DNA Payments Review 2026: Card Machines, Fees & Costs Quick Answer
DNA Payments provides card machines, merchant acquiring, online payments and ePOS solutions for UK businesses, with pricing generally provided through an individual business quote rather than one universal transaction rate.
DNA Payments is particularly worth comparing if you:
take regular face-to-face card payments
want countertop or portable payment terminals
need online payments as well as physical card machines
want Payment Links or a Virtual Terminal
run a retail, hospitality or multi-site business
want payments integrated with an ePOS system
want access to transaction and settlement reporting through a Merchant Portal
need a more complete omnichannel payment setup rather than a basic card reader
DNA Payments currently offers terminals including the PAX A920 Pro, PAX Q25, PAX A35 and Nexgo N86 , alongside other payment hardware and services.
Unlike providers with one published flat transaction percentage, DNA Payments’ actual costs depend on your business, payment requirements and acquiring agreement.
That makes the complete quote more useful than trying to compare DNA Payments using one generic transaction rate.
Considering DNA Payments?
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DNA Payments at a Glance
Feature DNA Payments
Card machines
Yes
Countertop terminals
Yes
Portable/mobile terminals
Yes
Unattended payments
Yes
Current countertop models
PAX A920 Pro, Q25, A35 and Nexgo N86
Contactless payments
Yes
Online payments
Yes
Payment Links
Yes
Virtual Terminal
Yes
ePOS
Zash ePOS available
Merchant Portal
Yes
Omnichannel payments
Yes
Settlement
Depends on agreed settlement period
Pricing
Individual quotation
Support
UK-based support, including 24/7 support for applicable services
Best suited to
SMEs and larger businesses needing multi-channel payment services
Key Takeaways
DNA Payments provides card machines, acquiring, ecommerce payments and ePOS solutions.Pricing is generally quote-based rather than built around one published flat transaction fee.
Its current countertop terminal range includes PAX A920 Pro, PAX Q25, PAX A35 and Nexgo N86 devices.
DNA Payments supports chip & PIN, contactless and mobile-wallet payments.
Businesses can combine physical terminals with online payments, Payment Links and Virtual Terminal services.
DNA’s Merchant Portal provides transaction, payment and settlement information.
Zash provides an integrated ePOS option for businesses wanting payments and point-of-sale functionality.
Settlement timing depends on the Settlement Period agreed with DNA Payments.
DNA Payments says businesses can start accepting card payments in as little as three days, subject to application and approval.
Businesses should compare the complete processing, terminal, contract and service costs rather than relying on generic card-processing rates.
Compare DNA Payments with other UK card machine providers
How do we work?
Our comparisons are researched and reviewed by the Compare Your Business Costs editorial team using provider information, official UK guidance and business buying criteria. See how Compare Your Business Costs works.
Authored by: Ally Cox (Business Technology & B2B Services Specialist, 10+ Years’ Experience)
Last Updated: September 2026
Contents
DNA Payments Costs & Fees DNA Payments does not publish one simple card-processing rate that applies to every UK business, so instead, businesses can request pricing based on their individual payment requirements.
Your costs can depend on factors such as:
monthly and annual card turnover
average transaction value
consumer and commercial card mix
domestic and international cards
number and type of payment terminals
face-to-face versus online transactions
business sector
settlement requirements
ePOS requirements
additional payment services
Your actual DNA Payments quote therefore matters more than a generic processing percentage.
DNA Payments fees to check
When requesting a quote, check:
Cost What to Check
Transaction fees
Charges for the card types your customers actually use
Terminal costs
Cost for each physical payment terminal
Interchange
How applicable interchange costs are incorporated into your pricing
Scheme fees
How applicable card-scheme fees affect the overall cost
Online payments
Charges applying to ecommerce transactions
Payment Links
Any applicable transaction or service costs
Virtual Terminal
Costs for telephone or remote card payments
Chargebacks
Charges associated with disputed transactions
Settlement
Your agreed settlement period and any applicable costs
Contract
Minimum term, notice and cancellation conditions
DNA Payments publishes information about interchange and card-scheme fees, but those underlying fees should not be confused with the complete price a business will pay DNA Payments.
