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In an more and more cashless society, for those who don’t have a card cost machine, you threat dropping out on gross sales.
There are numerous card machines geared toward small companies in the marketplace in the present day, and most allow you to take chip & pin, contactless, and cell funds.
However there are variations in options, charges and upfront prices that can make some roughly appropriate for what you are promoting than others.
This text will break down the {hardware} and performance of the very best cost machines at present in the marketplace that will help you select the one which’s best for you.
You may leap straight to a specific card machine, or learn on to seek out extra data on the ten greatest card cost machines for small UK companies in 2022.
>See additionally: 40% of the UK’s micro companies don’t settle for card funds
Card cost machines
- SumUp Air
- Zettle Reader 2
- Sq. Reader
- MyPOS Go
- Dojo Go
- Barclaycard Wherever
- TakePayments
- Tyl (by Natwest)
- Paymentsense
- Shopify WisePad Reader 3
How a lot does a typical card cost machine price?
Card cost machine prices are made up of the price of the machine and the price of cost processing charges.
Gadget price
Cellular card readers usually price between £15 and £30, countertop card machines price between £150 and £200.
You may both purchase the machine outright or lease the machine for a month-to-month price. This adjustments from supplier to supplier.
>See additionally: optimise money move with cashless funds
Charges
Transaction charges are taken by your card cost supplier as a proportion of each cost made by your card machine. They’re usually between 1.5 per cent and a couple of per cent of the worth of the transaction.
So, if the client buys an merchandise costing £25, and your transaction price is 1.75%, you’ll be charged round 43p by your card cost supplier.
Card cost suppliers can even promote a card not current (CNP) transaction. A CNP transaction happens when neither the cardholder or their card are current for the transaction – in different phrases, a web-based or cellphone cost, or a recurring cost.
CNP charges are normally round 2.5%. They’re greater for the easy purpose that there’s a higher threat of fraud throughout these sorts of funds.
Countertop vs transportable vs cell card readers
There are three sorts of card cost machine: countertop, transportable, and cell.
Countertop card machines are designed for use at designated until factors in your retailer. Though they don’t provide any portability, they’re normally very dependable when it comes to their connectivity. They’re greatest for companies with a set cost level reminiscent of a grocery or small retailer.
Moveable card machines are battery-powered units that use Wifi to take card funds wherever in your web site. They’re greatest for cafes and eating places.
Cellular card readers are much more compact, battery-powered units that use a GPRS (3G or 4G) sign to take card funds wherever you’re. In addition they normally have Wifi performance as effectively. They’re nice for pop up retailers, markets, festivals, avenue meals vans – wherever actually.
This text will predominantly deal with cell card readers, as they’re essentially the most reasonably priced and provide essentially the most flexibility to rising small companies.
A lot of the suppliers beneath additionally promote different {hardware} reminiscent of charging docks, receipt printers, countertop methods and tills.
You solely want the cardboard cost machine to start out taking funds, however this stuff will let you improve your POS system as what you are promoting grows.
>See additionally: 8 cost methods for festivals, pop-ups and avenue meals markets
Card cost machines – the choices
The ten card cost machines beneath are nice choices for small companies, providing aggressive charges and nice options.
SumUp Air Card Reader
| Gadget price | £29 (£39 with charging dock) (excl. VAT) |
| Transaction price | 1.69% |
| CNP price | 2.5% |
| Key options | ● 500 transactions per cost ● Contactless & Chip & PIN ● Funds settled in 2-3 enterprise days ● Accepts all main cost sorts together with Google and Apple Pay, Amex and Diners Membership, and contactless ● E-mail and SMS receipts |
Due to its ease of use and practicality, this trendy and light-weight transportable card reader is at present one of many fashionable card readers for small companies.
It’s straightforward to arrange and begin utilizing. All you want to do to start out accepting contactless, Chip & Pin, and cell funds from all main suppliers is to pair the machine together with your smartphone, which takes minutes.
You may then begin utilizing the SumUp Air wherever with Wifi or information protection, and it could course of 500 transactions on a single cost – most likely the very best battery life in the marketplace.
Out there for a one off price of simply £29, and with a set 1.69% transaction price, it’s additionally very reasonably priced. The one actual draw back of the SumUp Air is that it could take 2-3 enterprise days for funds to settle in your account, longer than the common of round 1-2 days.
