Remote Card Readers UK 2026: Best Mobile Card Machines, Costs & Buyer’s Guide Quick answer
Remote card readers are portable card payment devices that let UK businesses accept debit cards, credit cards, contactless payments, Apple Pay and Google Pay away from a fixed till.
They are best for mobile businesses, tradespeople, market stalls, pop-ups, food trucks, events, delivery businesses, mobile hairdressers, beauty therapists and service providers who need to take payments on the move.
The best remote card readers in 2026 include SumUp, Square, PayPal POS, Dojo, Tyl by NatWest, Barclaycard, Worldpay, Clover and TakePayments. The right option depends on whether you need a simple Bluetooth card reader, a standalone mobile terminal, Tap to Pay on your phone, or a portable card machine with merchant account pricing.
Most simple remote card readers charge around 1.69% to 1.75% for in-person card payments, while growing businesses may be able to get lower rates through quote-based card machine providers.
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Contents
What Are Remote Card Readers?
Our Favourite Remote Card Readers
What to Consider When Choosing a Remote Card Reader
Types of Remote Card Readers
The Future of Remote Card Readers
Are Remote Card Readers 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
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Best remote card readers at a glance
Provider Best for Typical pricing style Why compare it
SumUp
Sole traders, market stalls and mobile sellers
Low-cost reader, standard 1.69% card reader fee
Simple, affordable and flexible
Square
Small businesses wanting mobile payments and POS tools
1.75% for UK in-person payments
Strong POS app and easy setup
PayPal POS
PayPal users and small mobile businesses
1.75% for card and contactless payments
Useful for businesses already using PayPal
Dojo
Growing SMEs, hospitality and retail
Blended or custom pricing
Better for regular card turnover
Tyl by NatWest
SMEs wanting bank-backed payments
Published rates and terminal hire
Good for businesses wanting clearer pricing
Barclaycard
Established businesses wanting mobile terminals
Merchant services pricing
Bank-backed provider and portable options
Worldpay
Established SMEs and multi-channel payments
Quote-based card machine pricing
Good for in-person and online payments
Clover
Retail and hospitality needing POS features
POS and payment bundle
Best if you need more than a basic reader
TakePayments
SMEs wanting guided setup
Tailored card machine quote
Useful for businesses switching provider
Key Takeaways
Remote card readers let businesses take in-person payments away from a fixed till.
They are ideal for market traders, tradespeople, mobile services, events, pop-ups and field-based businesses.
Most remote card readers accept contactless, Chip and PIN, Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Simple card readers often connect to a smartphone or tablet by Bluetooth.
Standalone mobile terminals usually include Wi-Fi or mobile data and do not need a phone to take payments.
Tap to Pay lets some businesses take contactless payments directly on a compatible phone without a separate reader.
SumUp, Square and PayPal POS are popular low-commitment options for small mobile businesses.
Dojo, Tyl, Worldpay, Barclaycard and TakePayments may be better for businesses with regular card turnover.
Transaction fees for common mobile card readers are usually around 1.69% to 1.75%.
Growing businesses should compare total monthly cost, including transaction fees, terminal rental and contract terms.
Compare remote card readers and mobile card machines based on how and where your business takes payments.
Which remote payment option do you need?
Payment setup Best option Best for
Take payments using a phone and small reader
Bluetooth card reader
Market traders, mobile sellers, sole traders
Take payments without a separate reader
Tap to Pay
Occasional mobile payments and very small sellers
Take payments anywhere without using your phone
Standalone mobile terminal
Trades, events, food trucks, field teams
Take payments around business premises
Portable card machine
Restaurants, pubs, cafés, salons
Need lower rates for regular card turnover
Merchant account mobile terminal
Growing SMEs
Need stock, staff and reporting tools
Mobile EPOS terminal
Retail, hospitality and multi-site businesses
What Are Remote Card Readers? Remote card readers are portable payment devices that allow businesses to take chip & PIN, contactless, and mobile wallet payments anywhere and most readers connect via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or 4G, and pair with a mobile app or POS system.
