By Henry Williams on Growth Business – Your gateway to entrepreneurial success
As your business grows, so do your needs for a reliable, scalable, and cost-effective card reader. With the increase in customer volume, transactions, and revenue, finding the right payment solution can help you stay efficient, keep fees manageable, and maintain great customer experiences.
There are countless card reader options for small businesses, so how do you choose the right one? We’ve weighed up a range of machines based on how they meet the demands of scaling businesses and ranked them accordingly.
1. Square Reader
Device Cost: £19 + VAT
Transaction Fee: 1.75%
Key Features:
All-day battery life (suitable for most business hours)
Lightweight (56g) and portable
Connects via Bluetooth to your smartphone
Funds deposited the next business day
Free Square POS app with sales analytics, inventory management, and appointment booking
Why it’s great for growing businesses:
Square Reader is an excellent option for small businesses with an eye on growth, particularly because of its low entry cost. At just £19, it’s one of the most affordable card readers on the market, making it an attractive choice for businesses just starting to accept card payments or expanding from cash-only transactions.
One of the biggest selling points for Square is its free POS system, which includes a full suite of tools to help manage your business as it grows. Whether you’re a retailer, a service provider, or a market vendor, Square’s app provides valuable sales insights, allowing you to track top-selling products, manage inventory, and even take appointments. For small business owners, these features simplify daily operations and ensure that as sales increase, administrative tasks don’t become overwhelming.
Square Reader’s portability is another advantage for businesses on the move. Weighing just 56 grams, it’s one of the lightest card readers available, making it easy to carry to markets, events, or pop-ups. The device connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth, and once synced, it’s ready to accept payments. This level of portability means you can sell from virtually anywhere, without the need for bulky hardware or complicated setups.
With Square, you’ll receive funds the next business day, providing timely access to your revenue. For growing businesses, this helps maintain a steady cash flow, which is essential for covering expenses like inventory replenishment, payroll, or rent. Square’s flat-rate pricing (1.75%) also makes it predictable – whether you process 10 transactions a day or 100, you’ll know exactly what to expect in terms of fees.
2. Tide Smart Card Reader
Device Cost: From £59 + VAT
Transaction Fee: 1.5%
Key Features:
Lifetime free 4G connectivity
Accepts contactless, Chip & PIN, Google Pay, and Apple Pay
No monthly contracts
Sleek, compact design for in-store and mobile payments
Unlimited 4G data eliminates the need for Bluetooth connectivity
One-off payment with no ongoing rental fees
Why it’s great for growing businesses:
The Tide Smart Card Reader is a fantastic choice for growing businesses that need flexibility and mobility in their payment processing. With a one-time cost of £49 and no ongoing rental fees or contracts, this card reader offers a cost-effective solution for businesses that want to keep overheads low as they expand. The 1% transaction fee is competitive, especially for businesses processing higher volumes of sales, ensuring that growing businesses can maintain healthy margins without being hit by excessive fees.
One of Tide’s standout features is its lifetime free 4G connectivity, which allows you to accept payments without relying on Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. This makes it a great option for businesses that operate in multiple locations, such as market stalls, pop-up shops, food trucks, or events, where reliable internet access may not always be available. The built-in unlimited 4G data ensures that you can always stay connected, making the Tide Smart Card Reader perfect for businesses on the move.
The sleek and compact design also makes it an ideal choice for small retail spaces, cafes, and restaurants where space may be limited. The reader is easy to carry, enabling mobile transactions wherever your business takes you. Whether you’re running a pop-up shop or attending festivals, Tide’s portability ensures that you can serve customers quickly and efficiently, regardless of location.
Overall, the Tide Smart Card Reader is a reliable and versatile solution for businesses that are looking to scale while maintaining low costs and offering flexible, mobile payments. Its lack of monthly contracts and ongoing fees makes it an attractive option for businesses of all sizes, especially those looking to minimise expenses while expanding. It uses point-to-point encryption (P2PE) to ensure that your customers’ data is safe.
3. TakePayments
Device Cost: Custom pricing depending on card machine model and turnover
Transaction Fee: 0.3%-2.5%
Key Features:
Short contract lengths
Real-time inventory tracking
Payments settled the next day
Customisable sales dashboard
Why it’s great for growing businesses:
TakePayments is an ideal option for businesses that are in a period of rapid growth or transition. Its short contract lengths offer flexibility, allowing businesses to scale up or down without being locked into long-term commitments. This is particularly useful for businesses experiencing seasonal fluctuations or for startups that are still figuring out their growth trajectory.
For businesses expanding their product lines or services, the real-time inventory tracking feature ensures that you can keep up with stock demands, avoiding costly out-of-stock situations. This level of visibility allows business owners to make swift decisions and respond to customer needs as they arise. Additionally, payments are settled the next day, ensuring that your cash flow is continuous, which is essential for growing businesses managing multiple expenses like payroll, inventory, or rent.
