Compare Card Machines UK
Dojo publishes the lowest UK card machine rate, 1.2% all in for businesses with annual card turnover below £100,000, and through MerchantSwitch its terminal is free with no monthly rental. The cheapest no-contract option is SumUp at 1.69% a sale with a £25 ex VAT reader, against 1.75% at Square and 1.75% at Zettle.
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Card machine providers compared
Every UK card machine provider we track, on the terms they publish themselves. The flat-rate readers publish a price; most contract providers do not, and the table says so rather than guessing.
Rates and reader prices checked on the providers' own UK sites on 25 August 2026 (Dojo November 2026); contract and exit terms from published terms documents, checked 25 August 2026 unless the row says otherwise. Where a provider does not publish a term, the cell says so.
| Provider | Published in-person rate | Hardware | Minimum term | Exit fee | Guides |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SumUp | 1.69% pay as you go; 0.99% on domestic cards with Payments Plus (£19/month) | Solo Lite £25 ex VAT; Solo £79 ex VAT; Terminal £135 ex VAT | None; pay-as-you-go, subscriptions run monthly or yearly | None stated; unused subscription periods are not refunded | ReviewHow to cancel |
| Square | 1.75% | Reader £19 + VAT | None; terminate from account settings at any time | None stated | ReviewHow to cancel |
| Zettle by PayPal | 1.75% | First reader £29 (then £69); Terminal £149 | None; "no long-term commitments or rentals" | Not addressed in the published terms | ReviewHow to cancel |
| myPOS | Not in our rate check; quote only | Devices are sold; no return-on-closure obligation stated | None; agreement runs until terminated | None: terminate "immediately and without termination charges" with the account in good standing | How to cancel |
| Teya | Not published (quote-only). Source: teya.com/pricing, checked 1 November 2026 | Return non-purchased hardware within 7 working days of ending the agreement | None stated; "no long contracts" | None stated; recurring fees already paid are non-refundable | ReviewHow to cancel |
| Tide (card reader) | 1.5% + 5p (domestic consumer debit cards; other card types priced per Tide terms) | Nano £25 + VAT (from £11 on a subscription plan); Reader £49 + VAT | Pay-as-you-go on a purchased reader: none. Sell In-Person Essential: monthly ("Monthly plan - cancel anytime"). Sell In-Person Premium: 12-month contract | Cancel a subscription early: pay the remaining subscription charges; rented-device tool adds a £50 administration feeChecked 1 November 2026 | How to cancel |
| Dojo | 1.2% all-in blended under £100,000 a year; a custom rate quoted per business above | Dojo Go Max £149 upfront (launch offer, usually £229) or £25/month; Dojo Pocket £239 or £20/month; Dojo Wired £179 or £15/month. Tap to Pay on iPhone needs no hardware at all. Free Dojo terminal (no rental) through MerchantSwitch. | 12 months, then monthly rolling (under £1m annual card turnover; negotiated above) | An early account closure fee can apply if you leave before your minimum term; the amount is not published ("based on your agreed plan"). No early closure fee if you end within the first month | Dojo guideHow to cancel |
| Barclaycard Payments | Bespoke rates | Not published | Countertop and Portable readers: 18 months. Smartpay Touch: 12 months. Smartpay Anywhere: no contract | Countertop/Portable: variable, priced per remaining month. Barclaycard's own examples: "£7 x two months left in your contract = £14 plus VAT cancellation fee" (Countertop) and "£10 x two months left in your contract = £20 plus VAT cancellation fee" (Portable). Smartpay Touch and Anywhere: £0Checked 1 November 2026 | ReviewHow to cancel |
| takepayments | Not in our rate check; quote only | Not published | 12 months ("short 12 month contract"), then rolling monthly | Card machine contract: not published. Online product: 30-day cooling-off with refund; no early-exit amount published | How to cancel |
| Tyl by NatWest | 1.39% + 5p (UK/EU personal cards) or 1.99% + 5p (other cards), published under £50k/year card value; custom quote above | Not published | 12-month contract on card machines | Tyl contradicts itself. Its pricing page lists "Cancelling your contract" among the things there is "no extra charge for"; its help centre still says "There may be a termination fee if you're ending your Tyl contract early". No amount is publishedChecked 1 November 2026 | ReviewHow to cancel |
| Worldpay | Bespoke rates | Not published | Not published | Not published | ReviewHow to cancel |
