Dojo Card Machine: Independent UK Guide for Businesses
What Is a Dojo Card Machine? A Dojo card machine is a payment terminal supplied as
Dojo Card Machine: Independent UK Guide for Businesses
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Dojo Card Machine: Independent UK Guide for Businesses
Last updated 26/01/2026
What Is a Dojo Card Machine?
A Dojo card machine is a payment terminal supplied as part of a merchant acquiring service that allows UK businesses to accept card and digital wallet payments. Dojo offers a range of different devices, including portable card machines, mobile card machines, and countertop card machines.
How Dojo Fits Within the UK Card Payments Landscape
In the UK, card payments are typically processed either through payment aggregators, which onboard businesses under a shared master merchant account, or through payment processors that provide individually underwritten merchant accounts.
Dojo operates as a payment processor and acquirer, meaning approved merchants process transactions through a dedicated merchant account, which reflects standard acquiring arrangements used by established UK payment providers.
Who Dojo Is Designed For (and Who It Isn’t)
Dojo’s pricing and hardware structure are considered by UK businesses that process card payments consistently and require their own dedicated merchant acquiring arrangement, as opposed to a pay-as-you-go model.
Transaction pricing can be negotiated by businesses that process over £100k in card transactions annually. Flexible hardware options and contract-based plans may also apply in cases involving higher transaction volumes or multi-location operating requirements.
For businesses that process less than £100k in annual card transactions, those with irregular trading patterns, or short-term operating needs, Dojo offers flat-rate pricing. These pricing models apply fixed transaction rates where negotiated pricing is not provided by Dojo due to lower or less predictable card volumes.
Eligibility Criteria For Dojo
To access Dojo’s services, UK businesses must meet defined eligibility criteria and first pass standard onboarding and screening checks. These include:
- A valid UK business bank account
- A trading presence in the UK
- Standard business details (trading name, address, contact information)
- Government-issued ID and business verification documentation
- Passing Dojo’s standard credit check and onboarding review
How Dojo Card Machine Fees Work
Dojo’s card reader fees are structured around a business’s annual card turnover, with a threshold of £100k determining whether their customers enter their Fix or Flex Plan.
For businesses processing under £100k in annual card turnover, fees are structured around the Fix Plan. This involves a fixed monthly fee combined with flat-rate transaction charges once a monthly allowance of £3,999 per month is exceeded. This model uses standardised rates rather than individually negotiated pricing.
For businesses processing over £100k in annual card turnover, they are offered the Flex Plan. Here, transaction fees are negotiated and bespoke to each business. These contracts may also include optional monthly platform fees, hardware rental or purchase options, and contract-based pricing terms.
For businesses processing significantly higher volumes, typically above £1 million in annual card turnover, Dojo also offers a Pro Plan. This plan operates on a fully bespoke basis, with pricing, contract terms, and setup structured individually according to the business’s commercial and operational requirements.
Across all pricing models, additional charges may apply for specific services or events, such as chargebacks, refunds, international card usage, PCI non-compliance, optional paper billing, or terminal replacement. Settlement timelines, contract length, and exit terms can vary depending on the pricing structure selected.
Dojo Card Reader and Machine Options
Dojo offers several types of card machines used across different payment environments, ranging from fully mobile devices to fixed countertop terminals.
Handheld card machines are used in environments without a fixed payment area. These card readers typically use Wi-Fi or mobile data to securely take payments and support payments where mobility is required, like table-side or off-site.
Fixed countertop card machines are available for static payment locations. These rely on either a wired (Ethernet) or Wi-Fi connection. These fixed devices are designed for static payment locations.
Compact handheld devices are also offered and commonly considered by businesses where portability and paperless payments are required. These devices generally support contactless and digital wallet transactions and may have more limited functionality than larger portable terminals.
In addition to physical card machines, via a mobile app, Dojo supports a hardware-free option that enables contactless payments to be accepted on compatible iPhone devices (iPhone XS and up, running iOS 16.5 and above). Tap-to-Pay options can only accept contactless payment types.
Contracts, Setup Process, and Ongoing Commitments
Dojo’s contract structure and pricing terms vary depending on the pricing plan selected and a business’s annual card turnover. Contract length, pricing structure, and the ability to customise the package differ between fixed-price and negotiated arrangements, as shown in the table below.
| Feature | Fix Plan | Flex Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Typical annual card turnover | Below £100k | Above £100k |
| Pricing approach | Fixed monthly pricing | Negotiated pricing |
| Transaction rates | Flat-rate structure | Individually negotiated |
| Pricing flexibility | Limited during contract term | Adjusted based on turnover |
| Contract options | Price-locked contract | Rolling or price-locked options |
| Plan changes | Fixed for contract duration | May vary by agreement |
What is the Dojo Setup Process?
