(updated 26 September 2023)
Your card payment fees draining your profits? 🤔
Discover the ultimate money-saving guide to taking card payments without breaking the bank! 💳💰. The cheapest card payment machines available for you in UK.
Get ready to uncover the 9 CHEAPEST ways to revolutionise your payment process and boost your bottom line! 💸💥
Don’t miss out on these game-changing solutions that’ll have your competitors green with envy! 🌟🚀”
I bet you that after reading this article you will save minimmum 50% cost on your current card payment solution expenses.
I run a small business myself where I sell food items in open market, I looked into the market for a payment solution and found out there are various players with fees much greater than it should be. Finding cheapest card payment machine was one of the biggest challanges.
So I did a thorough analysis of there cost and overall setup commitment and put it clearly on a comparison chart.
So it is much easier for you to make a decision.
Let me first tell you what is the step by step process I followed to do do this analysis.
First I created a spreadsheet where I listed monthly prices for top 9 payment solution providers in UK.
Then I went on trustpilot and looked into there reivews and based on that put a coloumn which reflect the pricing mentioned on the providers website and pricing which users reflect on the trustpilot platform.
And I have taken the average of both so that you can see the actual and advertised pricing on the graph. I made sure the cheapest card payment machine is listed on rank 1 and hence forth the remaining.
And then I created a fomula which takes average of both cost and refelect it into the transaction fee colum.
I can tell you’ve been putting in a right bit of graft to better your business’s bottom line, implementing a whole host of cunning tactics to achieve success.
Now, let’s not forget, the UK is facing some choppy waters, not just on the economic front but also in fierce competition with the rest of the globe.
It’s enough to give anyone a proper headache, especially if those bloomin’ hefty transaction fees start dragging your business down like an anchor.
But fear not, for I’ve taken it upon myself to personally test and explore nine different ways to accept card payments for your enterprise.
Aye, I’ve rolled up my sleeves and delved into the depths of possibilities.
So, with great pleasure, I present to you me rankings, based on a few key factors:
- How much they cost monthly?
- How fast you could start receiving money?
- What hardware/software you need to use in order to do that?
- How much is the initial cost?
- How much is the transaction or in other words commision cost?
- How long you could be the Bounded in a contracts with these companies?
And baed on above I have ranked all the platforms below.
You will find answers to all questions above in each section listed below:
1# GB Pay (£0/month)
GB Pay is a simple and straightforward service which lets you accept payment with a twist.
The traditional services needs you to create a bank account and then connect it with their POS or card reader and then customers could just pay you via their credit or debit card.
But let’s be hones? how many of them use the real physical cards?
Study done by Statista shows clearly that 8 out of 10 users in UK use there mobile phones to pay for there shopping on card machines.
Statista is a German online platform specialized in data gathering and visualization, which offers statistics and reports, market insights, consumer insights and company insights in German, English, Spanish and French.
What about Google Pay? almost 6 out of 10 people use it in UK.
So in reality you dont really need a card machine. You just need a solution which lets you take the payment.
And that is where GB Pay stands out. GB Pay lets you accept payment without any machine or monthly fee.
You just need to Signup, connect your stripe account and you are ready to accept payment instantly online.
Customers don’t even need any app to pay you, they just scan the QR code for your business and viola they can pay you!
- How much they cost monthly?
GB Pay costs £0/month. - How fast you could start receiving money?
You can start receiving money instantly online. - What hardware/software you need to use to do that?
No hardware, you just need to connect your Stripe account. - How much is the initial cost?
£0 - How much is the transaction or commission cost?
fees 2.9 % + 20p - How long you could be bounded in contracts with this company?
No contract
2# Squared £19 Square Card Reader 1.4% + 25p for UK card transactions or 2.5% + 25p for non-UK card transactions
You can get a new Square Card Reader for just £19 (+VAT).
- Get your money next business day
- Accept all major credit cards including Apple Pay and American Express
- Just 1.75% per chip + PIN and contactless payments.
Nope: There are no commitments, long-term contracts, startup fees, authorisation fees, statement fees, PCI-compliance fees or business card fees. Just pay when you use it. That’s it.
- How much they cost monthly?
£0/month. - How fast you could start receiving money?