The customisable dashboard gives business owners the ability to tailor their system to meet their specific needs. As your business grows, this flexibility ensures that you can track and manage sales data, staff performance, and customer insights all in one place, allowing for a more scalable, data-driven operation.
4. SumUp Air
Device Cost: £34 (£44 with charging dock)
Transaction Fee: 0.99% (pay-as-you-go) 1.69% (subscription)
Key Features:
500 transactions per charge
Accepts all major payment types (Chip & PIN, Contactless, Google Pay, Apple Pay, Amex, Diners Club)
Payments settled in 1 day
Syncs with SumUp’s free POS app for product and sales tracking
Why it’s great for growing businesses:
SumUp Air is a perfect choice for growing small businesses that need a simple, scalable, and affordable payment solution. Its transaction fee, which can be as low as 0.99%, is among the lowest in the market, helping you keep more of your revenue as your business scales. The low cost of the device itself (£34) means it’s accessible for businesses with limited upfront capital, and you can upgrade to the charging dock version for only £44 if needed.
With a battery that lasts up to 500 transactions on a single charge, this device can handle busy days at the shop, market, or pop-up events without constantly needing to be recharged. This longevity is especially useful for mobile businesses or locations without easy access to power.
SumUp’s free app adds value by offering tools for managing your product catalogue and tracking sales—ideal for small business owners who want to centralise their sales data and inventory in one place. Plus, the app can be used to generate digital receipts (sent via email or SMS) and analyse performance, giving you deeper insights into your growing customer base and sales trends.
Because payments are settled in your account within a single business day, SumUp helps maintain a healthy cash flow, which is critical for businesses with fast inventory turnover or tight cash flow management needs. As you grow and serve more customers, SumUp’s simplicity and reliability will allow you to focus on what matters most: your business.
5. Zettle Reader 2
Device Cost: £29 + VAT (£68 with dock)
Transaction Fee: 1.75%
Key Features:
8-hour battery life
Accepts all major payment types, including Google Pay, Apple Pay, Amex, Diners Club
Tamper-proof design with built-in fraud protection
Payments settled in 1-2 business days
Syncs with Zettle’s POS system and other business management tools
Why it’s great for growing businesses:
Zettle Reader 2 is ideal for small businesses that need both affordability and security as they grow. Its 1.75% transaction fee is slightly higher than some competitors, but this cost is offset by its superior security features. Zettle boasts tamper-proof technology and adheres to the highest industry security standards, including PCI compliance. For growing businesses handling increasing transaction volumes, this is a critical factor. Fraud or chargebacks can significantly impact your revenue, so having built-in protections can save you headaches (and money) down the line.
The Zettle Reader 2 can be paired with your smartphone, making it portable and versatile enough for a variety of business environments, from a brick-and-mortar store to market stalls or pop-up shops. The device’s 8-hour battery life covers a full day of activity, though this may only last for around 100 transactions. However, for businesses needing a little extra power, the dock provides a stable home for the device and can extend its usability throughout the day.
Zettle’s POS system integration is another standout feature for growing businesses. As your sales volume increases, managing inventory, sales data, and customer insights becomes more complex. Zettle’s POS system centralises this information, giving you a bird’s eye view of how your business is performing, what products are moving, and which areas might need improvement.
Payments are deposited into your bank account within 1-2 business days, so your revenue is accessible quickly. This prompt turnaround is helpful for managing operational costs, especially as your business grows and cash flow becomes tighter. The added fraud protection, especially for chargebacks, ensures that your business can scale without sacrificing security.
6. myPOS Go 2
Device Cost: £39 + VAT (£9.90 for a limited time)
Transaction Fee: 1.1% + 7p per transaction (Amex: 2.45% + 7p)
Key Features:
Instant access to funds with no extra fees
Accepts Google Pay, Apple Pay, Amex, JCB, UnionPay, Bancontact, and more
Multi-operator mode for tracking individual staff sales
Tactile keyboard and 500 transactions per charge
Free VISA business card included for instant access to payments
Why it’s great for growing businesses:
myPOS Go is designed for small businesses that want quick access to their funds. One of the standout features of myPOS Go is the ability to access your earnings instantly without extra charges, making it an ideal option for businesses that rely on fast turnover of cash to cover operational costs. With a free VISA business card provided, you can immediately use your earnings for purchases or withdraw funds from ATMs, which is crucial for managing daily expenses in a growing business.
As your business expands, myPOS Go offers excellent flexibility. With one of the lowest transaction fees on the market (1.1% + 7p up to £10,000 in monthly turnover), this machine helps you save money on every transaction. For businesses processing a high volume of sales, these savings can add up over time, ensuring you keep more of your hard-earned revenue.
