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Compare the 10 Best Card Machines for Small Business
Want to make it easier for a customer to simply tap their card or pay by chip and PIN? Looking for the best contactless payment machine compatible with Apple Pay or Google Pay? We’ve investigated the 10 best card machines for small businesses.
Card machines are a must-have for any business that takes payments in person. With more customers choosing to pay by debit card, credit card or contactless payments alongside the UK's shift to a cashless society, there have never been so many card payment machines to choose from. If your business is an SME, it's important to try to make decisions that help you maximise your profits, making it beneficial to compare card machines for small businesses. What better place to start than comparing the top 10 card machines for small business.
Businesses are no longer just limited to the old chip and PIN machines, with a wide range of affordable app-based card machines that connect to mobile devices via Bluetooth and an app to process payments, alongside portable card machines and countertop card machines that don’t require a mobile device. Find out which type of card machine is best for your business needs by comparing the features of our top 10 best card machines for small business.
Compare the 10 Best Card Machine Providers
In the table below, we've compared the types of card machines available from each card machine provider we've covered in our top 10 best card machines for small businesses list.
|
Company |
Counter Top |
Portable |
Card Reader |
Mobile Payments |
Online Payments |
POS System |
|
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
No |
No |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Card Machine FAQs
There are a variety of card machine device types available. Although each card machine provider may give each device a slightly different name, they typically operate similarly. The types of card machines to be aware of include the following:
Countertop and Portable Card Machines - These are what most people picture when they think of card machines. Allowing you to take payments by card and mobile devices in person, countertop card machines come in two varieties; wired and portable. Wired machines must be used at a specific location, but portable card machines have more range, with the potential of being used as an entirely mobile payment solution. Some card machine providers issue a cradle, allowing your card machine to be used as a countertop and portable card machine.
Card Readers - Card readers are similar to card machines but much smaller and more portable. Typically including fewer features than a countertop or portable card machine, card readers are a perfect solution for businesses looking for a simple portable payment solution.
Mobile Payment Systems - Mobile payment systems allow you to use a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet to process payments. They're an effective solution for businesses who already rely on such hardware. However, some consumers can be sceptical about using these.
POS Systems - These are more substantial than other in-person payment solutions, essentially providing an integrated payment system to be used at a point of sale (POS). Because these payment systems are only intended for use at the POS, they lack the portability afforded by other card machine types.
Online Payment Gateways - All other options we cover here are in-person payment solutions, meaning they're designed to allow your business to take payments when you're face-to-face with your customer. However, an online payment gateway allows you to take payments through a website or app. We've included these in our comparison table because it can be beneficial to have a unified in-person and online payment system for some businesses.
When trying to find the best card machine for your business, it's important to ensure that the device and provider offer everything you need to take payments. Some of the points your business should consider when comparing card machines are as follows:
The portability of the device
The features of the device
Which payment types the provider allows you to take
What features are included with the package (auto-invoicing and account management etc)
How much it costs to process payments
Whether there's a minimum subscription term
Whether you need an online payment gateway solution alongside a card machine depends on how your business operates. If you have or are considering making your products or services available online, then you may want to unify your payment solutions to make it easier to manage transactions.
Equally, if your business requires accurate inventory management, by unifying your online and in-person payments solution, and integrating these systems into your payments solution, you could save yourself a lot of time and effort.
No, not all countertop card machines are portable. Some devices require a wired connection to operate, however, some portable card machines allow you to use the device as a wired countertop card machine through the use of a cradle. How your business needs to take payments depends on how you service your customers, so make sure you consider what you need from a card machine before making a purchase.
1. Takepayments - No.1 of the 10 best card machine for small businesses
Offering payment solutions that can be tailored to your business needs, Takepayments is number 1 on our Top 10 Best Card Machines for Small Businesses list for a good reason.
Takepayments Card Machine Benefits
Bespoke flexible payment solution
Great for SMEs
No setup fee
Fast 24-hour setup
Free next-day settlement (subject to terms and conditions)
Takepayments is a popular SME sector merchant services provider in the UK, offering reduced rates on a per contract basis with a 12-month commitment, no set-up fee and payment machines that are ready to use within 24 hours.
