The short answer
For a new or low-volume business, a simple pay-as-you-go reader can be a sensible place to start. For an established business with regular card turnover, a quoted merchant-services package may offer a better overall fit. Busy hospitality, retail and multi-site businesses should begin with workflow, integration and resilience before comparing price.
That is why a credible comparison cannot crown one machine for every UK business. It must start with your trading pattern and compare complete written offers on the same assumptions.
Choose the terminal type first
The physical format affects speed, connectivity and staff workflow. Make this decision before looking at provider offers.
Countertop
Best suited to a fixed till with dependable broadband or ethernet. Prioritise fast authorisation, a tidy till setup and EPOS compatibility.
Portable
Built for taking payments around one premises—for example at restaurant tables or on a shop floor. Check battery life, Wi-Fi coverage and tipping workflow.
Mobile
Uses its own mobile connection for payments away from your premises. Check network resilience wherever you actually trade.
Phone-linked reader
Pairs with an app and can keep the initial commitment low. Check whether relying on a separate phone suits staff and peak periods.
Compare the whole deal
The Payment Systems Regulator found that provider pricing structures and approaches to headline rates vary significantly, making comparison difficult for merchants. A useful comparison therefore puts every quote into the same monthly model.
| Area | What to compare | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Processing | Rates by card type, fixed transaction charges and pricing model | Your real card mix may not resemble the advertised example |
| Fixed costs | Terminal hire, gateway, PCI, minimum and account fees | These continue in quiet months |
| Contract | Initial term, notice, renewal and early-exit provisions | A cheap first year can become an expensive long commitment |
| Cash flow | Settlement timetable and any extra charge for faster settlement | Timing can matter as much as a small rate difference |
| Operations | EPOS integration, reporting, refunds, tips and multi-site control | Poor workflow creates staff time and avoidable errors |
| Resilience | Support hours, replacement process and backup connectivity | A terminal that cannot trade is not cheap |
A practical shortlist by business situation
Use these as starting categories, not rankings. Current products and terms change, so verify every feature and price in the provider’s written offer.
New or occasional trading
Look for low commitment, transparent pay-as-you-go pricing and hardware you can understand without a lengthy setup.
Established single site
Compare at least two complete merchant-services quotes using recent turnover, transaction count and card mix.
Hospitality
Prioritise portable workflow, tipping, split payments, EPOS compatibility, battery life and replacement support.
Retail and multi-site
Prioritise integrated tills, central reporting, permissions, per-location settlement and a credible continuity plan.
The seven questions that expose a weak quote
- What would the total have been if this quote were applied to my last three merchant statements?
- Which card types or transactions fall outside the headline rate?
- Is the terminal owned, rented or covered by a separate agreement?
- What is the initial term, notice window and position after that term ends?
- What can change during the agreement, and how will I be told?
- What happens if the terminal fails during a busy period?
- Which integrations, settlement options and support services cost extra?
How Card Payment Connect compares card machines
We start with how your business trades, not with a preferred brand. We look at your current arrangement where one exists, define the features that genuinely matter, and compare suitable options on total cost and commercial terms.
You get a clearer view of the trade-offs. We do the legwork. You decide whether any option is worth pursuing.
Need the right setup—not another generic sales pitch?
Tell us how your business takes payments. We’ll help compare suitable machines, the complete costs and the contract terms that matter.
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About this guide
Published by Card Payment Connect, an independent card-payment consultancy for UK businesses. Reviewed by Matthew McCarthy, who has worked in UK merchant services for over a decade. Last reviewed 11 September 2026.