Lloyds Card Machine Review 2026: Cardnet Fees, Terminals, Contracts & Alternatives
Quick answer
Lloyds Cardnet is Lloyds Bank’s merchant services and card payment solution for UK businesses. It allows businesses to take payments in person, online and over the phone using card machines, Clover POS solutions, online payment tools and merchant services.
Lloyds Cardnet is best suited to established SMEs, retailers, hospitality businesses, service businesses and existing Lloyds Bank customers that want a recognised bank-backed payment provider.
It is going to be less suitable for very small sellers, pop-ups, side hustles or businesses that want simple flat-rate pricing with no monthly terminal rental.
Best for: e stablished SMEs, Lloyds customers, retail, hospitality, phone payments, online payments and businesses wanting a bank-backed provider
Less perfect for: occasional sellers, very low-volume traders and businesses wanting instant pay-as-you-go setup
Pricing style: quote-based, with costs depending on card machine type, turnover, payment method and contract terms
Compare Lloyds Cardnet Quotes & Save Up To 40%
Contents
Benefits of Lloyds
Downsides of Lloyds
What Does Lloyds Offer?
Lloyds Products
Lloyds Decision Making Guide
What Other People Think of Lloyds
What Do Staff Think of Lloyds?
Our Verdict on Lloyds
Lloyds Cardnet at a glance
Feature
Lloyds Cardnet
Best for
Established SMEs, retailers, hospitality, service businesses and Lloyds customers
Main services
In-person card payments, online payments and over-the-phone payments
Card machine options
Clover POS, Cardnet Terminal, portable machines, countertop terminals and mobile card readers
Pricing style
Quote-based / business-specific
Settlement
Clover payments are typically received by 6pm on the next business day
Support
UK-based phone, email and web chat support
Payment methods
Debit cards, credit cards, contactless, Apple Pay, Google Pay and other major card schemes
Main strength
Bank-backed payment provider with broad payment options
Main drawback
Pricing and contracts can be less transparent than flat-rate providers
Best alternatives
Tyl by NatWest, Dojo, takepayments, Worldpay, Square, SumUp, LoPay and PayPal POS
Key Takeaways
Lloyds Cardnet is the Lloyds Bank product for taking business card payments.
Lloyds Cardnet supports in-person, online and over-the-phone payments.
Lloyds says Cardnet is trusted by over 35,000 businesses and processes 2.86 million transactions daily.
Lloyds offers card readers for small businesses and larger enterprises, including fixed, portable and handheld options.
Lloyds Cardnet includes Clover POS options, which support in-person, online and on-the-go payments.
Lloyds says Clover POS payments are typically received by 6pm on the next business day.
Pricing is not as simple as Square, SumUp or PayPal POS, so it is important to compare a live quote before signing.
Lloyds Cardnet is usually better suited to established businesses than occasional sellers.
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: May 2026
Is Lloyds Cardnet right for your business?
Lloyds Cardnet could suit you if…
You may want to compare alternatives if…
You already bank with Lloyds
You want the cheapest basic card reader
You want a bank-backed payment provider
You only take occasional payments
You need in-person, online or phone payments
You want simple flat-rate pricing
You run a shop, café, restaurant, salon or service business
You want no monthly terminal rental
You want Clover POS or integrated payment tools
You want instant self-service setup
You process regular card payments
You are a very low-volume sole trader
our verdict: Lloyds Cardnet is strongest for businesses that want a recognised bank-backed merchant services provider. Square, SumUp, LoPay or PayPal POS may be simpler for very small sellers.
Lloyds Cardnet fees 2026
Lloyds Cardnet pricing depends on your business, card turnover, payment channels, terminal type and contract terms. Lloyds promotes clear pricing for Clover POS, but businesses should still compare the full quote carefully, including transaction fees, terminal rental, payment gateway costs and service charges.
