The 7 best card machines and mobile card readers for small businesses Based on our own extensive testing, we rank and review the best card machines on the market today to help you find the best option for your small business. Written by Eddie Harris Reviewed by Ollie Simpson Updated on 24 December 2025 Our Research Our expert team of writers and researchers worked to identify the best payment processing and merchant account providers by focusing on the factors small businesses care about most – value for money, including fees and hidden extras; security protocols and fraud protection; customer support, and ease of access across platforms including mobile. Startups.co.uk is reader supported – we may earn a commission from our recommendations, at no extra cost to you and without impacting our editorial impartiality. 1 of 3 Square: £0 monthly fees Start for Free 2 of 3 takepayments: Next day settlements Visit takepayments 3 of 3 Compare software providers to find the best option Compare Quotes Following extensive testing, we’ve determined that the takepaymentsplus is the best card machine for small businesses. It’s lightweight and easy to use, plus takepayments offers fast payouts and, unlike competitors, charges bespoke transaction fees.Based on in-depth analysis from our research team, including 22.5 hours of hands-on user testing across 18 contactless card machines, we rank and review the best on the market today. Best card machines and readers at a glance: takepaymentsplus: simple to use, easy to handle, and the best all-rounderBarclaycard Smartpay Touch: best for businesses that bank with BarclaysTide Card Reader Plus: best for detailed reportingSquare Terminal: best all-in-one POS solutionZettle Reader 2: best lightweight, simple card readerClover Flex: best sleek, modern card machine hardwareSumUp Air: best cheap card machineDon’t overspend on your card reader – you can click any of the links above to learn more about the various systems available. Heading into 2026, it’s a tough environment for UK retail and hospitality sectors. With business rates biting and increased minimum wage and national insurance costs for employers, margins are feeling tight.It’s more important than ever to avoid losing money by choosing a chip and PIN machine with low processing fees and a flexible contract. It should also have features that meet the demands of your environment (such as portability and an offline mode). In this expert guide, we’ll help you choose the best card machine for your small business. 💡Key takeaways takepaymentsplus is the best card reader thanks to its in-depth reports, bespoke fees, and quick next-day payouts.The Square Terminal is an all-in-one card machine that can be used on a free plan.Card readers can be bought outright – for example, from Square or PayPal Point of Sale (formerly Zettle) – or leased for a monthly fee, such as those from Barclaycard or takepayments.Card machines cost between £25 and £450 when purchased outright.You should evaluate card machines and mobile card readers based on price, security, speed, and software features. The best card readers and machines for small businesses: comparison table 0 out of 0 backward forward Card machine score Best for Hardware cost Lowest transaction fee Payout time Contract length BEST OVERALL FEATURED PROVIDER takepaymentsplus Barclaycard Smartpay Touch Tide Card Reader Plus Square Terminal Zettle Reader 2 Clover Flex SumUp Air 4.7 4.3 4.3 4.1 4.0 3.9 3.8 An all-round card reader Barclays business customers Data and reporting Those who need an all-in-one solution A lightweight and simple reader Sleek, modern hardware A cost-effective option Quote-based £29 + VAT per month rental fee Tide Card Reader Plus – £199 + VAT(Discount available for Sell-In Person subscribers) £149 + VAT £49 + VAT From £9.99 per month rental feeFrom £450 + VAT £25+ VAT Quote-based Quote-based Monthly Fee £0 to £24.99Sell In-Person Plans – Buy: 0.79%+3p | Rent: 0.69%+3p | Pay As You Go Plan: 1.39%+5p 1.75% 1.75% 1.49% (on an 18-month contract)(Quote-based for businesses with a card turnover exceeding £100k) 1.69% Next business day One to two business days One to three business days One business day (instant transfers available for a 1.5% fee) One to two business days One business day (with Clover’s “faster funding”) One day 12 months 12 months No contract required No contract required No contract required 18-months No contract required Try takepayments Get Quotes Try Tide Try Square Get Quotes Get Quotes Get Quotes We last updated this article on 24/11/2025All pricing and information in this article was verified as accurate as of 24/11/2025. However, given the competitive nature of the payment processing industry, we recommend confirming any pricing directly with card machine providers before making any purchasing decisions for your business. Video: what you need to know about our top card machinesShort on time? Watch our Reviews Writer talk you through the highlights and need-to-knows of our favourite readers in under three minutes: Loading 1. takepaymentsplus: best all-round card reader Simple to use and the best all-rounder