You can receive money the next business day. - What hardware/software you need to use to do that?
You need the Square Card Reader. - How much is the initial cost?
The initial cost is £19 (+VAT) for the Square Card Reader. - How much is the transaction or commission cost?
The transaction cost is 1.75% per chip + PIN and contactless payments for UK cards, and 2.5% + 25p for non-UK cards. - How long you could be bounded in contracts with this company?
There are no long-term contracts or commitments.
3# SumUp £39.50 till £79 monthly
Solo card reader £39.50** till £79** monthly
Transaction fee (card readers) 0.99%* to 1.69%
Transaction fee (online payments) 0.99%* to 2.5%
Payout time 1 day
How long does SumUp last?
500 transactions : Your SumUp card machine i.e., Air lasts for over 500 transactions on one full charge and can be used while charging via a Micro-USB cable.
Battery life is shown in the corner of the Air’s screen. Standby mode automatically preserves your battery during periods of inactivity without breaking the connection with other devices.
- How much they cost monthly?
The cost varies from £39.50 to £79 per month, depending on the plan. - How fast you could start receiving money?
Payout time is 1 day. - What hardware/software you need to use to do that?
You need the SumUp Air card reader. - How much is the initial cost?
The initial cost is not specified in the article. - How much is the transaction or commission cost?
Transaction fees vary from 0.99% to 2.5% for card readers and online payments. - How long you could be bounded in contracts with this company?
No contract duration
4# myPOS (~ £40/ month + 2.90% + £0.15)
Domestic and EEA consumer cards 1.10% + £0.07 Per transaction
American Express 2.45% + £0.07 Per transaction
All other consumer and commercial cards 2.85% + £0.07 Per transaction
- How much they cost monthly?
Close to £40/month - How fast you could start receiving money?
In 2 to 7 working days - What hardware/software you need to use to do that?
You need the myPOS card reader. - How much is the initial cost?
No Setup Cost - How much is the transaction or commission cost?
The transaction cost varies based on the type of card used. - How long you could be bounded in contracts with this company? Contract duration could be 24 months long
5# Shopify Wisepad £19/month (£149 setup fee)
I must share the latest updates regarding Shopify’s offerings for our fellow Brits.
Presently, Shopify has limited the choice to one card reader option, namely the WisePad 3 reader. This device is reasonably well-equipped, but its suitability depends on your specific needs.
With a sleek weight of 130g and compact dimensions of 122 mm (H) x 70 mm (W) x 18 mm (D), the WisePad 3 is a nifty little reader that can be an excellent solution for your payment acceptance requirements.
However, there’s a catch — it is only fully compatible with iOS devices. Android users might need to consider other options.
The WisePad 3 card reader supports payments via Chip and PIN as well as contactless methods.
However, it functions exclusively with Shopify’s POS iOS app. To utilize it, you’ll need to connect it to your iPhone or iPad using wifi, Bluetooth, or your mobile network connection, enabling you to seamlessly accept payments.
While there are a few minor drawbacks to be aware of, we believe that the Shopify card reader boasts some redeeming qualities.
Allow me to outline them for you below.
As an expert in the payment industry, I understand the importance of making informed choices.
If you have any questions or need further insights, do not hesitate to comment below.
BasicPlan FOR INDIVIDUALS & SMALL BUSINESSES
Everything you need to create your store, ship products, and process payments
£19GBP/mo — Get 3 months of Basic for £1 per monthGet your first 3 months for £1/mo
Credit card rates 2% + 25p online 1.7% + 0p in person
Shopify Plan FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
Level up your business with professional reporting and more staff accounts
£49GBP/mo — Get 3 months of Shopify for £1 per monthGet your first 3 months for £1/mo
Credit card rates 1.7% + 25p online 1.6% + 0p in person
Advanced Plan FOR MEDIUM TO LARGE BUSINESSES
Get the best of Shopify with custom reporting and our lowest transaction fees
£259GBP/mo — Get 3 months of Advanced for £1 per monthGet your first 3 months for £1/mo
Credit card rates 1.5% + 25p online 1.5% + 0p in person
- How much they cost monthly?
For the Basic Plan, it costs £19/month. - How fast you could start receiving money?
In 15 working days - What hardware/software you need to use to do that?
