Every big UK provider compared on what actually leaves your account - fees, contracts and payout speed. For cafés, shops, salons, trades and stalls that just want a straight answer.
Plain-English comparisons. Real fee notes. Checked against provider pricing.
Prices checked 7 Jul 2026 12 providers researchedProviders can't pay for rankings
We earn commission from SumUp, Dojo, myPOS and Shopify POS. Square still ranks top - they don't pay us a penny.
What would you actually pay?
Two numbers. Every big UK provider, priced at your volume.
Free · takes about ten seconds · every big UK provider
Who each one is genuinely good for - and who should walk the other way. No one opens a café because they're excited about merchant fees.
Dead simple and cheap to start - but you may outgrow it quickly.
Probably the easiest all-rounder for a small business.
Often strong on rates and payouts - but read the contract before you shake hands.
Handy if cash flow matters more than brand recognition.
We don't compare 40 providers. We compare the ones UK small businesses actually shortlist - then tell you who each one suits, and who should walk away.
The cheapest card machine is not always the cheapest once these start nibbling. Know them before you sign.
The percentage taken off every sale. Small on paper, brutal on lots of tiny coffees.
Terminal hire that rolls on whether you trade or not. Owning the reader is usually cheaper.
A 'compliance' charge some acquirers add - and a penalty if you don't fill in their form.
A few providers keep the original transaction fee when you refund. Adds up in retail.
A flat fee (often £15-£20) every time a customer disputes a payment - even if you win.
The bit that bites on quote-based deals. Always ask the term length and cost to leave.
A service fee if you don't hit a turnover threshold. Quiet months cost you extra.
Standard payouts are usually free; 'get paid faster' often isn't. Check before you rely on it.
Want the full breakdown? Read hidden card machine fees, explained - or skip the rental entirely with a card reader that has no monthly fee.
Pop in your turnover and average sale. See your real monthly cost and all-in rate across the main UK providers - takes about 60 seconds.
Five checks that save you more than any single "deal". Do these and you won't get caught out.
It decides everything. Low volume favours no-monthly-fee; high volume can justify a lower rate with a fee.
A sole trader rarely needs a £600 till system. Don't pay for stock control you'll never open.
A 1.5% rate with a £25/mo fee can cost more than 1.75% with no fee. Do the maths, not the vibes.
Pay-as-you-go means walk away anytime. Quote-based often means a term - and a cost to leave early.
A café, a market stall and a salon want different things. The flashiest screen rarely wins.
Real situations, straight answers. Here's what we'd actually go for.
I run a coffee shop doing £18k/month on card
At that volume, Dojo's tailored rates and fast payouts usually beat a flat 1.75% - just check the contract. Want zero contract and easy software instead? Square.
I'm a barber taking bookings and walk-ins
Square handles card-at-the-chair, tips and basic booking without a monthly fee. Simple, tidy, no lock-in.
I sell at markets on weekends
Cheapest way in, a standalone reader that works on mobile data, and nothing to pay in the weeks you don't trade.
I'm opening a takeaway
Square for fast order entry and no contract while you find your feet; Dojo once you're busy and want reliable hardware with quick payouts.
I run a small retail shop with stock
Square's free inventory covers most independents. Carrying a big range across more than one shop? Lightspeed goes deeper (for a price).
Market stalls, cafés, salons, takeaways, shops. Real UK trade, not a SaaS demo.
Some links on this site may earn us a commission. That does not change the price you pay, and it does not mean every provider gets a glowing review. If something is better for cafés but rubbish for mobile traders, we'll say so.
Tell us how your business takes payments and we'll point you towards providers that actually fit - not whoever's paying the biggest bounty this month.
Transaction fees, monthly fees, hardware costs, payout charges and the sneaky extras - every card machine fee, explained in plain English.
Read guideWhat 'POS' actually means, how a POS system differs from a card reader, and what features matter for UK small businesses.
Read guideThe difference between a simple card reader and a full POS system - and how to tell which one your UK business actually needs.
Read guide
Stop chasing invoices: the best card machines for plumbers, electricians and builders, with real fee maths on a £280 job and no monthly contracts.
Card payments for window cleaners: payment links by text, Direct Debit for the round, and Tap to Pay at the door. Honest fee maths on a £15 clean.
Card machines and POS for takeaways: faster counter payments, safer phone orders, and why your own card fees beat 15-30% delivery app commissions.
There's no single 'best' - it depends on your turnover and how you trade. SumUp is cheapest to start for low or occasional volume; Square is the easiest all-rounder with free POS software; Dojo suits busy hospitality that wants fast payouts. Use the fee calculator or quiz to match your numbers.
SumUp, Square and PayPal Zettle all do pay-as-you-go readers with no monthly fee - you buy the reader once and pay a percentage per sale. Best for lower or seasonal volume where a monthly rental wouldn't pay for itself.
Not always. The cheapest card machine is rarely the cheapest once the extras stack up - a low headline rate with a monthly fee, PCI charge or contract can cost more than a slightly higher pay-as-you-go rate. Always compare the all-in monthly cost at your real turnover.
We may earn a commission when you click through or sign up via some providers. It never costs you more, and providers can't pay for a better verdict. If something's great for cafés but rubbish for market traders, we'll say so.
