Cheapest Card Machines UK 2026 | Compare Low-Cost Deals Quick answer
The cheapest card machine in the UK depends on how much your business takes by card each month.
For very small businesses, sole traders, market traders and low-volume sellers, the cheapest option is usually a no-monthly-fee card reader from providers such as SumUp, Square or PayPal POS. These are cheap upfront, simple to set up and usually charge a flat transaction fee.
For growing businesses, cafés, salons, shops, restaurants and trades businesses taking regular card payments, the cheapest long-term option may be a provider such as Dojo, Tyl by NatWest, Worldpay, TakePayments, Barclaycard, Elavon or Clover, because lower transaction rates can outweigh monthly rental.
The cheapest card machine is not always the one with the lowest upfront cost. The real cheapest option is the one with the lowest total monthly cost based on your card turnover, transaction value and contract terms.
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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
Cheapest Card Machine Providers (2026)
Cheapest Card Machine Costs Explained
What Is the Cheapest Option for Your Business?
Cheap vs Best Value
Key Takeaways
The cheapest card machine depends on your monthly card turnover.
SumUp, Square and PayPal POS are usually strong low-cost options for start-ups and low-volume sellers.
No-monthly-fee card readers are cheap upfront but can become expensive if card turnover grows.
SumUp’s standard in-person fee is 1.69%, while Square’s standard UK in-person fee is 1.75%.
PayPal POS is the current PayPal point-of-sale product, previously associated with Zettle.
Dojo, Tyl, Worldpay, TakePayments, Barclaycard and Elavon may be cheaper long term for higher-volume businesses.
Transaction fees usually matter more than the card reader price once you take regular payments.
Monthly fees are not automatically bad if they unlock lower processing rates.
Always check terminal rental, PCI fees, authorisation fees, settlement fees and contract length.
The cheapest card machine is the one with the lowest effective monthly cost.
Comparing providers can help reduce payment costs by up to 40%.
Compare cheap card machine deals based on your turnover, payment type and business setup.
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.
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This calculator is an estimate only. Actual card machine costs vary by provider, pricing structure, card mix, sector and contract terms.
Cheapest card machines at a glance
Provider Best for Typical pricing style
SumUp
Sole traders, market traders and low-volume sellers
No monthly fee on standard reader plans; subscription option available
Low upfront cost and simple fees
Square
Small businesses wanting payments and POS tools
No monthly fee for standard in-person payments
Good all-round value with POS features
PayPal POS
PayPal users and simple card reader users
No monthly fee on core POS app; hardware costs apply
Useful if you already use PayPal
Dojo
Growing SMEs with regular card turnover
Blended or custom pricing
Lower rates may beat flat-fee readers
Tyl by NatWest
SMEs wanting card machines and online options
Terminal rental plus transaction fees
Clear pricing and bank-backed provider
TakePayments
Local businesses wanting guided setup
Quote-based packages
Can be cost-effective for supported SMEs
Worldpay
Established businesses and higher turnover
Custom merchant services pricing
Custom rates may reduce total cost
Barclaycard
Established SMEs wanting merchant services
Custom merchant account pricing
May suit businesses needing bank-backed acquiring
Elavon
Retail, hospitality and multi-site businesses
Custom pricing
Worth comparing for higher-volume card use
Clover
Retail and hospitality needing POS
Hardware, software and payment bundle
Good value if you need EPOS, not just payments
What is the cheapest card machine in the UK? The cheapest card machine for most low-volume businesses is usually a simple pay-as-you-go reader with no monthly fee.
For many start-ups, sole traders and market traders, providers such as SumUp, Square and PayPal POS are often the first options to compare because they are simple, low-commitment and easy to set up.
However, if your business takes regular card payments, the cheapest card machine may be a monthly contract provider with lower transaction fees.
For example:
a business taking £500/month may be best with no monthly fee
a business taking £5,000/month should compare flat-rate readers against lower-rate providers
a business taking £20,000/month should usually compare merchant account-style quotes
a restaurant, shop or salon may need more than the cheapest reader if reliability, tipping, receipts or EPOS integration matter
The cheapest option changes as your business grows.