You need the WisePad 3 card reader, which is fully compatible with iOS devices. - How much is the initial cost?
£149 setup fee - How much is the transaction or commission cost?
Credit card rates are 2% + 25p online, and 1.7% + 0p in person. - How long you could be bounded in contracts with this company? Contract duration could be 18 months
6# Revolut Reader (£49 setup + 2.6% £0.20p per trasaction)
Where can I find the funds processed through the Reader?
All payments processed through the card reader will settle into your Merchant pocket within 24 hours
Which payment methods are supported?
Revolut Reader supports Chip and PIN and contactless Visa, Mastercard, and Maestro payments, as well as Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay
Can I connect the Revolut Reader to an ePOS?
Currently, we only integrate with Nobly POS; we have more integrations coming soon. Find out more about
How can I allow my team members to use the Revolut Reader?
You need to create a profile for them in your Revolut Business account and set them up with the right permissions: 1. Log in to Revolut Business and navigate to the ‘Team’ tab. Select ‘Invite’ and enter the email address of the person you want to invite. You can invite multiple people at the same time. 2. Create your team member’s profile and configure their permissions to enable access to the merchant tab, and creating payment requests. For more on configuring team member permissions, please see the instructions.
How do I send receipts for payments accepted via Revolut Reader?
You can send receipts in two ways: 1. Select ‘Send receipt’ from the payment confirmation screen within the app. This should happen as soon as the transaction is completed. 2. Locate the relevant payment from the transaction list, click into it, and select ‘Send Receipt’ Receipts can be shared through most communication apps installed on your phone (WhatsApp, Email, SMS, etc.) You can send a receipt multiple times and you can send them for transactions and/or refunds.
What warranty does the Revolut Reader come with?
We offer a 30-day money back guarantee. If you return the device to us for any reason within 30 days of the purchase date, we’ll refund its cost to your Revolut Business account. The Revolut Reader also comes with a 1-year warranty. If you find any faults in the device within this period, we’ll replace it free of charge. For help with a warranty or to request a return, please get in touch with out Support team.
- How much they cost monthly?
No monthly cost - How fast you could start receiving money?
Upto 15 working days - What hardware/software you need to use to do that?
You need the Revolut card reader. - How much is the initial cost?
£49 setup fee - How much is the transaction or commission cost?
Transaction 2.6% + £0.20p - How long you could be bounded in contracts with this company? Contract could be 24 months long
7# Zettle Reader from PayPal (£149 setup fee)
You can get your hands on the Zettle Terminal without a barcode scanner at an affordable price of £149 (excluding VAT). Please keep in mind that this offer is subject to availability.
Delivery is quick, typically taking only 1 to 2 business days. However, there are delivery fees that apply.
If you require additional hardware like the Terminal Printer & Dock or the Terminal with barcode scanner, please note that these are sold separately.
On the bright side, the price includes a USB cable for charging and a wall plug, making it convenient for you.
It’s essential to be aware that PayPal may make changes to the offer under exceptional circumstances. Rest assured, I’ll do my best to keep you updated.
Don’t forget to check out the additional terms and conditions for the Zettle service and the delivery terms.
Also, take note that fees may apply when using the Zettle Terminal. To get a comprehensive understanding, I recommend learning more about them.
Now, let’s turn our attention to the Zettle Reader 2 offer:
- For new eligible business users, there’s an exciting deal: the Zettle Reader 2 is available for just £29 (excluding VAT). Isn’t that fantastic?
- Should you need more card readers, additional units are priced at £59 (excluding VAT) each.
- Delivery is swift, with orders typically arriving within 1 to 2 business days. Nevertheless, do remember that delivery fees apply.
- The Zettle Dock and Reader are sold separately. However, it’s worth noting that the price includes a USB cable for charging.
- At present, wall plugs are not offered for sale by Zettle, so you’ll need to arrange those separately.
- As with the Terminal offer, PayPal may make changes in exceptional circumstances. But don’t worry, I’ll ensure you stay informed.
- Be sure not to miss the additional terms and conditions for the Zettle service and the sale of hardware. It’s always wise to be well-informed.
I hope this information empowers you to make the right choice.
- How much they cost monthly?
