takepayments Card Machine Review 2026: Fees, Terminals, Contract & Pros/Cons Quick answer
takepayments is a UK card machine and payment provider best suited to small and medium-sized businesses that want tailored pricing, next working day settlement, customer support and a choice of countertop, portable, mobile and smart terminals.
It is a better fit for businesses with regular card turnover, such as shops, cafés, salons, restaurants, tradespeople, clinics, takeaways and hospitality businesses, than for very low-volume sellers or side hustles.
takepayments does not usually work like Square or SumUp, where you can simply buy a reader and pay one flat public rate. Instead, pricing is tailored to your business, which means you need to compare the full quote carefully, including monthly terminal rental, transaction rates, contract length and any extra fees.
Best for : SMEs, retail, hospitality, salons, trades, cafés and businesses wanting tailored supportLess practical for: occasional sellers, very low-volume sole traders and businesses wanting simple pay-as-you-go pricingTypical pricing style : tailored quote, with monthly costs and transaction fees depending on your business
takepayments says it offers next working day settlement, 5-star customer service and a short 12-month contract.
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Contents
Takepayments Card Machines Pros & Cons
Takepayments Products
Takepayments Decision Making Guide
What Other People Think of Takepayments
What Do Staff Think of Takepayments?
Our Verdict on Takepayments
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
takepayments at a glance
Feature takepayments
Best for
UK SMEs, retail, cafés, salons, hospitality, trades and service businesses
Main products
takepaymentsplus, A920 Pro, DX8000, payment app, payment links, phone payments and payment gateway
Pricing style
Tailored quote rather than one fixed public price
Contract
takepayments promotes a 12-month contract
Settlement
Next working day settlement available
Card machine types
Countertop, portable, mobile and smart Android terminals
Online payments
Payment gateway and pay-by-link available
Phone payments
Available
Main strength
Tailored pricing and strong customer service reputation
Main drawback
Less transparent than flat-rate providers such as Square, SumUp, LoPay and PayPal POS
Best alternatives
Dojo, Square, SumUp, Worldpay, LoPay, Clover, Barclaycard and PayPal POS
Key takeaways
takepayments is aimed at UK businesses that want a managed card payment provider rather than a simple DIY card reader.
It promotes tailored transaction rates, next working day settlement and a 12-month contract.
takepayments offers several payment options, including in-person card machines, online payments, phone payments and payment links.
The A920 card machine requires a separate contract with an acquiring bank, and transaction charges and other fees apply under that acquiring bank contract.
The DX8000 card machine uses an Android operating system and is promoted for fast, secure card payments.
takepayments has a very strong Trustpilot profile, with its Trustpilot page showing 5 stars and more than 65,000 reviews.
Pricing is not as instantly clear as Square, SumUp or PayPal POS, so businesses should compare a live quote before signing.
Is takepayments right for your business?
takepayments will suit you if…
You may want to compare alternatives if…
You take regular card payments
You only take occasional payments
You want tailored transaction rates
You want simple flat-rate public pricing
You want customer support and onboarding help
You prefer instant self-service signup
You run a shop, café, salon, clinic, restaurant or service business
You are a very low-volume sole trader
You want next working day settlement
You want to buy a reader outright with no contract
You need in-person, online or phone payment options
You want the absolute lowest upfront commitment
Our verdict
takepayments card machine fees 2026 takepayments does not publish one fixed transaction fee for every business. Instead, it creates a tailored quote based on your business type, turnover, payment needs and chosen terminal.
Cost type
Setup fee
Quote-based
Monthly terminal rental
Quote-based
Transaction fees
Tailored to your business
Payment gateway
Available, but fees may apply
Phone payments
Available, but fees may apply
PCI/compliance fees
Contract
takepayments promotes a 12-month contract
Settlement
Next working day settlement available
Best value for
Businesses with regular card turnover
Less suitable for
Occasional or very low-volume sellers
Some third-party pricing guides list takepayments costs from around £19.99 + VAT per month on a 12-month contract, with in-person fees from 1.39% + 5p for UK and EEA personal cards, although live pricing can vary by business and package.
Our tip:
takepayments card machine options 1. takepaymentsplus
takepaymentsplus is the provider’s more advanced card machine and payment solution, designed for businesses that want more than a basic terminal.