| Lloyds Cardnet | Bespoke rates | Terminals are rented (£23/month Castles Saturn, £21/month Clover Flex, + VAT); return terms not published | Minimum 6 months: "Your joining fee covers setting up your account and includes a minimum 6-month agreement". Card machine rental is a separate agreement | Not publishedChecked 1 November 2026 | ReviewHow to cancel |
| Elavon | Bespoke rates | Hired terminals go back to Elavon if the hire ends early (s.6.3); a Terminal Recovery Fee is set in the Schedule of Fees, amount not published | None for a business that is not a Large Corporate or Large Charity: it can end the agreement "at any time" on one month's notice (s.25.1.1). The 36-month Initial Term binds Large Corporates and Large Charities only (s.25.1.2). Terminal hire has its own Minimum Hire Period under separate hire terms; length not stated (s.6.3) | Leaving within 6 months of the start date: a Termination Fee covering Elavon's "reasonable costs" (amount not published). After 6 months: "free of charge" (s.25.8). Ending a terminal hire inside its Minimum Hire Period: "certain monies will be payable" (s.6.3)Checked 1 November 2026 | ReviewHow to cancel |
| Handepay | Not in our rate check; quote only | Terminal hire runs through Merchant Rentals Limited, a separate contract; return terms not published | Not published | Own exit fee not published (Handepay advertises contributing to your OLD provider's exit fees when you switch in) | How to cancel |
| Clover (UK) | Not in our rate check; quote only | Devices advertised at £15-£30/month; rental and return terms not published | Not published | Not published | How to cancel |
| Shift4 (UK) | Not in our rate check; quote only | Not published for UK merchants | 24 months from the date you sign, then automatic 12-month renewals | Not published. The Online Terms set no early termination fee; any charge would sit in your signed Merchant Application FormChecked 30 October 2026 | How to cancel |
| EVO Payments UK | Bespoke rates | Terminal hire runs under a separate Terminal Rental Agreement, which is not published; return terms Not published | The fixed term in your Customer Summary; if none is given, 1 year. Then automatic 1-year renewals | Ready Made plans: £150 termination fee on early closure. Any plan closed before the contract term ends: terminal rental for the rest of the term. The Agreement adds that no extra early termination fee applies after the first 6 monthsChecked 30 October 2026 | ReviewHow to cancel |
| Global Payments (UK) | Bespoke rates | Not published. GPUK LLP rents terminals under terminal rental agreements; a terminal supplied by another company may carry its own exit fees | The fixed term on your Service Schedule; if none is shown, an initial term of one year. Then renews automatically for successive one-year terms (Terms of Service cl.14.2) | An early termination charge "at our sole discretion" (cl.14.4). Inside the first six months: £25 a month, "totalling no more than" £150. Cancelling after a notified price change: no additional fee "apart from any outstanding fees up to the date of closure"Checked 1 November 2026 | ReviewHow to cancel |
| Viva Wallet (viva.com) | Not in our rate check; quote only | Pay Monthly POS stays Viva property: return it after paying the Exit Fee, shipping at your cost, replacement cost charged if faulty. Device subscription: keep the device after ending it. Bought devices are yours. 14-day withdrawal window on an unactivated device | Account terms: 12-month Initial Term, renewing automatically for one-year periods. POS Terminal Pay Monthly: 24-month Minimum Term. Bought devices: no device term | Account: no closure fee in the Terms, but the balance must be zero to close. Pay Monthly POS ended inside 24 months: Exit Fee = Minimum Fee x months of the Minimum Term remaining; the Minimum Fee amount is Not published (it is shown in your account). Device subscription: you pay any device cost your transaction revenue has not yet coveredChecked 1 November 2026 | How to cancel |
| AIB Merchant Services (UK) | Not in our rate check; quote only | AIBMS terminals go back immediately on termination via Customer Service. Leases with First Data Global Leasing or MMSL (Clover) must be ended separately with the lessor or debits continue; lease terms Not published | Merchant agreement: no fixed term, it runs until terminated. Terminal rental: 18-month Minimum Rental Term from the first day of the month after installation | No early termination fee is set in the UK Terms; your Fees & Charges Schedule is Not published. Rental is payable for the whole 18-month Minimum Rental Term. Terminal not recovered within 30 days of termination: full replacement value plus recovery costsChecked 1 November 2026 | How to cancel |
Scroll the table sideways to see every column.