No monthly cost - How fast you could start receiving money?
Speed of receiving money depends upon your busines type. - What hardware/software you need to use to do that?
Hardware/software requirements include the Zettle Terminal and Zettle Reader 2. - How much is the initial cost?
Initial costs are £149 (excluding VAT) for Zettle Terminal and £29 (excluding VAT) for Zettle Reader 2. - How much is the transaction or commission cost?
Transaction or commission cost is not specified in the article but typical Zettle fees are around 1.75% — 2.75%. - How long you could be bounded in contracts with this company? Contract duration could be 18 months long
8# Takepayments Mobile (2.5% + £0.20p and 18 months contract)
A dynamic and rapidly growing card payment company that has been making waves in the UK since 2016.
Led by industry expert Clive Kahn, takepayments is on a mission to revolutionize the payments industry.
With a solid foundation and a substantial customer base of over 75,000 satisfied clients, takepayments has swiftly become a force to be reckoned with.
Clive Kahn’s vast experience in the payments sector, starting from a young age in his parents’ shop, has been instrumental in the company’s success.
The takepayments approach stands apart from many competitors in the field.
Avoiding one-size-fits-all solutions and jargon-filled interactions, the company focuses on delivering quality, value, and exceptional customer service.
The team of dedicated Payment Consultants, spread across the country, is committed to providing merchants with the right product at the right price, along with top-notch post-sales support.
Beyond mere payment processing, takepayments offers innovative solutions that aim to elevate the customer experience and streamline business operations.
From local high street stores to booming online ventures, the company’s services cater to diverse needs.
Recognizing the uniqueness of each business, takepayments tailors its offerings to suit specific requirements, ensuring a personalized and seamless experience for all clients.
The company’s dedication to enhancing business efficiency and success is evident in the ongoing development of exciting solutions tailored for independent organizations.
If your average transaction value is low, like £5, your fees would be higher than someone accepting high transaction values like £100. This means cafés and convenience stores, for example, probably won’t be the right fit.
Alright, let’s dive into the world of payment expertise and compare Takepayments with other providers:
When it comes to transaction fees, Takepayments stands out for its flexible approach.
The main factors influencing the card rates are your transaction value and sales volume.
Now, let’s talk about how this works in practice.
If your business deals with lower average transaction values, let’s say around £5, you may find that the quoted fees are slightly higher compared to someone accepting higher transaction values, like £100.
This might make Takepayments a less suitable choice for café and convenience store owners.
However, if you’re running a car dealership, beautician service, restaurant, or independent retail shop, you’ll be pleased to find competitive fees tailored to your business needs.
Takepayments’ transaction fees are transparently composed of two components: a variable rate based on the card type or brand, and a fixed authorisation fee.
Takepayments categorize the fees into four groups, namely domestic debit cards, domestic credit cards, business debit cards, and business credit cards.
For instance, domestic cards enjoy the lowest rates, with some starting as low as 0.28%.
On the other end of the spectrum, business or corporate cards typically incur fees ranging from 1.8% to 2%, and in some cases, it might go up to 2.5%, combined with the fixed authorisation charge.
Now, it’s essential to consider the monthly minimum service charge.
This is an agreed-upon amount, let’s say £20, which you’ll need to fulfill in transaction charges each month.
Even if your monthly transactions only amount to, say, £10, you’ll still need to meet the agreed-upon minimum of £20.
Moreover, if you wish to accept American Express cards, a separate agreement is necessary.
Takepayments doesn’t automatically include this option; it requires a specific setup through your acquirer.
Comparing this approach with other providers, Takepayments shines in its flexibility and dedication to tailoring fees to suit your business.
- How much they cost monthly?
Variable monthly cost. - How fast you could start receiving money?
In 15 working days - What hardware/software you need to use to do that?
You need the takepayment card reader. - How much is the initial cost?
Upto £159 - How much is the transaction or commission cost?
Transaction 0.3 to 2.5% - How long you could be bounded in contracts with this company? Contract duration could be upto 18 months.
9# Tyl by Natwest (£14.95+VAT per month)
No monthly fees on e-commerce gateway for 12 months. Usually £14.95+VAT per month. Terms, conditions and eligibility apply*.