The takepaymentsplus mobile card reader has some of the lowest card transaction fees around, but you'll need to get a quote to match your exact business requirements Visit takepaymentsplus When we tested the takepaymentsplus card machine, we found it to be extremely ergonomic and easy to handle. Source: Startups.co.uk Suitable if: You’d benefit from bespoke transaction fees You want detailed transaction reporting You need fast next-day payouts Not suitable if: You want to own your own card machine You want a device with audio and haptic feedback You want fixed fees rather than a tailored quote What are the takepaymentsplus’ strengths?The takepaymentsplus is the best mobile card reader because it’s feature-rich while also being easy to use. Plus, takepayments offers fast next-business-day payouts, and uniquely charges bespoke transaction fees.The takepaymentsplus is a fully integrated POS (point of sale) system, meaning it can handle the entire sales process rather than just processing transactions. But it’s still light and ergonomic enough for waitstaff to carry around. It comes with some very handy features, such as:The option to make quick adjustments on the fly, like issuing a refundA gratuity feature for easily adding tipsIn-depth reports that can be accessed directly from the deviceIt’s tough to find a PDQ machine that’s both lightweight and sophisticated enough to perform advanced functions (like live reporting and part-card and part-cash sales), but this one pulls it off.takepayments itself performed so well in our testing that we also ranked it as the best payment gateway provider for online sellers, and the best merchant service provider for businesses of all kinds.How much does the takepaymentsplus cost?Contract length 12 monthsProcessing feeQuote-basedMonthly feesQuote-basedCard machine priceQuote-basedSetup feesNoneFree trial or planNonetakepayments stands out by charging bespoke transaction fees that are worked out based on your business’ turnover. This means that you’re less likely to pay an unfair rate, and it opens the door to potential negotiations.Keep in mind, though, that takepayments and Barclaycard are the only providers on this list to lease their card machines for a monthly fee (rather than sell them outright). If you can negotiate cheap enough transaction fees, though, you might still pay less.What are the takepaymentsplus’ limitations?We encountered some minor issues during testing—for example, users found it difficult to print reports—but no major usability hiccups.The key thing to be aware of is that you’ll have to enter into a 12-month contract with takepayments. The card machine is leased on a monthly basis, which will increase your costs if you use it long-term. If you’d prefer to own a handheld POS outright, there are plenty on this list that you can buy, including the Square Terminal and the Clover Flex.What security features are in place?takepayments is PCI-compliant and holds an ISO 27001 certificate.takepayments offers a Security+ package, which includes a quarterly secure transactions review. You’ll also receive cybersecurity updates directly to your inbox.Read more: go into more detail with our full takepayments review. takepayments' help and support options You can get user support via phone, email, live chat, and a knowledge centre.Phone support is available from 8am to 7pm on weekdays, 8am to 6pm on Saturdays, and 9am to 10pm on Sundays and bank holidays.When we tested the knowledge centre with five different questions, we found the results to be consistently accurate and helpful. What our researchers think I loved the takepaymentsplus card reader. It was super lightweight, which made it easy to carry around and serve customers, and with the built-in printer, I could do everything portably. This is perfect for any sector and can be used with their countertop POS system, too! Ollie Simpson Senior Research Executive 2. Barclaycard Smartpay Touch: best for businesses that bank with Barclays Great for Barclaycard business account holders Barclaycard Smartpay has transaction fees of just 1.6%, though you can get direct quotes to see if you can reduce these Get Quotes The Barclaycard Smartpay Touch is a portable card machine that can last all day from a single charge. Source: barclaycard.co.uk Suitable if: You want peace of mind with active fraud security You already have an account with Barclays You’re trying to avoid steep upfront costs Not suitable if: You don’t have a Barclays account and don’t want the hassle of switching over Taking payments offline is critical for you You need a fully integrated POS till system What are the Barclaycard Smartpay Touch’s strengths?The Smartpay Touch is something of a no-brainer if you’re already banking with Barclays as it integrates seamlessly with your existing accounts, requiring minimal setup. If you have a long account history with the bank, it can boost your chances of Barclays offering you a pricing plan that’s best tailored to your business.Like the takepaymentsplus mobile card reader, the Smartpay Touch is a portable card machine that functions as a fully integrated handheld