Stage 1:
You submit your business details for initial review.
Stage 2:
A follow-up contact may take place to verify the information provided.
Stage 3:
You are asked to supply identification, banking details, and any additional documentation required based on your business type.
Stage 4:
Your application is reviewed as part of Dojo’s underwriting and approval process.
Stage 5:
If approved, your card machine is dispatched and requires configuration before use.
Stage 6:
Card payment services are activated once setup is complete.
What industry are you in?
Please select the industry that you trade within. This information allows us to tailor your quote.
Dojo vs Other UK Card Machine Providers
This table covers the essential, objective information from Dojo and other major providers on the market. All data is accurate as of January 15th, 2026.
Common Misunderstandings About Dojo Pricing and Fees
Dojo Pricing Works Like a Pay-As-You-Go Provider
Dojo may be compared to payment aggregators that charge only per transaction. Although this can appear similar under the Fix Plan, Dojo also operates pricing models that differ from pay-as-you-go structures.
The Advertised Monthly Fee Is the Total Cost
Headline fees do not reflect all potential charges associated with card payment processing. Other fees include platform or service fees and additional charges related to chargebacks, international cards, or compliance requirements. These will then impact the total monthly cost.
Dojo is Always Cheaper Than Aggregators Once You Grow
Negotiated transaction rates may apply at higher turnover levels (in Dojo’s case, for businesses that process over £100k in annual card payments), but fixed monthly fees can still form part of the overall cost structure. Total costs depend on how fixed and variable charges interact at varying transaction volumes.
All Dojo Customers Get the Same Pricing and Terms
Dojo pricing is structured around turnover thresholds. Businesses below defined volume levels (businesses that process less than £100k in annual card payments) are placed on standardised pricing plans. Businesses that surpass this threshold may access negotiated pricing and alternative contract terms.
Next-day Settlement Means Instant Access to Funds
Settlement timing depends on processing schedules, cut-off times, and compliance checks. While next-day settlement is commonly referenced, actual fund availability can vary based on a range of factors, including weekends and bank holidays.
Exit Fee Buyouts Are Guaranteed
Dojo advertises contract buyout offers of up to £3,000 for eligible businesses. This offer is conditional and subject to eligibility criteria, including turnover and commercial assessment. This deal is not universally applied and depends on individual agreements.
When is a Dojo Card Machine the Right Choice?
If Settlement Speed is a Key Consideration
Dojo supports next-day settlement under standard arrangements, subject to processing cut-off times and account configuration. In some cases, faster settlement options, including weekend and bank holiday payouts, may be available as part of an additional paid service rather than being included by default. Settlement speed and eligibility can vary depending on the pricing plan and commercial terms agreed.
If You Are Terminating Your Contract With a Current Provider Early
Dojo offers conditional contract buyout incentives for eligible businesses, with advertised limits of up to £3,000. These offers are subject to eligibility criteria and commercial assessment and are not applied universally.
If Hardware Payment Options Matter
Dojo supports multiple hardware payment arrangements, including rentals and upfront purchase options. Availability and pricing depend on device type, pricing plan, and business turnover.
If Uptime and Connectivity Are Essential to Operational Effectiveness
Dojo card machines support multiple connectivity methods, such as Wi-Fi and mobile data. These are intended to reduce disruption if a single connection becomes unavailable.
If Support Availability is a Factor
Dojo provides UK-based customer support with defined service hours for general and technical assistance. Support availability and response times may vary depending on issue type and service level.
How UK Businesses Can Evaluate Dojo Against Alternatives
Fees
Pricing should be assessed based on total monthly cost rather than just headline transaction rates. Fixed fees, platform charges, hardware costs, and other fees, including those for different card or payment types, can impact the effective rate, particularly at lower transaction volumes.
Volume Assumptions
Pricing models often assume a consistent level of monthly card turnover. Where actual transaction volumes are lower or irregular, usage-based pricing models may differ in cost outcomes compared with fixed-fee structures.
Contract Terms
Contract length and exit conditions vary across providers. UK card payment agreements commonly involve fixed terms, and early termination may result in exit charges that may be equal to the remaining contract value.
Settlement Timing
Settlement speed depends on processing schedules, cut-off times, and bank holidays. Fund availability can vary based on timing and operational factors among different UK providers.
Support Arrangements
Support availability differs by provider and can vary further depending on the type of plan a business is on. Evaluation of suitability may include support hours, response times, service-level commitments, and escalation processes.
Connectivity Requirements
Payment processing reliability depends on network connectivity. Providers support different combinations of Wi-Fi, mobile data, and wired connections, with varying handling of connectivity interruptions.
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