The important question is:
“What will DNA Payments cost my business based on my actual card turnover and transaction mix?”
Compare UK card machine rates and fees
DNA Payments Card Machines DNA Payments offers several types of payment terminal for businesses accepting face-to-face payments and their range covers different payment environments, including:
fixed countertop payments
portable payments
mobile payments
unattended payments
DNA terminals support major card and contactless payment methods, making the range relevant to both smaller merchants and businesses processing larger transaction volumes.
The right terminal depends on where customers pay.
Fixed checkout → countertop terminal Restaurant or hospitality → portable/mobile terminal Self-service environment → unattended payment solution
Businesses should confirm the exact terminal model included in their quote because DNA Payments’ hardware range can change.
DNA Payments Countertop Card Machines DNA Payments currently lists several countertop terminals, including:
PAX A920 Pro PAX Q25 PAX A35 Nexgo N86
These terminals are designed for businesses taking payments at fixed sales points.
Examples include:
shops
supermarkets
bars
pubs
restaurants
cafés
reception desks
service businesses
DNA says its countertop terminals can accept:
chip & PIN
contactless cards
mobile payments
major supported payment methods
Businesses can also use terminal functionality to process refunds and access relevant sales reporting.
How quickly can you get a DNA Payments terminal?
DNA Payments currently says that once an application is approved, it can prepare the payment solution for dispatch on the same day.
Delivery can then take approximately one to three days depending on location .
DNA also says businesses can start accepting card payments in as little as three days.
These timings depend on successful application, approval, setup and delivery.
DNA Payments Portable & Mobile Card Machines Not every business takes payment at a fixed checkout.
Portable terminals can be more suitable when staff need to bring the card machine to the customer.
Typical use cases include:
restaurants
cafés
pubs
bars
hotels
hospitality venues
businesses with multiple payment points
Mobile terminals can also be useful where payments need to be taken away from a conventional till.
When comparing a DNA Payments terminal quote, confirm:
terminal model
Wi-Fi/mobile connectivity
battery life
receipt functionality
terminal cost
replacement arrangements
integration requirements
The cheapest terminal isn’t necessarily the most appropriate if it slows down payments or doesn’t work effectively in your business environment.
DNA Payments Unattended Payments DNA Payments also provides unattended payment solutions.
These are relevant where customers need to pay without a member of staff operating the terminal.
Potential applications include:
self-service kiosks
vending
automated retail
ticketing
parking
other self-service environments
This gives DNA Payments broader coverage than providers focused primarily on simple countertop card readers.
Businesses deploying unattended terminals should compare hardware, connectivity, integration and support alongside transaction pricing.
DNA Payments Online Payments DNA Payments isn’t limited to physical card machines and their ecommerce services allow businesses to accept payments online and combine digital transactions with their wider payment setup.
This can be particularly useful for:
online retailers
businesses selling both online and in-store
hospitality businesses taking online bookings
service businesses collecting remote payments
multi-channel retailers
DNA Payments provides ecommerce integrations alongside APIs for businesses needing more customised payment functionality.
Its wider proposition is therefore more accurately described as omnichannel payments rather than simply card-machine rental.
A business could potentially use DNA for: in-store terminal + online checkout + Payment Links + Virtual Terminal + ePOS
That can make reconciliation and payment management simpler than operating unrelated payment systems.
DNA Payments Payment Links DNA Payments provides Payment Links for businesses wanting to accept online payments without requiring customers to use a conventional ecommerce checkout.
Businesses can create a payment link through the Merchant Portal and send it to a customer through channels such as:
email
text or mobile messaging
social media
other digital communications
DNA supports both one-time and multi-use Payment Links .
Payment Links can be particularly useful for:
taking deposits
collecting invoice payments
remote sales
charity donations
businesses without an ecommerce website
DNA Payments currently supports payment methods through Payment Links including major cards and alternative payment methods such as Apple Pay, Klarna and PayPal.
