Promoted

Tide Card Reader

Claim a £200 Cash Reward:Simply process your first £1k in card payments within 90 days to unlock a £200 bonus paid directly into your account.
0% Fees on Small Payments: Keep 100% of your earnings on all domestic card payments under £10 for your first 3 months
Start for Just £59: Get your card reader for a one-off cost of £99 + VAT with no monthly contract, and manage all your sales and banking in one simple app.

CLAIM £200 OFFER

Tide Tap To Pay On iPhone

Tide Tap to Pay

Hardware Cost:
£0
Hardware Monthly Cost:
N/A
Transaction Fees:
1.50% + 11p
Payout Settlement:
1-3 days

Zero Upfront Investment: Perfect for new businesses or side-hustles with no budget for hardware. Just download the Tide app to your iPhone and you can start taking contactless payments immediately.
Mobile Trades & Services: Ideal for plumbers, builders, or freelancers who are always on the move. Your checkout is always in your pocket.
Instant “Back-Up” Terminal: Great for busy periods or hardware failures. If your main card machine breaks or runs out of battery during a rush, you can instantly switch to Tap to Pay on your iPhone to keep the queue moving without missing a sale.

Tide Tap to Pay

Great For:

Zero Upfront Investment: Perfect for new businesses or side-hustles with no budget for hardware. Just download the Tide app to your iPhone and you can start taking contactless payments immediately.
Mobile Trades & Services: Ideal for plumbers, builders, or freelancers who are always on the move. Your checkout is always in your pocket.
Instant “Back-Up” Terminal: Great for busy periods or hardware failures. If your main card machine breaks or runs out of battery during a rush, you can instantly switch to Tap to Pay on your iPhone to keep the queue moving without missing a sale.

Battery Life:
N/A
Payment Methods:
Contactless
Connectivity:
Cellular 4G & Wi-Fi
Transaction Cost:
Ongoing costs: Pay As You Go: 1.50% + 11p per transaction
Warranty:
N/A
Receipt Type:
Digital

Payment Network Support:

Battery Life: N/A

Payment Methods: Contactless

Connectivity: Cellular 4G & Wi-Fi

Transaction Cost: Ongoing costs: Pay As You Go: 1.50% + 11p per transaction

Warranty: N/A

Receipt Type: Digital

Payment Network Support:

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Worldpay Card Reader

Hardware Cost:
Free
Hardware Monthly Cost:
From £15 per month
Transaction Fees:
From 0.30% (Debit) / 0.80% (Credit)
Payout Settlement:
Next business day

Merchants Needing 24/7 Reliability: Ideal for businesses that cannot afford downtime – busy restaurants or bars. Round-the-clock UK-based phone support and a “lifetime warranty” that swaps broken devices the next business day.
High-Volume Businesses & Retailers: Perfect for businesses processing over £50k/year that need stability. Custom transaction rates mean that as your business grows, your fees can drop significantly.
Customer Trust: Great for traditional businesses where your customers value security. Using a Worldpay terminal puts a recognized “big bank” brand on your counter.

Great For:

Merchants Needing 24/7 Reliability: Ideal for businesses that cannot afford downtime – busy restaurants or bars. Round-the-clock UK-based phone support and a “lifetime warranty” that swaps broken devices the next business day.
High-Volume Businesses & Retailers: Perfect for businesses processing over £50k/year that need stability. Custom transaction rates mean that as your business grows, your fees can drop significantly.
Customer Trust: Great for traditional businesses where your customers value security. Using a Worldpay terminal puts a recognized “big bank” brand on your counter.

