Accessing card machines for your business has never been simpler or more affordable, with standalone card readers starting from just £19 + VAT - without needing a merchant account or rental contract!
Contactless payments with these machines can also be processed using smartphones and tablets; however, transaction fees still need to be covered.
Cost of the machine

Cost of card machines varies widely depending on their type, reader and whether or not you rent or buy one. Transaction fees should also be factored into this equation; purchasing a PDQ machine could save money over time but be prepared for maintenance, repair and any associated expenses that might arise as a result of ownership.
Most PDQ machine providers provide an assortment of card machines and payment services, so it's worth conducting thorough research to identify which provider offers what your business requires. A typical quote for a PDQ machine would include hardware costs, transaction fees, merchant account charges and monthly maintenance/support fees.
If you're in search of the cheapest card payment machine available in the UK, the Square Reader stands out as being one of the least costly at PS19 + VAT. Other low-cost solutions include Barclaycard Flex Mobile Card Reader and SumUp Solo Bundle.
Small businesses looking for ways to accept payments on-the-go may benefit from portable devices that make payment easy and affordable, without needing a dedicated merchant account or being tied down to one location like traditional point of sale terminals. Such devices don't require dedicated merchant accounts and tend to be cheaper. They can be used in various environments like trade shows and festivals while offering convenience without incurring high transaction volume fees or looking unprofessional like traditional point of sale terminals would.
Cost of the software

Offering card payments can be an enormously valuable service to your business, yet also comes at a significant expense. Beyond just purchasing the reader itself, there will also be transaction and merchant fees to consider when selecting a credit card machine. Knowing these costs is critical in making an informed decision about this purchase decision.
Card payment machines have never been more accessible or affordable; with models designed to fit every need ranging from portable, mobile and countertop/tabletop available. Options range from Android-powered POS dashboards tailored specifically for restaurants and hairdressers to barcode scanners and receipt printers; some even work via Wi-Fi data packages making them suitable for events or fairs.
Square's sleek and appropriately-shaped Square Reader costs only PS19 + VAT when purchased directly from their website, without contracts or monthly fees. All funds deposited the following day into your bank account via the free app for monitoring sales activity. There are other companies with competitive transaction fees such as Dojo Go (owned by Paymentsense), offering special rates for businesses processing over PS150k annually.
Other options include more traditional card machines for tills or table-side payments that you can either rent monthly, purchase outright, or lease with a contract agreement. These machines may feature extras like cash drawers and barcode scanners but tend to be more costly.
Cost of the monthly subscription

As part of your decision when purchasing or leasing a card payment machine, it's essential to take the total cost of ownership into account. Payment by credit/debit cards has become more widespread among businesses than ever before - therefore transaction fees must be factored into budgeting estimates.
Some companies charge both an upfront hardware fee and monthly subscription costs for devices they provide, making this arrangement seemingly more economical than paying upfront hardware fees for each transaction you perform. But keep in mind that doing multiple transactions per day could significantly increase this monthly cost. If you want an estimate on exactly how much your costs will be, fill in this online form for a customized quote based on your business requirements.
There is now more choice than ever when it comes to purchasing or renting a PDQ machine, thanks to technological improvements that have made card terminals less costly and many providers offering tailor-made pricing packages tailored specifically for various sales volumes. A payment facilitator with its own card reader usually offers the cheapest pricing model; usually with pay-as-you-go rates per transaction that are ideal for new startups as well as established businesses who don't wish to sign long-term contracts.
Payment facilitators include Zettle, SumUp and myPOS as examples of payment facilitators. Zettle is currently the market leader in the UK for card payment facilitation with its own branded card reader available between PS19-PS230 plus VAT with no setup or shipping costs and a flat transaction fee of 1.75-1.75% for domestic, foreign and premium cards. Dojo Go is another recent entry into this space owned by Paymentsense which offers similar pricing with tailored rates tailored specifically for larger businesses.
Cost of the hardware accessories

Card payment machines are an integral component of any successful business, whether operating an online or physical store. But with so many choices on the market, selecting an ideal machine can be daunting task - taking into account hardware/software costs as well as transaction fees or any additional charges associated with credit card machines is key to finding one that will meet all your needs.
Providers may charge monthly or setup fees, which can add up over time, while others may impose discount rates, which represent a percentage of total sales revenue. Card processing companies generally assess these fees; their impact can help your business select an ideal credit card reader.

There are multiple methods for businesses in the UK to acquire card payment machines, from app-based solutions through to terminal-based machines and mobile payment terminals which offer similar functionality but smaller and more portable designs over internet or VoIP.
These mobile card readers are surprisingly affordable - such as Square's reader that costs just PS19 plus VAT with a free terminal included; others, such as SumUP and Dojo Go offer even cheaper rates if your monthly processing exceeds PS150k.