Payment pages can also be customised with business branding – you do not need a website to use DNA Payment Links.
DNA Payments Virtual Terminal DNA’s Virtual Terminal allows businesses to take payments remotely through a computer or compatible device without requiring the customer to be physically present with a card machine.
This can be useful for:
telephone orders
remote billing
customer deposits
booking payments
businesses taking card details over the phone
Virtual Terminal transactions are different from face-to-face card payments, so businesses should check the specific processing rates and security requirements applying to card-not-present transactions.
If a meaningful proportion of your payments are remote, include these costs in your provider comparison rather than comparing only physical terminal rates.
DNA Payments & Zash ePOS DNA Payments also owns and operates Zash ePOS
Zash is particularly aimed at hospitality and related businesses.
An integrated payment and ePOS setup can help connect:
orders
sales
card payments
business reporting
day-to-day operational data
For restaurants, cafés, pubs and other hospitality businesses, having payments and ePOS working together can reduce manual entry and simplify reconciliation.
However, don’t choose an integrated system simply because the payment provider offers one.
Compare:
software costs
hardware costs
card-processing costs
features
integrations
contract terms
support
If you’re replacing your till as well as your payment provider, see our EPOS system costs guide .
DNA Payments Merchant Portal DNA Payments provides a Merchant Portal for managing and monitoring payments.
Businesses can use the portal to view information about:
transactions
payment activity
settlements
Payment Links
business payment data
The portal provides real-time payment information and is available across desktop and mobile environments.
DNA also provides a Merchant Portal mobile app.
For businesses using multiple payment channels, having transaction information in one place can be particularly useful.
For example, a business accepting countertop payments + ecommerce + Payment Links
can potentially manage those transactions through the same wider payment platform.
DNA Payments Settlement Times DNA Payments does not state that one settlement timetable applies universally to every merchant.
Instead, your Settlement Period is defined in your Acquiring Agreement .
DNA explains settlement periods using terms such as:
T+1 – funds reach the bank account on the next UK working dayT+2 – funds arrive on the second UK working dayT+3 – funds arrive on the third UK working day
The timetable only counts UK working days.
For example, weekends and UK bank holidays can affect when funds reach your account.
Do not assume DNA Payments automatically provides next-day settlement.
Ask what Settlement Period will apply to your business before signing.
This is particularly important for:
restaurants
retailers
pubs
businesses buying stock frequently
businesses with high daily card turnover
Businesses can view settlement information and download Settlement Statements through the DNA Merchant Portal.
DNA Payments Support DNA Payments advertises 24/7 UK-based support across its wider payment proposition and their contact information also provides dedicated support and sales routes for SME and enterprise customers.
The Merchant Portal includes online chat functionality, allowing merchants to contact support from within the payment-management environment.
Support matters particularly where a business relies heavily on card transactions.
For a restaurant during Saturday service or a retailer during a busy sales period, a card-payment outage can immediately affect revenue.
When comparing providers, ask:
which support services operate 24/7
how terminal faults are handled
how quickly replacement equipment is supplied
whether you receive an account manager
how ecommerce technical issues are escalated
Compare support arrangements alongside price rather than treating them as an afterthought.
DNA Payments Contracts & Switching DNA Payments provides several different services, including acquiring, terminals, ecommerce and ePOS, which makes it particularly important to understand exactly which agreements apply to your business.
Before signing, check:
minimum contract period
terminal agreement
acquiring agreement
gateway terms where applicable
Virtual Terminal terms
ePOS terms where applicable
notice requirements
cancellation charges
hardware return requirements
settlement period
DNA Payments publishes separate terms covering several of these services.
Do not assume every element of your payment setup necessarily has identical contractual terms.
If you’re switching from another provider, check your existing contract before cancelling, so identify:
Your current contract end date.
Your required notice period.
Any early termination charges.
Who owns your existing terminals.
