Note this is a UK focused article.

Today, I set out to find the cheapest card payment machines available in the UK for small businesses. I compared nine different providers: Square, SumUp, myPOS, PayPal, Stripe, Shopify, Dojo, Revolut, and Tide.

My goal was simple: look at both the upfront cost of the card reader and the ongoing transaction fees. Prices and offers can change frequently, so I recommend checking each provider for current promotions, but for this comparison, I’ve used standard pricing.

1. Square

I’ll start with Square, which currently offers the cheapest standard card reader.

Reader cost: £19 + VAT (£22.80 total)

Transaction fees:

• 1.75% for UK cards
• 1.75% + 1.5% for non-UK cards

The reader is very affordable, but international transaction fees can add up, especially if you operate in a tourist-heavy area. Square also offers a wide range of additional tools like invoicing and online payments, but here I’m focusing purely on cost.

Find out more on the Square website here

2. SumUp

Next is SumUp, slightly more expensive upfront but competitive on fees.

• Reader cost: £25 + VAT (~£30 total)
• Transaction fees:
  • Pay-as-you-go: 1.69%
  • Subscription (£19/month): 0.99%

If you process more than about £3,000 per month, the subscription could save money. Otherwise, the pay-as-you-go model is simple and cost-effective.

Find out more on the SumUp website here

3. myPOS

myPOS often runs promotions, so pricing can vary.

• Reader cost:
  • Promo: ~£14.90 (excl. VAT)
  • Standard: ~£29
• Transaction fees (typical):
  • From 1.1% + £0.07 (domestic & EU cards)
  • 2.5% (Amex)
  • 2.85% + £0.07 (commercial cards)

For small businesses (under £10,000/month turnover), there are no fixed costs. Fees can be very competitive for debit cards but higher for business or international cards.

Find out more on the myPOS website here

4. PayPal

PayPal (formerly iZettle) has rebranded its point-of-sale offering.

• Reader cost: £29 (discounted from £69)
• Transaction fees:
  • 1.75% standard
  • 3.4% for manual entry

This is fairly straightforward pricing, though additional fees may apply depending on card type.

Find out more on the PayPal website here

5. Stripe

Stripe is best known for online payments but also offers in-person solutions.

• Reader cost: £49 + VAT
• Transaction fees:
  • 1.4% + £0.10 (UK & EEA cards)
  • 2.9% + £0.10 (non-EEA cards)

While fees are competitive for local cards, international rates are higher. Stripe makes the most sense if you already use it for online payments.

Find out more on the Stripe website here

6. Shopify

Shopify also focuses on online selling but includes POS options.

• Reader cost: £59
• Transaction fees:
  • From 1.7% (in-person)

However, this requires a subscription:

• Monthly cost:
  • £25/month (or £19/month annually)

Higher-tier plans reduce fees but become expensive quickly. This option is best suited if I’m already using Shopify for e-commerce.

Find out more on the Shopify website here

7. Dojo

Dojo sits somewhere between modern fintech and traditional payment providers.

• Reader cost: £79 + VAT
• Pricing model:
  • Around £40/month
  • ~1% transaction fee (including Amex)

Unlike others, I’d need to go through a sales process rather than buying online. This may suit larger or more established businesses.

Find out more on the Dojo website here

8. Revolut

Revolut offers higher upfront costs but very low transaction fees.

• Reader cost: £129 + VAT
• Transaction fees:
  • 0.8% + £0.02 (UK & EU cards)
  • 2.6% + £0.02 (international cards)
  • 1.7% + £0.02 (Amex UK/EU)

This is one of the cheapest options for domestic transactions. However, international fees are higher, so it depends on my customer base.

Find out more on the Revolut website here

9. Tide

Tide currently has the most expensive reader, though promotions are common.

• Reader cost: £159 + VAT
• Plans:
  • Free plan or £12.99/month
• Transaction fees:
  • ~1.39% + £0.05 (standard)
  • ~0.79% + small fixed fee (with subscription)

Tide is clearly targeting businesses that want low transaction fees and are willing to pay more upfront or subscribe.

Find out more on the Tide website here

Final Thoughts

There’s no single “best” option for small businesses, it depends on how you balance upfront costs versus transaction fees.

• Cheapest reader: Square (£19)
• Lowest transaction fees: Revolut or Tide
• Best middle ground: SumUp or myPOS

If I’m a small business just starting out, a low-cost reader like Square or SumUp might make the most sense. If you process higher volumes, paying more upfront for lower transaction fees (like Revolut or Tide) could save money in the long run.

The market is highly competitive and constantly changing, so I’d always check the latest deals before deciding. You can also fill in the form below to get quotes from even more providers:

Also see: Stripe vs Square Pricing & Fees Comparison For 2026