Cost type
Setup fee
Quote-based
Monthly terminal rental
Depends on terminal and package
Transaction fees
Quote-based / depends on turnover and card type
Online payment fees
May apply if using online payments
Phone payment fees
May apply for Cardnet Terminal or phone payment services
PCI / compliance fees
Chargeback fees
Contract length
Depends on product and package
Best value for
Businesses with regular card turnover
Less suitable for
Very low-volume sellers wanting one flat public rate
Benefits of the Lloyds Card Machine
Bank-backed payment provider
Lloyds is one of the UK’s best-known banking brands, which may appeal to businesses that want a recognised merchant services provider.
In-person, online and phone payment options
Lloyds Cardnet supports card payments in person, online and over the phone, making it more flexible than providers focused only on simple card readers.
Clover POS options
Businesses that need more than basic payments can use Clover POS through Lloyds Cardnet for payments, reporting, stock, staff and business management tools.
UK-based support
Lloyds says it provides UK-based support by phone, email and web chat, with 24/7 self-service access to transaction data, chargebacks and statements through reporting tools.
Good for established SMEs
Lloyds Cardnet can suit shops, hospitality venues, service businesses and growing SMEs that take regular card payments and want a more traditional provider.
Next business day settlement on Clover
Lloyds says payments through Clover are typically received by 6pm on the next business day.
Downsides of the Lloyds Card Machine
Pricing can be harder to compare
Lloyds Cardnet does not work like Square or SumUp, where the main fees are clearly listed for most small businesses. Pricing can depend on your terminal, turnover, payment channels and contract.
Not always best for low-volume sellers
Very small businesses, sole traders or occasional sellers may find Square, SumUp, LoPay or PayPal POS easier and cheaper to start with.
Contract and extra fees need checking
Independent guides suggest possible extra fees such as authorisation fees, chargeback fees, payment gateway fees, PCI DSS fees and minimum monthly service charges. These should be checked carefully before signing.
Onboarding may be slower than app-based providers
Lloyds Cardnet may involve more application and agreement steps than buying a simple reader from SumUp or Square.
Reviews may not always be Cardnet-specific
Lloyds Bank reviews often relate to wider banking products rather than Cardnet specifically, so customer review sections need to be interpreted carefully.
Lloyds Cardnet vs Competitors
Provider
Pricing style
Best for
Main drawback
Lloyds Cardnet
Quote-based
Lloyds customers, established SMEs and businesses wanting in-person, online and phone payments
Pricing can be less transparent than flat-rate providers
Tyl by NatWest
Published rates under £50k; custom above £50k
SMEs wanting bank-backed payments and clearer pricing
Card machine contract applies
Dojo
Quote-based / plan-based
Hospitality, retail and fast payouts
Less suitable for very low-volume sellers
takepayments
Tailored quote
SMEs wanting support and next working day settlement
Quote needed
Worldpay
Quote-based
Established and larger businesses
Contracts and fees can be complex
Square
Flat-rate
Small businesses and POS tools
Not always cheapest at higher turnover
SumUp
Flat-rate
Sole traders and simple card payments
PayPal POS
Flat-rate
PayPal users and small sellers
Higher fees for some remote payments
What Does Lloyds Offer
Lloyds Card Machine Decision Making Guide
If you need help choosing the right option for your business, we’ve created a handy table comparing the options side by side:
Product
Best for
Key features
Price
Pros
Cons
Countertop Terminal
Fixed retail locations
Broadband/landline
£15–£20/mo
Durable, secure
Not portable
Portable Reader
Cafés, restaurants
Bluetooth
£20–£30/mo
Flexible, compact
Battery maintenance
Mobile Terminal
Market traders, on-the-go sales
4G/GPRS
£25–£35/mo
Great mobility
Dependent on signal
Cardnet mPOS
Start-ups, low volume
Bluetooth via smartphone
£49 (1.75%/txn)
No monthly fees
Basic functionality
Castles S1F2
Larger mobile businesses
Touchscreen, printer, long battery
Custom pricing
Professional-grade
Setup complexity
Clover Flex
Advanced mobile POS
App integrations, full POS
From £15/mo
Feature-rich
Higher cost
Source: Lloyds cardnet
Lloyds Commercial Video
How to Purc hase Lloyds
You can find their machines and reviews via their website here .