This essential functionality gives you the power to quickly and easily accept payments through your website, over the phone or by email (pay-by-link).
Offer available for new and existing Tyl by NatWest customers who do not currently have a payment gateway with Tyl.
Offer ends 31 December 2023. We’ll be in touch to let you know your options after 12 months (previously priced at £14.95+VAT per month on a monthly subscription basis).
The Payment gateway comprises of online, telephone and pay-by-link payment functionality.
Additional fees may apply for data usage or app downloads. Tyl eligibility criteria, terms and conditions and fees apply.
- How much they cost monthly?
£14.95+VAT per month for e-commerce gateway (free for 12 months for eligible customers). - How fast you could start receiving money?
3 to 5 working days - What hardware/software you need to use to do that?
You need the tyl Natwest card reader. - How much is the initial cost?
No setup cost - How much is the transaction or commission cost?
Transaction fee 1.5% + £0.20p excluding amex, with amex it is around 3.5% + £0.20p - How long you could be bounded in contracts with this company?
Free e-commerce gateway for 12 months, after which it’s £14.95+VAT per month on a monthly subscription basis.
How to take card payments for free?
I have tried to use various platforms for my ice cream van business. But I can tell you from 5 years of experience that taking card payment will never be free.
It can’t be because of the parties involve in it. And they will never let you use the infrastructure they have built for free.
Some sales people will try to confuse you with getting you some lucrative deals initially where they will say we will waive off the monthly fee or transaction fee.
Do not fall for it!
Because ultimately you want to keep running your business. So if you opt for these platforms then you might end up depending upon them too much and at the end you will end up paying too much too.
The best deal is where you do not pay any upfront cost for accepting cards.
- Remember, that could include charges for the hardware company provides.
- Onboarding fee so that they can set up your account, etc.
- Monthly direct debit fee, which could cost you on top of the transaction fee.
So I would suggest going with a platform which does not charge you upfront at all.
For example, in our list I have ranked GBPay on the first rank that is because they do not charge for onboarding neither they have any hardware to supply you.
How do small businesses take card payments?
If you wish to accept card payments, you have three main options:
- In-person payments using a card machine or terminal. This could be a counter-top terminal, a portable version with Bluetooth (useful for restaurants offering table side payment), or a mobile app-based card reader.
- Online payments through a payment gateway integrated into your website or app.
- Over-the-phone payments using a virtual terminal accessed through an online portal.
Depending on the merchant account and card reader you choose, you may encounter various charges, including:
- Set-up fees for installing your merchant account facilities.
- Fees per transaction on every credit card or debit card purchase you process.
- Authorization fees for each transaction.
- Charges for renting or purchasing the card terminal.
- Monthly or annual fees if your transaction volume falls below a certain level.
- Chargeback fees, which are administrative charges in case a customer requests a chargeback.
- Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliance charge. This covers the cost of assistance to ensure you are PCI-compliant, keeping customer data secure, and preventing fraudulent transactions.
Do I need a business account to take card payments?
If you are using the traditional card payment services like dojo or squared, you will need a business account to accept card payments.
But if you do not want to go through the hassle of setting up a business account, then you can always use the GB Pay service.
Which lets you accept card payments via stripe without a business account.
What is the cheapest way to take card payments?
It depends upon various factors because if you are a small business and only operate on weekends or for small duration of time.
You require a solution which does not takes too much time and cost your eye.
On the other hand, if you are a full-fledged business and do tens of thousands of transaction every day.
Then you require a solution which performs very well and does not cost you more than your returns on investment.
If you are a vendor in the UK and ask me which method is the cheapest, I would strongly suggest going with GB Pay.
The reason being the industry-leading revenue modal. It’s not just let you choose whether you want to absorb the fee, but also let customer choose. Isn’t that's beautiful, now the customer could decide to pay the transaction fee to support the local business.
Can a business charge you for paying by card?
This guidance applies to businesses in England, Scotland, and Wales.
When businesses accept payments from customers, they incur costs for handling and processing those payments.
Most businesses treat these costs as regular expenses and set their prices to ensure they make a reasonable profit.
In some cases, businesses try to cover the costs of accepting specific payment methods by adding extra charges to customers who use those methods.