We think these readers are ideal for:
Mobile businesses (e.g. tradespeople, food trucks)
Retailers with pop-up stalls
Service providers working in multiple locations
Seasonal and event-based traders
Remote card reader vs mobile card machine vs portable card machine These terms are often used interchangeably, but they can mean slightly different things.
Term What it usually means Best for
Remote card reader
General term for card reader used away from fixed till
Mobile businesses and flexible payments
Mobile card machine
Card terminal that works on the move using data, Wi-Fi or SIM
Trades, field teams and delivery
Portable card machine
Terminal carried around a premises using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
Restaurants, pubs, cafés and salons
Bluetooth card reader
Small reader paired with smartphone or tablet
Sole traders, markets and events
Standalone terminal
All-in-one device with built-in connectivity
Tap to Pay
Accept contactless on a compatible phone
Occasional or low-volume mobile payments
Our Favourite Remote Card Readers Below are the main remote card reader and mobile card machine providers worth comparing.
SumUp remote card readers SumUp is one of the most popular options for small mobile businesses and sole traders.
Its standard card reader fee is 1.69% per transaction, and it offers low-cost card readers and simple setup.
Best for SumUp may suit:
sole traders
market traders
mobile hairdressers
tradespeople
food stalls
pop-ups
event sellers
mobile pet groomers
low-volume sellers
Useful features SumUp can support:
card readers
contactless payments
Chip and PIN
Tap to Pay
payment links
invoices
basic reporting
business account options
mobile payment tools
Pros and cons
Pros Cons
Low-cost setup
Fewer advanced POS features than some providers
Simple standard fee
May not be cheapest for higher turnover
Good for mobile sellers
Some devices need phone or connectivity
No monthly fee on standard reader setup
Limited for complex retail or hospitality
Easy to start using
Growing businesses should compare quotes
Square remote card readers Square is a strong option for small businesses that want a remote card reader with useful POS tools.
Square charges 1.75% for UK in-person card payments and offers a POS app, reporting, item library and online payment tools.
Best for Square will suit:
small retailers
cafés
salons
pop-ups
market traders
mobile sellers
event businesses
service businesses
businesses wanting POS tools as well as payments
Useful features Square can support:
card reader payments
contactless payments
Chip and PIN
Tap to Pay
POS app
item library
sales reporting
invoices
payment links
online payments
team features, depending on plan
Pros and cons
Pros Cons
Strong POS app
Standard rate not lowest for higher turnover
No monthly fee for standard POS
Advanced features may cost extra
Good reporting tools
Needs compatible device and internet
Useful for online and in-person sales
Flat rate can become expensive at scale
Easy setup
Businesses taking regular payments should compare lower-rate providers
PayPal POS remote card readers PayPal POS is the current PayPal point-of-sale product, formerly known as Zettle by PayPal.
PayPal POS charges 1.75% for card and contactless payments and is useful for businesses already using PayPal.
Best for PayPal POS may suit:
PayPal users
market traders
small sellers
pop-ups
mobile businesses
event sellers
simple retail setups
low-volume in-person payments
Useful features PayPal POS can support:
PayPal Reader
PayPal Terminal
card and contactless payments
payment links
manual card entry
POS app
product library
PayPal business account integration
online and in-person selling tools
Pros and cons
Pros Cons
Useful if you already use PayPal
Not always cheapest for card reader payments
Simple 1.75% in-person fee
Manual and remote payment fees can be higher
No monthly fee for core POS software
Advanced POS features may be limited
Familiar payment brand
Funds and account reviews can concern some businesses
Good for small sellers
Higher-volume businesses should compare merchant accounts
Dojo mobile card machines Dojo is a strong option for businesses that have outgrown basic card readers and want professional card machines with lower rates or better payment support.