Best for :
shops
cafés
salons
clinics
restaurants
hospitality venues
businesses wanting reporting and sales tools
Pros
Good for in-person payments
Real-time reporting and analytics
Useful for fixed-location businesses
More advanced than a basic reader
Designed for everyday business use
Cons
Pricing is not published upfront
Monthly rental and contract terms are likely to apply
May be more than very small businesses need
2. A920 Pro card machine
The A920 Pro is a portable touchscreen terminal suitable for businesses needing mobile card payments with strong connectivity.
Best for:
hospitality businesses
market traders
mobile service businesses
events
restaurants and table service
businesses needing portable payments
Pros
Portable touchscreen terminal
4G and WiFi connectivity
Good for taking payments away from a fixed counter
Useful for events, hospitality and mobile sellers
Professional customer-facing device
Cons
Requires a contract and quote
Will not be as flexible as a no-contract reader
Separate acquiring bank contract and fees may apply
takepayments states that businesses using the A920 will be required to enter into and maintain a separate contract with an acquiring bank nominated by takepayments, and that transaction charges and other fees will apply under that contract.
3. DX8000 card machine
The DX8000 is an Android-based smart terminal designed for fast, secure card payments.
Best for:
higher-volume businesses
retailers
cafés
restaurants
hospitality venues
businesses wanting modern terminal hardware
Pros
Android operating system
Designed for fast, secure payments
Next day settlement promoted
Easy setup
More modern than older-style terminals
Cons
Likely to cost more than simpler terminals
May be unnecessary for very small sellers
Quote required
takepayments says the DX8000 includes next day settlement, an Android operating system and easy setup.
4. Payment app
takepayments also offers app-based payment options for businesses that need more flexible ways to accept payments.
Best for:
tradespeople
mobile businesses
occasional off-site payments
backup payment acceptance
Pros
Useful for taking payments without a traditional counter setup
Flexible for mobile workers
Can support businesses that take payments in different locations
Cons
May not replace a full terminal for busy businesses
Costs and features should be checked before signing
5. Pay by link, phone payments and payment gateway
takepayments also supports remote and online payment options, including pay-by-link, phone payments and a payment gateway.
Best for:
deposits
invoices
bookings
service businesses
online payments
telephone orders
Pros
Useful beyond face-to-face payments
Can support service businesses and remote customers
Helps businesses take payments before appointments or deliveries
Cons
Additional fees may apply
Online-heavy businesses should compare Stripe, Square, Worldpay and PayPal
Benefits of takepayments Strong customer service reputation
takepayments has one of the strongest Trustpilot profiles in the UK card machine market, with its Trustpilot page showing 5 stars and more than 65,000 reviews.
Tailored pricing
Rather than one flat public rate, takepayments creates pricing based on your business. This may work well for SMEs with regular card turnover.
Next working day settlement
takepayments promotes next working day settlement, which can help cash flow for businesses that rely on regular card payments.
Shorter contract than some traditional providers
takepayments promotes a 12-month contract, which may be more appealing than providers with longer fixed terms.
Wide range of payment options
takepayments supports card machines, payment apps, payment links, phone payments and online payment gateways.
Suitable for many UK business types
takepayments can suit retail, hospitality, salons, clinics, trades, takeaways, cafés and service-based businesses.
Downsides of takepayments Pricing is not instantly transparent
Unlike Square, SumUp or PayPal POS, takepayments does not publish one simple flat rate that applies to every business. You need a quote to understand the true cost.
Separate acquiring bank contract may apply
For at least some products, takepayments states that businesses need a separate contract with an acquiring bank nominated by takepayments, with transaction charges and other fees applying.
Extra fees need checking carefully
Third-party fee guides mention possible costs such as PCI fees, minimum monthly service charges, authorisation fees and chargeback fees. These may vary by package, so businesses should check the full contract.
Not great for very low-volume sellers
If you only take occasional payments, a simple pay-as-you-go provider such as SumUp, Square, LoPay or PayPal POS may be cheaper and easier.
