takepayments Card Machine Review UK 2026: Fees, Contract & Alternatives Quick Answer
takepayments is a UK payment provider aimed mainly at small and medium-sized businesses that want a supported card-payment service with tailored pricing rather than a flat pay-as-you-go rate and their current proposition includes:
countertop and portable card machines
smart Android terminals
next-working-day settlement on eligible card-machine transactions
a 12-month card-machine contract
payment links
phone payments
online payment gateways
POS options
It is particularly worth comparing if you:
take cards regularly
want a negotiated merchant quote
value onboarding and support
want more than a basic mobile card reader
It is less compelling if you:
take payments only occasionally
want instant flat-rate pricing
want to buy a reader outright with no fixed contract
Your requirement Our view
Regular SME card turnover
Strong shortlist
Retail / hospitality
Strong shortlist
Portable card machine
Strong shortlist
Remote payments
Strong shortlist
Next-working-day settlement
Strong feature
Very low-volume seller
Compare PAYG alternatives
No contract wanted
Compare Square / SumUp / LoPay
Instant public transaction rate
Not its strongest area
Compare takepayments & Card Machine Quotes
Free quotes • No obligation • Compare UK merchant service providers
How Do We Work?
Our comparisons are researched and reviewed by the Compare Your Business Costs editorial team using provider information, official guidance and UK business buying criteria. See how Compare Your Business Costs works .
Authored by: Ally Cox – Business Technology & B2B Services Specialist, 10+ years’ experience.
Reviewed by: James Ward .
Last Updated: September 2026
Key Takeaways
takepayments promotes a 12-month card-machine contract.
It offers next-working-day settlement for eligible card-machine transactions, subject to the relevant processing cut-off and acquiring terms.
Pricing is tailored rather than based on one universal published transaction rate.
The total cost can include terminal rental, processing charges and acquiring-bank fees.
Some products require a separate acquiring-bank agreement.
takepayments offers in-person, online, telephone and pay-by-link payments.
A920 Pro and DX8000 are current terminal options.
Flat-rate PAYG providers may be easier for low-volume sellers.
Regular-turnover businesses should compare the effective monthly processing cost rather than only the headline percentage.
Read both the takepayments agreement and any acquiring agreement before signing.
Our takepayments Review takepayments sits between the simple card-reader market and the more traditional merchant-services model and is more managed than:
Square
SumUp
other self-service PAYG readers
because the commercial package is tailored to the business which creates a trade-off.
The advantage
You may be able to obtain pricing better suited to:
your turnover
average transaction value
business type
card mix
The disadvantage
You cannot look at one public percentage and immediately know what your total monthly cost will be.
That makes quote comparison particularly important.
takepayments at a Glance
Category takepayments
Pricing model
Tailored quote
Card-machine contract
12 months promoted
Settlement
Next working day for eligible transactions
Portable terminals
Yes
Smart terminals
Yes
Online gateway
Yes
Pay by link
Yes
Phone payments
Yes
POS
Yes
Best fit
Regular-turnover SMEs
How Much Does takepayments Cost? takepayments does not publish one universal card-processing rate for every merchant.
Instead, you request a personalised quote and the cost can include:
terminal rental
transaction charges
authorisation charges
acquiring fees
online-payment fees
phone-payment fees
other service charges depending on the package
Do not assume the transaction percentage alone represents the total cost.
How to Calculate Your Effective takepayments Cost Use: all monthly payment costs ÷ monthly card turnover × 100
For example:
terminal rental: £25
processing charges: £300
other monthly fees: £10
card turnover: £25,000
Total payment cost:
£335
Effective cost:
1.34%
Example only, not takepayments pricing.
This is the figure to compare with another merchant-services quote.
takepayments Contract Length takepayments currently promotes a:
12-month card-machine contract.
This is shorter than many traditional merchant-services agreements.
Our View
This is a meaningful advantage if you want a supported merchant-service provider without committing to a very long terminal agreement, but still ask:
When does the contract start?
What notice is required?
