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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
Almost every UK business can apply for a card machine.
You don’t always need a merchant account.
Pay-as-you-go providers suit smaller businesses.
Larger businesses can often negotiate lower fees.
Comparing providers can significantly reduce your processing costs.
Who can use this comparison?
This comparison is designed for UK businesses that accept, or want to start accepting, in-person card payments, so ideal for:
Sole traders
Limited companies
Retail shops
Cafés and restaurants
Tradespeople
Beauty salons
Hospitality businesses
Market traders
Mobile businesses
It isn’t designed for personal or occasional private use.
Do I Need a Merchant Account? Not necessarily.
Whether you need a merchant account depends on the type of card machine provider you choose.
If you’re a sole trader or small business, many modern providers include payment processing as part of the service, meaning you don’t need to open a separate merchant account. These pay-as-you-go solutions are often quick to set up and don’t require long-term contracts.
Larger businesses processing higher transaction volumes may benefit from a traditional merchant account, which often offers lower transaction fees and more bespoke pricing.
No Separate Merchant Account Needed
Traditional Merchant Account
Square
Worldpay
SumUp
Tyl by NatWest
Stripe
Elavon
Zettle
Barclays
PayPal
Do I need a business bank account?
Question Answer
Business bank account required?
Usually recommended but not always
Merchant account required?
Not always
Credit check?
Sometimes
Trading history needed?
Usually no
Limited company required?
No
Can I Get a Card Machine Without a Business Account? One of the biggest myths is that you need to be a large company before you can accept card payments.
In reality, providers now cater for businesses of every size, from market traders taking a handful of payments each week to retailers processing thousands of transactions every month.
The following business types can usually apply:
Business Eligible?
Sole trader
✅
Limited company
✅
Partnership
✅
Start-up
✅
Charity
✅
Market trader
✅
Mobile business
✅
Home business
✅
If you’re legally trading in the UK, there’s a very good chance you’ll qualify.
How much does a card machine cost? The cost of a card machine depends on three main things:
The hardware itself
Your transaction fees
Any monthly subscription or merchant account charges
For many small businesses, the upfront cost is relatively low, but businesses processing larger volumes should look beyond the price of the terminal and compare ongoing fees.
Cost
Card machine
£19-£450
Monthly fee
£0-£40
Transaction fees
1.4%-1.75%
Setup fee
Usually £0
Merchant account
Best card machine if you’re just starting
Provider Type
Pay-as-you-go providers
Merchant account providers
Larger bespoke solutions
1-3 weeks
Buy or Rent a Card Machine? Both options have advantages.
Buying
Buying a card machine is usually the better choice if you:
Want lower long-term costs
Prefer no ongoing rental payments
Are a small or growing business
Like pay-as-you-go pricing
Renting
Renting may suit businesses that:
Want the latest hardware
Prefer predictable monthly costs
Need multiple terminals
Require ongoing technical support
The cheapest option isn’t always the best value. Looking at the total cost of ownership over several years usually gives a clearer picture.
Do you need a merchant account?
Benefits of Accepting Credit Cards Without a Merchant Account Traditionally, accepting credit cards meant applying for a merchant account, a process known for taking time and potentially incurring setup fees. But what if you could skip the wait and ditch the extra costs? There are solutions that allow you to start accepting credit cards quickly and easily, without the need for a merchant account. Some of the key benefits you can utilise are:
Faster Approvals – which means no need to wait for lengthy application processes and credit checks typically associated with merchant accounts. You can pretty much start accepting payments almost instantly.
By choosing a solution that doesn’t require a merchant account, you can free yourself from unnecessary hurdles and focus on growing your business.
Compare Business Card Machine Quotes Whether you’re buying your first card machine or looking to switch providers, comparing quotes is one of the easiest ways to reduce your payment processing costs.
By comparing leading UK providers, you can find a solution that matches your business, offers the features you need and could save you up to 40% on fees.
Why compare with Compare Your Business Costs?
Compare trusted UK card machine providers
Save up to 40% on processing costs
Free, no-obligation quotes
Suitable for sole traders, SMEs and larger businesses
Find the right provider for your transaction volume
Compare Business Card Machine Quotes →
Considerations Before Choosing a PSP Before choosing an alternative solution, consider these critical factors:
Security
Compliance
Fees
Features
Our Thoughts – Can I Have a Credit Card Machine Without a Business Account? Accepting credit card payments without a traditional business account is entirely feasible through PSPs. These platforms offer flexible, cost-effective, and user-friendly solutions, enabling you to cater to customer preferences and streamline your payment processes. By carefully evaluating your business needs and the features of each provider, you can select the most suitable option to facilitate seamless transactions.
Frequently Asked Questions Can anyone get a card machine?
Yes. Most UK businesses can apply for a card machine, including sole traders, limited companies, partnerships, charities and start-ups. As long as you’re legally trading in the UK and meet the provider’s basic eligibility requirements, you should have no problem applying.
Can I get a card machine without being a limited company?
Absolutely. You don’t need to operate as a limited company to accept card payments. Many providers work with sole traders, self-employed professionals and freelancers, making it easy to start taking card payments without incorporating your business.
Do I need a business bank account?
Not always. Some providers allow you to receive payments into a personal bank account, particularly if you’re a sole trader. However, a dedicated business bank account is generally recommended as it makes bookkeeping, tax returns and managing your finances much simpler.
Can I get a card machine without a merchant account?
Yes. Many modern providers, including Square, SumUp and Stripe, combine payment processing with the card machine, meaning you don’t need to arrange a separate merchant account. Businesses processing higher volumes may still benefit from a traditional merchant account with bespoke pricing.
How much does a card machine cost?
Basic mobile card readers typically start from around £19, while more advanced portable and countertop terminals can cost £150-£450+. You should also factor in transaction fees, monthly subscription costs and any merchant account charges when comparing providers.
Are there monthly fees?
It depends on the provider. Pay-as-you-go card machines often have no monthly fee, making them popular with smaller businesses. Traditional merchant account providers may charge a monthly service fee but can offer lower transaction rates for businesses processing higher volumes.
How quickly can I get a card machine?
Many providers can approve your application within one or two working days, with card machines usually arriving within a few days. Merchant account providers may take slightly longer if additional checks are required.
What’s the best card machine for a small business?
That depends on how you take payments. Pay-as-you-go providers such as Square and SumUp are often a good choice for businesses with lower transaction volumes, while businesses taking larger numbers of payments may save money with providers offering bespoke merchant account pricing, such as Dojo, Worldpay or Tyl by NatWest.
Can I accept contactless payments?
Yes. Virtually every modern card machine supports contactless debit and credit cards, as well as digital wallets including Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Is it worth comparing card machine providers?
Yes. The cost of accepting card payments varies considerably between providers. Comparing quotes allows you to review transaction fees, monthly costs, hardware options and contract terms, helping you choose the best solution for your business and potentially save up to 40%.
👉 Compare quotes to instantly reduce your costs
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