You additionally get entry to a helpful app, with a dashboard that permits you to view your product catalogue, monitor gross sales, and ship digital receipts.
Examine card cost machine quotes
Zettle Reader 2
| Gadget price | £29 + VAT (charging dock £39) |
| Transaction price | 1.75% |
| CNP price | 2.5% |
| Key options | ● 8 hour battery life (100 transactions) ● Accepts all main cost sorts together with Google and Apple Pay, Amex and Diners Membership, and contactless ● Funds settled in 1-2 enterprise days ● E-mail and SMS receipts |
The Zettle Reader 2 is one other light-weight (simply 130g) machine you can pair together with your Apple or Android smartphone and begin utilizing inside minutes.
It accepts all main debit and bank card cost sorts and has a good eight-hour battery life – although this solely lasts for round 100 transactions, which is not any match for SumUp’s 500.
The place the Zettle Reader 2 actually seeks to distinguish itself is in its deal with safety. Claiming to be one of many most secure card readers in the marketplace, Zettle’s tamper-proof machine adheres to the very best business requirements, and is absolutely encrypted by HSMs cryptographic servers.
And for those who do spot a suspicious cost, Zettle’s transaction safety covers as much as £250 in chargebacks monthly.
As with the SumUp Air, there are not any month-to-month charges – you simply pay a flat fee per transaction, although at 1.75%, that is barely greater than its rival.
You also needs to bear in mind that the marketed £29 value is simply on your first reader as a brand new enterprise buyer. Subsequent units will price you £59. The charging dock is bought individually for £39 + VAT.
Examine card cost machine quotes
Sq. Reader
| Gadget price | £16 + VAT |
| Transaction price | 1.75% |
| CNP price | 2.5% |
| Key options | ● All day battery ● Weighs simply 56g ● Funds deposited the following enterprise day |
The Sq. Reader is essentially the most glossy, easy and reasonably priced card reader in the marketplace. This appropriately square-shaped machine prices simply £16, a lot decrease than opponents.
And weighing in at simply 56g, it’s not simply the worth that’s low. All it’s important to do is sync it to your cellphone by way of bluetooth and begin promoting. You may then monitor and handle all of your gross sales from Sq.’s free app. All funds are deposited the following working day.
Sq. additionally has an entire arsenal of different funds equipment you should purchase to create a full POS setup together with terminals, registers, and different {hardware} and equipment.
At 1.75%, the transaction charges aren’t the bottom, however you’ll nonetheless wrestle to discover a extra light-weight and cost-effective technique to begin taking funds.
Examine card cost machine quotes
MyPOS Go
| Gadget price | £29 + VAT |
| Transaction price | 1.10% + 7p |
| CNP price | 1.30% + 10p to 2.90% + 20p (relying on card used) |
| Key options | ● Digital receipts by way of e-mail or SMS ● Prompt entry to funds ● Accepts all main cost sorts together with Google and Apple Pay, Amex and Diners Membership, and contactless |
Its design isn’t as glossy and trendy as rivals, however underneath the hood, MyPOS Go is one other extremely useful and compact cell card reader.
Just like the SumUp Air and Zettle 2, the machine prices £29 + VAT, however its transaction price of simply 1.10% + 7p will be a lot decrease (relying on the quantity you’re taking).
The MyPOS Go card reader has a number of different options that set it other than opponents. You get a free e-money service provider account, with devoted worldwide checking account numbers in 14 currencies, making it straightforward to take worldwide funds.
>See additionally: 6 of the very best cost methods for accepting US {dollars}
And in contrast to the times you might need to attend with different suppliers, card funds are settled in your account right away, and also you get prompt entry to funds by way of your VISA Enterprise Card.
We additionally just like the multi-operator mode, which lets you monitor particular person workers efficiency and break up suggestions accordingly.
Examine card cost machine quotes
Dojo Go
| Gadget price | £20 monthly |
| Transaction price | Customized, primarily based on enterprise turnover |
| CNP price | Contact supplier |
| Key options | ● 10-hour battery life ● Accepts all main cost sorts together with Google and Apple Pay, Amex and Diners Membership, and contactless ● Funds settled by 10am the following working day |
Dojo Go describes itself because the “final all-rounder”, a small enterprise card machine that’s simply as helpful as a cell (working on 3G/4G connectivity) and a transportable (utilizing Wifi) machine.
