10 card payment machines ideal for small business

Square Reader

The Square Reader is, perhaps, the most sleek, simple and affordable card reader on the market. This appropriately square-shaped device costs just £19 + VAT, much lower than competitors.

And weighing in at just 56g, it’s not just the price that’s low. All you have to do is sync it to your phone via Bluetooth and start selling. You can then monitor and manage all your sales from Square’s free app. All funds are deposited the next working day. As a Square user, you also get 24/7 fraud prevention, payment dispute and data protection included as standard.

It’s portable, with an all-day battery, but can be docked for countertop use, and you can keep selling for a day without an internet connection – just be aware that those payments will expire if you don’t reconnect within 24 hours.

Businesses that take more than £200,000 a year in card sales can request a customised transaction fee.

Worldpay DX800

The Worldpay DX8000 is a mobile card machine designed for businesses that need flexible, on-the-go payment processing.

It supports dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity, making it ideal for businesses operating across multiple indoor and outdoor locations. With a large touchscreen display, contactless reader, and receipt printing capabilities, the DX8000 enhances usability and improves transaction efficiency.

The DX800 also stands out thanks to its payment flexibility. If you want a pricing model that’s tailored to your business, you can opt for the custom pricing tariff, though this is only available to businesses taking £75k or more annually. If you have lower revenue, or if you prefer more predictable pricing, you can choose the simplicity pricing tariff, which rolls all the standard charges into one transparent monthly cost.

With its versatile payment options and strong connectivity features, the Worldpay DX8000 is a great choice for small businesses looking for a reliable and user-friendly card reader.

Tide Card Reader

With Tide Card Reader, you can accept card and mobile payments on the go. You also have unlimited 4G data, eliminating the need for Bluetooth connectivity. Next day settlement is available for £2.99 + VAT per month.

Tide’s Card Reader prices start from £159 for the standard Reader, rising to £199 for the Card Reader Plus (all excluding VAT), but you can choose to pay monthly. Tide says that if you take £2,200 in card payments each month, you’ll save money with the Sell In-Person.

Transaction fees range from 0.79% + 3p to 1.39% +5p.

Tide runs regular promotions, so keep your eye out. Currently, you can use code ZEROFEES to have no transaction fees for domestic card payments under £10 for three months. This also drops the price of the readers to £59 and £79.

TakePayments

Stockport-based TakePayments has provided card terminals and online payment solutions for over 30 years. It is one of the fastest-growing card payment companies in the UK with over 70,000 customers.

takepaymentsplus card reader

A fast and reliable Android terminal that lets you take both card and cash payments.

Some key features include:

• Speedy 4G and WiFi connection
• Stock and pricing management from the device
• Ability to split payments
• Detailed transaction reporting to see how your business is performing
• Access to a Management Portal to handle your business remotely

takepaymentsplus pricing: £25 + VAT monthly (18-month contract)

Or, if you’re just looking to take payments quickly, their A920Pro card machine and DX8000 terminal take only four simple steps to set up. Stay connected with 4G and WiFi, and accept Apple and Google Pay as standard.

Terminal rental from £15 + VAT.

The transaction fee based on business turnover and the CNP (card not present) fee is dependent on payment acquirer.

Own POS system

TakePayments uses its own EPOS system called tPOS, which cannot be downloaded onto an iPad or other tablet and has its own tablet register.

tPOS is available in two forms, Counter and Complete. Plus, their dedicated team will provide full training and customer support seven days a week.

POS starts from £45 a month.

Some key features include:

• Product management and stock inventory
• Ability to split payments and serve multiple customers at once
• Fixed discounts and offers
• Ability to add notes and configure orders
• Enhanced reporting

SumUp Air Card Reader

Thanks to its ease of use and practicality, this stylish and lightweight portable card reader is currently one of the most popular card readers for small businesses.

You can then start using the SumUp Air anywhere with Wi-Fi or data coverage by linking it to your smartphone. It can process 500 transactions on a single charge, with transactions settled in a day

Available for a one-off cost of just £34.80* with the charging dock, and with a transaction fee of just 0.99 per cent if you subscribe to Payments Plus (or 1.69 per cent for the pay-as-you-go option), it’s an affordable option..

You also get access to a handy smartphone app with a dashboard that allows you to view your product catalogue, track sales, and send digital receipts.

*Advertised cost for one card reader for new customers. Normal price is £49 + VAT.

PayPal Reader

The PayPal Reader is another lightweight (just 130g) device that you can pair with your Apple or Android smartphone and start using within minutes using the PayPal POS app.

