As more and more people use cards to make payments, it’s important for businesses to pick the right card machine. There are lots of different machines to choose from, with different sizes, shapes, and features. Some machines are better suited for certain types of businesses. In this guide, we’ll help you find the best card machine for your business.
Card payment machines, also known as card readers, are devices that let you take payments using chip and PIN or contactless methods. Some can even accept payments through smartphones or mobile devices. As more and more people prefer using cards instead of cash, these machines have become really important for businesses. With their growing popularity, there are now many different card machines to choose from. Each one has its own features, fees, and upfront costs, so it’s important to compare them carefully to find the best one for your business.
Card machines can typically be split into 2 categories, some machines are rented of a contract of 18-24m other card reader are offered pay as you go. You can see a brief comparison of both below:
Fixed Term:
Ideal forSet Businesses/SMEs Etc.
✓ Established businesses, turnover of over 3K
✓ Have been trading longer than 1 year
✓ Require online and in store card processing
✓ Any business with low turnover
—
Pay As You Go:
Best For Startups/Mobile Shop Etc.
✓ Companies with a low turnover (3k or below)
✓ Businesses trading less than 1 year
✓ Perfect for startups or seasonal businesses
✓ Mobile hairdressers, food vans and startups
You will see many articles on the web promoting just PAYG card readers. Card readers typically have no contract and have a small device which is quick and easy to setup.
For more established companies a PAYG card reader often is not the right solution as it could be significantly more expensive than getting a traditional card machine.
You can see how your monthly turnover dramatically changes your costs per month in the examples below
As you can see for a typical business the pay as go card machine in more than double the monthly cost, even though there is no card machine rental the big difference in transaction costs mean that a contract card machine is much significantly cheaper.
What about a less established business or a side hustle? Below you can see an example of a business with 2k in sales per month.
Example of a mobile hairdresser with 2k in sales per month
In this example there is virtually no difference in cost but for most business owners a payg machine would be preferable because you wouldn’t be tied into a card machine rental contract which is typically 18-24 months long.
Because there are so many articles promoting PAYG card readers and not enough promoting the benefits of contract card machines many get bamboozled into choosing the former.
Unsure as to which would be cheaper for you? Use our comparison engine to compare both payg card readers and contract card machines here.
Card machines work by getting information from a customer’s debit or credit card. This can happen when the card is inserted into the machine or tapped against the terminal for contactless payments. The information is sent to the payment processor, who then collects information from the customer’s bank. If there is enough money in the account, the transaction is approved. The customer’s bank sets aside the funds, and the transaction is marked as pending. In the next few days, the money is transferred to the merchant’s bank account, processed, and deposited into their account
Just a few years ago, it would have been hard to imagine a world without cash. But now, we are seeing a decline in cash usage. Cash transactions are decreasing, both in terms of quantity and value.
ATMs are being removed from High Streets due to low demand. Instead of cash, people are opting for credit and debit cards, even for small purchases like a single banana or a coffee.
In fact, UK Finance reported that card sales surpassed cash sales in the last quarter of 2017, a year earlier than predicted. They also forecast that by 2027, only 16% of purchases will involve cash, a lower estimate than before. Debit card sales are expected to increase by 49%, and credit card sales are also predicted to grow after a 13% increase in 2017.
With such clear data, it’s evident that using a credit card machine can greatly benefit your business.
Sumup
SumUp has 3 types of card readers. They have different prices, but they all charge a 1.69% fee for transactions.
The smallest and cheapest options are SumUp Air and SumUp Air and Cradle, costing £39 and £44. Both work with the free SumUp app, connecting to your phone or tablet through Bluetooth. SumUp Air is good for businesses in a store or making deliveries.
SumUp Solo is a standalone device with a touch screen, priced at £79. It uses Wi-Fi and includes free unlimited mobile data with its built-in SIM card. It also comes with a charging station to keep the card reader powered up.
SumUp 3G and Printer is the last option, priced at £129. It doesn’t need a smartphone and includes a built-in SIM card with free unlimited mobile data and Wi-Fi. This one can print receipts, and the printer also serves as a charging base.
Square
The Square Reader is only £19 and charges a 1.75% fee for transactions. It works with chip-and-PIN cards, contactless cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. You can connect it wirelessly. It’s small and handy for on-the-go transactions. The app helps you quickly enter sales and gives you access to real-time inventory and reports.
The Square Terminal is a bigger device that lets you take payments and print receipts. It’s portable, has a strong battery, and allows you to accept payments anywhere in your store or restaurant. It costs £149 plus VAT and has a 1.75% transaction fee.
Zettle (By Paypal)
The Zettle Card Reader 2 is a simple device that only costs £29, plus VAT, and has a 1.75% transaction fee. When used with one of Zettle’s point-of-sale apps, it can quickly accept all credit cards and contactless payments. You can also easily send digital receipts, create online invoices, and give full or partial refunds. It helps you track staff productivity too.
The Zettle Terminal is larger than the Zettle Card Reader 2. If needed, you can add a receipt printer and docking station, making it a good choice for stores and restaurants with a professional workstation. It’s priced at £149 plus VAT and has a 1.75% transaction fee.
