Our market analysis has decided that one of the best general card reader for UK small companies is the Sq. Reader. With its low one-off {hardware} price, no month-to-month charges, and light-weight, moveable mannequin, the Sq. Reader is good for small companies and sole merchants. What’s extra, extra options can be found by Sq.’s Free plan.
The cardboard machine with the bottom transaction charges is the Tide Card Reader Plus. Nevertheless, these charges are solely accessible with a subscription price and requires opening a Tide enterprise checking account.
Key Takeaways:
- Finest general card reader for small companies – Sq.
- Finest low-cost possibility – SumUp
- Finest for a excessive quantity of transactions – WorldPay
- Lowest transaction price per in-person transaction – Tide
- Typical price of card readers – between £19 and £159
- Typical transaction charges – 0.79% +3p to 1.75%
Selecting the best card reader is a vital resolution for your small business. Whereas it could be tempting to decide on the most cost effective one-off {hardware} price, or the supplier with the bottom transaction charges, there are different concerns to take note of. Take into consideration whether or not the cardboard reader is simply accessible in the event you open a enterprise checking account with the supplier, for instance, or the size of the contract.
Card Reader Comparability Desk
| Value | Home In-person Transaction Price | Contract Size | Subsequent Day Settlement? | Finest for | |
| Sq. Reader | £19 + VAT | 1.75% | None | Sure | SMEs in search of broad resolution |
| Tide Card Reader Plus | £199 + VAT | 0.79% + 3p | None | Sure – at £2.99 + VAT per 30 days | Low transaction charges |
| WorldPay | £22.50/month | 1.50% | 18-months | Sure | Excessive quantity of transactions |
| Takepayments | Request a quote | Request a quote | Sure | Companies taking money and card | |
| SumUp | £25 + VAT | 1.69% | N | Sure | Sole merchants on the transfer |
| Revolut Enterprise | £129 + VAT and minimal £10/month for Revolut Enterprise account | 0.8% + 2p | None | Sure | Present Revolut Enterprise customers |
| Clover | Request a quote | As much as 1.49% | Quick-term | Sure | Cafes, pubs and eating places |
The 7 Finest Card Machines Evaluations
Sq. Reader – Finest Total Supplier
At £19 + VAT, the Sq. Reader is among the many most cost-effective one-off card reader suppliers within the UK market, making it supreme for companies in search of a budget-friendly possibility. Its transaction charges (1.75% per in-person transaction) are barely costlier than different suppliers, however extra advantages as a part of the Sq. Free plan arguably off-set these recurring fees.
With Sq., you possibly can add invoicing without cost as a part of your plan, that means in case your shopper doesn’t have a card on them, you possibly can rapidly ship them an bill by way of e-mail or SMS.
Along with this, as a part of the Free plan you possibly can create a customized on-line reserving web site, in addition to combine a E book Now button to your Fb profile, Instagram account and Google Enterprise profile.
Key Options:
- Value: £19 + VAT
- In-person Transaction Charges: 1.75%
- Dimensions: 6.6 x 6.6 x 1.0cm
- Weight: ~56gm
- Accepts: Contactless, chip + pin, and digital wallets
- Subsequent day settlement
- Bluetooth enabled
- Wi-Fi and 4G connectivity
- Two 12 months guarantee
- Trustpilot score: 4.2/5 (3,562 evaluations)
As one of many lightest carders on the UK market, the Sq. Reader is good for sole merchants on the transfer trying to have the ability to take funds rapidly.
Execs:
- Low cost one-time buy price
- Number of advantages with Sq. Free Plan
- Transportable and light-weight system
- Battery lasts all day
- Can take funds for as much as 24 hours with out an web connection*
Cons:
- Machine liable to get misplaced on account of measurement
- Higher finish of in-person transaction charges
*Phrases and circumstances apply
Get began with Sq.
Tide Card Reader Plus – Lowest Transaction Charges
The Tide Card Reader Plus is good for small companies in search of a holistic resolution to receiving in-person card funds.
The Tide Card Reader Plus (and its cheaper different, the Tide Card Reader) is simply suitable with a Tide Enterprise Account, that means you will have to open a enterprise checking account with Tide to make use of their card reader.
This might not be appropriate for companies that aren’t trying to swap enterprise financial institution accounts, nonetheless there are a number of benefits to opening a Tide enterprise checking account. It’s free – so long as you select the Tide Free Enterprise Account – making it one of many few free enterprise financial institution accounts. It additionally features a linked Immediate Saver account (as much as 2.27% AER), free Making Tax Digital instruments, and the flexibility to ship three free invoices per 30 days.
