How to choose the best card machine for your small business
The best small business card machine isn't the one with the flashiest advert. It's the one that costs you least over a year, pays you quickly and keeps working when you're busy. Here's what to check.
There’s no single best card machine for every small business. A mobile hairdresser, a village shop and a busy takeaway all need different things. But the questions worth asking are the same for everyone, and the answers decide what you really pay.
1. Look at the rate on every card, not the headline
Many providers advertise a low “from” rate. Check what you’ll pay on debit cards and on credit cards separately, because credit cards usually cost more. Ask whether the rate changes after an introductory period, and whether some card types are charged at a higher rate.
With us it’s simple: 0.40% on debit cards and 0.80% on credit cards, fixed for the length of your term.
2. Add up the monthly charges
The best card machine for a small business on paper can turn out expensive once you add the extras. Before you sign, ask about:
- Terminal rental, and how long the contract lasts
- Minimum monthly service charges
- Separate monthly fees for compliance, statements or “account management”
- Charges for faster settlement
We offer three ways to get your terminal, all with the same rates: buy it for £300 inc VAT with no rental contract, mix at £89 + VAT upfront then £1 + VAT per working day on a 6 to 24 month term, or rent for £20 + VAT a month on a fixed 3-year term.
3. Check how quickly you get your money
Cash flow matters for a small business. Some providers take several days to pay you, or charge extra to pay you sooner. Our settlement is next working day and free on every option.
4. Choose hardware that fits how you work
Think about where you take payments:
- At a counter: you want a quick, reliable terminal with a receipt printer.
- At tables or around a shop: a portable terminal saves customers walking to the till.
- Out on jobs, at markets or in a vehicle: you need a terminal with its own mobile data, not one that depends on your phone or the Wi-Fi.
We recommend the PAX A920 Pro: a portable touchscreen terminal with a built-in receipt printer, a 4G SIM card installed as standard, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and an all-day battery. It takes contactless, chip and PIN, Apple Pay and Google Pay. See the A920 Pro.
5. Find out what happens when something goes wrong
Every card machine has a bad day eventually. Ask how fast a replacement arrives and who you talk to. With us, report a fault before 4pm and we’ll deliver a free replacement the next day, and you speak to a real person in the UK.
6. Ask for a side-by-side quote
The easiest way to find the best card machine for your small business is to compare real numbers. Send us a recent card statement from your current provider and we’ll show you, line by line, what you’d pay with us. Request a call back.
Quick checklist
- Debit rate and credit rate, fixed for the term
- Every monthly charge listed in writing
- Contract length and any exit fees
- Settlement speed and whether it costs extra
- A terminal that works where you take payments
- Next-day replacement and a real person to call
Want to see the full breakdown of what we charge? Read our card machine fees and charges.
Ready to pay less?
Debit 0.40%, credit 0.80% and free next-day settlement. Talk to a real person in the UK.