Revolut
Revolut recently added a new product to its lineup called the Revolut Reader, which is its first card machine. Like most card readers, the Revolut point-of-sale (POS) terminal quickly and securely accepts transactions, whether they’re made with debit cards, credit cards, or contactless payments.
Revolut says the Revolut Reader can process payments in less than “5 seconds,” and with its low transaction fees, it seems like a good choice. However, if your customers prefer to use American Express, you might need to look for a different machine because the Revolut Reader currently doesn’t support payments from Amex.
Barclaycard
Barclaycard offers the Barclaycard Anywhere card reader for taking credit, debit, and digital payments in-store or on the go. It comes with a pay-as-you-go contract and a one-time rental fee of £29 plus VAT. The transaction fee is 1.6%.
With the Barclaycard Anywhere app on your mobile device, you can manage payments in real-time, connect your card reader via Bluetooth, and export data for easier accounting. The app also lets you check sales, issue e-receipts, give refunds from your online dashboard, and add multiple users to a single account.
For the Barclaycard Flex card reader, there’s a monthly rental fee of £15 plus VAT with an 18-month contract. Start-ups and small businesses with lower-volume or low-value transactions will have a 1.6% fee per transaction. Larger businesses with higher volume or high-value transactions will have a variable monthly cost per transaction and a personalized pricing plan.
Are you looking for the top card machine deal, even if it comes with a contract?
Clover, Barclaycard, Elavon provide some of the best transaction costs for card payments in the UK. Customer service tends to be of a high standard, unless you require something specific go with the provider offering the cheapest cost! Your transaction costs are often linked to your turnover, and you can see exactly how much you will save/pay using our online comparison engine.
Are you seeking the most affordable card payment machine that doesn’t require a contract?
If so, consider opting for an app-based card machine like Zettle Reader (known for its ergonomic design), SumUp Air (features a glass surface), or Square Reader (compact size). These devices connect to a mobile device through Bluetooth, and the associated point of sale (POS) apps serve as excellent and straightforward cash registers for many small businesses.
As more and more people use cards to make payments, it’s important for businesses to pick the right card machine. There are lots of different machines to choose from, with different sizes, shapes, and features. Some machines are better suited for certain types of businesses. In this guide, we’ll help you find the best card reader in the UK for your business.
Card payment machines, also known as card readers, are devices that let you take payments using chip and PIN or contactless methods. Some can even accept payments through smartphones or mobile devices. As more and more people prefer using cards instead of cash, these machines have become really important for businesses. With their growing popularity, there are now many different card machines to choose from. Each one has its own features, fees, and upfront costs, so it’s important to compare them carefully to find the best card reader in the UK for your business.
Card machines can typically be split into 2 categories, some machines are rented of a contract of 18-24m other card reader are offered pay as you go. You can see a brief comparison of both below:
Fixed Term:
Ideal forSet Businesses/SMEs Etc.
✓ Established businesses, turnover of over 3K
✓ Have been trading longer than 1 year
✓ Require online and in store card processing
✓ Any business with low turnover
—
Pay As You Go:
Best For Startups/Mobile Shop Etc.
✓ Companies with a low turnover (3k or below)
✓ Businesses trading less than 1 year
✓ Perfect for startups or seasonal businesses
✓ Mobile hairdressers, food vans and startups
You will see many articles on the web promoting just PAYG card readers. Card readers typically have no contract and have a small device which is quick and easy to setup.
For more established companies a Pay As You Go card machine often is not the right solution as it could be significantly more expensive than getting a traditional card machine.
You can see how your monthly turnover dramatically changes your costs per month in the examples below
As you can see for a typical business the pay as go card machine in more than double the monthly cost, even though there is no card machine rental the big difference in transaction costs mean that a contract card machine is much significantly cheaper.
What about a less established business or a side hustle? Below you can see an example of a business with 2k in sales per month.
Example of a mobile hairdresser with 2k in sales per month
In this example there is virtually no difference in cost but for most business owners a payg machine would be preferable because you wouldn’t be tied into a card machine rental contract which is typically 18-24 months long.
Because there are so many articles promoting PAYG card readers and not enough promoting the benefits of contract card machines many get bamboozled into choosing the former.
Unsure as to which would be the cheapest card reader for you? Use our card reader comparison engine to compare both Pay As You Go card machine and contract card machines here.
Card machines work by getting information from a customer’s debit or credit card. This can happen when the card is inserted into the machine or tapped against the terminal for contactless payments. The information is sent to the payment processor, who then collects information from the customer’s bank. If there is enough money in the account, the transaction is approved. The customer’s bank sets aside the funds, and the transaction is marked as pending. In the next few days, the money is transferred to the merchant’s bank account, processed, and deposited into their account
Just a few years ago, it would have been hard to imagine a world without cash. But now, we are seeing a decline in cash usage. Cash transactions are decreasing, both in terms of quantity and value.