Battery Life:
1 day
Payment Methods:
Contactless, Chip + Pin, Digital wallets
Connectivity:
Cellular 4G & Wi-Fi
Transaction Cost:
From 0.30% (Debit) / 0.80% (Credit)
Warranty:
For duration of contract
Receipt Type:
Digital

Payment Network Support:

Battery Life: 1 day

Payment Methods: Contactless, Chip + Pin, Digital wallets

Connectivity: Cellular 4G & Wi-Fi

Transaction Cost: From 0.30% (Debit) / 0.80% (Credit)

Warranty: For duration of contract

Receipt Type: Digital

Payment Network Support:

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SumUp Air

sumup Air

Hardware Cost:
£12.50 + VAT
Hardware Monthly Cost:
£0
Transaction Fees:
1.69%
Payout Settlement:
1 day

Smartphone Connected: Pairs via Bluetooth with your phone, making it the perfect low-cost entry point for new micro-businesses.
Pocket Sized: Ultra-compact design fits in your pocket, accepting Contactless, Chip & PIN, and Google/Apple Pay anywhere you go.
Reliable Battery: Handles up to 500 transactions on a single charge, ensuring you can trade all day without needing to plug in.

sumup Air

Great For:

Smartphone Connected: Pairs via Bluetooth with your phone, making it the perfect low-cost entry point for new micro-businesses.
Pocket Sized: Ultra-compact design fits in your pocket, accepting Contactless, Chip & PIN, and Google/Apple Pay anywhere you go.
Reliable Battery: Handles up to 500 transactions on a single charge, ensuring you can trade all day without needing to plug in.

SEE DEAL

Battery Life:
12 hours
Payment Methods:
Contactless, Chip and Pin
Connectivity:
Bluetooth
Transaction Cost:
1.69% per in-person transaction for most major credit and debit cards
Warranty:
12 months
Receipt Type:
Digital

Payment Network Support:

Battery Life: 12 hours

Payment Methods: Contactless, Chip and Pin

Connectivity: Bluetooth

Transaction Cost: 1.69% per in-person transaction for most major credit and debit cards

Warranty: 12 months

Receipt Type: Digital

Payment Network Support:

SEE DEAL

Reduced custom pricing for businesses that process £60K+ in payments per year.

SumUp Solo

sumup Solo

Hardware Cost:
£79 + VAT
Hardware Monthly Cost:
£0
Transaction Fees:
1.69%
Payout Settlement:
1 day

No Phone Needed: A fully standalone device with built-in free unlimited data, so you can take payments without draining your phone battery.
Smart Touchscreen: Features a responsive glass interface to manage sales, refunds, and smart tipping directly on the screen.
Always Ready: Comes with a free charging station to keep your device powered and professionally displayed on your countertop.

sumup Solo

Great For:

No Phone Needed: A fully standalone device with built-in free unlimited data, so you can take payments without draining your phone battery.
Smart Touchscreen: Features a responsive glass interface to manage sales, refunds, and smart tipping directly on the screen.
Always Ready: Comes with a free charging station to keep your device powered and professionally displayed on your countertop.

SEE DEAL

Battery Life:
100 sales on a full charge
Payment Methods:
Contactless, Chip and Pin
Connectivity:
SIM & Wi-Fi
Transaction Cost:
1.69% per in-person transaction for most major credit and debit cards
Warranty:
12 months
Receipt Type:
Digital

Payment Network Support:

Battery Life: 100 sales on a full charge

Payment Methods: Contactless, Chip and Pin

Connectivity: SIM & Wi-Fi

Transaction Cost: 1.69% per in-person transaction for most major credit and debit cards

Warranty: 12 months

Receipt Type: Digital

Payment Network Support:

SEE DEAL

Reduced custom pricing for businesses that process £60K+ in payments per year.

SumUp Terminal & Free POS Software

sumup Terminal

Hardware Cost:
£135 + VAT
Hardware Monthly Cost:
£0
Transaction Fees:
1.69%
Payout Settlement:
1 day

Built-In Printer: An all-in-one handheld device that prints physical receipts instantly, perfect for tableside service or busy retail.
Dual Connectivity: Switches automatically between Wi-Fi and free unlimited 4G to ensure you never miss a sale due to bad signal.
Full POS Features: Runs the full POS software on-screen, allowing you to manage your item catalogue and orders from the palm of your hand.

sumup Terminal

Great For:

Built-In Printer: An all-in-one handheld device that prints physical receipts instantly, perfect for tableside service or busy retail.
Dual Connectivity: Switches automatically between Wi-Fi and free unlimited 4G to ensure you never miss a sale due to bad signal.
Full POS Features: Runs the full POS software on-screen, allowing you to manage your item catalogue and orders from the palm of your hand.

