Paymentsense vs takepayments UK 2026: Fees, Features & Which to Choose

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Paymentsense and takepayments are two of the UK's most widely used card payment providers for small and medium-sized businesses, and they are often quoted against each other when business owners shop around for a merchant account. Paymentsense, now operating under the Dojo brand umbrella, tends to suit higher-volume merchants who want competitive interchange-plus pricing and next-day settlement. takepayments targets smaller, newer businesses with straightforward monthly rental packages and a more hands-on sales and support model. This page compares their fees, contract terms, hardware, and suitability so you can decide which provider is the better fit for your business in 2026.

Paymentsense vs takepayments: Fee Comparison

What is Paymentsense?

Paymentsense is a UK-based payment processor founded in 2008 and now part of the Dojo group following an acquisition in 2021. The company has built one of the largest direct sales forces in UK merchant services, focusing on face-to-face card acceptance for businesses in retail, hospitality, and services. Paymentsense is FCA-authorised (FRN 504205) and processes payments for tens of thousands of UK businesses. Its card terminals including the Dojo Go portable reader support chip and PIN, contactless, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Contracts typically run for 18 months, with pricing structured either as a blended rate or, for larger merchants, on an interchange-plus basis.

The provider's main selling point is its combination of competitive transaction pricing and next-business-day settlement, which separates it from many rivals that still settle in two to three days. Since the Dojo rebrand, the app and reporting dashboard have improved noticeably, giving merchants cleaner visibility over daily takings and trends. Paymentsense does not cater well to online-only businesses. If you want a full gateway or e-commerce integration as your primary channel, other providers are likely a better fit. You can read a detailed breakdown on the Paymentsense review page.

What is takepayments?

takepayments is a Leeds-based payment provider founded in 2011 and FCA-authorised as a Payment Institution (FRN 671140). The company markets itself on simplicity and local service, using a nationwide network of account managers who visit businesses in person to set up terminals and provide ongoing support. Its customer base skews towards smaller businesses think independent retailers, tradespeople, cafés, and sole traders that want a straightforward monthly rental deal rather than a complex pricing matrix. Terminals offered include countertop, portable, and mobile card readers, all supporting contactless and digital wallet payments.

takepayments is not the cheapest option once transaction volumes grow. Blended rates starting from around 1.29% per transaction can become expensive relative to interchange-plus alternatives once a business is turning over £15,000 or more per month in card payments. The 24-month standard contract is also longer than most comparable providers offer, and early termination fees can be significant. For a full breakdown of fees and hardware options, visit the takepayments review page.

Paymentsense vs takepayments: Features Compared

Payment Methods Accepted

Both providers support the core payment methods UK businesses need. Paymentsense and takepayments accept Visa, Mastercard, and Maestro, including contactless cards and digital wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay. American Express acceptance is available through Paymentsense as an add-on, though it typically carries a higher transaction rate. takepayments also offers Amex acceptance on request, but availability depends on your industry and application. Neither provider focuses on online payments as a primary product, so merchants needing a full e-commerce gateway should look at alternatives such as Stripe or Opayo.

Hardware and Terminals

Paymentsense's flagship hardware is the Dojo Go, a 4G-enabled portable card reader with a large touchscreen and a built-in receipt printer. The device supports split bills, tipping, and table management features useful in hospitality. takepayments offers a broader range of terminal form factors countertop, portable, and mobile units which suits businesses operating from a fixed desk or needing to take payments on the road. Both providers rent rather than sell their hardware as standard, which means the monthly fee continues for the length of your contract even if you stop trading.

Integrations

Paymentsense integrates with a number of EPOS systems, including Lightspeed, and the Dojo platform has an open API for developers building custom integrations. takepayments offers integrations with popular EPOS and accounting software, including Xero, though the integration catalogue is smaller than those offered by larger processors. For businesses running complex omnichannel retail, neither provider offers the depth of integration that a platform like Adyen or Stripe provides.

International Support

Both Paymentsense and takepayments are UK-focused providers. Neither is well suited to businesses that need to accept payments in multiple currencies or operate across European markets. Paymentsense does accept international cards including non-European Visa and Mastercard but typically at a higher blended rate. takepayments operates in a similar way. If your business takes a meaningful volume of foreign-issued cards, you should factor dynamic currency conversion fees into your comparison, as these can add 1% 3% per transaction.

Fraud and Security Tools

Both providers are PCI DSS compliant and include basic fraud monitoring as part of their standard service. Paymentsense, through the Dojo platform, includes tokenisation and point-to-point encryption on its terminals. takepayments also provides PCI-compliant terminals with end-to-end encryption. Neither provider offers the advanced machine-learning fraud scoring tools found in enterprise platforms like Adyen or Worldpay. For face-to-face card-present transactions, though, fraud risk is relatively low compared with card-not-present channels, so this distinction matters less for the typical customer of either provider.

