A card machine's price tag is only part of the story. The real cost is three things stacked together - the hardware, the per-transaction fee and any monthly charge - plus a few extras providers don't put on the homepage. Here's what a card machine actually costs a UK business in 2026, with examples you can map onto your own numbers.
The three costs that make up a card machine
Every card machine bill comes down to:
- **Hardware** - buy a reader outright (£19–£599) or hire/finance it monthly.
- **Transaction fee** - a % (and sometimes a few pence) of every card sale, typically 1.4%–1.75% in person.
- **Monthly fee** - £0 on pay-as-you-go providers, or a subscription on quote-based ones.
Typical UK prices in 2026
As a rough guide (always check current terms):
- SumUp: reader from £19 + VAT, 1.69% standard (from 0.99% on Payments Plus), no monthly fee.
- Square: reader from £19 + VAT, 1.75% in person, no monthly fee.
- PayPal Zettle: reader ~£29 + VAT, 1.75%, no monthly fee.
- myPOS: device from ~£19, card-present from 1.10% + 7p, instant settlement.
- Dojo: quote-based - typically a monthly element plus a tailored rate.
Buy outright or rent?
Buying a reader once (the pay-as-you-go model) is usually cheaper over time and keeps you contract-free. Renting/financing a terminal spreads the cost but often ties you into a term with exit fees - common with quote-based acquirers. If you're not sure you'll stick with a provider, favour a no-contract option.
Worked examples by turnover
Say you take **£5,000/month** at 1.75% with no monthly fee - that's about **£87.50/month** in processing, plus a one-off ~£19 reader. On a quote-based provider at 1.4% + a £15 monthly fee, the same £5,000 is £70 + £15 = **£85/month** - so close it barely matters, and the no-contract option is the safer bet.
At **£30,000/month**, that 0.35% rate gap is worth ~£105/month - now the lower quote-based rate can clearly win, even with a monthly fee. The crossover depends entirely on your volume, which is exactly what our fee calculator works out for you.
The hidden costs to check
Beyond the headline price, watch for:
- Chargeback fees (often £10–£20 per dispute)
- PCI compliance / non-compliance charges (more common with traditional acquirers)
- Per-authorisation fees on some merchant accounts
- Fees for instant payouts, and minimum monthly service charges
- Higher rates on premium, commercial and international cards
How to keep the cost down
Know your true effective rate (total paid ÷ card turnover), match the plan to your volume, buy hardware outright where it's cheaper, and re-compare every year. Our guide on how to cut your card processing fees goes deeper, and card machine fees explained decodes every line item.
FAQs
How much does a card machine cost per month in the UK?
On a pay-as-you-go provider (SumUp, Square, Zettle) there's no monthly fee - you only pay a percentage per transaction, plus a one-off reader from about £19 + VAT. Quote-based providers (e.g. Dojo) often charge a monthly fee plus terminal hire, typically from around £15/month.
Is it cheaper to buy or rent a card machine?
Buying a reader outright is usually cheaper long-term and keeps you contract-free. Renting spreads the cost but commonly ties you into a contract with exit fees, so weigh the total cost of ownership.
What's the average card machine transaction fee in the UK?
In-person rates are usually around 1.4%–1.75%. Pay-as-you-go providers sit near 1.69%–1.75%; quote-based acquirers can be lower at higher volumes but add monthly and hardware costs.