Does it renew?
What happens if you leave early?
Does the acquiring agreement have separate terms?
Important: You May Have More Than One Agreemen ttakepayments states on current product pages that businesses may be required to enter into a separate contract with an acquiring bank nominated by takepayments for card processing.
Transaction charges and other processing fees then apply under that acquiring agreement.
This means “12-month takepayments contract” should not automatically be interpreted as “there is only one simple 12-month agreement covering everything”.
Read both sets of terms.
Who Processes takepayments Transactions? For some current products, takepayments references Worldpay as the acquiring partner, and their website also now states that Worldpay and takepayments are part of the Global Payments family.
The exact acquiring arrangement should still be confirmed in your quote and contract.
Next-Working-Day Settlement takepayments currently promotes next-working-day settlement for eligible card-machine transactions which can be useful for:
retailers
restaurants
cafés
salons
other cash-flow-sensitive SMEs
However, settlement is subject to:
acquirer approval
banking-window cut-off times
transaction type
Online, pay-by-link and virtual-terminal transactions can have different settlement times.
Our View
Ask for settlement rules in writing rather than treating “next day” as applying universally to every transaction type.
takepayments Card Machines Current card-machine options include:
takepayments plus
A920 Pro
DX8000
takepayments plus
takepayments plus is positioned as a more feature-rich payment terminal.
Current functionality includes:
card transactions
cash transactions
on-screen reporting
simple setup
Best For
shops
cafés
salons
hospitality
businesses wanting payment and sales information together
Our View
This is worth comparing where you want more functionality than a basic standalone card machine but do not necessarily need a full EPOS implementation.
A920 Pro Card Machine
The A920 Pro is a portable touchscreen card machine and current features include:
built-in mobile connectivity
4G
Wi-Fi
long battery life
contactless payments
major card acceptance
Best For
restaurants
cafés
bars
events
mobile sellers
businesses taking payment away from a counter
Our View
The A920 Pro is probably the more relevant takepayments option for businesses where portability is the main requirement.
DX8000 Card Machine
The DX8000 is an Android-based smart terminal.
Current features include:
4G connectivity
Wi-Fi
contactless payments
pre-authorised payments
receipt printing
Best For
retail
hospitality
businesses requiring pre-authorisation
businesses wanting modern terminal hardware
Our View
Do not automatically describe the DX8000 as the “most expensive” takepayments option unless the actual quote demonstrates that.
The correct comparison is: Does its functionality justify the quoted terminal and processing cost?
Which takepayments Terminal Should You Choose?
Requirement Option to compare
Simple portable card payments
A920 Pro
Sales information + card payments
takepayments plus
Smart Android terminal
DX8000
Website payments
Payment gateway
Email / invoice payment
Pay by link
Telephone card payment
Virtual terminal
takepayments Pay by Link Pay by Link lets businesses create payment links that can be shared through channels such as:
email
SMS
WhatsApp
invoices
social media
The customer completes the payment through the online page.
Best For
deposits
invoices
bookings
trades
remote orders
takepayments Phone Payments takepayments offers a virtual terminal for card-not-present payments taken over the phone.
Staff enter the payment details into a secure online page.
This can suit:
telephone bookings
deposits
remote customers
service businesses
You do not need a full ecommerce website to use a virtual terminal.
takepayments Online Payment Gateway The online gateway can be connected to a website so customers can pay online so if ecommerce is a major part of your business, compare:
gateway pricing
transaction fees
integration options
settlement
developer support
against providers such as Stripe, Worldpay, Square and PayPal.
takepayments POS takepayments also offers POS solutions for sectors such as:
The provider currently states that some POS products involve a separate Worldpay acquiring contract for processing.
Our View
If you are buying POS as well as payments, compare the combined cost of:
POS software
POS hardware
card machines
processing
rather than evaluating the terminal separately.