With the majority of their customers using payment partner Barclaycard, Takepayments can offer next-day settlements at no extra cost (subject to terms and conditions). With a variety of payment solution products, including card terminals, EPOS solutions, App based payment products and even web design, their payment consultants will work with you to create a bespoke solution around your business needs.
Takepayments Card Machine Accepted Payment Methods
2. Square - One of the smallest card readers
At number 2 on our list of the 10 best card machines for small business is Square. Offering a card reader that’s small enough to fit into your pocket, Square claims to meet the digital payment processing needs of businesses of every size.
Square Card Machine Benefits
Small portable card reader
Variety of card machines to choose from
Range of payment methods accepted
Real-time sales reports through the app
No contract
Square payment solutions allow customers to pay via contactless, chip and PIN, Apply Pay, Samsung Pay and Android Pay, accepting payments via the Square app for Android and iOS devices. The feature-rich app provides detailed sales reports, with data taken from real-time sales.
By paying upfront for the card reader, there’s no contract period or monthly fee with Square. They offer in-person transaction fees ranging from 1.75% to 2.50%, with cash available in your bank account within 3-5 days, making them a great choice for small businesses that predominantly take payment by card.
Square Card Machine Accepted Payment Methods
3. Zettle by PayPal - The best range of payment options out of our 10 best card machines for small business
he Zettle by PayPal card reader is the market leader in the UK. Designed to be versatile and accept the widest range of possible card payments out of all card readers, the Zettle by PayPal card reader is stylish and available in either white or black.
Zettle by PayPal Card Machine Benefits
Widest range of payment types
Stylish card reader
Can link to an eCommerce website
No contract or monthly fees
Payments are processed via the user-friendly Zettle by PayPal app that includes a range of innovative features, and as you would expect from PayPal, you have the ability to link your payments to an eCommerce website. Like most card machines the Zettle by PayPal card reader links to the mobile app via Bluetooth.
With Zettle by PayPal, you pay for the card machine up front, so there are no contract or monthly fees, and payment processing rates are fixed at 1.75% whether customers pay by chip and PIN or contactless. Because it accepts so many payment methods, from cards to mobile payment services and unsurprisingly Paypal, Zettle is a truly versatile payment solution for businesses of all sizes.
Zettle by PayPal Card Machine Accepted Payment Methods
4. Worldpay from FIS - Best card machine for transaction fees if you have a high turnover
Worldpay from FIS card readers have a lot to offer businesses with a high turnover. The Worldpay card machine is available with an 18-month contract rental plan, and although rates aren’t especially competitive on their basic plan, they offer low transaction fees to businesses with a high monthly turnover.
Worldpay from FIS Card Machine Benefits
Option of custom rates (terms and conditions apply)
High-quality card payment machines
Email invoicing
Free 24/7 phone support
The Worldpay from FIS payment solution is better suited to businesses on the larger side of the small business scale because you can negotiate a custom plan and reduce your card machine rates if your business has a high enough turnover. The Worldpay from FIS app also allows your business to accept payments over the phone, send remote payment links and even send email invoices.
To gain access to Worldpay's custom fee plans, your business needs to have an annual turnover of at least £20,000. If your business turnover is less than this, you can only take advantage of their Simplicity plan. It's important to be aware that if your monthly turnover dips below £20,000 once you're on a Custom plan, you may have to pay an additional fee.
Worldpay from FIS Card Machine Accepted Payment Methods
5. Shopify POS - Best for businesses with a Shopify eCommerce store
If your business is already hosting an eCommerce website with Shopify, then the Shopify POS might be the best option for you, as it provides seamless integration between your website and physical store.
Shopify POS Card Machine Benefits
Easy to integrate into your Shopify eCommerce website
Lite plan included with all Shopify plans
Credit card rates start at 1.5% + 0p
Pro plan includes a variety of features and reporting tools
Pro plan included in Shopify Plus plans
With credit card rates starting from 1.5% + 0p, the Shopify POS mobile card reader is one of the cheapest card payment solutions available. Depending on your Shopify plan, there may be an ongoing cost, but with the ability to integrate into your existing Shopify eCommerce store, this is a great card machine for small businesses.
