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The Best Card Machines For Small Businesses 2024

With more people paying by card, your business needs a card machine that's suited to you and your customers. 

Things to Consider
  • What is your budget?

    Remember to keep your budget at the front of your mind when choosing your card machine. If you choose a cheaper option it doesn't mean it won't suit your business.

  • What industry is your business in?

    Different card machines work better in certain industries. Some card machines, for example, will be more suited to businesses in which staff are taking payments on the go. 

If your business still operates a cash-only policy when it takes payments, or you're looking to upgrade the cash machines you've already got, choosing the right card reader for your business can be a trickier job than it sounds.


While card machines aren't the most glamorous thing to spend your money on, they are an essential part of your business. Recent years have seen them grow in popularity and now many people use their cards to pay for the vast majority of their goods and services. You, then, need a reliable, useable, and cost-effective card machine to ensure your business is not only able to take payments by card but also take them quickly and easily with a device you understand.  

The Best Card Machines for Small Businesses

Different machines offer your business different benefits, and knowing which is the best choice isn't always clear. That's why we've done most of the research for you, and compiled this list of some of the best card machines on the UK market. We've compared them, so you don't have to. 

As you're probably aware, card machines come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some are portable and pocket-sized, while others are large and fixed to your business's countertop. We've covered all bases in this list, so you'll find a mix of different types of card machines. 

Do you currently accept card payments?

Unfortunately you didn't select your third party marketing preferences.

Trusted Third Party Service Providers

Our Partners

  • Barclays Bank PLC
  • CommercialExperts.com
  • Epos Now Limited
  • Fiserv (Europe) Limited
  • Independent Merchant Services Limited
  • Intelligent Interaction Services UK LTD
  • Lopay Limited
  • Naudapay Limited
  • ResQ Limited
  • SumUp Payments Limited
  • Take Payments Limited
  • Teya Services Limited
  • The Redwood Group and Associates Limited
  • Tide Platform Limited
  • WorldPay (UK) Limited

Our Products

  • Business Accountancy
  • Business Epos Systems
  • Business Telephone Systems
  • Commercial Waste Collection
  • Digital Marketing
  • Fleet Tracking
  • Invoice Finance
  • Merchant Accounts
  • Website Design

Our Top Card Machines

The terms "best" and "worst" are subjective. What works for you might not work for someone else, so we won't be putting these card machines in any specific ranked order. Instead, the card machines we have selected can each help a particular kind of business.



We're going to go through who they're best suited for, their prices, and why we think they could make a great fit for your business. 

Card Machine Type CostTransaction Fee
Dojo Go Portable£20/mo (rental)1.4%-1.8%
Ingenico Desk 5000 CountertopAvailable on requestVaries
Square ReaderPortable£19 (excluding VAT)1.75%
Sumup AirPortable£39 (excluding VAT)1.69%
Verifone V200cCountertopAvailable on requestVaries
Zettle Reader 2 Portable£29 (excluding VAT)1.75%

Dojo Go

Takes payments 80% faster than the industry average

The Dojo Go card machine offers an easy, portable option for your business to take its payments. 

 

Dojo's offer to pay £3,000 of the exit fees to your old provider makes them a great option if you want to change providers quickly, and the ability to take card payments 80% faster than the industry average makes the machine attractive to businesses that take payments in quick succession.   

 

The transaction fees are also relatively low compared to many of its competitors; consumer debit and credit card rates can be as low as 1.4% (with a 5p fee per transaction), with business and corporate cards having a slightly higher 1.8% charge.

Pros
  • Fast payments
  • Easy to switch
Cons
  • Extra fee for processing business card payments

Ingenico Desk 5000

Transaction fees that start at only 1%

The Ingenico Desk 5000 is well suited to businesses with physical locations. Often used in conjunction with modern Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS) systems, its countertop design features the ability to print receipts, giving it the edge over many of its competitors.  

 

The cost of using the machine is another attractive consideration; transaction fees that start at only 1% put the machine ahead of the pack in terms of the long-term savings it offers. As well as this, the Desk 5000, despite its name, can be transformed into a mobile unit if needed. 

Pros
  • Prints receipts
  • Transformable into a mobile unit
  • Fees that start at only 1%
Cons
  • Not as lightweight as other options
  • No transparent fees

Square Reader

Minimum hassle for both the customer and the business

One of the smallest and simplest designs on the market, the Square Reader offers minimum hassle for both the customer and the business. It relies on an app that you have on your phone; when a transaction is entered into the app, the fee is communicated to the card machine which can then accept payment. It's a modern, simple way of taking card payments.

 

Apart from the 1.75% transaction fee, you are only required to pay for the machine upfront. There is no monthly contract or obligation to commit to the Square Reader for a prolonged period so, if you don't like it, you can leave with no hassle. 

