A card payment machine lets businesses accept payments via debit or credit cards, making transactions seamless as cash usage declines. These machines can support various payment methods, including contactless, chip and PIN, and mobile payments.
Different types of card machines cater to specific business needs. Fixed card terminals, commonly used in retail stores, connect to a phone line or the internet and are ideal for permanent setups.
For mobile or small businesses, portable card readers tend to be affordable, easy to use, and can connect to a smartphone – perfect for on-the-go payments businesses like like food trucks, hairdressers, or massage therapists.
No matter your business size or location, card payment machines ensure quick, secure transactions, helping you meet customer expectations and never miss a sale.
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Card payments now account for around 85% of all UK transactions, with contactless payments making up over one-third. As cash usage declines, having a card payment machine is essential for businesses of all sizes, enabling quick and convenient payments for your customers.
With a variety of card machines available, it’s important to choose one that suits your business. Portable card readers that connect to your smartphone are ideal for mobile businesses, while fully integrated systems work best for fixed retail setups.
To find the right solution, consider your needs — such as contactless payments or mobility — and compare fees between providers to ensure you’re getting the best value without paying for features you don’t need.
Our editors have picked out our top card machine with no monthly fee, ideal for occasional or infrequent use.
With no monthly fee, no contract and a low price for the terminal, this is an ideal card machine if you only need to use it occasionally.”
Card terminals are linked to a bank account - something that's pretty non-negotiable. This can either be your existing account, or a dedicated merchant account you control and administer.
Some business accounts even come with a free payment terminal included - although this is generally only useful for smaller businesses, as it tends to be the most basic option.
For pay-as-you-go machines, things are pretty simple – send the card machine provider money and a delivery address then wait for it to arrive. You'll probably need to sign up to an app as well.
Contract card payment terminals need a little more.
You need to set up an account to get one - which can mean they need more information up front.
Some typical requirements to sign up for a monthly terminal include:
Your business address and VAT number (if applicable).
Personal details, such as three years' address history for business partners, shareholders and business owners.
Bank sort code, account number and name on account.
This is how much you pay upfront for the machine itself. This can be anywhere from £0 to hundreds of pounds depending on the kit and the ongoing charge.
This is how much of each sale you give up - expressed as a percentage. So a 1.75% fee means you lose £1.75 for each £100 of sales. Transaction fees can also be dependent on how much money you put through the machine each year.
As well as transaction fees, you can sign up to a monthly contract. Pay-as-you-go options are available too, but generally come with higher transaction charges.
If you have an occasional pop-up or stall, or only take card payments intermittently, it makes no sense to pay for a monthly contract.
Additionally, you'll want a card payment machine that works over a mobile network - either by connection to your phone or directly.
If you've got a fixed pitch, plot or more - but lack a dedicated till - extra features can come in handy.
The right card machine can offer a full point-of-sale service you can fit in your hand - including a product library, receipt printing and more.
If your business operates from a fixed location, having a freestanding card machine at the point of sale - or that you can take to a customer's table - works well.
If your business means travelling to clients – taking payments on the go or similar - you'll want a machine that either connects to your mobile or directly to a network.
If you have an occasional pop-up or stall, or only take card payments intermittently, it makes no sense to pay for a monthly contract.
Additionally, you'll want a card payment machine that works over a mobile network - either by connection to your phone or directly.
If you've got a fixed pitch, plot or more - but lack a dedicated till - extra features can come in handy.
The right card machine can offer a full point-of-sale service you can fit in your hand - including a product library, receipt printing and more.
If your business operates from a fixed location, having a freestanding card machine at the point of sale - or that you can take to a customer's table - works well.
If your business means travelling to clients – taking payments on the go or similar - you'll want a machine that either connects to your mobile or directly to a network.
When a customer presents their card, its chip sends the transaction details to your merchant bank account. This sits aside from your business bank account and holds funds while the payment process trundles on.
The merchant bank sends the payment request via broadband or a phone line to the customer’s card provider – usually Visa, Mastercard or American Express.
The card provider transmits a request for payment authorisation to the customer’s bank or credit card provider.
The transaction goes through if the card details are all correct and if there’s enough money in the account. The payment gets declined if the card details aren’t correct or the customer doesn’t have enough money to cover the transaction.
The time it takes for a payment to appear in your account can vary depending on several factors. Typically, payments may take up to three business days to register, especially if the transaction occurs late in the day, over a weekend, or on a bank holiday. Keep in mind that weekends and holidays may cause delays, as payments are processed during business hours on weekdays.
You don’t always need a new account for card payments, but having one could save you money in the long run. When you accept card payments, the payment service provider — like Mastercard, Visa, or American Express — sends the funds to a merchant account. If you already have your own merchant account, you can use that to receive payments, but setting one up may take longer and incur additional fees.
However, this option can be more affordable if you process many transactions. Alternatively, some card payment providers offer to manage the account for you, allowing you to set up quickly, but they often come with higher transaction fees. So, while a new account is not strictly necessary, it may be a worthwhile consideration depending on your business's sales volume and transaction costs.
Most card payment machines accept payments from major card issuers like Visa and Mastercard. However, some machines may not support American Express, so it's important to check this before choosing your payment solution. Additionally, mobile payment methods such as Apple Pay and Google Pay are commonly accepted by many modern card machines. To ensure full compatibility, always verify the list of supported card issuers and payment methods for the specific card machine you're considering.
The delivery time for a card payment machine depends on the payment plan you choose. For a pay-as-you-go machine, you can typically apply online and receive it within a few days. In some cases, you may opt for same-day delivery for an additional fee.
Once it arrives, setup is usually quick and easy, taking just a few minutes. On the other hand, if you're signing up for a pay-monthly service, the process may take longer, as the provider needs to conduct account checks and set up your service before dispatching the machine.
Yes, UK card payment machines can accept foreign cards, as long as the payment provider is supported, such as Visa, Mastercard, or American Express. However, it's important to note that processing foreign card transactions may take longer than domestic ones due to additional verification steps or currency conversion. Always check with your payment provider to ensure compatibility with international cards.
Yes, you can have multiple card payment terminals, but it depends on the type of payment machine you choose. For pay monthly card machines, it’s often possible to link multiple devices to the same account, even across different business locations. However, with pay-as-you-go machines, each terminal may require its own independent account setup. Be sure to check with your payment provider for specific details and options based on your business needs.
Card payment machines are designed with strong security features to protect against fraud. When linked to a bank account, the payment process for both debit and credit cards — whether through contactless or chip and PIN — remains highly secure. In fact, if a payment is processed through these methods, the seller typically isn’t liable for fraud, as long as the transaction is approved.
However, there are security risks associated with other payment methods. If you manually key in a card number, use the magnetic stripe, or rely on a signature as confirmation, you could be held liable if the card turns out to be used fraudulently. To minimise fraud risks, it's recommended to use secure payment methods like chip and PIN or contactless wherever possible.
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