Cheapest Card Machine Providers 2026
Provider Good low-cost use case Best for Watch out for
SumUp Cheap upfront reader and simple standard fee
Sole traders and mobile sellers
May not be cheapest at higher turnover
Square No monthly fee with strong POS app
Small businesses wanting tools as well as payments
PayPal PayPal-linked card reader and POS setup
PayPal users and small sellers
Remote/manual payment fees may be higher
Dojo
Lower blended/custom rate options
Growing SMEs
Usually more commitment than basic readers
Tyl by NatWest Bank-backed card machine options
SMEs wanting structure and support
Check monthly terminal and transaction costs
TakePayments Quote-based small business packages
Local shops, salons and cafés
Compare contract terms carefully
Worldpay
Tailored merchant services pricing
Established businesses
More complex fee structure
Barclaycard
Merchant account pricing
Established SMEs
Check card type fees and contract terms
Elavon
Custom payment solutions
Retail and hospitality
Clover
POS and payments bundle
Retail and hospitality
Not cheapest if you only need a basic reader
Cheapest card machines by monthly turnover
Monthly card turnover Cheapest option to compare first Why
Under £1,000
SumUp, Square or PayPal POS
£1,000-£5,000
Flat-rate reader vs low monthly card machine quote
Flat fees still simple, but compare rates
£5,000-£10,000
SumUp Payments Plus, Dojo, Tyl, TakePayments
Lower rates may offset monthly fees
£10,000-£25,000
Dojo, Worldpay, Tyl, Barclaycard, Elavon
Custom pricing may reduce total cost
£25,000-£50,000
Merchant account quotes
Transaction fee savings become more important
£50,000+
Negotiate custom rates
Small rate differences create large savings
Seasonal turnover
No-contract or flexible options
Avoid paying rental in quiet months
Low transaction value
Watch fixed pence-per-transaction fees
Small fixed fees add up quickly
High transaction value
Focus on percentage rate
Lower percentage fee matters most
Cheapest card machines by business type
Business type Cheapest providers to compare first Why
Sole trader
SumUp, Square, PayPal POS
Low upfront cost and simple pricing
Market trader
SumUp, Square, PayPal POS
Mobile readers and no monthly fee options
Mobile hairdresser
SumUp, Square
Tradesperson
SumUp, Square, Dojo
Mobile payments and payment links
Pop-up shop
SumUp, Square, PayPal POS
Flexible, low-commitment setup
Café
Square, Dojo, Tyl, Worldpay
POS tools, speed and lower rates as volume grows
Salon
Square, SumUp, Dojo, Tyl
Appointments, receipts and flexible payment options
Restaurant
Dojo, Clover, Worldpay, TakePayments
Portable terminals and EPOS integration
Pub or bar
Dojo, Worldpay, Clover, TakePayments
Reliability, speed and tipping
Retail shop
Square, Clover, Worldpay, Barclaycard
Countertop payments and POS tools
Online seller
Stripe, Square, PayPal, Worldpay
Online payment fees matter more than card machines
High-volume SME
Worldpay, Barclaycard, Dojo, Elavon
Custom rates may be cheapest
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Cheapest Card Machines UK Explained Card machine costs usually fall into four groups:
Cost type What to expect
Card reader cost
One-off cost for basic readers, often lower than full terminals
Monthly rental
£0 on many basic readers, but charged by many terminal providers
Transaction fee
Percentage of each card payment
Extra fees
PCI fees, chargebacks, settlement fees, authorisation fees and cancellation fees
The cheapest upfront card reader is not always the cheapest long-term deal, and if you take regular payments, the transaction fee is usually the biggest cost.
No monthly fee vs lowest transaction fee
No monthly fee card machines
No monthly fee card machines are usually best if:
you are just starting out
card sales are low
you sell seasonally
you want no contract
you only need one reader
you do not need advanced features
you want simple pricing
The trade-off is that transaction fees are usually higher.
Lowest transaction fee card machines
Lower transaction fee card machines can be best if:
you take card payments every day
monthly card revenue is growing
you run a shop, café, salon, pub or restaurant
you need multiple terminals
you want custom rates
you have a current provider to compare against
The trade-off is that you may pay monthly rental or commit to a contract.
Cheapest card readers The cheapest card readers are usually app-based devices from providers such as SumUp, Square and PayPal POS and are good for:
sole traders
pop-ups
mobile businesses
market traders
occasional sellers
start-ups
low-volume businesses
They are usually cheap because they avoid monthly rental and long contracts.
However, they won’t be great for businesses needing:
receipt printers
fast table payments
multiple staff accounts
advanced EPOS
countertop reliability
very low custom transaction rates
dedicated account management
Cheapest countertop card machines Countertop card machines are best for businesses that take payments at a fixed till or reception desk and are great for:
shops
cafés
clinics
salons
reception desks
takeaways
small retailers
The cheapest countertop option is not always a basic card reader, and if you process regular card payments, a monthly terminal with lower rates may be cheaper overall.
Compare:
terminal rental
transaction fees
contract length
receipt options
connectivity
support
EPOS compatibility
Cheapest portable card machines Portable card machines are useful when customers pay away from a fixed till, such as at tables or treatment rooms, making them suit:
restaurants
pubs
cafés
salons
bars
clinics
hospitality businesses
The cheapest portable machine should still be reliable. For restaurants and hospitality, speed, tipping, battery life and Wi-Fi stability may matter more than saving a few pounds on rental.
Compare providers such as Dojo, Worldpay, Clover, TakePayments, Tyl and Barclaycard if you need a professional portable terminal.
Cheapest mobile card machines Mobile card machines work away from premises, usually using SIM, 4G or mobile data so are great for:
tradespeople
delivery drivers
market traders
mobile hairdressers
taxi or private hire drivers
field sales teams
events businesses
mobile food vendors
Cheap mobile options include app-based readers and Tap to Pay, but if you need reliable all-day use, a dedicated mobile terminal may be worth comparing.
