Best Chip & PIN Machines UK 2026: Compare Costs, Fees & Card Machine Providers
quick answer
Chip & PIN machines remain one of the most secure and popular ways for UK businesses to accept in-person card payments. Modern terminals allow customers to pay using Chip & PIN, contactless cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay, making them suitable for almost every type of business.
Whether you run a retail shop, café, restaurant, salon or trade business, choosing the right Chip & PIN machine depends on your monthly card turnover, where you take payments and whether you need a simple card reader or a fully integrated payment system.
Typical costs in 2026 include:
Mobile card readers from around £19
Countertop and portable terminals available on rental or purchase
Transaction fees from around 1.4%-1.75%
Merchant account options for businesses processing larger volumes
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Contents
What are Chip and Pin Machines?
Our Favourite Chip and Pin Machines
Benefits of Chip and Pin Machines
Who Needs a Chip and Pin Machine?
Choosing the Right Chip and Pin Machine For Your Business
Are Chip and PIN Machines Right for You?
How do we work?
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
Chip & PIN machines remain the standard for in-person card payments.
Most modern terminals also accept contactless, Apple Pay and Google Pay.
The best machine depends on your business type and monthly turnover.
Smaller businesses often choose pay-as-you-go providers.
Higher-volume businesses may benefit from negotiated merchant account rates.
Comparing providers can significantly reduce payment processing costs.
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What are Chip and Pin Machines? Chip and PIN machines are electronic payment terminals used to accept credit and debit card payments by reading the chip embedded in modern bank cards, and customers enter their PIN to authorise the transaction, adding an extra layer of security.
Unlike older magnetic stripe systems, chip cards generate a unique transaction code every time they’re used, making it nearly impossible to clone. This dramatically reduces the risk of card-present fraud and builds customer trust with each purchase.
These machines are now a core component of modern POS systems—found in retail shops, restaurants, mobile businesses, and even taxis.
Our Favourite Chip and Pin Machines in 2026
Best for Typical UK cost Key benefits Potential drawbacks
Square Reader Small businesses, cafés, salons, pop-ups and market traders wanting a low-cost chip and PIN reader with free POS tools
Square Reader starts from £19 + VAT. No monthly fee for standard POS use. In-person card payments cost 1.75%
Affordable upfront cost, free Square POS app, simple setup, accepts chip and PIN, contactless and mobile wallets
Requires a smartphone or tablet, not always cheapest for higher-volume businesses, advanced POS features may cost extra
Strong all-round choice for small businesses that want a simple card reader and POS app
PayPal Reader / PayPal POS formerly Zettle PayPal users, mobile businesses, salons, pop-ups and small retailers wanting a recognisable payment brand
PayPal Reader is usually promoted from £29 excluding VAT for eligible new business users. In-person card and contactless payments cost 1.75%
No monthly fee for core POS use, simple setup, works with PayPal Business, accepts major cards and mobile wallets
Requires a PayPal account, fewer advanced POS features than Square or Clover, remote/manual payments cost more
Useful for small businesses already using PayPal, but compare remote payment fees carefully
SumUp Sole traders, mobile businesses, food stalls and small shops wanting a standalone chip and PIN terminal
SumUp pay-as-you-go has £0/month and 1.69% in-person transaction fees. SumUp Payments Plus is £19/month with lower in-person fees. SumUp Terminal is commonly listed around £135 + VAT by third-party guides
Simple pricing, portable hardware, built-in 4G on Solo, no monthly fee on standard plan, good for mobile payments
Fewer advanced POS features than Square or Clover, paid plan only makes sense at higher turnover
Good low-commitment option for simple chip and PIN payments
Clover Mini Retail, hospitality, cafés and businesses needing POS features as well as chip and PIN payments
Clover advertises plans from £9.99/month including device. Lloyds Cardnet lists Clover Mini at £23/month + VAT + transaction fees
Strong POS features, inventory tools, staff management, app marketplace, professional countertop setup
More expensive than basic readers, monthly fees apply, costs vary by provider or reseller
Stronger for businesses that need POS tools, not just payment acceptance
Toast Go Restaurants, cafés, bars and hospitality businesses needing handheld ordering and payments
Toast’s UK Starter plan is listed from £80/month. Hardware and payment costs may vary by package
Built for restaurants, supports table-side service, online ordering, reporting and hospitality workflows
Higher monthly cost, not designed for general small business use, likely too much for sole traders or simple retail
Best treated as a hospitality POS system rather than a basic chip and PIN reader
Quick verdict: Which Chip and Pin Machines are best?
Business need
Best option to compare first
Cheapest simple chip and PIN reader
Square Reader
Best for PayPal users
PayPal POS
Best standalone mobile terminal
Best countertop POS-style chip and PIN machine
Clover Mini
Best for restaurants and table service
Toast Go
Who Should Use a Chip & PIN Machine? Almost every business accepting face-to-face payments can benefit from a Chip & PIN machine.
