How Much Does a Card Machine Cost in the UK?
UK card machines cost 0.6% to 2.5% per transaction, plus £0 to £50 monthly rental.
Best value for restaurants (£25k+ monthly sales):
0.6-0.8% per transaction + £0 monthly rental + £0 setup = Total cost ~£250-320/month on £40k sales.
Updated: March 2026 | Based on analysis of 240+ UK restaurant setups
Complete Cost Breakdown
1. Transaction Fees (Main Cost)
Debit cards: Competitive rates (typically 0.5-1.75% range)
Credit cards: Competitive rates (typically 0.3-0.5% higher than debit)
Authorization fee: 0p to 3p per transaction
Example: £40,000 monthly sales at typical rates = £300-400/month
2. Monthly Fees
No monthly fee providers: £0 (best for most restaurants)
Budget providers: £9-25/month
Premium providers: £30-60/month
Best value: £0 monthly fee + low transaction rates = lowest total cost
3. Setup & Hardware Costs
Setup fee: £0 to £200 (best providers: £0)
Terminal cost: £0 to £300 (many providers offer free with contract)
Installation: £0 to £100 (we provide free installation)
4. Hidden Costs to Watch For
PCI compliance fee: £5-15/month (should be included)
Minimum monthly charge: £20-50 (avoid these)
Early exit penalty: £100-500 (we cover up to £3,200)
Statement fee: £3-8/month (should be free)
How Much Can You Save?
Typical savings when switching: 20-30% of total card processing costs
Based on 1,200+ UK business comparisons processed by CapExpand
Calculate Your Exact Costs
Get a personalized quote based on your specific monthly sales and business type
Sources and references
CapExpand Ltd (Company No. 14433858) is an authorised Dojo partner, not a card machine manufacturer. We are not currently authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Card machine pricing and availability are subject to change. All information on this page is for general guidance only.