It accepts all major debit and credit card payment types and has a decent eight-hour battery life – though this only lasts for around 100 transactions, which is no match for SumUp’s 500.

Where the PayPal reader really seeks to differentiate itself is in its focus on security. Claiming to be one of the safest card readers on the market, the tamper-proof device adheres to the highest industry standards and is fully encrypted by HSMs cryptographic servers.

And if you do spot a suspicious charge, PayPal’s transaction protection covers up to £250 in chargebacks per month.

As with the SumUp Air, there are no monthly fees – you just pay a flat rate per transaction, though at 1.75 per cent, this is slightly higher than its rival.

But at £29 + VAT, the PayPal Reader is cheaper than the SumUp Air. Be aware that this price is only available to new users. Additional card readers are charged at £69 + VAT.

myPOS Go 2

Weighing 180g, its design isn’t as sleek and stylish as rivals, but under the hood, myPOS Go 2 is another highly functional and compact mobile card reader.

The device costs £29 + VAT and its transaction fee is 1.10 per cent + 7p (up to £10,000 monthly turnover, custom fees from then on) but can be much lower as your turnover increases.

The Linux-driven myPOS Go 2 card reader has several other features that set it apart from competitors. You get a free e-money merchant account, with a dedicated IBAN in 14 currencies, making it easy to take international payments.

Unlike the days you might have to wait with other providers, card payments are settled in your account in less than three seconds, and you get instant access to funds via your free VISA business card.

We also like the multi-operator mode, which allows you to monitor individual staff performance and split tips accordingly.

Barclaycard Smartpay Anywhere

Barclaycard Smartpay Anywhere is aimed at hospitality and retail businesses, with the “app” turning it into a POS solution. It does not connect with cash drawers, or barcode scanners – but does connect to wireless printers and an app and web portal.

It has next-working-day settlement and, in addition to the standard Mastercard and Visa, accepts Amex and Diners Club (Discover).

Barclaycard has recently changed its transaction fee structure to be customised for each business. That means that, potentially, you could be able to access very competitively priced fees.

It’s powered by a feature filled app, and grants you access to a web portal, which provides real-time data and insight into your business performance.

However, unlike some rivals, when applying for Smartpay Anywhere, you have to go through an online vetting process checking financial and borrowing history to be approved for a device, which Barclays says ensures the device is suitable for your business before you pay for it.

The pros are that it’s a compact and affordable card reader at £29 + VAT with low transaction fees and payments settled the next day (if transactions are done before 7pm).

Tyl (by NatWest)

Tyl by NatWest offers a range of card machines to suit different business setups, from fixed retail counters to mobile operations. Its line-up now focuses on PAX-branded devices rather than the Clover Flex, giving businesses options that balance portability, features, and cost.

At the entry level, the PAX A80 is a sturdy countertop model with flexible connectivity. For those who need something smaller, the PAX A50 is a pocket-sized mobile terminal with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and 4G, while the PAX A920 Pro offers a larger touchscreen and enhanced functionality for both in-store and on-the-go payments. Tyl also supports Tap to Pay on compatible iPhone and Android devices.

Monthly rental costs for Tyl’s card machines generally range from around £13.99 to £19.99 + VAT, depending on the device. Transaction fees start from 1.39% + 5p for UK and European personal cards, with higher rates for other card types. Additional features like sales tracking, reporting, and next-day settlement are included through the Tyl Portal, and optional online payment gateways are available for businesses that also sell remotely.

Shopify WisePad 3 Reader

The Shopify WisePad 3 is a compact, Bluetooth-enabled card reader built to integrate seamlessly with the Shopify POS ecosystem.

It supports contactless and mobile payments, and all major card types, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, V Pay, Maestro, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. The device is EMV-certified and PCI-compliant, with built-in encryption to protect card data. A customer-facing display and integrated PIN pad provide a professional checkout experience while helping build trust at the point of sale.

Weighing 130g, the WisePad 3 is highly portable, making it suitable for both fixed in-store setups and mobile selling at pop-ups, events, or markets. It connects wirelessly to iPads, iPhones, and Android devices within a 10 m range, and has an all-day battery.

To use the WisePad 3, you’ll need a Shopify POS subscription, which links in-person and online sales through a unified back office. Plans start from as little as £1/month for the first three months after a 3-day free trial, with transparent in-person payment rates from 1.7% + 0p (excl. VAT). This integration means your sales, inventory, and customer data are all managed in one place. At £59, the WisePad 3 is more expensive than other card readers, but it’s a great option if you are a Shopify user.