Who Is takepayments Best For? Strong Fit
independent retailers
cafés
restaurants
salons
clinics
takeaways
service businesses
tradespeople
SMEs with regular card turnover
Less Compelling
very low-volume sellers
side hustles
occasional market sellers
businesses prioritising no contract
businesses wanting instant flat-rate signup
Our View: Turnover Matters More Than Business Size A one-person business processing £30,000/month of card payments may be a much better fit for a tailored merchant-services quote than a ten-person company processing £1,000/month.
Do not choose between takepayments and Square/SumUp based purely on employee count.
Compare:
card turnover
average transaction value
card mix
number of terminals
settlement
takepayments vs Flat-Rate Card Readers
takepayments Flat-rate PAYG provider
Pricing
Tailored
Public flat rate
Contract
12 months promoted
Often none
Terminal
Rental/service model
Often purchased
Support
Managed/support-led
More self-service
Best for
Regular turnover
Low / unpredictable turnover
When Can takepayments Be Cheaper Than Square or SumUp? Potentially when:
monthly card turnover is higher
your negotiated rate is lower
the saving on processing outweighs terminal rental and other fees
But the answer depends on the actual quote.
Example
Suppose Provider A costs:
1.75% with no monthly terminal rental
and Provider B costs:
1.20% + £25/month
At £3,000/month card turnover:
Provider A: £52.50
Provider B: £61
Provider A is cheaper.
At £20,000/month:
Provider A: £350
Provider B: £265
Provider B becomes cheaper.
Illustrative rates only; these are not takepayments quotes.
Our View: This Is Why takepayments Needs a Quote Comparison A negotiated merchant-service provider can become more attractive as turnover grows, but there is no universal turnover level where takepayments automatically becomes cheaper.
The correct calculation uses your live quote.
takepayments vs Square Square is easier to understand upfront because it publishes a flat-rate model and allows businesses to start without a traditional terminal contract.
takepayments is more compelling where:
turnover is regular
you want tailored pricing
next-day settlement matters
you value provider support
Square is more compelling where:
turnover is low or unpredictable
you want no fixed contract
simplicity matters most
See our Square Card Machine review .
takepayments vs SumUp SumUp is particularly strong for businesses wanting:
simple signup
low-cost hardware
PAYG payments
clear public pricing
takepayments is worth comparing as turnover grows and a negotiated rate may become more valuable.
See our SumUp Card Machine review .
takepayments vs Dojo Both are highly relevant to established SMEs taking regular card payments.
Compare:
transaction rate
terminal cost
settlement
contract length
exit fees
support
integration
Do not assume either is cheaper without live quotes.
See our Dojo Card Machine review .
takepayments vs Worldpay This comparison requires more nuance because Worldpay can also be involved in the processing arrangement for takepayments products.
Compare:
who provides the terminal
who provides the acquiring
which agreement applies to each service
overall processing cost
support arrangements
Focus on the commercial package rather than simply the brand names.
takepayments Pros & Cons
Pros Cons
12-month card-machine contract promoted
Pricing requires a quote
Next-working-day settlement available
Settlement conditions apply
Tailored merchant pricing
Harder to compare instantly
Portable and smart terminals
Separate acquiring agreement may apply
Online and remote payments
Total fee structure needs careful checking
Onboarding/support proposition
Less attractive for occasional sellers
Where takepayments Falls Short 1. Pricing Transparency
The biggest weakness is straightforward:
you need a quote to know your true price.
That is less convenient than:
Square
SumUp
other flat-rate readers
2. Contract Complexity
A card-machine agreement and acquiring agreement may both be relevant.
Businesses should not sign until they understand:
which company charges which fee
which contract has which minimum term
how cancellation works
3. Low-Volume Sellers Have Simpler Options
If you take a few hundred pounds of card payments each month, negotiating merchant pricing may add unnecessary complexity, so a PAYG reader can be easier.
PCI DSS takepayments states that businesses taking card payments need to meet PCI requirements and that it can provide support with this process.
However:
using takepayments does not remove the merchant’s PCI responsibilities.
Ask what compliance support is included and whether any related charge applies.
