months are common
- Early exit fees can be significant
Transaction fee: From 1.4%
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best card machine for small businesses in the UK?
The best card machine depends on your specific business needs, but popular choices for UK small businesses include the Ingenico iCT250, SumUp Air, and PayPal Zettle due to their reliability, competitive transaction fees, and ease of use. Consider factors such as transaction costs (typically 1.49% to 2.75% per transaction), compatibility with your existing systems, and whether you need contactless and mobile payment capabilities.
How much does a card machine cost in the UK?
Card machine costs in the UK vary significantly depending on the provider and type of device. Portable card readers typically cost between £20-£300, whilst traditional countertop terminals range from £100-£500, with some premium models exceeding £1,000. Many providers offer free or heavily subsidised equipment if you commit to their payment processing services.
What is the cheapest card reader for small businesses in the UK?
The cheapest card readers for UK small businesses are smartphone-based solutions like SumUp Air, PayPal Zettle, and Square Reader, which cost between £20-£40 upfront. These mobile card readers connect directly to your smartphone or tablet via the headphone jack or Bluetooth, making them ideal for traders, market vendors, and micro-businesses with minimal setup costs.
Is a portable or countertop card machine better for my business?
Portable card machines suit businesses that operate on the move, such as markets, pop-ups, and mobile traders, offering flexibility and lower upfront costs. Countertop machines are better for fixed retail locations where high transaction volumes occur, providing faster processing speeds, larger screens, and more integrated payment features, though they require more initial investment.
Do I need a contract to get a card machine in the UK?
Many UK card machine providers now offer flexible, contract-free options, particularly mobile and cloud-based solutions like SumUp and Square. However, traditional terminal providers may still require 12-36 month contracts with early termination fees, so it is essential to check the specific terms before committing to ensure you understand any potential penalties.
How to Choose the Right Card Machines And Card Readers for Your Business
Transaction volume is the single biggest factor in choosing between a pay-as-you-go reader and a contract terminal. Businesses taking under roughly £3,000-£5,000 a month in card payments typically save money with a no-monthly-fee reader like SumUp or Square, since the flat 1.69%-1.75% rate outweighs any monthly charge. Once turnover consistently exceeds this level, the lower interchange-plus rates from Dojo, Worldpay or Handepay usually work out cheaper despite the monthly fee, so it is worth running the numbers against your actual average ticket size.
Contract flexibility matters just as much as headline rates. Pay-as-you-go providers let you stop using the device at any time with no penalty, which suits seasonal traders, market stalls and businesses still testing demand. Traditional merchant services contracts from Takepayments, Handepay and
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