Which card machine is cheapest at your turnover?
Dojo publishes the lowest UK rate, 1.2% all in under £100,000 a year, but you need its terminal. Through MerchantSwitch that terminal is free with no monthly rental, which makes Dojo the cheapest option in the table at every turnover it covers. Bought direct, the rental decides it: with the Dojo Wired at £15/month, SumUp's 1.69% stays cheaper below £3,061 a month.
SumUp is the cheapest no-contract, pay-as-you-go card machine, and its £19/month Payments Plus plan pulls further ahead once domestic card sales pass £2,714 a month. Square and Zettle both charge 1.75%, so between those two the choice comes down to hardware and software, not fees.
The £5,000 a month shop
- Dojo, terminal through MerchantSwitch: £5,000 × 1.2% = £60.00 a month
- Dojo direct with the Dojo Wired: (£5,000 × 1.2%) + £15 = £75.00 a month
- SumUp pay as you go: £5,000 × 1.69% = £84.50 a month
- SumUp Payments Plus: £19 + (£5,000 × 0.99%) = £68.50 a month, if every card is a domestic consumer card
- Square: £5,000 × 1.75% = £87.50 a month
- Zettle: £5,000 × 1.75% = £87.50 a month
Among the no-contract options, Payments Plus saves at best £19.00 a month against Square or Zettle, which is £228.00 a year. The real saving is smaller, because the 0.99% applies to domestic debit and credit cards; premium, international and Amex cards stay at 1.69%. The break-even sum is £19 ÷ (1.69% minus 0.99%) = £2,714 of domestic card sales a month.
Dojo against SumUp, bought direct: £15 ÷ (1.69% minus 1.2%) = £3,061 a month with the Dojo Wired; with the Dojo Go Max at £25/month it is £5,102. Dojo is not pay as you go: any minimum term is set in your application documents, and dojo’s fees schedule also lists a secure transaction fee, a refund fee and a minimum monthly payment, each set by your agreed plan; the amounts are not published.
| Card takings a month | Dojo (1.2%), free terminal through MerchantSwitch | Dojo (1.2%) + Dojo Wired at £15/month | SumUp PAYG (1.69%) | SumUp Payments Plus (best case) | Square (1.75%) | Zettle (1.75%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £1,000 | £12.00 | £27.00 | £16.90 | £28.90 | £17.50 | £17.50 |
| £2,500 | £30.00 | £45.00 | £42.25 | £43.75 | £43.75 | £43.75 |
| £5,000 | £60.00 | £75.00 | £84.50 | £68.50 | £87.50 | £87.50 |
| £10,000 | Custom quote | Custom quote | £169.00 | £118.00 | £175.00 | £175.00 |
| £20,000 | Custom quote | Custom quote | £338.00 | £217.00 | £350.00 | £350.00 |
Cheapest in each row in bold. Above £100,000 a year Dojo quotes a custom rate quoted per business, so those rows show a quote. At £1,000 a month, Dojo with a rented Dojo Wired costs £27.00 against £16.90 on SumUp. Free Dojo terminal: £0 upfront and no monthly terminal rental for the life of your contract when arranged through MerchantSwitch.
Reader prices on top for the no-contract options: SumUp Solo Lite £25 ex VAT, Square reader £19 + VAT, Zettle's first reader £29. Rates checked 25 August 2026; Dojo checked November 2026.