Best for Dojo suits:
cafés
restaurants
pubs
salons
retailers
tradespeople with regular payments
growing SMEs
businesses needing fast settlement
businesses wanting modern mobile terminals
Useful features Dojo may support:
mobile card machines
portable card machines
payment links
Tap to Pay
phone payments
reporting
fast payouts
hospitality and retail payment tools
Pros and cons
Pros Cons
Better fit for regular card turnover
More commitment than a basic reader
Modern terminals
Pricing depends on business profile
Strong hospitality and retail fit
Not always best for occasional sellers
Potentially lower rates than flat-fee readers
Contract terms need checking
Good upgrade from SumUp or Square
Compare full monthly cost
What to Consider When Choosing a Remote Card Reader It can be daunting to decide which remote card reader is right for your business, so b efore committing, ask yourself:
1. What devices will you be using?
Does it require a smartphone or tablet?
Is it compatible with iOS and Android?
2. What payment types do you need to accept?
Chip & PIN
Contactless (NFC)
Apple Pay / Google Pay
QR codes or payment links
3. What features do you value?
Tipping
Invoicing
Sales reporting
Stock management
Receipt printing (paper or digital)
4. How important is battery life?
If you’re operating all day in the field, long-lasting battery or quick charging matters.
5. What are the costs?
Compare:
Transaction fees (1.5%–2.75%)
Upfront costs (£0–£150)
Monthly subscriptions (free to £30+)
Add-ons (printers, stands, software upgrades)
Best remote card reader by business type
Business type Best options to compare first Why
Sole trader
SumUp, Square, PayPal POS
Simple setup and no monthly fee options
Market trader
SumUp, Square, PayPal POS
Low-cost readers and mobile payments
Tradesperson
SumUp, Square, Dojo, Tyl
Mobile use, payment links and regular payments
Mobile hairdresser
SumUp, Square
Simple card acceptance on the move
Beauty therapist
SumUp, Square, PayPal POS
Portable, low-commitment payment setup
Food truck
SumUp, Square, Dojo, Tyl
Mobile connectivity and faster checkout
Pop-up shop
SumUp, Square, PayPal POS
Event seller
SumUp, Square, PayPal POS, Dojo
Battery life and connectivity matter
Delivery business
Dojo, Tyl, Worldpay, Barclaycard
Better terminals for regular mobile payments
Café
Square, Dojo, Tyl, Worldpay
Portable and countertop options
Restaurant
Dojo, Clover, Worldpay, TakePayments
Portable terminals and POS integration
Mobile team
Tyl, Barclaycard, Worldpay, Dojo
Multi-user setup and support
High-volume SME
Dojo, Worldpay, Barclaycard, Elavon
Lower custom rates may matter most
Remote card reader costs
Cost type
Basic card reader
Often one-off hardware cost
Standalone terminal
Higher upfront cost or monthly rental
Monthly fee
£0 on some simple readers; monthly fees on advanced providers
Transaction fees
Around 1.69% to 1.75% on common card reader plans
Lower-rate plans
May include monthly subscription or contract
Terminal rental
May apply with merchant account providers
PCI fees
May apply with some traditional providers
Chargebacks
Often charged when customers dispute payments
Settlement fees
May apply for faster payouts
EPOS software
May apply if using POS-integrated systems
What to check before choosing a remote card reader Before choosing a remote card reader, check:
upfront hardware cost
monthly fee
transaction fee
contract length
payment types accepted
Chip and PIN support
contactless support
Apple Pay and Google Pay
Tap to Pay availability
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or 4G connectivity
battery life
charging time
receipt options
printer options
smartphone compatibility
app quality
reporting tools
payment links
invoice tools
refund process
chargeback fees
payout speed
offline mode
customer support
cancellation terms
EPOS integration
The best reader should match where you work, how much you sell and how your customers prefer to pay.