Customer Support

takepayments places genuine emphasis on local, in-person account management. Merchants are assigned a named account manager who typically visits the business to set up the terminal. That personal touch is a real differentiator for business owners who find phone-based support frustrating. Paymentsense offers 24/7 phone and chat support through its Dojo helpdesk, which is useful for hospitality businesses trading late in the evening. Independent reviews on Trustpilot, however, reflect mixed experiences with both providers Paymentsense/Dojo has a Trustpilot score of around 4.2 out of 5 (June 2026), while takepayments scores approximately 4.4 out of 5, with praise frequently directed at individual account managers.

Pros and Cons

Paymentsense Pros and Cons

Pros

• Next-business-day settlement with funds typically available by 7am, which improves cash flow for hospitality and retail businesses.
• Interchange-plus pricing available for higher-volume merchants, which can be significantly cheaper than blended rates above £15,000 monthly card turnover.
• The Dojo Go terminal is a well-regarded piece of hardware with a fast connection, a clear screen, and a built-in printer useful for table-side payments in restaurants.
• 24/7 customer support via phone and in-app chat, meaning help is available outside standard business hours.
• FCA-authorised as an Electronic Money Institution, offering a higher level of regulatory protection than a standard payment institution.

Cons

• The 18-month contract with early termination fees means switching costs can be high if your business needs change or a better deal emerges before the term ends.
• Pricing is negotiated rather than published, so without comparing quotes you risk paying more than a similar business at the same volume.
• Not suitable for online-only merchants. The gateway offering is limited compared with dedicated e-commerce payment processors.
• Some customers report that the sales process can be aggressive, with pressure to sign quickly before comparing alternatives.

takepayments Pros and Cons

Pros

• Named local account managers who visit in person, making setup straightforward and giving smaller businesses a direct point of contact.
• Simple, all-inclusive monthly rental pricing that is easy to understand and budget for one monthly cost covers terminal rental and support.
• Broad range of terminal hardware covering countertop, portable, and mobile options, suitable for a wide variety of business settings.
• Consistently positive customer reviews for account manager responsiveness, which is a genuine differentiator in a sector not known for great service.

Cons

• The standard 24-month contract is longer than many competitors, and early termination fees can run to several months of remaining charges.
• Blended transaction rates from around 1.29% become expensive relative to interchange-plus alternatives as monthly card volumes rise above £10,000 £15,000.
• Settlement typically takes two to three business days, which is slower than Paymentsense and some other providers.
• The integration ecosystem is limited, so businesses running sophisticated EPOS or e-commerce stacks may find takepayments cannot connect easily with their existing tools.

Which is Better For...?

Small Retail and Hospitality Businesses

For a small independent retailer or café processing between £3,000 and £8,000 a month in card payments, takepayments is often the more practical starting point. The in-person account manager makes onboarding easier, and the all-inclusive monthly cost removes billing surprises. At lower volumes, the difference between a 1.29% blended rate and a lower interchange-plus rate may be only £20 £40 a month, which some owners consider worth paying for better support.

Established SMEs Processing £10,000+ Per Month

Once monthly card turnover exceeds around £10,000, the rate difference between blended and interchange-plus pricing becomes material. A business processing £20,000 a month at 1.29% pays £258 in transaction fees. At 0.75% blended (a realistic Paymentsense rate at this volume), the same business pays £150. That is a saving of £108 per month, or nearly £1,300 per year. Paymentsense is the stronger choice at this tier, provided you negotiate the rate before signing.

Tradespeople and Mobile Businesses

Tradespeople plumbers, electricians, mobile hairdressers need a reliable portable reader with good 4G connectivity. Both providers offer mobile terminals, but Paymentsense's Dojo Go has a strong reputation for connection stability. takepayments' mobile units are also competent. The deciding factor here is likely to be contract length and monthly cost, since mobile traders often have fluctuating turnover and want flexibility that neither provider fully delivers on a 18 24 month contract.

Online-Only or Multichannel E-commerce Businesses

Neither Paymentsense nor takepayments is a good fit for businesses that primarily sell online. Both are built around card-present, in-person payments. If your revenue is primarily or entirely e-commerce, Stripe, Opayo, or Worldpay are better-suited options with mature gateway products and developer-friendly integrations.

Our Verdict

Paymentsense and takepayments serve overlapping but distinct audiences. Paymentsense is the stronger performer for established businesses where transaction volume is high enough to make rate differences count, and where next-day settlement matters to cash flow. Its integration with the Dojo platform has genuinely improved its product since 2021. The lack of published pricing and the pressure some customers report during the sales process are real drawbacks, and you should always get at least two competing quotes before signing.

takepayments wins on simplicity and personal service. For a business owner who has never taken card payments before, or who processes relatively low volumes and wants a human point of contact, the takepayments model is reassuring. The 24-month contract is a meaningful commitment, though, and the blended transaction rate will become a cost issue as your business grows. Neither provider is a bad choice within their intended market but signing without comparing is almost always a mistake.

Compare Card Fees is a free, independent advisory service that has helped UK businesses find better card payment deals since 2012. Use the Compare Card Fees comparison tool to get personalised quotes from Paymentsense, takepayments, and other leading UK providers side by side, so you can see exactly what you would pay before committing to a contract.