PDQ Machine Cost Calculator UK 2026: Estimate Fees & Compare Providers Quick answer
A PDQ machine in the UK can cost anything from £0 monthly rental with a simple card reader to£15-£40+ per month for a traditional countertop or portable terminal, plus transaction fees.
Use our PDQ machine cost calculator below to estimate your monthly fees, annual card processing costs and potential savings from switching provider.
PDQ Machine Cost Calculator UK
Estimate your monthly PDQ machine costs, transaction fees, total contract cost and potential savings from switching provider.
PDQ machine type
Mobile card reader Portable PDQ machine Countertop PDQ machine Smart terminal / EPOS terminal Custom merchant account Changing this updates suggested default fees
Contract length
No contract / pay monthly 12 months 18 months 24 months 36 months Used to estimate total contract cost
Your estimated PDQ machine costs
Estimated monthly cost
£0.00
Estimated annual cost
£0.00
Total contract cost
£0.00
Effective processing rate
0.00%
Potential monthly saving
£0.00
Enter your figures to estimate your PDQ machine costs.
Recommendation will appear here.
This calculator is an estimate only. Actual PDQ machine costs vary by provider, card mix, business type, transaction volume, card type, contract length, equipment, PCI fees and payment method.
How Compare Your Business Costs helps
Compare Your Business Costs helps UK businesses compare quotes for business broadband, card machines, merchant accounts, vehicle tracking, business mobiles and commercial waste. We focus on practical costs, contract terms, provider comparisons and quote options for small and medium-sized businesses.
Transparent, impartial, and data‑driven reviews made by a team of expert humans, never AI generated – here’s exactly how Compare Your Business Costs helps you find the best deals from trusted UK providers: click here
Authored by: Ally Cox (Business Technology & B2B Services Specialist 10+ Years’ Experience)
Reviewed by: James Ward (Telecoms Specialist, 12+ Years Experience)
Last Updated: July 2026
Key takeaways
PDQ machine costs depend mainly on card turnover, transaction fees, terminal rental and contract length.
Low-volume businesses often suit no-monthly-fee card readers.
Higher-volume businesses may save more with a merchant account or custom PDQ machine quote.
A cheap card reader is not always the cheapest option once monthly turnover increases.
Always compare total annual cost, not just hardware price.
What is a PDQ machine? A PDQ machine is a card payment terminal that allows your business to accept debit cards, credit cards, contactless payments, Apple Pay and Google Pay.
PDQ machines can be used by shops, cafés, restaurants, salons, clinics, market traders, tradespeople, mobile businesses and professional service firms.
How much does a PDQ machine cost?
Cost type Typical UK cost What to check
Basic card reader
£0-£59+
Often low upfront cost, but transaction fees may be higher
Portable PDQ machine
£15-£40+ per month
Check rental, contract length and transaction fee
Countertop terminal
£15-£35+ per month
Useful for fixed tills and reception desks
Smart terminal
£25-£60+ per month or upfront cost
Useful for receipts, apps and EPOS features
Transaction fees
0.3%-1.75%+
The biggest long-term cost for most businesses
Authorisation fees
1p-5p per transaction
Can add up if you process many small payments
PCI/compliance fees
£0-£5+ per month
Provider dependent
Chargeback fees
£0-£20+
Important for higher-risk sectors
Cheapest PDQ machine by monthly card turnover
Monthly card turnover Usually best option to compare first Why
Under £1,000
Mobile card reader
Monthly rental is often not worth it
£1,000-£3,000
Square, SumUp, Paypal or similar
Simple flat fees can still work well
£3,000-£10,000
Compare card readers and PDQ contracts
A lower rate may offset monthly rental
£10,000-£25,000
Merchant account quote
Custom rates may produce larger savings
£25,000+
Custom merchant services quote
Small percentage differences become expensive
PDQ machine costs by provider type
Provider type Typical pricing style Best for
Square , SumUp , Paypal -style card readersNo monthly fee, flat transaction rate
Startups, sole traders, market sellers and low-volume businesses
Dojo, Tyl, Clover-style terminals
Monthly plan, terminal cost or custom pricing
Growing SMEs, cafés, restaurants and salons
Worldpay, Barclaycard, Elavon-style merchant accounts
Custom rates, contracts and merchant service charges
Established businesses with higher card turnover
EPOS-integrated terminals
Hardware/software plus payment fees
Retail, hospitality and businesses needing reporting
PDQ machine vs card reader: what is the difference?
Feature PDQ machine Card reader
Best for
Shops, cafés, salons, restaurants and fixed premises
Sole traders, pop-ups, markets and mobile sellers
Cost
Often monthly rental or contract-based
Usually low upfront cost and no monthly fee
Connectivity
Wi-Fi, ethernet, SIM or mobile data
Usually Bluetooth, app, Wi-Fi or mobile device
Receipts
Printed or digital
Usually digital, sometimes printed
Best if
You take regular card payments from a fixed location
You need a simple, cheap way to start taking cards
What affects PDQ machine costs?