Pros and cons of remote card readers
Pros Cons
Accept payments away from a fixed till
Requires internet, phone signal or device connection
Useful for mobile businesses
Low-cost options available
Flat transaction fees can become expensive
Supports contactless and mobile wallets
Some readers need a smartphone or tablet
Good for pop-ups and events
Connectivity can be a problem in some locations
Can improve cash flow
Chargebacks and refund fees may apply
More professional than bank transfer only
Advanced POS tools may cost extra
Flexible for growing businesses
Cheapest option changes as turnover grows
Our Final Verdict: Are Remote Card Readers Right for You? We think that remote card readers have become an essential tool for UK small businesses in 2025—offering flexibility, affordability, and professional payment capabilities without the need for bulky till systems.
🟢 Great for:
Small businesses and side hustles
Mobile tradespeople and event sellers
Seasonal or pop-up retailers
Anyone needing fast, fuss-free card acceptance
🔴 May not be suitable for:
High-volume retailers needing advanced POS tools
Businesses without access to a reliable internet/data connection
FAQs What is a remote card reader?
A remote card reader is a portable payment device that lets businesses accept card payments away from a fixed till or checkout counter.
What is the best remote card reader in the UK?
The best remote card reader depends on your business. SumUp and Square are strong for simple mobile payments, PayPal POS suits PayPal users, and Dojo, Tyl, Worldpay and Barclaycard may suit growing businesses.
Is a remote card reader the same as a mobile card machine?
They are similar. A remote card reader is usually any portable payment device, while a mobile card machine often means a terminal that can work away from a fixed location using Wi-Fi or mobile data.
Do remote card readers need internet?
Yes. Most remote card readers need Bluetooth to a smartphone, Wi-Fi, mobile data or built-in 4G to process payments.
Can I use a remote card reader without Wi-Fi?
Yes, if the reader or connected phone has mobile data. Some standalone mobile card machines include built-in SIM or mobile connectivity.
Can I use my phone as a card reader?
Yes. Some providers offer Tap to Pay, which lets compatible smartphones accept contactless payments without a separate reader.
Are remote card readers secure?
Yes, reputable remote card readers use secure payment processing, encryption and card network security standards. Businesses should use approved providers and keep apps and devices updated.
How much do remote card readers cost?
Costs vary. Basic readers often have a one-off hardware cost, while advanced mobile terminals may involve monthly rental. Transaction fees on common simple readers are often around 1.69% to 1.75%.
What is the cheapest remote card reader?
SumUp, Square and PayPal POS are often among the cheapest and simplest options for low-volume mobile sellers. The cheapest long-term provider depends on turnover and fees.
Is SumUp better than Square?
SumUp may be cheaper for simple card reader payments, while Square may offer better POS tools. The best option depends on your features and turnover.
Is PayPal POS the same as Zettle?
Yes. Zettle by PayPal is now PayPal POS.
Is PayPal Here still available?
PayPal Here has been replaced by newer PayPal POS products. UK businesses should compare PayPal POS rather than PayPal Here.
Can remote card readers accept Apple Pay and Google Pay?
Yes, most modern remote card readers accept Apple Pay, Google Pay and contactless mobile wallet payments.
Can remote card readers print receipts?
Some can print receipts, especially standalone terminals. Basic Bluetooth readers usually send digital receipts unless paired with a printer.
Are remote card readers good for tradespeople?
Yes. Remote card readers are useful for tradespeople because they allow payment at the customer’s home, job site or on completion of work.
Are remote card readers good for market stalls?
Yes. Market traders often use remote readers because they are portable, affordable and do not need a fixed till.
Can remote card readers work offline?
Most need an internet connection to process payments. Some providers may offer limited offline options, but this varies and should be checked carefully.
Do remote card readers have contracts?
Some simple readers have no long contract, while traditional card machine providers may have contract terms. Always check before signing.
When should I compare card machine quotes?
Compare quotes if you take regular card payments, need lower fees, want a standalone terminal, need multiple devices or have outgrown a basic card reader.
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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.