POS system. The device can last all day on a single charge, and the smart SIM can connect to wifi or a mobile data network to maximise your connectivity.The Smartpay Touch is compact and easy to handle, making it a particularly good fit for on-the-go businesses like food trucks. We particularly liked its ability to distinguish between courses: separating starters, mains, and snacks into distinct areas on the interface for quick, easy order-taking.How much does the Barclaycard Smartpay Touch cost?Contract length 12 monthsProcessing feeQuote-basedMonthly fees£29 + VAT per month (rental cost)Card machine priceN/A, this is covered in the monthly feesSetup feesNoneFree trial or planNoneSimilar to takepayments’, Barclaycard’s transaction fees are customised. You’ll get rates that are tailored to your needs, meaning they’re likely to be cost-effective for you.You’ll need to bank with Barclays to use its card machines. However, Barclays can offer up to £3,000 to assist with any exit fees you’ll incur from switching from your current bank.What are the Barclaycard Smartpay Touch’s limitations?This card machine is less suitable for a fast-paced environment as it’s slower than other machines. We found the inventory function time-consuming, and its overall responsiveness wasn’t as fast as the Clover Flex’s.Its lack of advanced offline functionality is also a miss. If you need this, you should check out the Clover Flex and its automatic offline mode.Similar to takepayments, you’ll need to enter into a 12-month contract with Barclaycard, making it less flexible than pay-as-you-go competitors such as Zettle and Square. That said, Barclaycard’s more basic Smartpay Anywhere card reader is available without a contract.What security features are in place?Barclaycard is PCI-compliant and holds an ISO 27001 certificate.Barclaycard provides round-the-clock, active 24/7 monitoring to spot any fraudulent activity, giving you peace of mind that your payments are secure. This can take the stress out of high-value transactions, like jewellery or vehicles. Barclaycard's help and support options You can get user support via phone, email, and a knowledge centre.Barclaycard’s general phone support is available 24/7. Phone support for payment processing is available Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.We tested Barclaycard’s knowledge centre with five test queries and found it consistently provided the correct information. What our researchers think I was a huge fan of the Barclaycard device thanks to its capacity as a miniature POS device. As well as this, the device was lightweight and easy to hold in the hand, which meant I could use this on the go all day. Ollie Simpson Senior Research Executive 3. Tide Card Reader Plus: best for detailed reporting Some of the lowest card transaction fees around Tide offers transaction fees from just 0.69% — Choose the right card reader for your business and consider accepting payments with Tide. Visit Tide Card Reader Plus Suitable if: You want in-depth reporting and analysis You want a device with a long battery life You need a reader on a free plan Not suitable if: You need to integrate you card machine with another POS system You issue frequent refunds You don’t already bank with Tide, and you don’t want to switch accounts What are the Tide Card Reader Plus’ strengths?The Tide Card Reader Plus offers the best advanced reporting tools, which can provide you with actionable, in-depth data. For instance, you can receive alerts about low inventory, or find out your average order value.Despite its extensive dashboard, we found the Tide Card Reader Plus to be highly intuitive and user-friendly, and appreciated its stripped-down simplicity. This chip-and-PIN machine is a strong option if you want a minimalist mobile card reader that isn’t cluttered by an overly complicated interface, but still has a built-in printer.How much does the Tide Card Reader Plus cost?Contract length No contract requiredProcessing feeSell In-Person Plans:Buy: 0.79%+3pRent: 0.69%+3pPay As You Go: 1.39%+5pMonthly feesPay As You Go: noneSell In-Person (buy device): £12.99Sell In-Person (rent device): £24.99Card machine price£199 + VAT upfrontSetup feesNoneFree trial or planFree planTide offers a free plan to help you get started without any upfront costs. You can also choose to rent or buy the Tide Card Reader Plus. Both options come with monthly costs, but renting will unlock more competitive transaction fees.You can also pay an additional £2.99 per month for next-day settlements (though this is something takepayments offers without extra charges).What are the Tide Card Reader Plus’ limitations?Once a transaction had been started, we found it tricky to make quick adjustments (for example, you have to cancel the transaction and start from scratch if you want to change the amount you’re charging). If you’re working in a fast-paced environment, we’d recommend the Square Terminal as a faster alternative.What security features are in place?Tide is PCI-compliant and holds an ISO 27001 certificate.Tide’s chip-and-PIN machines are built with what the company calls “tamper-proof