Cheapest Card Machine UK 2026
Upfront Cost: Square Reader (£19+VAT) is cheapest to buy.
Transaction Fees: SumUp (1.69%) is cheapest per transaction.
Total Cost (3 years): Dojo is often cheapest overall for businesses processing £10k+/month.
Top 3 Cheapest Card Machines
1. Square Reader - Cheapest Upfront (£19)
- Hardware: £19 + VAT (prices checked mid-2026)
- Transaction Fee: 1.75% (prices checked mid-2026)
- Monthly Fee: £0
- Best for: Very low volume (under £5k/month)
2. SumUp Solo - Cheapest Per Transaction (1.69%)
- Hardware: £29 + VAT (prices checked mid-2026)
- Transaction Fee: 1.69% (prices checked mid-2026)
- Monthly Fee: £0
- Best for: Low to medium volume
3. Dojo - Often Cheapest Total Cost (High Volume)
- Hardware: £0 upfront
- Transaction Fee: Bespoke rates, confirmed in your quote
- Monthly Fee: £10 to £15 (illustrative, confirm in quote)
- Best for: £10k+/month in card sales
True Cost Comparison
Because Dojo rates are bespoke and not published, a like-for-like 3-year total cannot be stated here. As a rule of thumb, flat-rate readers (Square, SumUp) tend to be cheapest at low volume, while bespoke-rate providers like Dojo often work out cheaper overall at higher volume — get a quote to compare using your own numbers.
How to Choose
Under £3k/month sales: Square
£3k-£10k/month: SumUp
Over £10k/month: Dojo
Over £50k/month: Negotiate custom rates
Common Questions
What is the cheapest card machine in the UK 2026?
Square Reader is cheapest at £19+VAT with no monthly fees and 1.75% transaction fee (prices checked mid-2026). SumUp is £29+VAT with 1.69% fees (prices checked mid-2026). For total cost over 3 years with typical usage, Dojo is often cheapest overall due to bespoke transaction rates and a £10-£15/month terminal cost (illustrative, confirm in quote).
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CapExpand Ltd (Company No. 14433858) is an authorised Dojo partner, not a card machine manufacturer. Card machine pricing and availability are subject to change. Our card machine services are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and fall outside our appointment as an Appointed Representative of White Rose Finance Group Limited, which covers credit broking only.