Monthly card turnover: higher turnover usually gives more room to negotiate.Average transaction value: low-value transactions make per-transaction fees more important.Card type: debit, credit, corporate, international and Amex cards can cost different amounts.Pricing model: flat-rate fees are simple, while merchant accounts can be cheaper at scale.Terminal type: mobile readers, countertop terminals and smart terminals have different costs.Contract length: long contracts may reduce monthly cost but increase commitment.Extra fees: check PCI fees, authorisation fees, chargebacks, refunds and early termination charges.
When should you compare PDQ machine quotes? You should compare quotes if:
you take more than £3,000 per month in card payments
your current transaction fee is above 1.5%
you pay monthly rental and are not sure it is worth it
you are opening a café, salon, shop, clinic or restaurant
you need portable or countertop terminals
you want faster payouts
you need EPOS integration
your contract is ending soon
you process lots of low-value payments
Compare PDQ quotes
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Best PDQ machine by business type
Business type Best option to compare first Why
Sole trader
Mobile card reader
Low setup cost and no monthly rental
Market trader
SumUp, Square or Paypal-style reader
Portable and simple
Café
Portable PDQ or smart terminal
Fast payments, receipts and reliability matter
Restaurant
Portable terminal with EPOS integration
Table payments and reporting may matter
Retail shop
Countertop PDQ or EPOS-integrated terminal
Stable till setup and sales reporting
Salon or clinic
Portable or countertop terminal
Useful for reception, deposits and appointments
Tradesperson
Mobile card reader
Take payments at customer sites
High-volume business
Merchant account quote
Lower custom rates may save more
Why compare PDQ machine quotes? PDQ machine pricing can be confusing because providers charge in different ways. One provider may look cheaper upfront but cost more once you add transaction fees, monthly rental, authorisation fees, PCI fees and contract charges.
Comparing quotes helps you check:
transaction fees
monthly terminal rental
hardware costs
contract length
payout speed
PCI fees
authorisation fees
chargeback fees
EPOS integrations
total annual cost
Why compare with Compare Your Business Costs? Compare Your Business Costs helps UK businesses compare PDQ machines, card readers and merchant account quotes based on turnover, business type and payment needs.
You can compare:
PDQ machines
mobile card readers
portable card machines
countertop terminals
smart terminals
merchant accounts
EPOS-integrated payments
phone payments
online payment options
Verdict: how much will a PDQ machine cost? For low-volume businesses, a PDQ machine may cost very little upfront if you choose a simple mobile card reader. However, flat-rate transaction fees can become expensive as your card turnover grows.
For busier shops, cafés, salons, restaurants and clinics, a traditional PDQ machine or merchant account quote may be cheaper overall, even if there is a monthly rental charge.
Final recommendation: use the calculator above to estimate your current PDQ machine costs, then compare quotes based on monthly turnover, transaction fees, terminal rental, contract length and total annual cost.
FAQs: PDQ machine cost calculator How much does a PDQ machine cost in the UK?
A simple card reader can cost under £60 upfront with no monthly fee, while traditional portable or countertop PDQ machines often involve monthly rental, transaction fees and contract charges.
What is the cheapest PDQ machine?
For low-volume businesses, the cheapest PDQ machine is often a no-monthly-fee card reader. For higher card turnover, a merchant account or custom PDQ machine quote may be cheaper overall.
How do I calculate PDQ machine fees?
Multiply your monthly card turnover by your transaction fee, then add terminal rental, authorisation fees, PCI fees and any monthly service charges.
Are no-monthly-fee card readers cheaper?
They can be cheaper for low-volume businesses, but not always for busier businesses. Higher transaction fees can cost more over time.
When should I switch from a card reader to a PDQ machine contract?
It is worth comparing PDQ machine contracts once you take several thousand pounds per month in card payments, especially if your current fee is around 1.69%–1.75%.
Do PDQ machines have hidden fees?
Some providers charge extra for PCI compliance, authorisations, chargebacks, refunds, terminal rental, minimum monthly service charges or early cancellation. Always check total cost.
What is an authorisation fee?
An authorisation fee is a small fixed charge per transaction, often a few pence. It matters more if you process lots of low-value transactions.
Is a merchant account cheaper than a PDQ machine?
A merchant account can be cheaper for higher-turnover businesses because you may be able to negotiate lower transaction rates. It may be less suitable for very low-volume businesses.
What is the best PDQ machine for a small business?
The best PDQ machine depends on turnover and business type. Mobile businesses may suit SumUp, Square or Paypal-style readers, while busier shops, cafés and restaurants should compare Dojo, Worldpay, Tyl, Barclaycard, Elavon, Clover and merchant account quotes.
Can I compare PDQ machine quotes for free?
Yes. You can compare PDQ machine and card machine quotes based on your business type, turnover and payment needs.
Compare PDQ machine quotes today!
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Hi, I’m Ally Cox , a senior copywriter and blogger at CompareYourBusinessCosts.co.uk, the UK’s trusted platform for comparing business services.over a decade of experience in the B2B sector, I specialise in simplifying complex topics like leased lines, VoIP, business energy, HR and payroll solutions, accounting software, and EPOS systems .HR, copywriting, and business operations- from clocking-in systems to card machines and office technology .informed, confident decisions when choosing products and services that improve efficiency and save money.