However, there are rules in place to protect consumers:
- Businesses cannot add surcharges for payments made by debit cards, credit cards, or electronic payment services like PayPal (this rule does not apply to commercial debit or credit cards).
- Surcharges are allowed for other payment methods, but they must follow the Consumer Rights (Payment Surcharges) Regulations 2012. These regulations limit the charges that can be imposed on consumers who are purchasing goods and services.
In summary, businesses are not allowed to add extra fees for using consumer credit cards, debit cards, charge cards, mobile phone-based payment methods, or electronic payment services like PayPal.
The Regulations mentioned here only apply to charges specifically related to the use of a payment method. Businesses are allowed to add other types of fees, such as delivery fees, booking fees, or administrative fees, as long as these fees are consistent regardless of the payment method used.
For instance, if there’s a £10 booking fee or a fee that amounts to 10% of the total price, it doesn’t matter if the payment is made in cash, by debit card, or through any other method. As long as the fee remains the same, it is not considered a payment surcharge, and it falls outside the scope of the Regulations.
Which business could use GB Pay:
Here is the list of business which in my opinion could use GB Pay app.
- Cafés and Restaurants: Small eateries offering delicious meals and drinks to customers who can conveniently pay by card.
- Retail Stores: Small shops selling a wide range of products, from clothing and accessories to electronics and gifts.
- Hair Salons and Barbershops: Personal grooming businesses that allow customers to pay for their services using cards.
- Grocery Stores: Local markets and corner shops offering groceries, produce, and household items with card payment options.
- Pet Services: Pet groomers, pet sitters, and pet supply shops catering to furry companions while accepting card payments.
- Fitness Studios: Gyms, yoga studios, and fitness centres that allow members to pay for classes or memberships with cards.
- Bakeries: Small bakeries and cake shops selling delicious treats and confectionery items with card payment facilities.
- Ice Cream Vans: These delightful mobile vendors pop up during warm months, serving ice cream and frozen treats at parks, beaches, and events.
- Food Stalls and Food Trucks: These mobile eateries offer a variety of cuisines and dishes at festivals, fairs, and outdoor gatherings.
- Christmas Tree Lots: These businesses appear during the holiday season, selling fresh Christmas trees and festive decorations.
- Fireworks Stands: Temporary stalls that open around specific celebrations, such as the Fourth of July, offering a selection of fireworks.
- Halloween Costume Stores: These stores emerge in the weeks leading up to Halloween, providing costumes, masks, and accessories.
- Beach Equipment Rentals: During the summer, these businesses offer beach gear like umbrellas, chairs, and toys for rent.
- Farmers’ Market Stalls: Many vendors participate in farmers’ markets, showcasing fresh produce, artisanal products, and crafts.
- Festival and Event Merchandise Stands: These stalls sell branded merchandise and memorabilia for concerts, festivals, and sporting events.
- Holiday Gift Shops: Temporary shops that pop up in shopping centres during the holiday season, offering a range of gift items.
- Temporary Art Galleries: These pop-up galleries exhibit artwork for a limited time, often in vacant or unused spaces.
- Summer and Holiday Camps: Seasonal camps that operate during school holidays or summer breaks, offering various activities for children.
- Seasonal Garden Centres: These businesses appear in the spring and summer, selling plants, flowers, and gardening supplies.
- Outdoor Cinemas: Temporary setups for open-air film screenings during summer evenings.
- Christmas Markets: These markets pop up during the holiday season, offering gifts, decorations, and festive treats.
- Pop-up Fashion Boutiques: Temporary fashion stores that showcase limited edition collections or unique designs for a short period.
- Holiday Food Kiosks: These small kiosks serve seasonal treats like hot cocoa, cider, and holiday-themed snacks during winter festivities.
- Outdoor Adventure Sports Providers: Businesses offering temporary outdoor activities like zip-lining, rock climbing, or kayaking during peak seasons.
- Summer Fairs and Carnivals: Temporary fairs and carnivals that offer rides, games, and entertainment during the summer months.
- Temporary Tattoo and Henna Stalls: These stalls appear at events, festivals, and fairs, offering temporary body art.
- Christmas Decor Installations: Businesses that specialize in decorating homes and businesses with festive lights and ornaments during the holiday season.