SEE DEAL

Battery Life:
100 sales on a full charge
Payment Methods:
Contactless, Chip and Pin
Connectivity:
SIM & Wi-Fi
Transaction Cost:
1.69% per in-person transaction. Upgrade to Payments Plus for 0.99% transaction fee for £19 monthly cost. Rates for domestic consumer cards only.
Warranty:
12 months
Receipt Type:
Digital

Payment Network Support:

Battery Life: 100 sales on a full charge

Payment Methods: Contactless, Chip and Pin

Connectivity: SIM & Wi-Fi

Transaction Cost: 1.69% per in-person transaction. Upgrade to Payments Plus for 0.99% transaction fee for £19 monthly cost. Rates for domestic consumer cards only.

Warranty: 12 months

Receipt Type: Digital

Payment Network Support:

SEE DEAL

Reduced custom pricing for businesses that process £60K+ in payments per year.

Square Reader

Hardware Cost:
£19 + VAT
Hardware Monthly Cost:
£0
Transaction Fees:
1.75%
Payout Settlement:
1-2 days

Pocket-Sized Power: Accept chip, PIN, and contactless payments anywhere. Connects wirelessly to your phone or tablet for a truly mobile checkout.
Zero Monthly Fees: Pay just 1.75% per transaction with no hidden costs. No contracts or rental fees—you own the hardware outright.
All-Day Battery: A powerful battery designed to last all day, even with heavy use. Perfect for market stalls, pop-ups, and mobile trades.

Square Reader

Great For:

Pocket-Sized Power: Accept chip, PIN, and contactless payments anywhere. Connects wirelessly to your phone or tablet for a truly mobile checkout.
Zero Monthly Fees: Pay just 1.75% per transaction with no hidden costs. No contracts or rental fees—you own the hardware outright.
All-Day Battery: A powerful battery designed to last all day, even with heavy use. Perfect for market stalls, pop-ups, and mobile trades.

SEE DEAL

Battery Life:
1 day
Payment Methods:
Contactless, Chip and Pin
Connectivity:
SIM & Wi-Fi (offline payments for 24 hours)
Transaction Cost:
1.75% Rate for in person payments on all card types. 1.4% (UK cards) or 2.5% (non UK cards) + 25p for online payment products. 2.5% for manually keyed payments.
Warranty:
2 years
Receipt Type:
Digital

Payment Network Support:

Battery Life: 1 day

Payment Methods: Contactless, Chip and Pin

Connectivity: SIM & Wi-Fi (offline payments for 24 hours)

Transaction Cost: 1.75% Rate for in person payments on all card types. 1.4% (UK cards) or 2.5% (non UK cards) + 25p for online payment products. 2.5% for manually keyed payments.

Warranty: 2 years

Receipt Type: Digital

Payment Network Support:

SEE DEAL

Custom pricing for some businesses that process £200K+ in card sales

Square Handheld

Hardware Cost:
£169 + VAT
Hardware Monthly Cost:
£0
Transaction Fees:
1.75%
Payout Settlement:
1-2 days

Built-In Scanner: Speed up checkouts and manage stock instantly with the integrated barcode scanner. No need for a separate device.
Retail Ready: A rugged, all-in-one pocket POS designed for floor staff. Take payments, check inventory, and sell from anywhere in the store.
Tableside Service:Perfect for hospitality. Take orders and payments directly at the table to boost efficiency and turn tables faster.

Square Handheld

Great For:

Built-In Scanner: Speed up checkouts and manage stock instantly with the integrated barcode scanner. No need for a separate device.
Retail Ready: A rugged, all-in-one pocket POS designed for floor staff. Take payments, check inventory, and sell from anywhere in the store.
Tableside Service:Perfect for hospitality. Take orders and payments directly at the table to boost efficiency and turn tables faster.