What Fees Should You Ask takepayments About? Ask for a written schedule showing:
terminal rental
debit-card rate
credit-card rate
commercial-card rate
international-card rate
authorisation fees
minimum monthly fees
PCI fees
chargeback fees
refund fees
gateway fees
virtual-terminal fees
payment-link fees
early-termination costs
If a fee does not apply, ask for that to be shown clearly too.
What to Ask Before Signing
What is our exact transaction rate?
Does the rate vary by card type?
What is the monthly terminal cost?
Is there a minimum monthly charge?
Are authorisation charges separate?
What PCI charges apply?
Which acquiring bank will process the transactions?
What contract do we sign with the acquirer?
Is settlement next working day for our package?
What cut-off time applies?
Do online transactions settle differently?
What does cancellation cost?
What notice period applies?
Who owns the terminal?
What happens if the terminal breaks?
What happens at the end of 12 months?
How to Compare a takepayments Quote Do not compare takepayments transaction rate vs Square transaction rate, i n isolation.
Instead compare:
Cost Provider A Provider B
Terminal rental
£
£
Processing
£
£
Authorisation
£
£
PCI
£
£
Other monthly fees
£
£
Total monthly cost
£
£
Then calculate the effective rate against your turnover.
See our Card Machine Fees Calculator .
Our Verdict: Is takepayments Good? Yes, takepayments is a strong card-payment option for UK SMEs with regular card turnover that want a more supported and tailored merchant-services package.
their strongest points are:
12-month card-machine contract
next-working-day settlement
tailored pricing
portable and smart terminals
online, telephone and pay-by-link payments
support and onboarding
their main weaknesses are:
pricing is not instantly transparent
separate acquiring arrangements may add complexity
PAYG alternatives are simpler for occasional sellers
Our recommendations:
Regular-turnover SME: strong shortlistRetail: strong shortlistHospitality: strong shortlistSalon / clinic: strong shortlistTrades / service business: strong shortlistVery low-volume seller: compare PAYG readers first
takepayments should be judged on the total merchant-service quote, not on one advertised transaction percentage.
Compare UK Card Machine Quotes
Frequently Asked Questions How much does takepayments cost?
takepayments uses tailored pricing rather than one universal public card rate. Your cost can include terminal rental, transaction charges and other processing fees depending on the package.
Does takepayments have a 12-month contract?
takepayments currently promotes a 12-month card-machine contract. Businesses should still check any separate acquiring agreement and cancellation terms.
Does takepayments offer next-day settlement?
Yes. takepayments promotes next-working-day settlement for eligible transactions, subject to acquirer approval, banking-window cut-offs and other terms. Online and remote transactions may follow different timescales.
Who processes takepayments transactions?
takepayments states that businesses may need a separate contract with a nominated acquiring bank. Some current takepayments product pages specifically reference Worldpay for acquiring services.
What card machines does takepayments offer?
Current options include takepayments plus, the portable A920 Pro and the Android-based DX8000.
Does takepayments offer contactless?
Yes. Its current card-machine range supports contactless payments.
Can I take payments over the phone?
Yes. takepayments provides a virtual terminal for card-not-present telephone payments.
Does takepayments offer payment links?
Yes. Pay by Link can be used through channels such as email, SMS, invoices, WhatsApp and social media.
Does takepayments offer online payments?
Yes. It provides website payment-gateway services as well as payment links and virtual-terminal payments.
Is takepayments cheaper than Square?
It depends on your live quote and card turnover. Square uses a transparent flat-rate model, whereas takepayments uses tailored merchant pricing.
Is takepayments cheaper than SumUp?
It depends on turnover and the negotiated quote. SumUp is usually simpler for low-volume PAYG use, while takepayments may become more relevant for regular card turnover.
Is takepayments good for small businesses?
Yes. It is particularly relevant to SMEs taking regular card payments that want customer support and tailored pricing.
Is takepayments worth it?
It can be good value for businesses with steady card turnover, but the only reliable way to assess value is to compare the complete quote including rental, processing and additional 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.