Shopify POS Card Machine Accepted Payment Methods
6. Barclaycard Anywhere - Best card machine for sole or seasonal sellers
The Bluetooth-enabled mobile Barclaycard Anywhere card reader works with your mobile device to allow you to quickly and easily take payments, wherever you are. Because of its flexibility, Barclaycard Anywhere may be the best card reader for craft fairs.
Barclaycard Anywhere Card Machine Benefits
Super mobile card reader
Real-time payment reports
Send digital receipts by email
One-off rental fee and pay-as-you-go contract
Although it’s not as feature-rich as some of the other payment solutions on this list, the Barclaycard Anywhere card reader is positioned as the ideal solution for sole traders and seasonal sellers.
Barclaycard Anywhere features a low fee for card payment fee of 1.6%, a one-off rental fee of £29 + VAT and a flexible pay-as-you-go contract length.
Barclaycard Anywhere Card Machine Accepted Payment Methods
7. SumUp Air - Best value card machine
If you are looking for an economical card machine that can be used as little or often as needed, the SumUp Air may be your best option, as it features no monthly fees or extra costs.
SumUp Air Card Machine Benefits
Pay upfront for the machine - no monthly fees or extra costs
1.69% transaction fee
Option to build a free online store
Send invoices in a few clicks
The SumUp Air card machine features everything you need to take chip and PIN, contactless and mobile payments via the free SumUp app. The machine itself is simple and modern, with a user-friendly design.
There’s no setup or delivery fee, simply purchase the machine and you will then be charged a fixed rate of 1.69% per in-person transaction. SumUp’s pay-as-you-go solution means you only pay for the payments you receive, and payments only take 1-3 days for payments to clear in your own bank account.
SumUp Air Card Machine Accepted Payment Methods
8. Ingenico iWL251 - Best payment terminal small business
Although the Ingenico iWL251 is a traditional countertop card PDQ machine, it’s a fully mobile machine which may suit the needs of many small businesses, which is why we've included it in our top 10 best card machines for small business list.
Ingenico iWL251 Card Machine Benefits
No need for an app or mobile device
Fully mobile
Good connectivity
Compatible with a variety of payment options
The Ingenico iWL251is small enough to fit into a pocket and will accept payments from all major cards via PIN and contactless payments. It is one of the best card machines for small businesses that need to process payments quickly and will help cut down on waiting times.
9. myPOS - Best range of card readers
myPOS offer a great selection of card readers, from portable readers to classic PDQs, and even an app that allows you to accept payments via your mobile phone with no need for additional hardware.
myPOS Card Machine Benefits
Good selection of payment solutions
Option to build an online store
eCommerce integration
Fast funds collection
myPOS includes a range of useful features for small business users, with a variety of payment machines to choose from, including the affordable myPOS Go, the Android-powered myPOS Carbon and the myPOS Combo. myPOS offers a range of additional add-ons, including multi-currency support, instant access to card payments, GiftCards and the ability to earn money by recharging phones through the device.
Payment fees through myPOS devices are in line with other card machines for small businesses, from 1.10% + 7p to 2.85% +7p per transaction.
10. PAX A920 - Best full feature card machine
The PAX A920 is a popular Android-powered mobile payment terminal (or SmartPOS) that includes a large range of features that make it one of the most versatile mobile card machines available.
PAX A920 Card Machine Benefits
Stylish design
Fully mobile without the need for a mobile device
High-capacity battery
Cameras for scanning vouchers and QR codes
Loyalty app integration
The PAX A920 Android SmartPOS has been designed with style and ergonomics in mind, but it’s not just a pretty machine, it’s packed with features. Due to its smartphone-like architecture, it’s designed to be fully mobile.
Finding the Best Card Machine for Small Business
The increasing availability of card machines has helped many small businesses to adapt and meet the ever-changing needs of their customers. We hope this list of the 10 Best Card Machines for Small Businesses has helped you compare the options available to you. We understand the importance of being able to compare deals, products and services, so always aim to help businesses find the best option available. To find out more about how we can help your business compare everything from loans to bank accounts, please contact our team today.
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