ATMs are being removed from High Streets due to low demand. Instead of cash, people are opting for credit and debit cards, even for small purchases like a single banana or a coffee.
In fact, UK Finance reported that card sales surpassed cash sales in the last quarter of 2017, a year earlier than predicted. They also forecast that by 2027, only 16% of purchases will involve cash, a lower estimate than before. Debit card sales are expected to increase by 49%, and credit card sales are also predicted to grow after a 13% increase in 2017.
With such clear data, it’s evident that using a credit card machine can greatly benefit your business.
Sumup
SumUp has 3 types of card readers. They have different prices, but they all charge a 1.69% fee for transactions.
The smallest and cheapest card reader fees in the UK options are SumUp Air and SumUp Air and Cradle, costing £39 and £44. Both work with the free SumUp app, connecting to your phone or tablet through Bluetooth. SumUp Air is good for businesses in a store or making deliveries.
SumUp Solo is a standalone device with a touch screen, priced at £79. It uses Wi-Fi and includes free unlimited mobile data with its built-in SIM card. It also comes with a charging station to keep the card reader powered up.
SumUp 3G and Printer is the last option, priced at £129. It doesn’t need a smartphone and includes a built-in SIM card with free unlimited mobile data and Wi-Fi. This one can print receipts, and the printer also serves as a charging base.
Square
The Square Reader is only £19 and charges a 1.75% fee for transactions. It works with chip-and-PIN cards, contactless cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. You can connect it wirelessly. It’s small and handy for on-the-go transactions. The app helps you quickly enter sales and gives you access to real-time inventory and reports.
The Square Terminal is a bigger device that lets you take payments and print receipts. It’s portable, has a strong battery, and allows you to accept payments anywhere in your store or restaurant. It costs £149 plus VAT and has a 1.75% transaction fee.
Zettle (By Paypal)
The Zettle Card Reader 2 is a simple device that only costs £29, plus VAT, and has a 1.75% transaction fee. When used with one of Zettle’s point-of-sale apps, it can quickly accept all credit cards and contactless payments. You can also easily send digital receipts, create online invoices, and give full or partial refunds. It helps you track staff productivity too.
The Zettle Terminal is larger than the Zettle Card Reader 2. If needed, you can add a receipt printer and docking station, making it a good choice for stores and restaurants with a professional workstation. It’s priced at £149 plus VAT and has a 1.75% transaction fee.
Revolut
Revolut recently added a new product to its lineup called the Revolut Reader, which is its first card machine. Like most card readers, the Revolut point-of-sale (POS) terminal quickly and securely accepts transactions, whether they’re made with debit cards, credit cards, or contactless payments.
Revolut says the Revolut Reader can process payments in less than “5 seconds,” and with its low transaction fees, it seems like a good choice. However, if your customers prefer to use American Express, you might need to look for a different machine because the Revolut Reader currently doesn’t support payments from Amex.
Barclaycard
Barclaycard offers the Barclaycard Anywhere card reader for taking credit, debit, and digital payments in-store or on the go. It comes with a pay-as-you-go contract and a one-time rental fee of £29 plus VAT. The transaction fee is 1.6%.
With the Barclaycard Anywhere app on your mobile device, you can manage payments in real-time, connect your card reader via Bluetooth, and export data for easier accounting. The app also lets you check sales, issue e-receipts, give refunds from your online dashboard, and add multiple users to a single account.
For the Barclaycard Flex card reader, there’s a monthly rental fee of £15 plus VAT with an 18-month contract. Start-ups and small businesses with lower-volume or low-value transactions will have a 1.6% fee per transaction. Larger businesses with higher volume or high-value transactions will have a variable monthly cost per transaction and a personalized pricing plan.
Are you looking for the top card machine deal, even if it comes with a contract?
Clover, Barclaycard, Elavon provide some of the best transaction costs for card payments in the UK. Customer service tends to be of a high standard, unless you require something specific go with the provider offering the cheapest card reader fees in the UK! Your transaction costs are often linked to your turnover, and you can see exactly how much you will save/pay using our online card reader comparison engine.
Are you seeking the most affordable card payment machine that doesn’t require a contract?
If so, consider opting for an app-based card machine like Zettle Reader (known for its ergonomic design), SumUp Air (features a glass surface), or Square Reader (compact size). These devices connect to a mobile device through Bluetooth, and the associated point of sale (POS) apps serve as excellent and straightforward cash registers for many small businesses.
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Compare Card Processing is a trading name of Savepay Ltd. Reg in England No. 10147163. Registered Office: International House, 24 Holborn Viaduct,
London, EC1A 2BN.
Compare Card Processing: Your go-to site for insights to choose the ideal provider for your card processing needs.
© 2024 Compare Card Processing. All Rights Reserved.
Compare Card Processing is a trading name of Savepay Ltd. Reg in England No. 10147163. Registered Office: International House, 24 Holborn Viaduct, London, EC1A 2BN.
* All your information is held securely and we never give your details to 3rd parties.
* All your information is held securely and we never give your details to 3rd parties.
© 2024 Compare Card Processing. All Rights Reserved.
Design & Dev by