They’re particularly popular with:
Retail shops
Restaurants
Cafés
Coffee shops
Pubs and bars
Hairdressers and beauty salons
Hotels
Dental practices
Clinics
Tradespeople
Market traders
Food trucks
Convenience stores
Florists
Pharmacies
If your customers regularly pay in person, a Chip & PIN machine is usually one of the simplest and most secure ways to accept payments.
Find the right chip and PIN machine for your business Not every chip and PIN machine works the same way. A café may need a portable terminal for table payments, while a shop may prefer a countertop machine and a mobile trader may need 4G connectivity.
Before choosing, compare:
monthly terminal rental
transaction fees
setup costs
contract length
payout speed
countertop, portable and mobile options
support and security features
POS and accounting integrations
Benefits of Chip and Pin Machines
Chip technology makes it significantly harder to counterfeit cards and steal data, protecting both businesses and customers from fraud. Chip and pin technology has greatly reduced the number of counterfeit card fraud incidents. Customers feel more secure knowing their transactions are protected by advanced technology. Chip and pin technology is widely accepted worldwide, facilitating international transactions. Faster processing (compared to other payment methods).
Choosing the Right Chip and Pin Machine For Your Business It can be hard to decide on the right machine for your business needs, so consider the following things when choosing the right solution for your business:
What is the average number of transactions you process daily/monthly. Do you need basic functionalities or additional features like contactless payments and inventory management? Compare pricing models and structures (like one-time purchase, monthly fees, transaction fees) offered by different providers. What third-party programs would you like your machine to integrate with? How much training are you willing you/your staff willing to undertake?
Types of Chip & PIN Machines Not every Chip & PIN machine works in the same way.
Choosing the right type of terminal can improve customer experience while reducing payment processing costs.
Mobile Card Readers Mobile readers connect to your smartphone or tablet using Bluetooth.
Best for:
Sole traders
Mobile businesses
Market traders
Freelancers
Start-ups
Advantages:
Low upfront cost
No monthly contract with many providers
Easy to carry
Quick setup
Portable Card Machines Portable terminals include built-in Wi-Fi or mobile connectivity and can be carried around your premises.
Best for:
Restaurants
Pubs
Hotels
Hospitality
Garden centres
Advantages:
Table-side payments
Greater flexibility
Long battery life
Built-in receipt options
Countertop Card Machines Countertop terminals stay connected at a fixed checkout.
Best for:
Retail
Convenience stores
Pharmacies
Reception desks
Cafés
Advantages:
Reliable connection
Fast checkout
Ideal for high transaction volumes
Professional appearance
Smart POS Terminals These combine a card machine with touchscreen business software.
Best for:
Growing retailers
Restaurants
Hospitality
Multi-site businesses
Advantages:
Inventory management
Staff reporting
Customer insights
Integrated payments
Chip & PIN vs Contactless
Feature Chip & PIN Contactless
Security
Excellent
Excellent
Customer enters PIN
Yes (where required)
Usually no
Speed
Fast
Very fast
Apple Pay & Google Pay
Supported
Supported
Widely accepted
Yes
Yes
How Much Do Chip & PIN Machines Cost? The total cost depends on the provider and pricing model you choose.
Cost
Card reader
£19-£99
Portable terminal
£150-£350
Countertop terminal
£200-£450+
Monthly rental
£0-£40+
Transaction fees
Merchant account
May apply
Setup fee
Usually free
Our Final Thoughts: Are Chip and PIN Machines Right for You? If your business takes in-person payments, a Chip and PIN machine is a must-have in 2026 because it not only protects you and your customers from fraud but also offers a familiar, trusted experience that can help build repeat business.
✅ Best for:
High-street shops, salons, restaurants, and growing SMEs
Businesses wanting secure, professional payment options
Startups needing a low-cost entry point into card acceptance
❌ Not ideal for:
Online-only businesses (consider online payment gateways instead)
Cash-only traders who rarely handle card payments
Best Chip & PIN Machine by Business Type Best for Sole Traders If you’re a sole trader, flexibility is usually more important than securing the lowest transaction fee.
A pay-as-you-go Chip & PIN machine allows you to accept card payments without committing to a long-term contract, making it ideal for businesses with seasonal or unpredictable sales.
Look for:
No monthly fees
Low upfront hardware costs
Fast setup
Smartphone compatibility
Digital receipts
Best for Retail Shops Retailers often process a large number of transactions each day, so reliability and speed are essential.
A countertop Chip & PIN machine connected to your till or EPOS system can help reduce queues, improve reporting and speed up checkout.
Look for:
Countertop terminals
EPOS integration
Fast transaction processing
Receipt printer compatibility
Multi-user reporting
Best for Restaurants, Cafés and Hospitality Hospitality businesses often benefit from portable Chip & PIN machines that staff can carry directly to the customer.
This reduces queues, improves customer experience and speeds up table turnover.