designs” and are compliant with anti-fraud security measures.Tide also provides a Fraud Rapid Response team available 24/7. Tide's help and support options You can get user support via phone, email, live chat, and a knowledge centre.Tide’s support is available 24/7.At the time of our testing, Tide did not have a specific knowledge centre where you could type in queries to find answers. It does have a “Help Centre” though, where you can find step-by-step guides and video tutorials. What our researchers think I liked that it didn’t have any other apps to make the process harder and kept it simple. I also liked that they went for a dark mode theme throughout, and this might suit bars and nightclubs well, so there isn’t a bright screen lighting up. Ollie Simpson Senior Research Executive 4. Square Terminal: best all-in-one POS solution Square - Black Friday sale Save £66 on the Square Terminal. T&Cs apply Visit Square Terminal We really loved the large display screen on the Square Terminal, and its modern interface. Source: Startups.co.uk Suitable if: You’re looking for a free plan You need to take payments without an internet connection You need a complete all-in-one POS system Not suitable if: You need an easily portable device You want to take payments using a mobile data connection You want to integrate the card reader with an existing POS system What are the Square Terminal’s strengths?The Square Terminal is our favourite all-in-one handheld POS system thanks to its integration with Square’s Point of Sale mobile app, on which you can access business management features such as sales summaries and inventory management.The Square Terminal’s sleek, modern interface, combined with some stellar hardware design, also makes for a PDQ machine that’s quick to set up and simple to use. It’s easy to navigate, giving it an edge over competitors like the Clover Flex, which can be tricky to use due to the amount of information on its home screen.When using the Square Terminal, we found the ability to make quick sales amendments on the fly incredibly helpful, and we loved how easy it was to switch back and forth from the price input screen to the product.How much does the Square Terminal cost?Contract length No contract requiredHighest processing fee 2.5% for payments manually keyed-in to the Square Point of Sale appLowest processing fee1.75% for each contactless, chip and PIN or swiped card-present transactionsMonthly feesNoneCard machine price£149 + VAT upfrontSetup feesNoneFree trial or planFree planSquare offers a free plan that comes with a 1.75% transaction fee. This is average, so it’s not a bad deal considering there are no monthly fees to contend with.That said, remember to note that transactions keyed in manually via the Square Point of Sale app are subject to a hefty 2.5% fee.What are the Square Terminal’s limitations?While the Square Terminal can be carried by staff, its natural home is on the countertop rather than in hand, given its shape.We would also like to be able to use mobile data to take card payments, like you can with the Barclaycard Smartpay Touch.What security features are in place?Square is PCI-compliant and holds an ISO 27001 certificate.Square provides live transaction monitoring, maximising the chances of identifying fraud. Square's help and support options With Square, you get an impressive range of user support options, including phone, email, live chat, a knowledge centre, and a forum where you can talk with other merchants.Square Terminal users get access to 24/7 customer support.Square’s general customer support phone line is open from 9am to 5pm on weekdays.When we tested Square’s knowledge centre, it consistently provided the correct answers to our queries, with helpful, accurate responses to three of our test questions in the very first article. What our researchers think I loved the Square Terminal as I think it can truly suit any business! The hardware itself is probably the most modern and sleek of any on the market, and makes a great countertop device for any retail or food & drink business. Ollie Simpson Senior Research Executive 5. Zettle Reader 2: best lightweight, simple card reader Works with iPads and has a free plan Whether you want to integrate with an existing POS system or use an iPad, PayPal Point of Sale (formerly Zettle) has a range of options Get Quotes We really liked the haptic feedback provided by the buttons on the Zettle Reader 2. Source: Startups.co.uk Suitable if: You have a POS system you want to integrate with a new card reader You’re looking for a free plan You’re looking for a POS system that’s also compatible with iPads Not suitable if: You take less than £10,000 a month in card payments and need variable transaction fees You want a device that can also print physical receipts You need to be able to take payments offline What are the Zettle Reader 2’s strengths?In 2025, Zettle was fully rebranded to PayPal Point of Sale, following PayPal’s acquisition of Zettle in 2018. But the Zettle Reader 2 is still available, and brings the reliability of a major payment provider while keeping the name and features