Dojo Go’s large promoting level is its pace: the corporate claims its machine can take card funds in round 2 seconds – 80 per cent sooner than the business common. And you’ll preserve monitor of all these funds in actual time utilizing the Dojo Go app.
Dojo is supremely assured in its product – a lot in order that, for those who’re switching from an current supplier, it would pay your exit charges as much as a worth of £3,000.
We additionally admire Dojo’s assist and help, which is out there 24 hours a day. And for those who can’t get issues fastened over the cellphone, Dojo can take over your machine remotely to analyze.
All funds are transferred in your account at 10am the following working day, which it claims is quicker than another supplier as customary.
Nevertheless, at £20 monthly, and with the transaction price primarily based on what you are promoting turnover, Dojo Go is best for scaling small companies with constantly excessive month-to-month takings.
Examine card cost machine quotes
Barclaycard Wherever
| Gadget price | £14.50 + VAT (usually £29 + VAT) |
| Transaction price | 1.60% |
| CNP price | 2.5% |
| Key options | ● Contactless and Chip & PIN ● Accepts most main cost suppliers together with Google and Apple Pay (doesn’t settle for Amex or Diners Membership) ● Funds settled in 1-2 working days ● E-mail and SMS receipts |
Barclaycard Wherever is essentially the most reasonably priced main card cost machine in the marketplace, and an enormous challenger to the likes of SumUp and Zettle.
On provide till 31 December, at £14.50, it’s half the worth of the aforementioned rivals, and expenses simply 1.60 per cent for every transaction, the bottom charges of any main supplier.
You may monitor your inventory and gross sales with its devoted app, which encrypts all funds and buyer information. Although it’s price stating that the Wherever app solely has 2/5 on the app retailer, with clients criticising its bugs and glitches and hassle connecting.
So, the professionals are that it’s a compact and reasonably priced card reader with low transaction charges and funds settled inside 1-2 enterprise days.
Nevertheless, not like rivals, when making use of for Barclaycard Wherever, it’s important to undergo a web-based vetting course of to be authorised for a tool, and it at present doesn’t settle for American Specific or Diners Card.
Examine card cost machine quotes
TakePayments
| Gadget price | Month-to-month rental price (costs accessible upon request) |
| Transaction price | Customized, primarily based on enterprise turnover |
| CNP price | Depending on cost service supplier |
| Key options | ● Quick 12-month contract lengths ● No setup or exit charges ● Funds settled subsequent working day ● Accepts all main cost sorts together with Google and Apple Pay, Amex and Diners Membership, and contactless |
TakePayments is a revered supplier of card terminals and on-line cost options. Its cell card reader is mild and sturdy with a battery that lasts a full day.
Not like a few of our different card cost machines, TakePayments builds what you are promoting a customized package deal with pricing that’s tailor-made round what you are promoting kind and anticipated or present turnover. This implies you will be assured you’re on a good price construction on your gross sales and don’t find yourself paying over the percentages.
The opposite wonderful thing about TakePayments is that its contracts are simply 12 months, in comparison with the 24 and even 36-month contracts you’re tied into with different suppliers. And there are not any setup or exit charges.
This service is out there to takepayments Restricted clients who’re accepted for Barclaycard buying providers and is topic to Barclaycard’s approval. Subsequent day settlement refers back to the subsequent banking day. Your card machine’s banking window operate have to be carried out earlier than 8:30pm with a view to obtain settlement the following banking day. Transactions processed by way of Ecommerce pay pages, pay by hyperlink and digital terminals could also be topic to totally different settlement timescales.
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Tyl (by NatWest) Clover Flex
| Gadget price | £15.99 + VAT monthly |
| Transaction price | 0.2%-3.5% + 20p-40p depending on gross sales quantity |
| CNP price | N/A |
| Key options | ● 12-month contract ● Funds settled inside one enterprise day ● Accepts all main cost sorts together with Google and Apple Pay, Amex and Diners Membership, and contactless |
Weighing in at 453 grams, Tyl’s Clover Flex card reader is on the chunkier finish of the cell card reader market.