SEE DEAL

Battery Life:
1 day
Payment Methods:
Contactless, Chip and Pin
Connectivity:
SIM & Wi-Fi (offline payments for 24 hours)
Transaction Cost:
1.75% Rate for in person payments on all card types. 1.4% (UK cards) or 2.5% (non UK cards) + 25p for online payment products. 2.5% for manually keyed payments.
Warranty:
2 years
Receipt Type:
Digital

Payment Network Support:

Battery Life: 1 day

Payment Methods: Contactless, Chip and Pin

Connectivity: SIM & Wi-Fi (offline payments for 24 hours)

Payment Network Support:

SEE DEAL

Custom pricing for some businesses that process £200K+ in card sales

Square Terminal

Hardware Cost:
£149 + VAT
Hardware Monthly Cost:
£0
Transaction Fees:
1.75%
Payout Settlement:
1-2 days

All-In-One System: A standalone device with built-in POS software. Manage items, sales, and refunds without needing a separate phone or tablet..
Built-In Printer: Issue physical receipts instantly with the integrated thermal printer. A professional touch for customers who need paper records.
Cordless Freedom: Wi-Fi and a long-life battery let you take the terminal to the customer, whether at the table or queue-busting in line.

Square Terminal

Great For:

All-In-One System: A standalone device with built-in POS software. Manage items, sales, and refunds without needing a separate phone or tablet..
Built-In Printer: Issue physical receipts instantly with the integrated thermal printer. A professional touch for customers who need paper records.
Cordless Freedom: Wi-Fi and a long-life battery let you take the terminal to the customer, whether at the table or queue-busting in line.

SEE DEAL

Battery Life:
1 day
Payment Methods:
Contactless, Chip and Pin
Connectivity:
Wi-Fi (offline payments for 24 hours)
Transaction Cost:
1.75% Rate for in person payments on all card types. 1.4% (UK cards) or 2.5% (non UK cards) + 25p for online payment products. 2.5% for manually keyed payments.
Warranty:
2 years
Receipt Type:
Digital & Paper

Payment Network Support:

Battery Life: 1 day

Payment Methods: Contactless, Chip and Pin

Connectivity: Wi-Fi (offline payments for 24 hours)

Payment Network Support:

SEE DEAL

Custom pricing for some businesses that process £200K+ in card sales

Get £200 Cash Reward & 0% on transaction fees* – Enter code TIDEZERO

Tide Card Reader

Hardware Cost:
£99 + VAT
Hardware Monthly Cost:
£0
Transaction Fees:
0.79% + 3p within the subscription
Payout Settlement:
1-3 days

Integrated Finance Management: Perfect for business owners who want to slash admin time. Combining your business bank account and card reader in one app, your sales reconcile automatically—removing the headache of matching separate bank transfers to card terminal reports
Risk-Free for Startups: Ideal for new ventures or seasonal traders who want to avoid long contracts. No monthly rental fees and a low upfront cost for the device.
Flexible Cash Access: Great for businesses managing tight cash flow. While standard payouts take 1-3 days, Tide gives you the unique option to switch on “Next Day Settlement” for a small monthly fee, ensuring you can access your earnings faster when it really counts.

Tide Card Reader

Great For:

Integrated Finance Management: Perfect for business owners who want to slash admin time. Combining your business bank account and card reader in one app, your sales reconcile automatically—removing the headache of matching separate bank transfers to card terminal reports
Risk-Free for Startups: Ideal for new ventures or seasonal traders who want to avoid long contracts. No monthly rental fees and a low upfront cost for the device.
Flexible Cash Access: Great for businesses managing tight cash flow. While standard payouts take 1-3 days, Tide gives you the unique option to switch on “Next Day Settlement” for a small monthly fee, ensuring you can access your earnings faster when it really counts.

Battery Life:
1 day
Payment Methods:
Contactless, Chip + Pin, Digital wallets
Connectivity:
Cellular 4G & Wi-Fi
Transaction Cost:
Ongoing costs: Pay As You Go: 1.39% + 5p per transaction or Subscription: 0.79% + 3p per transaction. Rates for in-person payments on domestic consumer debit cards.
Warranty:
12 months
Receipt Type:
Digital

Payment Network Support:

Battery Life: 1 day

Payment Methods: Contactless, Chip + Pin, Digital wallets

Connectivity: Cellular 4G & Wi-Fi

Transaction Cost: Ongoing costs: Pay As You Go: 1.39% + 5p per transaction or Subscription: 0.79% + 3p per transaction. Rates for in-person payments on domestic consumer debit cards.