When to stay put. A business on Square or Zettle taking £1,000 a month would save £0.60 a month by moving to SumUp pay as you go (£1,000 × 0.06 percentage points). A new £25 ex VAT reader takes 42 months to pay for itself, so do not switch for the rate alone.
Above these turnovers, Dojo and the other contract providers quote privately, so the only fair test is your own statement. Send us a statement for a free review or run your figures through the costs by turnover guide.
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Our experts analyse rates, terms, and hardware options from 17 UK providers.
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Types of Card Machines for UK Businesses
Choose the right payment terminal for your business needs
Mobile Card Machines
Portable terminals that connect via 4G/5G mobile data. Perfect for businesses on the move or those without fixed premises.
Best For:
- • Delivery drivers & couriers
- • Market traders & pop-up shops
- • Mobile services (plumbers, cleaners)
- • Outdoor events & festivals
Key Features:
- • Built-in SIM card (no wifi needed)
- • Battery powered (8-12 hours)
- • Accepts chip & PIN, contactless, Apple/Google Pay
- • Receipt printer included
Countertop Terminals
Fixed terminals for checkouts and tills. Connect via broadband or phone line for fast, reliable transactions at point of sale.
Best For:
- • Retail shops & stores
- • Restaurants & cafes
- • Salons & spas
- • Any fixed checkout location
Key Features:
- • Ethernet or phone line connection
- • Fastest transaction speeds
- • Large screen for easy reading
- • Can integrate with EPOS systems
Portable Wi-Fi Terminals
Wireless terminals that connect to your business Wi-Fi. Move freely around your premises while staying connected.
Best For:
- • Restaurants (table service)
- • Hotels & hospitality
- • Large retail spaces
- • Warehouses with Wi-Fi
Key Features:
- • Connects to your Wi-Fi network
- • Battery powered for portability
- • Lower ongoing costs than mobile
- • Fast transactions when in range
Key Features to Compare When Choosing a Card Machine Provider
Transaction Fees
The percentage charged per transaction. Typically 0.4%-2% for debit cards, 0.7%-2.5% for credit cards. Look for:
- • Blended vs interchange++ pricing
- • Different rates for debit/credit/business cards
- • Authorisation fees (per transaction)
- • Minimum monthly service charges (MMSC)
Connectivity Options
How the terminal connects affects reliability and cost:
- • 4G/5G: Works anywhere, no wifi needed (higher fees)
- • Wi-Fi: Uses your internet, lower ongoing costs
- • Ethernet: Fastest, most reliable for fixed locations
- • Bluetooth: Pairs with phone/tablet apps
Contract Terms
Understanding your commitment is crucial:
- • Contract length (12-36 months typical)
- • Early termination fees (£250-£500)
- • Auto-renewal terms
- • Notice period for cancellation
- • PCI DSS compliance requirements
Support & Hardware
Ongoing support matters for smooth operations:
- • 24/7 customer support availability
- • Hardware warranty (1-3 years)
- • Replacement turnaround time
- • Training & setup assistance
- • Dashboard & reporting tools
Not sure which type suits your business? Our comparison service helps you find the perfect match. Need working capital for new equipment? Check our merchant cash advance funding options.
Get Free Card Machine QuotesWhat To Consider When Choosing
Key factors to compare when selecting a card machine provider
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Launch CalculatorFeatured Card Machine Providers
We work with the UK's leading payment processors to find you the best rates and service for your business.
Worldpay
Enterprise-grade payment processing with advanced features and support.
Dojo
Terminal-led UK provider: 1.2% all-in blended rate under £100k/year, custom quotes above, 100,000+ UK businesses.
Barclaycard Payments
Trusted banking heritage with comprehensive business payment solutions.
Zettle by PayPal
PayPal-powered payments with built-in PayPal integration and no monthly fees.
Elavon
Global payment processor with tailored solutions for all business sizes.
Lloyds Cardnet
Trusted payment processing from Lloyds Banking Group.
Revolut Business
Business banking with the sharpest published consumer-card rate we track: in person from 0.8% + 2p.
Tyl by NatWest
NatWest card payments with published rates: 1.39% + 5p on UK/EU personal cards under £50k/year, terminals rented monthly.