When equipment needs to be returned.
When DNA Payments can activate your new service.
Plan the transition so your business can continue accepting payments throughout the switch.
Who Is DNA Payments Best For? DNA Payments is particularly relevant to businesses that need more than a basic pay-as-you-go card reader.
Business Why DNA Payments May Be Worth Comparing
Retail shop
Countertop terminals, online payments and omnichannel functionality
Restaurant
Portable payments, Zash ePOS and hospitality functionality
Pub/bar
Card terminals, ePOS and high-volume face-to-face payments
Café
Countertop/portable terminals and integrated payment options
Ecommerce business
Online checkout, Payment Links and payment integrations
Multi-channel retailer
Physical and online payments within one wider platform
Multi-site business
Centralised payment management and reporting
Enterprise
APIs, integrations and broader omnichannel payment infrastructure
DNA Payments will be less suitable if… You should compare alternatives particularly carefully if:
you take only occasional card payments
you want a simple pay-as-you-go reader
you want a published flat transaction percentage before applying
you don’t need online, ePOS or omnichannel functionality
you want to purchase a very basic card reader outright with minimal additional services
A market trader or very low-volume merchant may find a simpler provider easier to understand.
An established retailer, hospitality company or multi-channel business may get more value from DNA’s broader payment infrastructure.
DNA Payments Alternatives DNA Payments competes with several established UK card-payment and merchant-service providers.
Provider Worth Comparing For
Dojo Modern terminals, hospitality and regular card turnover
Paymentsense Merchant services, card terminals and integrated payments
Handepay SMEs wanting dedicated card machines and merchant services
Worldpay Established businesses requiring multi-channel payments
Takepayments SMEs comparing tailored card-machine services
Barclaycard Businesses comparing established acquiring services
Tyl by NatWest SMEs wanting bank-backed payment services
Revolut Published rates, purchased hardware and multi-currency payments
SumUp Small businesses wanting simple pay-as-you-go card readers
Square Simple payment pricing and a broad POS ecosystem
DNA Payments sits closer to the full merchant-services/omnichannel end of this market than the basic card-reader end.
The most meaningful comparison will usually be against providers such as Dojo, Worldpay, Paymentsense, Handepay and Takepayments.
Compare:
transaction pricing
terminal charges
contract length
settlement
ecommerce costs
ePOS integration
support
total annual cost
Compare DNA Payments alternatives and card machine quotes
DNA Payments vs Dojo DNA Payments and Dojo can both be relevant to established businesses processing regular card transactions.
DNA Payments has a particularly broad omnichannel proposition spanning card machines, ecommerce, Payment Links, Virtual Terminal and Zash ePOS.
Dojo is strongly positioned around modern physical card terminals, fast payments and retail/hospitality merchants.
When comparing them, check:
your actual transaction quote
terminal cost
settlement period
contract terms
online payment requirements
ePOS integrations
support
See our Dojo card machine review .
DNA Payments vs Paymentsense DNA Payments and Paymentsense both provide more complete merchant-services propositions than simple pay-as-you-go card readers.
Both can support physical and online payments. DNA Payments’ proposition is particularly broad when ecommerce, Payment Links, Virtual Terminal, APIs and Zash ePOS are considered.
Paymentsense provides its own terminal and integrated payment proposition for SMEs.
Neither should be compared using one transaction rate alone.
Request like-for-like quotes based on exactly the same turnover and card mix.
See our Paymentsense card machine review .
DNA Payments vs SumUp DNA Payments and SumUp represent quite different approaches.
DNA Payments is more relevant to businesses wanting tailored acquiring, terminals, ecommerce and omnichannel payment infrastructure.SumUp is particularly relevant to small businesses wanting straightforward card readers and simple standard pricing.
For a very small or occasional merchant, simplicity can be more valuable than advanced payment functionality.
For an established business processing significant card turnover across multiple channels, a tailored merchant-services proposition becomes more relevant.
See our SumUp card machine review .