Warranty: 12 months

Receipt Type: Digital

Payment Network Support:

SEE DEAL

REQUEST A CALLBACK

£200 Cash Reward when you process £1,000 in payments with your Tide Card Reader. 0% transaction fees on payments up to £10 for the first 3 months

Get £200 Cash Reward & 0% on transaction fees* – Enter code TIDEZERO

Tide Card Reader Plus

Hardware Cost:
£119 + VAT
Hardware Monthly Cost:
£0
Transaction Fees:
0.79% + 3p within the subscription
Payout Settlement:
1-3 days

Retail & Hospitality Professionals: Perfect for shops and cafes that need speed and traditional service. The larger touch screen and built-in printer allow you to print physical receipts instantly, meeting customer expectations without needing a separate printer or complex POS setup.
High-Volume Environments: Ideal for businesses processing frequent sales. Unlike smaller mobile readers that rely on a phone app, this is a standalone powerhouse with its own 4G connection and battery.
Professional Customer Experience: Great for businesses wanting to look established. Handing over a robust, all-in-one terminal builds more trust with customers than a small dongle, while still keeping your transaction fees and banking in one simple app.

Tide Card Reader Plus

Great For:

Retail & Hospitality Professionals: Perfect for shops and cafes that need speed and traditional service. The larger touch screen and built-in printer allow you to print physical receipts instantly, meeting customer expectations without needing a separate printer or complex POS setup.
High-Volume Environments: Ideal for businesses processing frequent sales. Unlike smaller mobile readers that rely on a phone app, this is a standalone powerhouse with its own 4G connection and battery.
Professional Customer Experience: Great for businesses wanting to look established. Handing over a robust, all-in-one terminal builds more trust with customers than a small dongle, while still keeping your transaction fees and banking in one simple app.

Battery Life:
1 day
Payment Methods:
Contactless, Chip + Pin, Digital wallets
Connectivity:
Cellular 4G & Wi-Fi
Transaction Cost:
Ongoing costs: Pay As You Go: 1.39% + 5p per transaction or Subscription: 0.69% + 3p per transaction. Rates for in-person payments on domestic consumer debit cards.
Warranty:
12 months
Receipt Type:
Paper

Payment Network Support:

Battery Life: 1 day

Payment Methods: Contactless, Chip + Pin, Digital wallets

Connectivity: Cellular 4G & Wi-Fi

Transaction Cost: Ongoing costs: Pay As You Go: 1.39% + 5p per transaction or Subscription: 0.69% + 3p per transaction. Rates for in-person payments on domestic consumer debit cards.

Warranty: 12 months

Receipt Type: Paper

Payment Network Support:

SEE DEAL

REQUEST A CALLBACK

£200 Cash Reward when you process £1,000 in payments with your Tide Card Reader. 0% transaction fees on payments up to £10 for the first 3 months

Alternative Payment Solutions

Airwallex Checkout

Airwallex Payment Screen

Hardware Cost:
£0
Hardware Monthly Cost:
£0
Transaction Fees:
1.30% + 0.20 GBP (UK)
Payout Settlement:
3-6 days

Boost Online Conversion: Accept over 160 local payment methods—including Apple Pay and Google Pay—directly on your website to ensure you never miss a sale.
Save on FX Fees: Perfect for international selling. Process multi-currency payments without forced conversions, allowing you to avoid high exchange rates and keep more profit.
Plug-and-Play Setup: Integrates seamlessly with popular platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce using a pre-built, conversion-optimised payment form.

Airwallex Payment Screen

Great For:

Boost Online Conversion: Accept over 160 local payment methods—including Apple Pay and Google Pay—directly on your website to ensure you never miss a sale.
Save on FX Fees: Perfect for international selling. Process multi-currency payments without forced conversions, allowing you to avoid high exchange rates and keep more profit.
Plug-and-Play Setup: Integrates seamlessly with popular platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce using a pre-built, conversion-optimised payment form.