Though it nonetheless utilises Wi-Fi and 3G, permitting you to make use of it wherever, it’s nonetheless considerably heavier than the opposite units, which does have an effect on its portability.
Nevertheless, extra does on this case imply extra. The Clover Flex acts as an all-in-one POS system that permits you to each take funds and handle what you are promoting from one machine, together with stock and buyer administration, itemised receipts and extra.
It has a good eight-hour battery life and a high-res 5’’ touchscreen, which lets you use quite a lot of apps from the machine itself. Nevertheless, whereas it’s helpful to have this performance in a single place, we’d wager most individuals don’t thoughts switching to their cellphone for these capabilities if it means having a smaller machine.
Additionally, it’s not essentially the most reasonably priced choice for small companies. You’ll pay £15.99 monthly earlier than transaction charges are even factored into the equation. And the terminal is bought along side a service provider account that may require a four-year dedication with further charges.
This makes the Clover Flex higher for bigger small companies with a big, constant gross sales quantity.
Examine card cost machine quotes
Paymentsense
| Gadget price | Costs accessible upon request |
| Transaction price | Costs accessible upon request |
| CNP price | Costs accessible upon request |
| Key options | ● Day-long cost ● Paid subsequent working day ● Accepts all main cost sorts together with Google and Apple Pay, Amex and Diners Membership, and contactless |
Paymentsense is a well-established model with greater than 70,000 UK clients. It makes sturdy and useful cell card readers.
Not like most of its opponents, Paymentsense’s cell units solely have GPRS SIM and never Wi-Fi connectivity, which is ok for many customers when out and about. It accepts all main card and cost sorts, and you need to see funds deposited in your account the following working day.
Paymentsense’s pricing is all tailor-made to what you are promoting – what number of units you want, how a lot you’ll be taking in card funds and so forth – so the one method you could find out pricing is to investigate for a free personalised quote.
Examine card cost machine quotes
Shopify WisePad 3 Reader
| Gadget price | £49 + VAT |
| Transaction price | No transaction price for Shopify Funds customers |
| CNP price | 2.5% |
| Key options | ● Absolutely built-in with Shopify POS ● Accepts all main cost sorts together with Google and Apple Pay, Amex and Diners Membership, and contactless |
Though solely accessible for Shopify clients, we expect it’s price highlighting Shopify’s WisePad 3 Reader.
It’s light-weight (130 grams) and accepts all main cost playing cards and kinds. You need to allow Shopify Funds to have the ability to use it, nevertheless it’s all absolutely built-in with Shopify POS and your on-line store, which makes it straightforward to create a slick and useful funds system.
The primary benefit of utilizing Shopify Funds is that it doesn’t cost any transaction charges. Nevertheless, for those who use another cost gateway, you’ll be charged 2 per cent, 1 per cent, or 0.5 per cent relying on which Shopify plan you’re on.
Examine card cost machine quotes
Which is the very best card cost machine?
By now you’ve both found the cardboard reader that’s proper for what you are promoting, otherwise you’ve been knocked sideways by a dizzying vary of various card cost machines, price constructions and extra options.
If it’s the latter, don’t fear. For many small companies, we’d advocate SumUp. It’s an reasonably priced machine with one of many lowest transaction charges in the marketplace, and because it’s a flat fee, it’s predictable and clear. We have been additionally impressed by its lengthy battery life, which might course of greater than 500 funds on a single cost.
MyPOS Go additionally actually stands out to us as one other nice choice for small companies. In addition to very aggressive transaction charges, it has nice added options like multi-operator mode, which make it an amazing alternative for cafes and eating places. It’s additionally nice you can entry funds immediately.
That mentioned, we’ve chosen the above card cost machines for his or her flexibility, simplicity and practicality, and all could be an amazing choice on your small enterprise. Pleased promoting.
Want a card cost machine quote?
Need to evaluate costs from all the very best card cost units we’ve listed above? Why not use our free comparability software to be matched with essentially the most appropriate supplier on your wants.
Merely fill in our free quote-finding kind, and reply just a few questions on what you are promoting (it takes lower than a minute). We’ll match you with essentially the most applicable card cost supplier.
Additional studying
Finest cost processors for UK small companies – 11 of the very best
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