Teya (formerly Saltpay)
Quote-only pricing: Teya no longer publishes a rate. Next-day settlement and no lock-ins advertised.
Trust Payments
Omnichannel payment solutions for growing businesses.
Worldline
European leader in payment services with global reach.
Adyen
End-to-end payment platform for ambitious businesses.
Weighing up Dojo specifically? Everything is on one page, pricing, the terminal lineup, 17 head-to-heads and the free terminal offer: Dojo card machines.
Compare Top Card Machine Providers
Get instant quotes from leading UK providers in 24 hours. Compare rates, features, and find the best match for your business.
| Provider | Best For |
|---|---|
| Worldpay | High-volume businesses |
| Dojo | UK restaurants & cafes (all sizes) |
| Barclaycard Payments | Established businesses |
| Zettle by PayPal | PayPal users |
| Elavon | Medium to large businesses |
Best card machines by business type
The cheapest machine on paper is not always the right one. These guides pick a card machine for each trade, starting from how that trade takes payments.
- Best card machines for retail shops
Fixed counter, steady footfall, often a till or stock system to connect.
- Best card machines for cafes and coffee shops
Small average spend, so the per-transaction rate matters more than the hardware.
- Best card machines for restaurants
Portable terminals for the table, tipping and split bills.
- Best card machines for pubs and bars
High volume at peak times, tabs, and a machine that holds up behind the bar.
- Best card machines for salons and barbers
Larger tickets, deposits and no-show charges taken through the booking app.
- Best card machines for tradespeople
Mobile 4G or phone tethered reader on site; card volume is often low and lumpy.
- Best card machines for taxi drivers
In-car payments, signal on the move and battery that lasts a shift.
- Best card machines for market stalls and street food
Outdoor, sometimes offline, seasonal months with almost no card takings.
- Best card machines for hotels and b&bs
Pre-authorisations, deposits and payments taken before the guest arrives.
- Best card machines for gyms and fitness studios
Recurring memberships, so online and card-on-file billing matter as much as the terminal.
- Best card machines for healthcare clinics
Higher tickets, deposits and payment over the phone or by link.
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Your monthly card sales:
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Your Funding Range
Estimated Repayment
* This is an estimate only. Actual funding amount depends on your business profile and lender approval. Representative example: £20,000 advance with 1.4 factor rate = £28,000 total repayment. 15% of card sales = ~9 month term.
Card machine guides
Dig into the detail for your setup: machine type, trade and what you should actually pay at your card volume.
Card machine reviews, comparisons and cancel guides
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Provider profiles
Head-to-head comparisons
- Square vs SumUp
- SumUp vs Zettle
- Zettle vs Square
- Tide vs Square
- Tide vs SumUp
- Worldpay vs Square
- Worldpay vs Barclaycard
- Worldpay vs Dojo
- Dojo vs Square
- Dojo vs SumUp
- Dojo vs Zettle
- Dojo vs Barclaycard
- Dojo vs Lloyds Cardnet
- Dojo vs Elavon
- Dojo vs Clover
- Dojo vs Handepay
- Dojo vs Tyl
- Dojo vs Tide
- Dojo vs Revolut
- Dojo vs EVO
- Dojo vs Shift4
- Teya vs Dojo
- takepayments vs Dojo
- Global Payments vs Dojo
- iwoca vs YouLend
- YouLend vs 365 Finance
How to cancel your current provider
- Cancel SumUp
- Cancel Square
- Cancel Zettle by PayPal
- Cancel myPOS
- Cancel Teya
- Cancel Tide
- Cancel Dojo
- Cancel Barclaycard Payments
- Cancel takepayments
- Cancel Tyl by NatWest
- Cancel Worldpay
- Cancel Lloyds Cardnet
- Cancel Elavon
- Cancel Handepay
- Cancel Clover
- Cancel Shift4
- Cancel EVO Payments UK
- Cancel Global Payments
- Cancel Viva Wallet
- Cancel AIB Merchant Services
- Cancel Paymentsense
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about card machines
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