Key Options:
- Value: £199 + VAT
- Dimensions: 20 x 7.8 x 5.6cm
- Weight: 495g
- Accepts: Contactless, chip + pin, and digital wallets
- Wi-Fi and 4G connectivity
- Card reader transaction charges: 0.79% + 3p*
- Subsequent day settlement**
- Trustpilot score: 4.4/5 (32,824 evaluations)
*With subscription to Tide’s Promote In-Particular person.
**Further £2.99 + VAT per 30 days
If portability and measurement are a key consideration, the Tide Card Reader Plus is a bit on the clunky aspect. You could be higher off going for Tide’s extra light-weight possibility, the Tide Card Reader.
Use code TIDEZERO for £200 cashback and three months of fee-free home card funds.
Execs:
- All-in-one enterprise checking account, service provider account, accountancy software program, invoicing, and card reader supplier
- WiFi and 4G connectivity
- Can print paper receipts
Cons:
- One of many heavier fashions available on the market
- Requires Promote in-Particular person subscription to unlock decrease transaction charges
- Subsequent day settlement is an extra price
Get began with Tide
WorldPay – Finest for Companies with Excessive Quantity of Transactions
If you’re trying to hire a card reader, WorldPay is a budget-friendly possibility for small companies. The DX4000 countertop mannequin and DX8000 moveable mannequin are smooth card readers, and each settle for a variety of funds, together with contactless, chip + pin, and digital wallets.
WorldPay could also be greatest suited to companies with a excessive quantity of transactions, as to qualify for the free rental provide for the primary 12 months of the 18 month contract*, you will have to have a minimal transactions of £10,000 over a steady 180-day interval (for one terminal).
With a 1.50% transaction price as a part of the Simplicity pricing tariff, WorldPay ranks as a middling possibility when it comes to cost-per-transaction.
*Out there till June 2026
Key Options:
- Value: £22.50 per 30 days (after twelve month £0pm provide ends)
- Dimensions: not specified
- Weight: not specified
- Accepts: Contactless, chip + pin, and digital wallets
- Wi-Fi (& 4G connectivity for DX4000 countertop)
- 1.50% transaction price
- Trustpilot score: 4.3/5 (9,872 evaluations)
Execs:
- No becoming a member of price
- Subsequent day terminal alternative
- No authorisation price
- Subsequent enterprise day settlement
- 24/7, 365 buyer help
Cons:
- You will have to enroll to a minimal 18 month contract
- Free rental provide solely applies for first 12 months
- Minimal transaction of £10,000 over a steady 180-day interval for one terminal
- The advantages of WorldPay are extra obvious when accepting world funds on-line
Get began with Worldpay
Takepayments – Finest for Companies that Settle for Money and Card
It might sound unusual for a card reader to have the ability to settle for money and card, however Takepayments Plus means that you can take each, making it a really perfect alternative for cafes, eating places, and bars trying to make reconciliation simpler.
You’ll be tied to a twelve month contract, which can postpone some companies who don’t need to decide to a supplier.
Takepayments are the very best rated supplier on Trustpilot, with reviewers praising employees for wonderful customer support and helpfulness.
Key Options:
- Value: request quote
- Transaction charges: bespoke – request quote
- Detailed breakdown of transactions on system
- Potential to take money and card
- Simple set-up
- Subsequent day settlement
- Trustpilot score: 4.9/5 (64,819 evaluations)
Takepayments additionally provide POS terminals for hospitality and retail, with costs beginning at £45 per 30 days.
Execs:
- Highest quantity of 4* and 5* evaluations on Trustpilot in comparison with different card cost suppliers
- 24/7 buyer help
- Person-friendly interface
Cons:
- Pricing solely accessible by quote
- Tied to a twelve month contract
- Early termination equal to remaining time left on the contract
Get began with Takepayments
Are you in search of a Level of Sale (POS) supplier? Try our information to POS methods: The important information to level of sale (POS) methods
SumUp Solo Lite – Finest Funds Possibility
In the event you’re a sole dealer in search of a budget-friendly, moveable card reader, SumUp’s Solo Lite is a straightforward, dependable card reader that pairs with the SumUp cell app.
With a one-time price of £25 + VAT, no month-to-month charges, and 1.69% transaction charges, SumUp’s Solo Lite is a market-leader for value-for-money.
