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Compare Card Machines For Small Businesses

Save up to 40% on your transaction fees. We help UK SMEs find the perfect terminal from trusted providers like SumUp, Dojo, and more.

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  • Comparison Table
  • Current Rates
  • Machine Types
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Rated 4.9/5 by 2,000+ UK Owners
100% Free Comparison Service
Expert advice since 2018

Switching made simple

We've streamlined the comparison process so you can get back to what matters most: growing your business.

Compare

Enter a few details and we'll instantly scan dozens of top-tier UK providers for you.

Switch

Pick the deal that fits your budget. We handle the paperwork and coordination with the supplier.

Save

Watch your overheads drop. Average customers save over £2,000 per year on utilities alone.

DETAILED COMPARISON

SumUp Air

Rate:

1.69%

Monthly:

£0

Contract:

Rolling

Dojo Go

Rate:

Custom

Monthly:

£20

Contract:

1 Month

myPOS Go 2

Rate:

1.10% + 7p

Monthly:

£0

Contract:

Rolling

Shift4 Pro

Rate:

0.99%

Monthly:

£15

Contract:

12 Months

Teya Smart

Rate:

Custom

Monthly:

£0

Contract:

1 Month

EPOS Pro

Rate:

1.50%

Monthly:

£25

Contract:

12 Months

App-based vs Simple Card Readers

Modern terminals are more than just a way to take money. They can manage your inventory, track staff hours, and even handle your VAT reporting.

The App Ecosystem

Perfect for restaurants needing floor management and order tracking.

Simple Readers

Best for market stalls and tradies who just need a quick, reliable tap.

Trusted by Industry Leaders

SumUp
Dojo
Teya
myPOS
Shift4
Zettle
Worldpay
EPOS

DETAILED COMPARISON

Provider
Transaction Rate
Monthly Fee
Contract Length
Best Suited For
SumUp
1.69%
£0
None
SMEs <£2k turnover
Dojo
Custom (Low)
£20
1 Month
Busy Retail/Food
myPOS
1.10% + 7p
£0
None
Tradies
Shift4
0.99%
£15
12 Months
Established Retail
Teya
1.25% (Avg)
£0
30 Days
Pubs & Cafes
EPOS Now
1.50%
£25
12 Months
Full Inventory Needs

Startups (<£2k)

Avoid monthly fees. Pay-as-you-go is your best friend until you scale.

  • No fixed costs
  • Instant setup
View options →

Growth (£2k-£10k)

Switch to a provider with lower rates even if there's a small monthly fee.

  • Lower blended rates
  • Next-day settlement
View options →

High Vol (£10k+)

Negotiate a custom rate. Every 0.1% saved is hundreds in your pocket.

  • Bespoke pricing
  • Account management
View options →

How to Choose the Right Machine

1

Check the Battery Life

If you're on the road, you need at least 10 hours of active use.

2

Look at Settlement Times

Some pay next day, others take 3–5 working days. Cash flow is king.

3

Review the Hidden Fees

Watch out for PCI compliance fees or 'non-secure' transaction surcharges.

!

When NOT to Switch

Switching isn't always the right move. You should pause if:

×

Your current provider has a heavy exit fee that outweighs 12 months of savings.

×

You have a highly bespoke EPOS integration that isn't compatible with other terminals.

×

You are currently in the middle of a seasonal peak (Christmas/Summer) – hardware delays could be fatal.

"The biggest mistake SME owners make is staying with their high-street bank for card processing. You're likely paying double the market rate for outdated hardware."

David Richardson

Senior Fintech Advisor, GrowMyBusiness

Impartial Experts

We aren't tied to any provider. Our goal is to find you the lowest rate, period.

Fast & Simple

Answer 3 questions and get tailored quotes in under 60 seconds.

Real Savings

Our users save an average of £840 per year by switching providers.

Types of Hardware Available

Countertop

Ethernet connected. Reliable for permanent retail points.

Portable

Bluetooth/Wi-Fi. Ideal for taking payments at the table.

Mobile

GPRS/4G SIM. Perfect for deliveries and outdoor stalls.

EPOS Systems

Fully integrated till systems with inventory management.

Card Machine FAQs

Card machine FAQs

For most small or lower-turnover businesses, a no-contract reader with no monthly fee works out cheapest — you only pay a small percentage when you actually take a payment, with nothing to earn back each month. Machines with a monthly rental only start to make sense once your card takings are high enough to offset that fee. We'll match a machine to your real turnover so you don't overpay.
No. Some providers are pay-as-you-go with no contract and no monthly fee, while others come as a managed contract, typically over 12 to 18 months, with lower transaction rates in return. Which is cheaper depends entirely on how much you take in card payments — that's the comparison we run for you.
Pay-as-you-go means no monthly fee and no contract, but a higher flat rate per transaction — best for low or seasonal card takings. A managed contract has a monthly fee but lower rates, so it works out cheaper once your volume is high enough to cover that fee. The crossover point is usually somewhere around a few thousand pounds a month in card sales.
It varies by provider. Next-day settlement to your business bank account is common, some providers settle instantly, and a few pay into their own account which you then withdraw from. It's worth understanding before you sign — and it's one of the things we'll flag when we compare your options.
You can, but check for early-exit fees first, as they can outweigh the saving if you're early in a managed contract. Some providers will even cover a previous provider's exit fees up to a set amount to win your business. We'll factor all of that in before recommending a switch.
Restaurants usually get the most from a managed system that does more than take payments — portable terminals for table service, plus apps for multiple staff, order points and riders or delivery drivers. A simple reader takes cards fine, but if you run a busy floor or offer delivery, that extra functionality often matters more than the raw transaction rate.
Yes. Mobile terminals have a built-in 4G SIM and work anywhere with a phone signal — ideal for markets, food trucks, trades and deliveries. Countertop and portable machines typically connect by WiFi or ethernet, so they suit fixed premises.
Some providers offer funding advanced against your future card sales, repaid as a small percentage of each transaction rather than fixed monthly repayments. It can suit businesses with steady card income, though the cost and terms vary, so it's worth comparing carefully. Get in touch and we'll talk you through whether it's a fit for your business.

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