Card Machine Providers UK 2026 | Compare the Best & Save 40% Quick answer
The best card machine providers in the UK include Square, SumUp, PayPal POS, Dojo, Stripe, and Worldpay.
Small businesses typically pay 1.69%-1.75% per transaction
Larger businesses can negotiate rates from 0.3%-1.5%
Card machines start from £19–£199
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This quote service is best for UK businesses that want to take card payments in person using a card reader, countertop terminal, portable PDQ machine or merchant account.
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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
Contents
Best Card Machine Providers UK (2026)
Card Provider Fees Explained
Types of Card Machine Providers
Which Provider Is Right for You?
Key Takeaways
Best providers: Square, SumUp, PayPal POS, Dojo, Stripe
Fees range from 0.3% to 1.75% per transaction
Tap to Pay allows payments without a card machine
Contracts are optional (pay-as-you-go available)
Comparing providers can reduce costs by up to 40%
Card Machine Fees Calculator UK Estimate your monthly and annual card processing costs in seconds. Adjust the fields below to see how much your current setup could be costing you.
Pricing model Flat rate Custom / Merchant account
Your Estimated Costs
Estimated monthly fees
£0.00
Estimated annual fees
£0.00
Estimated monthly transactions
0
Potential monthly saving
£0.00
You could save money by switching to a lower-fee provider.
This calculator is an estimate only. Actual card machine costs vary by provider, pricing structure, card mix, sector and contract terms.
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Best Card Machine Providers UK (2026)
Provider Fees Monthly Cost Best For Benefits
Square 1.75%
£0
Small businesses
SumUp 1.69%
£0
Sole traders
Cheapest entry
PayPal POS 1.75%
£0
Mobile sellers
Tap to Pay
Dojo 0.4%–1.5%
From £15
High volume
Lower fees
Stripe ~1.5%–2.5%
£0
Online-first
Developer tools
Worldpay Custom
£15–£30
Established businesses
Negotiated rates
Card Machine Provider Fees Explained
Fee Type Typical Cost
Debit cards
0.3% – 0.8%
Credit cards
0.7% – 1.75%
Monthly fees
£0 – £40
Terminal cost
£19 – £199
👉 The biggest savings come from comparing providers, especially for growing businesses.
Types of Card Machine Providers Pay-As-You-Go Providers
✔ No contracts
✔ Flat fees
✔ Best for small businesses
Merchant Account Providers
Worldpay
Dojo
Barclaycard
Elavon
✔ Lower fees
✔ Better for high turnover
✔ Often require contracts
Online-First Providers
✔ Strong for eCommerce
✔ Omnichannel support
Which Provider Is Right for You?
Business Type Best Option
Sole trader
SumUp / Square
Small business
Square / PayPal POS
High turnover
Dojo / Worldpay
eCommerce
Stripe
Mobile business
PayPal POS / Square
Tap to Pay vs Card Machines
Feature Tap to Pay Card Machine
Hardware needed
❌ No
✅ Yes
Cost
Lower
Higher
Setup
Instant
Moderate
Best for
Mobile sellers
Shops & restaurants
Tap to Pay is growing fast, but machines still dominate for high-volume businesses
Who Needs a Card Machine?
Retail shops
Restaurants & cafés
Tradespeople
Market traders
Service businesses
👉 If you take payments in person, you need a card solution in 2026
How to Choose the Best Provider When comparing providers, focus on:
Transaction fees
Monthly costs
Contract length
Hardware cost
Customer support
POS features
👉 The cheapest provider upfront is not always cheapest long-term
Why Compare With Us?
1,000+ UK businesses helped
Access to leading providers
Independent comparison
Free, no-obligation quotes
Save up to 40%
👉 Compare Card Machine Providers Now
FAQs – Card Machine Providers UK What is the cheapest card machine provider in the UK?
SumUp is often the cheapest upfront, while Dojo and Worldpay offer lower long-term rates.
Do I need a contract for a card machine?
No, providers like Square, SumUp, and PayPal offer no-contract options.
How much do card machines cost?
Between £19 and £199, depending on the device.
What are typical transaction fees ?
Usually 1.69%-1.75% for small businesses.
Can I accept payments without a card machine?
Yes, Tap to Pay allows payments directly on your phone.
Which provider is best for small businesses?
Square and SumUp are the most popular choices.
Can I switch providers?
Yes, and switching can save up to 40% on fees.
👉 Compare quotes to find your cheapest deal
👉 Not sure which card machine is right for your business? Compare quotes in 30 seconds and save up to 40%
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✔ Save up to 40% on fees
✔ Compare leading UK providers
✔ Free, no-obligation quotes
👉 Compare the Best Card Machines
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.
