There's no single best card machine for every UK small business - the right one depends on what you sell, how much you take and whether you want a contract. This guide picks the strongest option for each common scenario, with the fees and catches spelled out, so you can match a reader to your business in a couple of minutes.
How we picked
We compare on the things that actually move the cost and hassle for a small business: transaction rate, monthly fee, hardware price, contract length, payout speed and the software you get. Every figure is publicly advertised UK pricing and dated on each provider's page - see our methodology. Some links earn us a commission, but that never changes the verdicts.
The short answer
If you want the quick version:
- **Best all-rounder:** Square - free POS app, no monthly fee, room to grow.
- **Cheapest, simplest:** SumUp - from a £19 reader, no contract, from 0.99% on Payments Plus.
- **Busy hospitality / fast payouts:** Dojo - reliable machines, as-fast-as same-day settlement.
- **Instant access to funds:** myPOS - money lands in a built-in account in real time.
- **PayPal sellers:** PayPal Zettle - takings flow into your PayPal balance.
Best all-rounder: Square
Square is the card machine we recommend most for small UK businesses, because it's the best free POS *and* a card reader in one. There's no monthly fee on the standard plan, a flat 1.75% in-person rate, and the app handles items, inventory, an online store and basic reporting out of the box.
Readers start at £19 + VAT, with the all-in-one Square Terminal (£149 + VAT) for table-side or counter use. It's especially good for cafés and small retail. Full detail in our Square review.
Cheapest & simplest: SumUp
If you just want to take a card with the least cost and commitment, SumUp is the classic pick - a £19 reader, no monthly fee, no contract, plus invoices and Tap to Pay. It's the go-to for market stalls, tradespeople and mobile sellers. See also our roundup of the best card readers for market traders.
Busy hospitality & fast payouts: Dojo
For a busy restaurant, pub or higher-volume shop, Dojo is built for reliability and quick cash flow - next-day, even as-fast-as same-day payouts. Pricing is quote-based, so read the contract terms, but at volume a tailored rate can beat a flat one.
What to look for (and the catches)
Whatever you pick, sanity-check these before you commit:
- Your **all-in cost at your real volume** - run it through the fee calculator.
- **Contract and exit fees** - pay-as-you-go (SumUp/Square/Zettle) means no lock-in.
- **Payout speed** - standard is 1–2 working days; instant usually costs extra.
- **Hidden fees** - chargebacks, PCI, authorisation; see hidden card machine fees.
FAQs
What is the best card machine for a small business in the UK?
For most UK small businesses, Square is the best all-rounder - a free POS app with no monthly fee at 1.75% per transaction. SumUp is best if you want the cheapest, simplest pay-as-you-go reader, and Dojo suits busy hospitality wanting fast payouts.
What's the cheapest card machine for a small business?
SumUp and Square readers start around £19 + VAT with no monthly fee, so they're cheapest to start. On rate, SumUp's Payments Plus plan starts from 0.99% for domestic cards. The cheapest overall depends on your volume - use a fee calculator to compare.
Do small businesses need a full POS or just a card reader?
Many sole traders and market sellers only need a simple reader. Cafés, shops and restaurants usually benefit from a fuller POS (stock, tables, reporting). Square and Zettle start as readers but include free POS software you can grow into.