Our Verdict on Lloyds
Lloyds Cardnet is a solid card payment option for UK businesses that want a recognised bank-backed provider with in-person, online and phone payment options.
It is particularly worth comparing if you already bank with Lloyds, run an established SME, or want access to Clover POS and broader merchant services rather than a basic card reader.
Its biggest strengths are Lloyds brand recognition, broad payment options, Clover POS availability, UK-based support and suitability for established businesses. Its main drawbacks are pricing transparency, potential extra fees and less flexibility for very small or occasional sellers.
Choose Lloyds Cardnet if:
you already bank with Lloyds
you want a bank-backed merchant services provider
you need in-person, online or phone payments
you want Clover POS options
you take regular card payments
you prefer a more established payment provider
Consider alternatives if:
you want simple flat-rate pricing
you only take occasional payments
you want no monthly terminal rental
you want instant setup
you are a low-volume sole trader or side seller
you want the lowest upfront cost
Overall, Lloyds Cardnet is best for established businesses that want a full merchant services setup. Smaller sellers should compare it against Square, SumUp, LoPay and PayPal POS before signing.
FAQs: Lloyds Card Machines
What is Lloyds Cardnet?
Lloyds Cardnet is Lloyds Bank’s business card payment and merchant services solution. It allows businesses to take payments in person, online and over the phone.
What card machines does Lloyds Cardnet offer?
Lloyds Cardnet offers a range of card readers and payment solutions, including Clover POS, Cardnet Terminal, portable card machines, countertop terminals and mobile card readers.
How much does a Lloyds card machine cost?
Lloyds Cardnet pricing depends on your business, terminal, turnover and payment requirements. You usually need a quote to understand the full cost, including transaction fees, terminal rental, online payment fees, PCI fees and contract terms.
Is Lloyds Cardnet good for small businesses?
Lloyds Cardnet can suit established small businesses with regular card turnover, especially those wanting a bank-backed provider. Very small or occasional sellers may prefer Square, SumUp, LoPay or PayPal POS.
Does Lloyds Cardnet offer Clover?
Yes. Lloyds Cardnet offers Clover POS solutions for businesses that want payments, reporting, inventory, customer loyalty and business management tools.
How quickly does Lloyds Cardnet pay out?
For Clover POS through Lloyds Cardnet, Lloyds says payments are typically received by 6pm on the next business day. Settlement times may differ for other products or account setups.
Does Lloyds Cardnet support phone payments?
Yes. Lloyds Cardnet supports over-the-phone payments, and the Cardnet Terminal can process over-the-phone card payments.
Does Lloyds Cardnet support online payments?
Yes. Lloyds Cardnet supports online payments for businesses that take payments through websites or digital channels.
Is Lloyds Cardnet cheaper than Square?
Not always. Square has simple flat-rate pricing, while Lloyds Cardnet pricing depends on your quote. Lloyds Cardnet may suit established businesses, while Square may be simpler for smaller sellers.
Is Lloyds Cardnet cheaper than SumUp ?
It depends on your turnover, terminal and contract. SumUp is usually simpler for low-volume sellers, while Lloyds Cardnet may suit businesses with regular card turnover and broader payment needs.
What are the main Lloyds Cardnet alternatives?
The main Lloyds Cardnet alternatives include Tyl by NatWest, Dojo, takepayments, Worldpay, Square, SumUp, LoPay, PayPal POS, Barclaycard and HSBC/Global Payments.
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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.
With 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 .
Before joining CompareYourBusinessCosts, I worked across various industries, gaining hands-on experience in HR, copywriting, and business operations- from clocking-in systems to card machines and office technology .
My goal is simple: to help UK businesses make informed, confident decisions when choosing products and services that improve efficiency and save money.