users know.The Zettle Reader 2 is a small and incredibly lightweight contactless card reader that fits easily into the palm of your hand. We’d recommend it to smaller-scale setups, like little coffee shops, that just need the low-cost basics.It’s not a handheld terminal like the takepaymentsplus or the Square Terminal – instead, you’ll use the well-designed, easy-to-navigate PayPal POS app to control the card reader. We connected to the app easily in less than a minute, and were ready to start taking payments and managing sales.How much does the Zettle Reader 2 cost?Contract length No contract requiredHighest processing fee2.5% for payment links and PayPal InvoicesLowest processing fee1.75% for standard card payments and PayPal QR CodesMonthly feesNoneCard machine priceFrom £49 + VAT upfrontSetup feesNoneFree trial or planFree planThe standard 1.75% transaction fee is average, and at £49 + VAT, the Zettle Reader 2 is an excellent yet cheap card machine. But if you’re looking for the cheapest reader, the £25 + VAT SumUp Air is even more budget-friendly.What are the Zettle Reader 2’s limitations?During testing, we noted that the Zettle Reader 2’s compact size and lack of a privacy shield could make some customers feel their PIN entry is visible. For businesses serving older or more security-conscious clientele, this is a consideration.We’ve mentioned that the Zettle Reader 2 is simple. Larger-scale operations that need additional built-in capabilities, such as printable receipts, would find all-in-ones like the Square Terminal or Tide Card Reader Plus more suitable.What security features are in place?PayPal Point of Sale is PCI-compliant and holds an ISO 27001 certificate.When it comes to fraud measures, PayPal Point of Sale provides 24/7 transaction monitoring to give merchants peace of mind. Zettle's help and support options PayPal Point of Sale provides user support via phone, email, live chat, and a knowledge centre.You can reach the phone support line between 8:30am and 5:30pm on weekdays.When we tested the knowledge centre, we found that most responses were helpful, but it could not produce relevant information for at least one of our test questions. What our researchers think The Zettle Reader 2 is a brilliant low-cost choice and is especially great for businesses on the move or those who don’t want to risk too much money at first. Ollie Simpson 6. Clover Flex: best sleek, modern card machine hardware One of the best PDQ machines that can even work offline The Clover Flex card machine is speedy and can even work when offline, though transaction fees are quote-based Get Quotes We appreciated the glossy, professional look of the Clover Flex. Source: Startups.co.uk Suitable if: You need to take offline payments during signal dropouts You want to integrate it with your existing POS platform You need assistance with switching payment platforms Not suitable if: You need fast navigation from the interface You need the reassurance of 24/7 user support You want customisable options What are the Clover Flex’s strengths?When it comes to hardware design, the Clover Flex is our favourite. It’s an attractive, modern model that’s likely to go down a treat with customers, and comes complete with a built-in thermal dot printer and barcode scanner. Importantly, it’s highly responsive, and we felt confident while using it.It also comes with advanced features. The inventory management system, and detailed sales reporting, and 24/7 sales tracking in the dashboard make it a good fit for the hospitality and retail sectors.Speedy payment processing is another key highlight, along with an impressive automatic offline mode, which means you can still take payments even without an internet connection. This is a critical feature if you’re operating in areas with poor signal.How much does the Clover Flex cost?Contract length No contract requiredProcessing fee1.49% (on an 18-month contract)(Quote-based for businesses with a card turnover exceeding £100k)Monthly fees£9.99 monthly service fee (includes device)Card machine priceFrom £450 + VAT upfrontSetup feesNoneFree trial or planFree planCurrently, you can try out Clover from £9.99 per month on an 18-month contract, which includes device rental. However, if your card turnover exceeds £100k, bespoke rates are available.To own the Clover Flex outright, it costs a pretty steep £450 – not ideal if you want to avoid high upfront costs.What are the Clover Flex’s limitations?It’s one of the larger devices we tested, so you’ll need to bear that in mind if you expect your staff to carry it all day.We also found that the feature-rich homescreen felt cluttered, which made navigation tricky. For those who prefer a simpler interface, the SumUp Air may be a better fit.What security features are in place?Clover is PCI-compliant and holds an ISO 27001 certificate.Clover uses EMV® 3DS to authenticate customers’ payments and prevent you from experiencing card-not-present fraud. Clover's help and support options Clover offers user support via phone, email, live chat, and a knowledge centre.Clover’s dedicated technical support helpdesk is available from 8am