Pros
  • Minimum hassle
  • Simple design
  • No monthly contract
Cons
  • 1.75% transaction fee
  • Unusable without a smartphone or tablet

Sumup Air

No extra fees or monthly payments.

Similar to the Square Reader explored above, the SumUp Air is a simple, small, and modern card reader that makes the most of its simplicity. Also relying on a connection to a phone or tablet app, which can be used to email invoices to a customer, the machine is as customer-friendly as its design suggests. Its keypad adds to its useability and makes paying with a PIN quick and easy. 

 

It's also friendly to your budget too; the machine itself is all you'll need to buy and there are no extra fees or monthly payments. Once the machine is yours, the 1.69% transaction fee is all you'll ever need to pay.

Pros
  • No extra fees or monthly payments
  • Email invoices to a customer
Cons
  • Unusable without a smartphone or tablet

Verifone V200c

Capable of standing up to your business's busiest times

The rapid payment processing capability of the Verifone V200c makes it the perfect choice for fast-paced businesses. Its ability to process payments and print receipts quickly makes it one of the most efficient countertop card machines available; very capable of standing up to your business's busiest times. 

 

Due to its large memory, the Verifone V200c can also support a range of business apps, which means it's able to deliver a more engaging customer experience by presenting individualised offers and loyalty benefits to customers at the point of sale.

Pros
  • Print receipts quickly
  • Engaging customer experience
Cons
  • No transparent fees

Zettle Reader 2

Fast payout time compared to its competitors

Like some of the other card machines featured on this list, the Zettle Reader 2's low cost and lack of contract make it ideal for small businesses or start-ups. All you need to do is buy the reader itself outright and, from then, you will only pay the 1.75% transaction fee. Although slightly higher than rates available elsewhere, it compares well to other machines that also come with a lack of a contract. 

 

The Zettle Reader 2's fast payout time also compares well to its main competitors (some of which also feature on this list). Its fund transfer time is typically within two working days, which puts it days ahead of some of the other machines on the market. This, coupled with its ability to integrate with several EPOS systems, makes it a clear contender for your small business. 

Pros
  • Lack of contract
  • Integrate with several EPOS systems
Cons
  • 1.75% transaction fee

Get a Card Machine for Your Business

While this list is designed to cover all the bases and needs of the modern small business, highlighting the key advantages of each card machine featured, you'll have noticed that we haven't pointed to one specific machine as the 'best on the market'.

 

This is because nobody knows the requirements of your business as well as you do, and we're not able to tell you exactly what you need without being told what you're looking for. You might require the best mobile card machine, or the cheapest countertop card machine, or maybe you're looking for the best card machine rates. 

 

With the information above, you're able to see what different card machines offer, as well as how they could work for your business but, to get a better understanding of which card machine would suit the specific needs and budget requirements of your business, it would be best to let us compare providers for you. 

 

We can match your needs and wants with the provider that best suits them, doing most of the legwork so you don't have to. Click below to get started. 

Do you currently accept card payments?

Unfortunately you didn't select your third party marketing preferences.

Trusted Third Party Service Providers

Our Partners

  • Barclays Bank PLC
  • CommercialExperts.com
  • Epos Now Limited
  • Fiserv (Europe) Limited
  • Independent Merchant Services Limited
  • Intelligent Interaction Services UK LTD
  • Lopay Limited
  • Naudapay Limited
  • ResQ Limited
  • SumUp Payments Limited
  • Take Payments Limited
  • Teya Services Limited
  • The Redwood Group and Associates Limited
  • Tide Platform Limited
  • WorldPay (UK) Limited

Our Products

  • Business Accountancy
  • Business Epos Systems
  • Business Telephone Systems
  • Commercial Waste Collection
  • Digital Marketing
  • Fleet Tracking
  • Invoice Finance
  • Merchant Accounts
  • Website Design

FAQs

The terms "best" and "worst" are subjective. What works for you might not work for someone else, so it's hard to say what the best card machine is. It will depend on your specific budget, industry, and requirements. 

The list above is designed to cover all bases, so it's a good starting point if you're looking for a new card machine. 

If your business still operates a cash-only policy when it takes payments, or you're looking to upgrade the cash machines you've already got, choosing the right card reader for your business can be a trickier job than it sounds. While card machines aren't the most glamorous thing to spend your money on, they are an essential part of your business.

 

We can match you with a card machine that meets your needs and wants, doing most of the legwork so you don't have to. Click below to get the perfect card machine today.