DNA Payments vs Revolut DNA Payments and Revolut differ significantly in pricing approach.
Revolut publishes standard payment rates and sells its current terminals for an upfront price.
DNA Payments provides individual pricing based on the merchant’s requirements.
Revolut may therefore be easier to price immediately.
DNA Payments may be more relevant where a business needs:
tailored acquiring
multiple terminal types
unattended payments
bespoke integrations
broader enterprise payment infrastructure
The only reliable way to compare the cost is to calculate the expected annual charge using the same transaction profile.
See our Revolut card machine review .
DNA Payments Pros & Cons advantages
Broad card-machine range
Countertop, portable/mobile and unattended payment options
Online payments available
Payment Links available
Virtual Terminal available
Zash ePOS integration
Merchant Portal for payment and settlement management
Suitable for omnichannel businesses
Supports more complex integrations and APIs
UK-based support
Can suit both SMEs and larger organisations
disadvantages
No simple universal transaction rate published for all merchants
You need a quote to establish your actual processing costs
Broader payment setup may be unnecessary for very small merchants
Settlement timing depends on your individual agreement
Businesses need to check potentially separate terms for acquiring, terminals, gateway and other services
Less immediately straightforward than a basic pay-as-you-go card reader
Our View: When DNA Payments Makes Sense DNA Payments is most interesting for businesses that have moved beyond simply needing a cheap card reader.
Its strongest feature is the breadth of the payment proposition .
A business can potentially combine: physical card machines → online checkout → Payment Links → Virtual Terminal → Merchant Portal → ePOS
within the wider DNA Payments environment.
That makes DNA particularly worth comparing for retail, hospitality, ecommerce, multi-site and omnichannel businesses .
Its current terminal range also provides more hardware choice than providers built around one or two simple readers.
The trade-off is price transparency.
There isn’t one headline DNA Payments transaction rate that tells every business what it will pay.
That means we would not assess DNA Payments based on an isolated percentage found online.
Instead, compare: annual turnover → card mix → terminal requirements → online payments → settlement → integrations → contract → total annual cost.
For very small or occasional sellers, SumUp, Square or another simple card-reader provider may be easier to assess.
For businesses processing significant volumes or selling across multiple channels, DNA’s tailored omnichannel approach becomes much more relevant.
The key question is not whether DNA Payments has the lowest advertised rate. It is whether the complete DNA Payments quote is competitive for the way your business actually accepts payments.
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What to Check Before Signing With DNA Payments Before accepting a DNA Payments quote, ask for written confirmation of:
Your transaction pricing for consumer debit and credit cards.
Your commercial-card pricing.
Your international-card pricing.
Any fixed transaction or authorisation charges.
Terminal costs for each device.
Online payment and gateway charges.
Virtual Terminal charges.
Payment Link costs.
Refund and chargeback charges.
Your exact Settlement Period.
Your minimum contract period.
Your notice requirements.
Any early termination charges.
Terminal return requirements.
ePOS costs if using Zash.
The total estimated annual cost based on your normal card turnover.
Then compare the same information with at least two alternatives.
DNA Payments FAQs What is DNA Payments?
DNA Payments is a UK payment provider offering merchant acquiring, card machines, online payments, Payment Links, Virtual Terminal services, ePOS and related payment technology.
Is DNA Payments regulated?
DNA Payments Limited states that it is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Payment Service Regulations 2017 for the provision of payment services. Its FCA number is 806630.
How much does DNA Payments cost?
DNA Payments provides pricing based on the business and payment services required rather than publishing one universal transaction rate. Request a personalised quotation based on your card turnover and transaction mix.
What are DNA Payments’ transaction fees?
Transaction pricing depends on your individual acquiring agreement, cards accepted and payment setup. Check the complete written quotation rather than relying on a generic rate.
Does DNA Payments offer card machines?
Yes. DNA Payments offers countertop, portable/mobile and unattended payment terminal solutions.
What card machines does DNA Payments offer?