to midnight, seven days a week.Overall, we found the responses from Clover’s knowledge centre to be accurate; there was just one test query for which it couldn’t provide any relevant articles. What our researchers think The Clover Flex is a sleek and modern bit of kit that doesn’t just act as a payment device but essentially as a mini POS. It’s quite a large device, which will suit most but not all sellers, so that may be something to bear in mind. But If you want top-of-the-range hardware, this is the one for you. Ollie Simpson Senior Research Executive 7. SumUp Air: best cheap card machine One of the cheapest and easiest mobile card readers to set up Be up and running effortlessly and take payments with a low transaction fee of 1.69% Get Quotes We were impressed by how fast and easy it was to set up the SumUp Air and start taking payments. Source: Startups.co.uk Suitable if: You need a free plan You want a cheap card reader that doesn’t tie you into a contract You want a reader that’s quick to set up Not suitable if: Taking offline payments is important to your business You want a card machine that has a large screen and interface You need 24/7 support What are the SumUp Air’s strengths?The SumUp Air stands out for its excellent value for money. It costs just £25 + VAT, making it the cheapest card reader we tested, and there’s no monthly cost to continue using it.Setup is also fast and easy, as the SumUp Air seamlessly syncs with your phone via Bluetooth. We were fully charged and ready to start accepting payments within an hour.While it doesn’t have a touchscreen, we loved how small and sleek this made the SumUp Air, and its lightweight simplicity makes it a great fit for mobile businesses. The interface is also simple and modern, especially when compared to more cluttered interfaces, like the Clover Flex’s.How much does the SumUp Air cost?Contract length No contract requiredProcessing fee1.69%Monthly feesNoneCard machine price£25 + VAT upfront Setup feesNoneFree trial or planFree planSumUp’s 1.69% transaction fee is cheaper than PayPal Point of Sale’s and Square’s, which are already quite competitive. Plus, at £25 + VAT, the reader is far cheaper than the already affordable Zettle Reader 2, which costs £49 + VAT.Depending on how many transactions you’re taking a month, it could be worth upgrading to SumUp’s Payments Plus package (at £19 per month), which gives you 0.99% transaction fees. You can read more in our full review of SumUp.What are the SumUp Air’s limitations?While SumUp is cost-effective, it’s not the right card machine if you prioritise sophisticated tools over price. For instance, if you prefer using a built-in touchscreen interface over a mobile app, the takepaymentsplus or the Square Terminal would be preferable.Read more: SumUp vs Zettle: which provider is best?What security features are in place?SumUp is PCI-compliant and holds an ISO 27001 certificate.For enhanced fraud protection, SumUp doesn’t store sensitive data on mobile devices like your smartphone, tablet, or card reader. SumUp's help and support options SumUp provides user support via phone, email, live chat, and a knowledge centre.SumUp’s phone support is available from 9am to 5pm on weekdays.We were reasonably impressed with SumUp’s knowledge centre; most of the results to our test queries were helpful. For two of our test questions, it provided a relevant article, but we had to scroll past the first few results to find it because the results weren’t accurate for what we’d asked. What our researchers think The SumUp Air device is a great choice for businesses just starting out. It’s really small and lightweight, so you can easily pack it away if you’re on the move, and connecting it to your phone is really simple too. Ollie Simpson Senior Research Executive How we test card processing products and merchant services for small businessesIn July 2024, our dedicated research team conducted extensive testing on 26 different card machines. They were evaluated against the criteria our research had determined to be most useful and important to our readers, enabling us to accurately recommend the right card machines for UK-based small businesses.During testing, we spent 22.5 hours conducting 45 test sessions, completing 270 tasks to thoroughly evaluate the card machines and assess their functionality and ease of use.Our testing categories for card machines are:Hardware: Evaluating the card machines’ charging power, receipt printing, connectivity, and interface.Software: Assessing suitability for POS integration, as well as how the card machine provider handles payouts, the data and reporting available, which payment types are accepted, what security measures are offered, and more.Help and support: Appraising the type, availability, and accuracy of the support the platform provides for its merchants.Pricing: Assessing the transaction fees, contract costs, monthly costs, and upfront fees that the card machine providers charge.Which type of card reader is right for my business?All the card readers mentioned in this guide are excellent in their own way, but some are better suited to specific