The multi-operator mode is another feature that makes this device particularly useful for businesses with growing teams. Whether you’re managing a restaurant, café, or retail store, this mode allows you to track the performance of individual staff members and split tips accordingly. This is a fantastic way to incentivise team members and maintain transparency with transactions.
While it may not have the sleekest design, myPOS Go offers robust functionality, making it perfect for business owners who value performance over aesthetics. Its compatibility with international payment methods like JCB and UnionPay also makes it an excellent option for businesses that cater to tourists or international clients.
7. Barclaycard Smartpay Anywhere
Device Cost: £29 + VAT
Transaction Fee: 1.6%
Key Features:
Accepts all major payment methods
Free FreshBooks account for invoicing
Detailed real-time sales reports
PCI compliance with no extra fees
Why it’s great for growing businesses:
Barclaycard Smartpay Anywhere is an excellent solution for businesses that are expanding rapidly and need robust tools to manage cash flow and invoicing. The free FreshBooks account integration is a huge perk, especially for business owners who want to streamline their accounting and keep track of invoices without additional software costs. As businesses grow, managing cash flow becomes increasingly complex, and the detailed real-time sales reports provided by Barclaycard Smartpay Anywhere give you clear visibility into your financial performance, helping you make data-driven decisions to support growth.
Additionally, with a 1.6% transaction fee, this solution is cost-effective for businesses handling large volumes of transactions. As sales volumes increase, keeping transaction fees low helps to protect margins. The fact that Smartpay Anywhere is PCI compliant without any extra fees also adds another layer of value, ensuring that your growing business remains secure while keeping costs in check. This solution is particularly beneficial for businesses in hospitality or retail, where high-volume, secure transactions are essential.
8. Tyl by NatWest (Clover Flex)
Device Cost: £16.99/month + VAT
Transaction Fee: 1.39%-1.99% + 5p
Key Features:
All-in-one POS system
150+ apps for business management
Payments settled within 1 business day
Integrated inventory and customer management
Why it’s great for growing businesses:
Tyl by NatWest’s Clover Flex is perfect for businesses that are scaling and need more than just a basic card reader. As a full-service POS system, Clover Flex allows you to manage multiple aspects of your growing business, from sales and customer data to inventory management, all in one integrated platform. This becomes invaluable as your business expands, making it easier to track performance and optimise operations across various areas.
What sets Clover Flex apart is its ability to connect with over 150 apps designed for business management. This scalability is ideal for growing businesses that need flexibility in their operations. Whether you’re running promotions, managing employee schedules, or tracking inventory, Clover Flex’s app integrations make it adaptable to your evolving needs. With a competitive transaction fee range of 1.39%-1.99%, the system ensures that you’re not overpaying on fees, which is crucial for businesses with fluctuating sales volumes.
Moreover, the fact that payments are settled within 1 business day ensures that your cash flow remains steady, helping you cover expenses quickly, a necessity when your business is scaling and facing higher operational costs. It’s particularly beneficial for retailers, restaurants, or service providers handling many transactions daily.
9. Worldpay
Device Cost: £15 per month (£1 per month for 12 months on an 18-month contract)
Transaction Fee: Custom pricing or Simplicity tariff (1.50% per Mastercard and Visa transaction)
Key Features:
Mobile & Wi-Fi enabled for payments on the go
Touchscreen display for easy navigation
Prints receipts for customers
Worldpay Dashboard access for transaction tracking and insights
Why it’s great for growing businesses:
The Worldpay DX8000 is a portable card machine designed for businesses that require flexible, on-the-go payment solutions. Featuring dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity, it’s ideal for accepting payments seamlessly across both indoor and outdoor locations. Equipped with a large touchscreen display, contactless reader, and built-in receipt printer, the DX8000 enhances usability and streamlines transactions.
A key advantage of the DX8000 is its flexible pricing options. Businesses processing £75k or more annually can opt for a custom pricing tariff tailored to their specific needs. For smaller businesses or those seeking predictable costs, the Simplicity pricing tariff consolidates standard charges into a clear, fixed monthly fee.
With its versatile payment capabilities and reliable connectivity, the Worldpay DX8000 is a top choice for small businesses in need of a dependable and easy-to-use card reader.
Conclusion
For businesses that are on a growth trajectory, each card payment machine on this list offers features that help you scale seamlessly. SumUp Air stands out as a budget-friendly option with low transaction fees, ideal for businesses increasing their transaction volume. Dojo Go excels for those who need fast, secure transactions with quick access to funds, making it great for businesses with higher sales. Tyl by NatWest (Clover Flex) is perfect for those seeking an all-in-one solution that can grow with their business operations.
As your business scales, choosing the right payment machine is key to handling more customers, higher transaction volumes, and more complex business operations—all while keeping fees manageable and ensuring smooth cash flow.
See also: Mobile payment systems for events and festivals
The post The 9 best card readers for UK small businesses appeared first on Growth Business.