DNA’s current countertop range includes PAX A920 Pro, PAX Q25, PAX A35 and Nexgo N86 terminals. Other models are also supported across DNA’s wider terminal estate.
Does DNA Payments accept contactless?
Yes. DNA’s current terminals support contactless payments alongside chip & PIN and supported mobile payment methods.
Does DNA Payments offer online payments?
Yes. DNA Payments provides ecommerce payment solutions as part of its wider omnichannel payment platform.
Does DNA Payments offer Payment Links?
Yes. Businesses can create one-time or multi-use Payment Links through the DNA Merchant Portal and send them to customers without requiring a website.
Which payment methods work with DNA Payment Links?
DNA Payments says its Payment Links support major cards and alternative payment methods including Apple Pay, Klarna and PayPal.
Does DNA Payments have a Virtual Terminal?
Yes. DNA’s Virtual Terminal allows businesses to accept remote card payments through a computer or device without a physical card machine.
Does DNA Payments offer EPOS?
Yes. DNA Payments offers Zash ePOS, which can combine point-of-sale functionality with payment services.
Does DNA Payments have a Merchant Portal?
Yes. The DNA Merchant Portal lets businesses monitor transactions and settlements, manage Payment Links and access payment information.
How quickly does DNA Payments settle funds?
Settlement depends on the Settlement Period stated in your Acquiring Agreement. DNA describes periods such as T+1, T+2 and T+3, representing the number of UK working days before settlement.
Does DNA Payments offer next-day settlement?
A T+1 settlement period means funds arrive on the next UK working day, but businesses should not assume T+1 applies automatically. Confirm the Settlement Period offered in your individual agreement.
Does DNA Payments provide 24/7 support?
DNA Payments advertises 24/7 UK-based support across its payment proposition. Check the support arrangements applying to the specific products included in your agreement.
How long does a DNA Payments card machine take to arrive?
DNA currently says approved countertop-terminal orders can be prepared for dispatch on the same day, with delivery typically taking one to three days depending on location.
Can DNA Payments be used by restaurants?
Yes. DNA Payments provides card terminals and Zash ePOS functionality relevant to restaurants, cafés, pubs and other hospitality businesses.
Can DNA Payments be used for ecommerce?
Yes. DNA provides online payments, integrations, Payment Links and APIs for ecommerce and multi-channel businesses.
Is DNA Payments good for small businesses?
DNA Payments can suit SMEs taking regular card payments, particularly those needing physical and online payment channels. Very low-volume merchants should also compare simpler pay-as-you-go card readers.
Is DNA Payments cheaper than Dojo?
There is no universal answer because DNA Payments uses individual merchant pricing. Compare like-for-like quotes based on the same turnover, transaction mix, terminals and payment channels.
Is DNA Payments cheaper than SumUp?
It depends on your transaction volume and DNA Payments quote. SumUp uses simpler published pricing, while DNA provides a broader tailored merchant-services proposition. Calculate the total annual cost of each.
Is DNA Payments better than Worldpay?
Both offer broad business-payment services. Compare the specific transaction pricing, hardware, ecommerce functionality, integrations, settlement, support and contractual terms offered to your business.
What are the best alternatives to DNA Payments?
Relevant alternatives include Dojo, Paymentsense, Handepay, Worldpay, Takepayments, Barclaycard, Tyl by NatWest, Revolut, SumUp and Square.
Should I choose DNA Payments?
DNA Payments is worth comparing if your business needs more than a basic card reader, particularly if you want physical terminals alongside ecommerce, Payment Links, Virtual Terminal or ePOS. Compare the complete quote with competing providers before deciding.
Compare DNA Payments Card Machine Quotes DNA Payments provides a broad payment proposition covering:
card machines
merchant acquiring
online payments
Payment Links
Virtual Terminal
unattended payments
Merchant Portal
Zash ePOS
But pricing varies according to the business and payment setup.
Comparing quotes can show whether DNA Payments or another provider offers the better overall deal for your transaction profile.
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Related Card Payment Guides 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.