business types. Below, we’ve matched card machine types to business types to help you find the right fit for your company’s setup:Card machine typeBest forBusiness typesOur recommendationsSimple mobile readerLow-scale operations for a simple solution.Service professionals, food trucks, market stalls, or pop-up shops.takepaymentsplusZettle Reader 2SumUp AirPortable card machinesCompanies that want to accept payments from anywhere, not just a fixed point.Restaurants and cafes with tableside payment, and mobile vendors seeking a more sophisticated solution.takepaymentsplusBarclaycard Smartpay TouchTide Card Reader PlusAll-in-one card machines with POS software integrationBusinesses that handle a high volume of transactions or need integrated tools for managing sales, inventory, etc., from a single system.Retailers with multiple store locations, cafe or restaurant chains, and business owners managing several branches who need centralised control.Barclaycard Smartpay TouchSquare TerminalCountertop card terminalsShops that want customers to pay in a fixed location.Brick-and-mortar shops with a dedicated checkout area.Square TerminalClover Flex What should I look for in a card machine?The key considerations to make when choosing a card machine are:Pricing model: you can either buy a card reader in a single upfront purchase or lease it for a monthly fee. Just remember that a higher price tag doesn’t always indicate higher quality.Transaction fees: these will be charged with every transaction, so make sure your budget can accommodate them.Battery life: for mobile or portable machines, longer battery life means fewer interruptions during transactions and more satisfied customers.Accepted payment types: ensure your machine supports major card networks (such as Visa and Mastercard) as well as alternative methods like Apple Pay or Google Pay.Features: consider your business needs. Some machines include features such as inventory management, gratuity allocation, and advanced data reporting tools.Integration capabilities: make sure the card reader you choose is fully compatible with your existing POS system, which can streamline your operation and enhance efficiency.Support options: look for providers that offer reliable customer service, preferably across multiple channels.Fund transfer times: some platforms offer next-day payouts for your profits, whereas others may take up to three working days to clear.Contract lengths: assess contract lengths (many providers don’t require contracts) and termination clauses, as you might be charged if you leave your contract early.PCI DSS compliance: your card machine provider should have solid compliance measures in place to protect sensitive data and maintain customer confidence, and ensure you avoid fines.What is offline mode, and do I need it?Offline mode allows card machines to accept a payment without an internet connection, with the card machine storing, rather than processing, the card details. When the card machine is connected again, it processes the details and completes the transaction.Offline mode is particularly useful for mobile businesses such as food trucks or tradespeople, since they’re more likely to conduct business in areas with poor or no reception.While offline mode serves as a helpful backup, it also carries risks. If the card is declined when the machine has internet access, the transaction may fail. This can occur if a card has expired, or there are insufficient funds. Also, if you lose or damage your card reader before it can go online, the transaction may be permanently lost.What’s a reasonable transaction fee?Transaction fees are charged on every sale and are a percentage of each transaction’s value. In our market analysis, we found transaction fees typically range from 1.5% to 3%. For instance, SumUp and Square charge 1.69% and 1.75% respectively. Keep in mind that some providers allow you to negotiate rates, so always check to secure the best rate.What hidden fees should I watch out for?Watch out for sneaky additional monthly charges, such as security license fees or chargebacks (a fee incurred when a customer disputes a transaction). Some providers also levy fees for PCI compliance.What compliance regulations do I need to know about?Making sure you are fully compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) and GDPR regulations is about as important as it gets for a merchant, as it ensures all payment processing is safe and secure.While the work of accessing and storing customers’ sensitive payment information is done by your payment provider, it’s your responsibility to make sure you’ve chosen a provider that does this properly. A data breach could result in severe financial penalties for your business, and you may be held to stricter compliance standards (such as compliance level 1 in the list below).There are four different levels of PCI compliance, determined by how many transactions you take each year:The four PCI DSS compliance levels:Level 4: less than 20,000 card transactions per yearLevel 3: 20,000 to one million card transactions per yearLevel 2: one million to six million card transactions