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Fees & saving

No-Contract Card Machines: What's the Catch?

No-contract sounds like a no-brainer — but there are trade-offs. Here's when pay-as-you-go wins and when a contract is genuinely cheaper.

By The POS editorial teamPublished: 5 min read
Person reviewing costs with a calculator

Nobody enjoys being tied into a multi-year deal to take a card. But 'no contract' isn't automatically the cheapest — here's the honest trade-off.

The no-contract options

SumUp, Square and Zettle all let you buy a reader and pay only per transaction. No monthly fee, no commitment. Our no-contract guide lists them all.

When a contract is actually cheaper

If you're high-volume, a quote-based provider like Dojo might offer a low enough rate that even with a monthly fee, you come out ahead. Just check the maths with the fee calculator and read the exit terms.

FAQs

Are no-contract card machines worth it?

For low or variable volume, yes — you avoid commitment and only pay when you sell. For high, steady volume, a contracted provider with a lower rate can work out cheaper overall.