SEE DEAL

Battery Life:
N/A
Payment Methods:
60+ local payment methods, including Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Connectivity:
Online
Transaction Cost:
1.30% + 0.20 GBP (UK), 2.40% + £0.20 for EEA cards; 3.15% + £0.20 for international cards.
Warranty:
N/A
Receipt Type:
Digital

Payment Network Support:

Battery Life: N/A

Payment Methods: 60+ local payment methods, including Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Connectivity: Online

Transaction Cost: 1.30% + 0.20 GBP (UK), 2.40% + £0.20 for EEA cards; 3.15% + £0.20 for international cards.

Warranty: N/A

Receipt Type: Digital

Payment Network Support:

SEE DEAL

Up to 90 days no fees

GoCardless Reccurring Bank Payments

New Payment Plan Created

Hardware Cost:
£0
Hardware Monthly Cost:
£0
Transaction Fees:
1% + 20p per transaction (capped at £4 for Standard plan)
Payout Settlement:
2 days

Cut Transaction Costs: Significantly cheaper than a card reader. You pay just 1% + 20p per transaction (capped at £4), making it the most cost-effective way to take high-value payments.
Automate Your Admin: Stop chasing invoices. Automatically collect recurring payments and subscriptions directly from your customer’s bank account so you get paid on time, every time.
Reliable Revenue: Eliminate failed payments caused by lost or expired cards. Bank payments are far more stable, successfully collecting 97.3% of all automated recurring payments..

New Payment Plan Created

Great For:

Cut Transaction Costs: Significantly cheaper than a card reader. You pay just 1% + 20p per transaction (capped at £4), making it the most cost-effective way to take high-value payments.
Automate Your Admin: Stop chasing invoices. Automatically collect recurring payments and subscriptions directly from your customer’s bank account so you get paid on time, every time.
Reliable Revenue: Eliminate failed payments caused by lost or expired cards. Bank payments are far more stable, successfully collecting 97.3% of all automated recurring payments..

SEE DEAL

Battery Life:
N?A
Payment Methods:
Direct Debit (bank-to-bank)
Connectivity:
Online
Transaction Cost:
1% + 20p per transaction (capped at £4 for Standard plan)
Warranty:
N?A
Receipt Type:
Digital

Payment Network Support:

Battery Life: N?A

Payment Methods: Direct Debit (bank-to-bank)

Connectivity: Online

Transaction Cost: 1% + 20p per transaction (capped at £4 for Standard plan)

Warranty: N?A

Receipt Type: Digital

Payment Network Support:

SEE DEAL

Join today and pay no fees for up to 90 days. T&Cs apply

Card Reader FAQs

What are the main costs associated with a card reader?

The costs can generally be broken down into three areas: the initial cost of the device, the transaction fees applied to each sale and sometimes a recurring monthly fee. Some providers offer models with no monthly fees, which can be beneficial for businesses that have fewer transactions.

How do I know which card reader is right for my business?

The best way to choose is to assess your business’s needs. Consider your typical transaction volume, whether you need a portable or fixed solution, and if you need the card reader to integrate with other software, like accounting or stock management systems. The type of contract is also important, some are more flexible with no long term commitment, while others may offer lower transaction fees in exchange for a longer term agreement.

Can I use a card reader with my phone?

Yes, many modern mobile card readers are designed to pair with a smartphone or tablet via an app. This allows you to process payments using the physical reader while managing sales, products and receipts through your mobile device.

Is a card reader the same as a POS (Point of Sale) system?

A card reader is a component of a POS system. A card reader is specifically for accepting card payments, while a full POS system is a broader solution that includes other functions like creating invoices, tracking sales reports etc.

How long does it take for money from a transaction to reach my bank account?

The time it takes for funds to be settled and deposited into your business bank account can vary by provider. Some offer next business day payouts, while for others it might take a few working days. It’s an important factor to check as it can impact your business’s cash flow.

Compare payment Card Readers

Alternative Payment Solutions

Card Reader FAQs

What are the main costs associated with a card reader?

How do I know which card reader is right for my business?

Can I use a card reader with my phone?

Is a card reader the same as a POS (Point of Sale) system?

How long does it take for money from a transaction to reach my bank account?