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Cheapest Card Machines UK 2026: True Cost Comparison
Find the genuinely cheapest card machine for YOUR business. We calculate total 3-year costs including hardware, fees, and hidden charges.
Cheapest overall for most businesses:
Dojo
£3,934 total cost over 36 months
(Based on £10k/month sales)
3-Year Total Cost Comparison
Based on £10,000/month in card sales (£360,000 over 36 months)
| Provider | Hardware | Monthly Fee | Transaction % | 3-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Square | £19 | £0 | 1.75% | £6,319 |
| SumUp | £29 | £0 | 1.69% | £6,113 |
| Zettle | £29 | £0 | 1.75% | £6,329 |
| DojoBEST VALUE | £0 | £9.95 | 0.99% | £3,934 |
| Tide | £20 | £0 | 1.79% | £6,464 |
Important: "Cheapest" Depends on Volume
- • Under £5k/month: Square or SumUp (no monthly fees)
- • £5k-£15k/month: Dojo or Tide (low % fees)
- • Over £15k/month: Negotiate custom rates (we can help)
What is the cheapest card machine in the UK?â–¼
Square Reader is the cheapest at £19+VAT one-off cost with no monthly fees. Transaction fee is 1.75%. SumUp Solo is £29+VAT with 1.69% fees. Both have no contracts or monthly charges, making them ideal for low-volume businesses.
Are cheap card machines worth it?â–¼
Yes for low-volume businesses (under £5,000/month in card sales). If you process over £10,000/month, you'll save more with a subscription model like Dojo (lower % fees but £10-20/month). Calculate your total cost: hardware + monthly fee + (sales × transaction %).
What hidden costs should I watch for?â–¼
Even "cheap" card machines can have: PCI compliance fees (£5-15/month), chargeback fees (£15-25), minimum monthly service fees, terminal rental vs purchase costs, early termination fees. Always ask for ALL costs upfront.
Can I get a free card machine?â–¼
Some providers offer "free" terminals if you commit to a contract. Reality: The cost is built into higher transaction fees or minimum monthly fees. True cost over 24 months often exceeds buying outright.
How do transaction fees add up?â–¼
Example: £20,000/month sales at 1.75% = £350/month = £4,200/year. At 1.29% (Dojo): £258/month = £3,096/year. Saving £1,104/year makes a £10/month subscription worthwhile. Always calculate based on YOUR volume.
What about virtual terminal costs?â–¼
Virtual terminals (take payments by phone) often cheaper than physical machines: £10-20/month + 1.5-2.5% fees. Good for businesses taking phone/mail orders. No hardware cost at all.
Do cheap machines have worse support?â–¼
Not always. Square and SumUp have excellent app-based support despite low costs. However, premium providers (Worldpay, Barclaycard) offer dedicated account managers and faster issue resolution for complex businesses.
Can I negotiate better rates?â–¼
Yes! Providers negotiate based on volume. Processing £20,000+/month? You can often get 0.2-0.5% rate reductions. We negotiate on your behalf using our buying power across multiple clients.
Are there cheaper alternatives to Visa/Mastercard?â–¼
No - Visa and Mastercard set interchange fees (0.3-1.5% of transaction). This is unavoidable. Provider fees are charged ON TOP of interchange. The cheapest providers just add less markup.
What is the true cost of ownership?â–¼
Calculate: (Hardware cost ÷ 36 months) + Monthly fees + (Monthly sales × Transaction %). Example: £29 hardware, £0 monthly, £10k sales, 1.69% = £0.81/month + £169 = £169.81/month total.
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