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LoPay Card Machine: Fees, Card Readers, and How It Works
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LoPay Card Machine: Fees, Card Readers, and How It Works
Last updated 22/01/2026
What Is a Lopay Card Machine?
A LoPay card machine is a payment device that allows UK businesses to accept in-person debit and credit card payments, including contactless and mobile wallet transactions. The card machine is used alongside the LoPay app to securely process card-present payments at the point of sale.
How LoPay Card Readers Work in Practice
When the LoPay card machine receives a payment, the device then follows a process to allow the funds to be securely transferred.
Firstly, the customer initiates the payment by tapping or inserting the credit card, debit card or mobile wallet such as Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Then the LoPay card machine captures the information, encrypts it for security and sends it to the customer’s bank for authorisation. The bank will then assess the request and either authorise or reject the payment. If approved, the transaction is completed and recorded for settlement.
Once accepted, the funds are scheduled for payout.
LoPayPricing Structure and Fees Explained
LoPay operates a flat-rate transaction-based pricing model. This means that their customers pay a percentage fee on every card payment they process using their systems. LoPay has different account tiers, which, alongside the type of payment accepted, determine the fees.
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Core Card-Present LoPay Transaction Fees
| Account Type | Standard card transaction fee* | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Essentials Account | 0.79% per transaction | Card-present payments |
| Standard Account | 0.99% per transaction | Card-present payments |
| Instant-to-Bank Account | 1.79% per transaction | Card-present payments |
*Standard cards refer to personal UK Visa and Mastercard payments.
Additional Payment Types and Surcharges
Some payment types are priced differently from standard card-present transactions. These include premium cards (such as American Express, international, or corporate cards) and certain payment methods such as Tap to Pay, payment links (like Xero payment links), or mail order and telephone order (MOTO) payments. These transactions typically incur an additional per-transaction fee on top of the standard rate.
Payout Timing and Payout-Related Fees
LoPay offers a range of payout scheudles including instant, next-day or weekly (paid every Thursday), depending on plan. Scheduled payouts, such as standard bank transfers, may be available at no additional cost, while faster or unscheduled payouts can involve an extra per-transaction fee.
Hardware and Administrative Costs
Businesses may also have to pay for related hardware costs, including card reader purchases, business terminal rental, or purchase options. Extra administrative fees, such as chargeback handling, may also apply.
Pricing Verification
LoPay fees, payout terms, and hardware costs can change over time. Current pricing and contract details are kept up to date directly on the LoPay website.
Which UK Businesses are LoPay Most Suitable For?
LoPay uses a flat-rate pricing structure and card-present hardware for in-person payments. Flat-rate pricing is often considered by smaller operations, including SMEs and sole traders with lower payment volumes.
This structure is commonly evaluated by businesses with limited staff, seasonal operations, side businesses, or those requiring portable card machines. As transaction volumes increase, pricing structures and payment models can behave differently depending on operational scale.
Limitations and Trade-Offs to Be Aware Of
Because LoPay operates a transaction-based, flat-rate model, costs remain simple and predictable at a lower transaction volume. As this volume increases, the impact of per-transaction fees can become a more significant factor within this pricing structure.
Simplified hardware is used, allowing for straightforward onboarding and usage. This does generally mean that there are fewer features, which can differ from more advanced payment systems in terms of feature depth, integrations, and reporting.
Hardware scope and setup flexibility can also vary. Card-present payment hardware designed for portable or single-location use may behave differently in environments with multiple locations or more complex payment flows.
Not all payment types behave the same. LoPay has different pricing for varying payment types. For example, MOTO, premium cards and online payment link fees may differ from standard cards, which can impact overall monthly costs.
How LoPay Fits Within the Wider UK Card Machine Market
LoPay sits within the category of transaction-based, flat-rate pricing. This is in contrast to other UK providers, which may instead offer bundled or packaged card machine services. Pricing is based on per-transaction charges, rather than fixed monthly fees, with payment processing priced separately from bundled service contracts.
Payment acceptance is primarily focused on in-person, card-present transactions. Payments can be accepted through phone-based acceptance, portable card readers, or fixed terminals. This follows a standard approach to in-person card acceptance within the UK market.
This type of setup is commonly evaluated by smaller UK businesses or those with lower or variable transaction volumes, where businesses may not require highly customised payment options. For those with more complex operational structures or higher processing volumes, this model may require reassessment.
While some of LoPay’s payment services can be accessed without any long-term contractual obligations, some hardware can involve upfront purchases or fixed-term agreements, depending on the type of terminal selected. This tiered approach is common within the UK card machine market.
Key Factors to Consider Before Choosing Any Card Machine
Fees
Total card payment costs do not start and end with headline fees. Depending on the provider, additional fees may include fixed monthly charges, platform fees, card-type surcharges, hardware costs, and extra service fees. The combination of these determines the overall cost of accepting card payments over a typical billing period.
Transaction Volume
Pricing structures can behave differently depending on monthly card turnover. Some models are more commonly used by businesses with lower or variable transaction volumes, while others are designed for higher or more predictable processing levels.
Contracts
Contract terms vary across different UK payment providers. These may involve fixed-term commitments, rolling agreements, or flexible service access. To terminate a contract early, an exit fee may have to be paid, which will impact the overall cost of the deal.
Settlement Timing
Payout timing can vary based on processing schedules, cut-off times, weekends, and bank holidays. Some providers offer faster settlement options, while others operate within defined payout windows. Settlement timing can affect when funds become available following a completed transaction.
Support
Customer support and account management structures differ between providers. This can include variations in onboarding assistance, hours of availability, available support channels, response times, service-level commitments, and handling of outages or technical issues.
Connectivity
Payment reliability depends on connectivity requirements. Providers may support Wi-Fi, mobile data, or wired connections, and approaches to handling transactions during connectivity interruptions can vary. Connectivity options are influenced by how and where payments are accepted.
LoPay Card Machine FAQs
What is a LoPay card machine?
A LoPay card machine is a payment device or setup that allows UK businesses to accept in-person card payments. It works with the LoPay platform to process card-present transactions, including contactless and chip and PIN payments, using physical card readers or phone-based acceptance methods.Â
What are LoPay fees?
LoPay fees are primarily charged on a per-transaction basis rather than through bundled monthly pricing. The exact fees can vary depending on the account type, payment method used, and payout option selected. Additional charges may apply for certain payment types or services.
How do LoPay payouts work?
After a card payment is processed and authorised, funds are scheduled for payout according to the payout option linked to the account. Payout timing can vary depending on the account type and whether instant or scheduled settlements are selected. Available payout options may include instant, next-day, or weekly transfers.
Do I need to pay for a LoPay card reader?
Some LoPay payment methods, such as phone-based Tap to Pay, do not require dedicated card reader hardware. Physical card readers and terminals are also available and may involve upfront or ongoing costs depending on the device selected. Hardware costs vary by terminal type.
Is LoPay suitable for small UK businesses?
LoPay is commonly evaluated by small UK businesses, sole traders, and organisations with lower or variable transaction volumes. Suitability depends on factors such as payment volume, operational complexity, and preferred pricing structure. Businesses with more complex requirements may assess this model differently.
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