Look for:
Portable terminals
Built-in Wi-Fi or 4G
Tipping functionality
Split bill payments
Kitchen and EPOS integration
Long battery life
Best for Tradespeople Electricians, plumbers, builders, decorators and mobile engineers need payment solutions that travel with them.
A lightweight Chip & PIN machine allows customers to pay immediately after work is completed, helping improve cash flow.
Look for:
Mobile connectivity
Compact design
Fast payouts
No monthly contract
Payment links for remote payments
Best for Growing Businesses As your card turnover increases, transaction fees become more important than hardware costs.
Businesses processing larger monthly volumes can often negotiate lower rates through a merchant account provider.
Look for:
Bespoke pricing
Multiple terminals
Dedicated account manager
EPOS integration
Fast settlement
Features Worth Paying For Not every Chip & PIN machine includes the same features, so it’s worth considering what your business actually needs before choosing a provider.
Contactless Payments
Customers increasingly expect to pay using contactless cards, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Every modern Chip & PIN machine should support all three.
Fast Payouts
Some providers transfer funds the next working day, while others may offer same-day settlement or faster payouts for an additional fee.
If cash flow is important, settlement times are worth comparing.
Digital & Printed Receipts
Many modern terminals offer both printed and email receipts, helping reduce paper usage while giving customers more choice.
EPOS Integration
Connecting your Chip & PIN machine with your EPOS system removes the need to enter payment amounts manually, reducing errors and speeding up service.
This can be particularly valuable for retailers and hospitality businesses.
Tipping
Restaurants, cafés, bars and salons should look for terminals that allow customers to add a gratuity before completing payment.
Business Reporting
Many providers include dashboards showing:
Daily sales
Refunds
VAT reporting
Staff performance
Payment trends
Peak trading periods
These insights can help improve decision-making as your business grows.
Multiple Terminals
If your business has several tills or locations, choosing a provider that supports multiple Chip & PIN machines under one account can simplify reporting and management.
Buying Advice Choosing the cheapest Chip & PIN machine isn’t always the cheapest option in the long run, so before making a decision, consider:
How many card payments you take each month.
Whether you need a mobile, portable or countertop terminal.
If you’ll need multiple machines as your business grows.
Whether EPOS integration is important.
Your expected transaction fees over the next 12 months.
Contract length and cancellation charges.
Settlement times.
Customer support and replacement policies.
For smaller businesses, pay-as-you-go pricing often offers the greatest flexibility.
For established businesses processing higher monthly turnover, comparing merchant account providers can often lead to significantly lower transaction fees.
Frequently Asked Questions What is a Chip & PIN machine?
A Chip & PIN machine is a card payment terminal that reads the chip on a customer’s debit or credit card and asks them to enter their PIN to authorise the transaction. Most modern terminals also accept contactless cards and mobile wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay.
How much does a Chip & PIN machine cost?
Basic mobile Chip & PIN card readers typically cost between £19 and £99 , while portable and countertop terminals can cost between £150 and £450+ . Businesses should also factor in transaction fees, monthly charges and any merchant account costs.
Do I need a merchant account?
Not always. Many providers offer pay-as-you-go payment solutions that include payment processing without requiring a separate merchant account. Businesses processing larger volumes may benefit from a traditional merchant account with lower transaction fees.
Are Chip & PIN machines secure?
Yes. Chip & PIN technology uses EMV security standards, making it one of the safest ways to accept in-person card payments. Most terminals also include encryption and comply with PCI DSS security requirements.
Can Chip & PIN machines accept contactless payments?
Yes. Almost every modern Chip & PIN machine also accepts contactless debit and credit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay, allowing customers to choose their preferred payment method.
What’s the difference between a mobile, portable and countertop Chip & PIN machine?
Mobile card readers connect to a smartphone or tablet and are ideal for businesses on the move. Portable terminals have built-in Wi-Fi or 4G connectivity, making them suitable for restaurants and hospitality. Countertop machines remain connected at a fixed till and are commonly used in retail environments.
Which Chip & PIN machine is best for small businesses?
Many smaller businesses choose flexible pay-as-you-go providers because they offer low upfront costs and no long-term contracts. Businesses processing larger monthly turnover may benefit from comparing merchant account providers to secure lower transaction fees.
Can I use a Chip & PIN machine without Wi-Fi?
Yes. Many portable Chip & PIN machines include built-in 4G SIM cards or can connect using mobile data, while mobile card readers often use your smartphone’s internet connection.
Is it worth comparing Chip & PIN machine providers?
Yes. Hardware prices are only one part of the overall cost. Comparing providers allows you to review transaction fees, monthly charges, contract terms, payout times and available features, helping you choose the most cost-effective solution for your business.
Compare Chip & PIN Machine Quotes Today Whether you’re buying your first card machine or replacing an existing payment terminal, comparing providers can help you reduce costs while finding the right solution for your business.
Compare leading UK Chip & PIN machine providers and see whether you could save up to 40% on transaction fees.
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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.
