Independent UK card payment reviews
Card machine comparison
Compare card machines and card readers for UK businesses
If you are trying to compare card machines, the hard part is not finding a provider. It is working out which quote is genuinely cheaper once terminal rental, monthly charges, contract length and settlement are counted alongside the headline rate.
This page sets out what to compare, how the main types of card reader differ and which head-to-head comparisons are worth reading first. We do not declare an overall winner, because the right card machine depends on your turnover, card mix and how you trade.
What to compare on a card machine quote
Every card machine comparison comes down to the same eight things. Work through them in order and most quotes separate themselves quickly.
Overall cost, not the headline rate
The advertised percentage is only one part of the bill. Add the per-transaction and authorisation charges, monthly service and PCI fees, minimum monthly charges and terminal rental, then divide the total by your card turnover. That effective rate is the only figure that compares like for like.
Your transaction mix
Debit, credit, business, commercial and international cards all cost the acquirer different amounts. A quote that looks cheap on consumer debit can be expensive if you take a lot of business or overseas cards, so compare against your own mix rather than a sample basket.
Terminal and rental charges
Card machines are usually rented on a separate agreement from the payment processing itself. Check the monthly amount, the length of the hire, whether it renews automatically and what happens to the hardware if you leave.
Contract length and exit terms
Look at the initial term, the notice period, any automatic renewal and the early termination charge. Two providers with identical rates can be very different once you need to move.
Settlement timing
Some providers settle next working day as standard, others take longer or charge for faster payout. Faster settlement genuinely helps businesses whose day-to-day cash flow depends on yesterday's takings, and matters far less to everyone else.
Support and replacement cover
Ask how support is delivered, what the hours are and how quickly a faulty terminal is replaced. A card machine that is out of action on a Saturday costs more than a few basis points ever will.
Integrations and EPOS
If the terminal needs to talk to a till, booking system or online store, confirm the integration exists for your specific software version before you commit, not afterwards.
Suitability for how you actually trade
A fixed counter, a busy restaurant floor, a van, a market stall and a website all point to different hardware. Match the machine to the way you take payments first, then compare the commercials.
The main types of card machine
| Type | Connection | Typically suits |
|---|---|---|
| Countertop terminal | Ethernet or Wi-Fi at a fixed till point | Shops, pharmacies, salons and anywhere with a permanent counter |
| Portable terminal | Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to a base within the premises | Restaurants, pubs, hotels and table-side payment |
| Mobile terminal | 4G SIM, independent of premises Wi-Fi | Trades, delivery, markets and events |
| Card reader (mPOS) | Bluetooth to a phone or tablet app | Sole traders and low-volume or occasional card acceptance |
For a fuller explanation of the terminology, read PDQ machines explained and terminal rental costs.
Head-to-head card payment provider comparisons
Side-by-side overviews of how UK providers differ on pricing approach, contracts, terminals, settlement and business fit.
Worldpay vs Dojo
Both providers can support UK businesses taking card payments, but their products, pricing structures and contract arrangements may suit different requirements.
Dojo vs Teya
Two UK-focused providers popular with hospitality and independent retail. Both offer modern terminals and simple blended pricing. The difference is in package, contract length and the surrounding software.
SumUp vs Zettle
Two popular pay-as-you-go providers used by sole traders and small UK businesses. Pricing models are similar, so the choice usually comes down to ecosystem and hardware.
Square vs SumUp
Two pay-as-you-go providers popular with UK small businesses. The right fit depends on whether you want an integrated POS suite or just a simple card reader.
Revolut Business vs SumUp
Two providers popular with UK sole traders and micro-businesses. Revolut bundles payments with business banking; SumUp is a pure pay-as-you-go reader.
Barclaycard vs Worldpay
Two of the UK's largest card acquirers. Both serve businesses of every size, both offer blended and Interchange Plus pricing, and both are commonly introduced via banking or partner channels. The right fit depends on the specific account, not the brand.
All comparisons
Provider reviews
Already with one of these providers? Each review explains what to look for on that provider's statement and agreement before deciding whether to stay or move.
Choosing a card machine by business type
Small shops and independent retail
Countertop terminals at the till, with integration to the EPOS if one is in use.
Read the guideRestaurants, pubs and cafes
Portable terminals for table-side payment, with tipping and split-bill handling.
Read the guideTrades and mobile businesses
Mobile terminals on 4G, or a card reader paired to a phone for occasional payments.
Read the guideSole traders and market stalls
Low-commitment card readers with no fixed term usually beat a rented terminal.
Read the guideHow we compare, and how we are paid
- We do not compare every card machine or every UK provider. We work with a selected network of established payment providers, so these comparisons cover a part of the market rather than all of it.
- We do not declare an overall winner. Card machine costs depend on your turnover, card mix, transaction values and contract position, so the comparison that matters is against your own statement.
- Our review is free to you. If you decide to move provider, the provider may pay us a referral fee. That does not increase what you pay, and if your current deal is already competitive we will say so.
- Provider names and trademarks are used for identification only. Card Payment Connect is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any provider named on this page.
Go deeper before you compare
Comparisons show what differs. These clusters explain why it matters, from pricing models to exit fees.
Merchant statements & fees
Everything on your monthly statement, line by line, and how to spot overcharging.
Explore clusterPricing models & rates
How UK card processing is priced through interchange-plus, blended and IC++, and how to compare the complete cost.
Explore clusterContracts, exit fees & switching
Contract length, automatic renewal, termination clauses and how to plan a controlled provider switch.
Explore clusterPCI, SCA & risk
PCI DSS compliance, Strong Customer Authentication, chargebacks and reserves.
Explore clusterCard machines & hardware
Terminals, PDQs, portable and mobile card machines. Buying guides by business type.
Explore clusterOnline & cross-border payments
Gateways, merchant accounts, surcharging law and dynamic currency conversion.
Explore clusterSee whether your current deal still stacks up
Tell us how your business takes payments and, if you have one, add a recent statement. We will review the whole arrangement and explain whether staying, renegotiating or comparing another option makes sense.
Free to review. No obligation. Statement optional.