Key Options:
- Value: £25 one-time buy
- Transaction charges: 1.69%
- Dimensions: 8.3 x 8.3 x 1.7cm
- Weight: ~126gm
- Accepts: Contactless, chip + pin, and digital wallets
- Subsequent day settlements by 7am
- Constructed-in sim card
- WiFi and cell information connectivity
- Trustpilot rating: 4.1/5 (40,899 evaluations)
Whereas the system is pocket-sized, this does make it liable to get misplaced when on the transfer.
Execs:
- One-off cost, no month-to-month charges
- Transportable and light-weight
- Connects to most UK enterprise financial institution accounts
Cons:
- In the event you make greater than £3,000 in card funds, decrease transaction charges solely accessible with £19 month-to-month price
- In the event you solely settle for contactless funds, SumUp’s free Faucet to Pay could also be a extra appropriate possibility
Get a quote right now
Revolut Lite Terminal – Finest for Present Revolut Enterprise Customers
If you’re an present Revolut Enterprise consumer, the Revolut Lite Terminal is a straightforward resolution to accepting in-person funds.
The one-off {hardware} price is barely costly at £129 + VAT, however that is offset by the low home transaction charges (0.8% + £0.02) and 24-hour settlement, even on weekends.
If you’re on the transfer, Revolut Enterprise’s Faucet to Pay on iPhone can will let you settle for contactless funds with no {hardware} prices.
Key Options:
- Value: £129 one-time {hardware} buy
- Transaction charges: 0.8% + 2p
- Dimensions: Not specified
- Weight: Not specified
- Accepts: Contactless, chip + pin, and digital wallets
- Subsequent day settlements even on weekends
- WiFi and cell information connectivity (2G, 3G and 4G)
- Trustpilot score: 4.7/5 (381,047 evaluations)
With 2G, 3G and 4G connectivity, the Revolut Lite Terminal is a dependable card reader for companies in rural areas.
Execs:
- Low home transaction charges
- Subsequent day settlements on weekends
- Decreased transaction charges from Revolut Pay accounts (0.5%)
Cons:
- Solely accessible with a Revolut Enterprise account (beginning at £10/month)
- Excessive one-off {hardware} buy price
Proper now, you possibly can obtain £100 welcome bonus by signing as much as Revolut Enterprise by way of Small Enterprise. To obtain the £100 you have to onboard by way of the hyperlink under. Supply ends 31/12/2026. Charges, promotional phrases, and T&Cs apply.
Get began with Revolut Enterprise
Clover Flex – Finest for Service Business
The Clover Flex is a compact, dependable handheld system helps observe your gross sales, handle stock and observe shifts with the cloud-based Clover dashboard. This makes it supreme for service business companies, comparable to cafes, pubs and eating places that worth cell, all-in-one cost options.
Clover might not be essentially the most budget-friendly possibility because it fees a month-to-month £9.99 service price alongside the one-off {hardware} price, decided by a bespoke bundle after enquiry.
Key Options:
- Value: Bespoke quote + £9.99 month-to-month service price
- Transaction charges: As much as 1.49%
- Dimensions: Not specified
- Weight: Not specified
- Accepts: Contactless, chip + pin, and digital wallets
- Subsequent day settlements
- Handle stock on the system
- WiFi and cell connectivity
- Trustpilot score: 4.6/5 (2,614 evaluations)
Clover are famous for his or her wonderful buyer help, which can make them a superb possibility for brand new companies unfamiliar with organising card readers.
Execs:
- No minimal month-to-month fees for transactions
- Actual-time studies and analytics
- No hidden charges
- 8-hour battery life
Cons:
- {Hardware} price solely accessible upon enquiry
- Month-to-month service cost
Get a quote right now
What’s the greatest card reader for UK small companies?
For its low one-off price, portability, and extra options as a part of the Free plan, together with invoicing, customized reserving web site, and E book Now integration on social media platforms, the Sq. Reader is the Smallbusiness.co.uk greatest general card reader.
How a lot do card readers price?
Costs range from £19 + VAT to £199 + VAT.
How to decide on one of the best card reader for your small business
There are a variety of things that decide which card reader is greatest for your small business:
- Charges and pricing
- Transaction quantity
- Settlement pace
- Contract size
- Cost technique and card sort
- Enterprise sort and placement
- Connectivity choices
- Further advantages with the supplier (comparable to invoicing or a enterprise checking account)
What are the various kinds of card reader?
- Transportable readers
- Built-in POS terminals
- Magstripe readers
- Contactless readers