Contract terms still matter
A 12-month contract may be shorter than some older providers, but it is still a commitment. Check cancellation fees before signing.
takepayments vs other card machine providers
Provider Pricing style Best for Main drawback
takepayments
Tailored quote
SMEs wanting support and tailored rates
Less transparent than flat-rate providers
Dojo
Quote-based / plan-based
Hospitality, retail and regular turnover
Less suitable for very low-volume sellers
Square
Flat-rate
Small businesses and POS tools
Not always cheapest at higher turnover
SumUp
Flat-rate
Sole traders and simple card payments
LoPay
Low-cost app/card reader model
Low fees and mobile payments
Newer provider with fewer integrations
Worldpay
Quote-based
Established and larger businesses
Contracts and fees can be complex
PayPal POS
Flat-rate
PayPal users and small sellers
Higher fees for some remote payments
Barclaycard
Package-based
Established SMEs and Barclays customers
Less simple than pay-as-you-go options
Verdict: takepayments is a good option to compare if you want a supported payment provider with tailored pricing. If you want the simplest card reader, compare Square, SumUp, LoPay and PayPal POS. If you process regular payments and want a more managed provider, compare takepayments with Dojo, Worldpay and Barclaycard.
What Does Takepayments Offer?
Takepayments Decision Making Guide
Takepayments Commercial Video
How to Purc hase Takepayments
You can check their website for the latest deals here .
You can check their offers on Epos Now here .
Merchant Savvy can help you here .
Our Verdict on Takepayments takepayments is a strong card machine provider for UK SMEs that want tailored pricing, support, next working day settlement and a choice of in-person, online and remote payment options.
It is especially suitable for shops, cafés, salons, restaurants, clinics, takeaways, tradespeople and service businesses that take regular card payments and want more support than a basic self-service reader.
Its biggest strengths are customer service reputation, tailored pricing, next working day settlement and a wide range of payment products. Its main weaknesses are pricing transparency, contract commitments and the need to check additional fees carefully.
Choose takepayments if:
you want a supported UK card machine provider
you take regular card payments
you want next working day settlement
you want a 12-month rather than very long contract
you want card machines plus online or phone payment options
you value customer service and onboarding support
Consider alternatives if:
you only take occasional payments
you want simple flat-rate pricing
you want no contract
you are a very low-volume seller
you want to buy a reader outright and start immediately
Overall, takepayments is well worth comparing for UK SMEs, but very small businesses should also compare Square, SumUp, LoPay and PayPal POS before signing.
Compare takepayments Card Machine Quotes
For more information on Takepayments, click here .
FAQ – Takepayments card machines How much does a takepayments card machine cost?
takepayments does not publish one fixed price for all businesses. Costs are usually based on a tailored quote and may include monthly terminal rental, transaction fees and additional service charges.
Does takepayments have a contract?
Yes. takepayments promotes a 12-month contract, which is shorter than some traditional merchant service contracts but still requires businesses to check cancellation terms before signing.
What transaction fees does takepayments charge?
takepayments uses tailored transaction rates, so fees depend on business type, turnover, card mix and payment setup. You need a quote to confirm your exact rate.
bDoes takepayments offer next day settlement?
Yes. takepayments promotes next working day settlement as one of its main benefits.
What card machines does takepayments offer?
takepayments offers terminals including takepaymentsplus, A920 Pro and DX8000, alongside app-based payments, pay-by-link, phone payments and payment gateway options.
Is takepayments good for small businesses?
Yes, takepayments can be good for small businesses with regular card turnover that want support and tailored rates. Very low-volume sellers may prefer a pay-as-you-go reader from Square, SumUp, LoPay or PayPal POS.
Is takepayments cheaper than Square?
It depends on your turnover and quote. Square uses simple flat-rate pricing, while takepayments offers tailored pricing. takepayments may suit businesses with regular card turnover, while Square may be simpler for start-ups and low-volume sellers.
Is takepayments cheaper than SumUp?
takepayments may be more competitive for some businesses with steady card turnover, but SumUp is usually simpler for occasional sellers because it uses pay-as-you-go pricing and a low-cost card reader model.
Does takepayments offer online payments?
Yes. takepayments offers a payment gateway, payment links and phone payment options, although extra fees may apply.
Does takepayments charge hidden fees?
takepayments pricing is quote-based, so the main risk is not “hidden” fees but missing details in the contract. Check for PCI fees, minimum monthly service charges, authorisation fees, chargeback fees, terminal rental, settlement terms and exit fees before signing.
Is takepayments better than Dojo?
takepayments may suit SMEs that want customer support and tailored pricing, while Dojo is particularly strong for hospitality, retail and fast payouts. The better choice depends on your monthly turnover, contract preferences and terminal needs.
What are the best takepayments alternatives?
The main takepayments alternatives include Dojo, Square, SumUp, LoPay, Worldpay, Barclaycard, Clover, Tyl by NatWest and PayPal POS.
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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.