Cheap vs Best Value The cheapest option isn’t always the best long-term:
Option Cheapest for Main risk
Basic reader
Low-volume sellers
Higher transaction fees as sales grow
No monthly fee plan
Seasonal or occasional use
Limited features
Subscription reader plan
Regular smaller businesses
Monthly fee only works if usage is high enough
Monthly terminal contract
Shops, cafés and salons
Contract terms and rental costs
Merchant account
Higher-volume businesses
More complex fee structure
EPOS bundle
Retail and hospitality
Too expensive if you only need payments
Hidden fees to check Before choosing a cheap card machine, check for:
terminal rental
monthly service charges
transaction fees
authorisation fees
PCI compliance fees
PCI non-compliance fees
chargeback fees
refund fees
settlement fees
next-day payout fees
minimum monthly fees
statement fees
setup fees
delivery fees
replacement terminal fees
cancellation fees
early termination fees
EPOS software fees
A “cheap” card machine can become expensive if the hidden fees are high.
When to switch card machine provider Consider switching if:
your card turnover has increased
you pay more than 1.75% for regular in-person payments
you pay monthly rental but have low usage
you need a better terminal
settlement is too slow
support is poor
your current contract is ending
you are paying hidden fees
you need EPOS integration
your machine is unreliable
you want lower rates
you have outgrown SumUp or Square
Compare cheap card machine quotes before your current contract renews.
How to Get the Cheapest Card Machine To reduce your costs:
Compare multiple providers
Negotiate transaction fees
Increase transaction volume
Avoid unnecessary add-ons
Switch providers regularly
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FAQs – Cheapest Card Machines UK What is the cheapest card machine in the UK?
The cheapest card machine depends on your turnover. SumUp, Square and PayPal POS are often cheapest for low-volume businesses, while Dojo, Tyl, Worldpay and other merchant providers may be cheaper for higher-volume businesses.
Which card machine has the lowest transaction fee?
SumUp Payments Plus offers lower eligible in-person transaction fees on a paid monthly plan. Merchant account providers may offer even lower custom rates for higher-volume businesses.
Which card machine has no monthly fee?
SumUp, Square and PayPal POS-style card reader options are commonly used by businesses wanting no monthly fee on standard plans.
Are free card machines really free?
No card machine is completely free. Some have no monthly fee, but you will still pay transaction fees and may need to buy hardware.
Is SumUp cheaper than Square?
SumUp’s standard card reader transaction fee is lower than Square’s standard in-person fee. However, Square may offer better value if you need POS tools, inventory features or online payment options.
Is PayPal POS cheaper than SumUp?
PayPal POS may be useful for PayPal users, but SumUp is often cheaper for standard in-person card reader transactions. Compare payment method fees before choosing.
Is Dojo cheaper than SumUp or Square?
Dojo may be cheaper for businesses with regular card turnover, especially where lower rates offset monthly costs. For very low-volume sellers, SumUp or Square may be cheaper.
Is it cheaper to rent or buy a card machine?
Buying or paying upfront for a reader is often cheaper for low-volume businesses. Renting or using a monthly contract may be cheaper for higher-volume businesses if transaction fees are lower.
What is the cheapest card machine for a small business?
For low-volume small businesses, SumUp, Square and PayPal POS are usually good options to compare. For growing small businesses, compare Dojo, Tyl, TakePayments, Worldpay and Barclaycard.
What is the cheapest card machine for sole traders?
SumUp, Square and PayPal POS are usually strong options for sole traders because they offer low upfront cost and no monthly fee options.
What is the cheapest card machine for cafés?
Cafés should compare Square, Dojo, Tyl, Worldpay and Clover. The cheapest option depends on monthly card turnover and whether POS features are needed.
What is the cheapest card machine for tradespeople?
Tradespeople should compare SumUp, Square, PayPal POS and Dojo. Mobile use, payment links and payout speed may matter as much as fees.
What is the cheapest card machine for restaurants?
Restaurants should compare Dojo, Clover, Worldpay, TakePayments and other portable terminal providers. The cheapest basic reader is rarely the best choice for table service.
Do cheap card machines have hidden fees?
Some do. Always check terminal rental, PCI fees, authorisation fees, settlement fees, chargeback fees, contract length and cancellation costs.
Can I get a card machine with no contract?
Yes. Many pay-as-you-go readers have no long contract. Traditional terminals and merchant account providers may involve contract terms.
Can I switch to a cheaper card machine provider?
Yes. Many businesses can switch, although you should check your current contract, exit fees and settlement times before changing provider.
How do I know which card machine is cheapest for me?
Calculate your total monthly cost using your card turnover, transaction fees, monthly fees, terminal rental and any extra charges. The lowest total cost is the cheapest option.
👉 Compare quotes to find your cheapest deal
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Comparisons & Alternative
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EPOS Systems & POS Software
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.