per yearLevel 1: more than six million card transactions per yearWhat do I need to apply for a card reader?To lease or buy a card reader and start accepting payments, you’ll need the following:Registration as a sole trader, partnership, limited company, or charityA business bank accountProof of identity and business addressYour business information or a business plan (such as your expected turnover, and details of the nature of your business)You may also need to undergo a credit check or have an account with the provider – for instance, to get the Barclaycard Smartpay Touch, you’ll need a Barclays business bank account. Some providers may also prohibit certain business types (such as gambling or cryptocurrency). The four PCI DSS compliance levels Level 4: less than 20,000 card transactions per year Key requirements: you must complete an annual Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) – the scope of which will depend on your business – and Attestation of Compliance (AOC) form. You may be required to complete a quarterly network vulnerability scan, also known as an ASV scan (this stands for Approved Scanning Vendor, and it identifies security flaws). Level 3: 20,000 to one million card transactions per year Key requirements: you will need to complete an SAQ and an AOC form, and you may be required to perform a quarterly ASV scan for vulnerabilities. Level 2: one million to six million card transactions per year Key requirements: an onsite PCI audit, and you must complete an annual SAQ. There are other requirements, like potentially having to complete an ASV scan. Level 1: more than six million card transactions per year Key requirements: a qualified security assessor (QSA) has to conduct an annual report. A quarterly ASV scan will also have to be carried out, as well as other requirements such as completing an AOC form. Summary: what’s the best card machine for small businesses?As a result of our rigorous testing process, we determined that the takepaymentsplus is the best overall card reader for small businesses. We based this decision on the light and easy-to-handle card reader, the custom transaction fees, and the detailed dashboard that provides insightful reporting.However, there are other card reader options that might be suited to your specific requirements (for example, if your business is already banking with Barclays, the Smartpay Touch is an ideal solution) so make sure to check through all our recommendations. Return to any of our sections: Card machines comparison table Short video: our top card machines 1. takepaymentsplus: best all-round card reader 2. Barclaycard Smartpay Touch: best for businesses that bank with Barclays 3. Tide Card Reader Plus: best for detailed reporting 4. Square Terminal: best all-in-one POS solution 5. Zettle Reader 2: best lightweight, simple card reader 6. Clover Flex: best sleek, modern card machine hardware 7. SumUp Air: best cheap card machine Our methodology Buying guide: what to look for in a card machine Startups.co.uk is reader-supported. If you make a purchase through the links on our site, we may earn a commission from the retailers of the products we have reviewed. This helps Startups.co.uk to provide free reviews for our readers. It has no additional cost to you, and never affects the editorial independence of our reviews. Share this post facebook twitter linkedin Tags Business software guide Recommendations Written by: Eddie Harris Senior Reviews Writer Eddie is resident Senior Reviews Writer for Startups, focusing on merchant accounts, point of sales systems and business phone systems. He works closely with our in-house team of research experts, carrying out hours of hands-on user testing and market analysis to ensure that our recommendations and reviews are as helpful and accurate as possible. Eddie is also Startups video presenter. He helps create informative, helpful visual content alongside our written reviews, to better aid customers with their decision making. Eddie joined Startups from its sister site Expert Reviews, where he wrote in-depth informational articles and covered the biggest consumer deals events of the year. And, having previously worked as a freelancer providing screenplay and book coverage in the film and television industry, Eddie is no stranger to the demands of the sole trader. Reviewed by: Ollie Simpson Senior Research Executive After three years of refining my skills in data analysis, I transitioned to a role as a researcher to help understand our readers' preferences and needs. My professional journey started as a researcher in law enforcement, where I developed strong analytical abilities. Later, I moved into operations, strengthening my understanding of quantitative data. Now, I blend my quantitative analysis skills with qualitative research to explore both audience preferences and product nuances. Armed with a UX design diploma, I translate research findings into actionable insights that facilitate informed decision-making. Whether enhancing Startups offerings or delivering research presentations, I am driven by a relentless pursuit of improvement and results.