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Payment Gateways Explained; What They Are and How They Work

What is a Payment Gateway?A payment gateway is a technology that authorises and transmits payment information between a customer, the business they're buying from, and the bank systems involved. Suppose your business is an online shop, for example. In that case, a payment gateway receives the card information from your customer's card and then encrypts the data, and sends it to the customer's bank for approval. Once the bank approves the transaction a confirmation of the sale is then sent to your business.  In short, a payment gateway ensures a smooth and secure flow of information during online payments. They also come with features to prevent fraud and keep your financial information safe.Who Needs a Payment Gateway?As you've read, a payment gateway facilitates communication between the various systems involved in the online payment process, and so they form an essential part of any digital transaction your business makes.  Whether you have a small online business or a large one with multiple physical shops, every digital payment you accept with go through a payment gateway. Payment Gateways vs Payment ProcessorsThe difference between payment gateways and payment processors is slight but important. A gateway works as a checkpoint; one that makes sure a transaction can happen between your business and the customer concerned. A processor, meanwhile, is responsible for the actual transfer of funds from your customer to your business.  The next part involved is your merchant account, which is where the funds end up once a sale has gone through the previous two stages. After this, the money can then be transferred from your merchant account into your business bank account.  Who Provides Payment Gateways?There are various payment gateway providers that will enable your business to accept digital payments, with many of them offering different methods of doing so. The best payment gateway for your business will likely be one of the three main types of payment gateways, which are:HostedSelf-hostedAPI-hosted

Merchant Accounts vs Business Accounts

Though the two are often confused with one another, there are several differences between merchant accounts and business accounts. If you're struggling with understanding what sets them apart, this article will help you get a firmer understanding. When you want your business to start accepting card payments, you'll likely need both a merchant account and a business bank account. The two are linked, which leads many to think they're synonymous, but they're not.What is a Merchant Account?When you accept a card payment the bank that issued the customer's card sends the funds from their bank account to your merchant account. The bank that provides you with your merchant account then sends the money from your merchant account to your business bank account.  In simple terms, a merchant account acts as a middleman between your business bank account and the bank account that belongs to the customer making the purchase. Where a business bank account holds your funds, a merchant account's role is to just process them.  What is a Business Bank Account?As you've just read, a business bank account is the final destination of your business's money. The money arrives after first leaving your customer's bank account, being processed by your merchant account, and then being sent from your merchant account to your business bank account. Once the money from a sale ends up in your business bank account, you can then spend it where it's needed. What's the Point of a Merchant Account?While it seems logical to accept payments directly into your business bank account, cutting out the middleman and saving time, it would actually cost time in the long run. Merchant accounts work because the bank that provides them is able to advance you the money you get from sales before the payment is fully completed.  The payment a customer makes to your business has to go through checks at their end before their bank releases the funds, which can take days. So while merchant accounts add an extra step, they mean your business has much quicker access to its funds than it otherwise would.

How to Open a Merchant Account

Getting Started with a Merchant AccountOpening a merchant account allows your business to accept credit and debit card payments from customers. They are, by their nature, helpful for many businesses as they allow them to modernise the way they take payments and interact with their customers.  But how do you get a merchant account? It's a process many businesses do every year but, if you're unfamiliar with the process, it can be confusing and even daunting. That's why we've created a breakdown of the process. Before you Apply for a Merchant AccountIf you want a merchant account, there are a couple of things you need to already have in place before you can apply for one.  First, you need to ensure your business is legally registered. If you're already trading you don't need to worry about this stage but if you're starting from scratch you need to ensure you're registered. There's a lot of information on how to do this on the Government's website but, usually, you'll register as a sole trader, limited company or partnership. When you apply to set up your merchant account, you could be asked to provide a variety of documents to prove your validity, so it's best to have these things ready. Documents you could be asked to provide include: Proof of identity for your business's ownerProof of address for your business's ownerFinancial documentsYour business planStep One: Choose Your Merchant Account TypeThough merchant accounts all work in similar ways, different types of merchant accounts will suit one business more than they will suit another. Retail merchant accounts, for example, are more suited for physical shops where you and your staff will conduct sales face-to-face. These sales will happen with a physical card machine, or perhaps a full EPOS system, which is directly linked to your merchant account.  Internet merchant accounts, meanwhile, do what they say on the tin. They're designed for and suited to businesses that operate online. The payments you make here won't be done face-to-face but via a website. With this type of merchant account, there is no need for a card machine or EPOS system.  Mobile merchant accounts land somewhere in between the two types above. They're ideal for businesses that operate on the go, like pop-up stalls, fitness training providers, or food vans. This type of merchant account allows you to process transactions from anywhere via a mobile device. Only you know the best type of merchant account for your business, so you'll have to take the time to decide which type of account best suits you. Once you've done this, you can move on to the next step. Step Two: Research ProvidersThis is probably the most time-consuming part of the process, but also the most important. You need to research and compare merchant account providers. While all merchant accounts do the same thing and work in broadly the same way, it's still important to not go for the first one you see.  There are plenty of things to consider, not least the transaction fees and admin costs that a merchant account may come with, and the risk level of your industry. To make this step as easy for you as possible, we've created the following list of considerations.