Cards and contactless methods are now used for more than half of the UK’s payments, according to data from UK Finance. And there are around 2 billion debit card transactions a month in the UK with a spend of around £50 billion. Show
But which is the best card machine for business, and how do you start taking card payments? Read on for a comparison of three of the best card machines for small UK businesses. Our comparison of card machines for small UK businesses are based on price (including fees), but also features like fast deposits into your business bank account and simple set-up. We also expect them to be portable, and ready for contactless payments with one tap of a mobile. Do I need a new card machine?The days of cash payments only, and even clunky countertop hardware, are disappearing fast. Card payment machines are commonplace in stores and have become a crucial tool. Technology has moved on, however, along with choice. Solid chip and PIN machines are available, but many small businesses are opting for mobile card readers, which work from almost any site or premises and give customers the option to pay easily. What is a POS system?Something to consider when choosing a card reader is the point-of-sale (POS) system. A POS system makes it possible for you to complete sales with your customers. It will usually be an app on a tablet or smartphone that lists all of your products and their prices while also tracking your sales. It then connects to the hardware (e.g. a card reader), works out the price of a transaction, and processes the payment. In the past, a POS system would have been the cash register where you take payment. Nowadays, most POS systems are digital and offer more flexibility in how you complete a sale with a customer, like being able to take card payments over the phone. It’s worth noting that not every card reader works with every POS system. So when you buy a card reader, make sure it’s compatible with your POS system and will let you take a card payment. What features should I look out for?Most of the newer, app-based card machines are user friendly and contactless so we’ll assess them on their:
Best card machine for small business in the UKWe’ve scoured the market and rated these three card machines top of the pack. We looked into value for money, simplicity and point of sale (POS) features. We also prioritised flexibility – lots of businesses need a portable machine that can also be stationed on a countertop, for example market traders, or businesses running a workshop. In no particular order, here are the best card machines for UK small businesses. iZettle Reader 2One of the UK’s most popular mobile credit card machines, iZettle’s latest card reader is popular with many small businesses. It accepts all major credit cards, deposits money in your account within 1-2 business days, and owners love its sleek look and feel. It also boasts 30 per cent longer battery life than other readers. There’s a special package for hospitality businesses, with iZettle Pro, and custom pricing for businesses taking over £10,000 in card payments every month. Top features:
Potential downsidesSome reviewers of the iZettle have said that their limited customer support hours can be a source of frustration. However, many customers have said that the simplicity of the device and its software means you rarely need to get in touch with them. PricingThe iZettle2 costs £29 (plus VAT) for your first card reader and then £59 for each additional contactless card reader. You’ll need to pay extra for the dock and add-ons, plus factor in a 1.75 per cent fee for each transaction. SquareYou can choose between a few Square hardware options – they also have an impressive all-in-one terminal and an iPad stand – but the reader is popular for its simplicity and size. You’ll be set to accept chip and PIN, contactless payments, Apple Pay and Google Pay, and the machine itself costs £16 as standard. Top features:
Potential downsidesAny bad reviews for Square tend to come down to account suspensions. To avoid this, industry advice is to make sure your business type fits within their guidelines. Luckily their customer service has an excellent reputation in case you need their help. PricingThe Square Reader is priced at £16 + VAT when bought directly from their website, with a 1.75% transaction fee. SumUp AirAgain, there are a few different machine options with SumUp, but we’ve picked the Air for its discounted price at £39 + VAT (usually £59). Along with the discount, it also comes with a lower transaction fee, at 1.69%. Top features:
Potential downsidesSumUp can take slightly longer to deposit your money than iZettle or Square, and the Air doesn’t boast the same lightning-fast processing for contactless payments. Their lower transaction fee might make up for this though, if you’re not in a hurry for these flashier features. PricingRight now, you’ll pay £39 + VAT for the SumUp Air when buying direct, plus the 1.69% transaction fee. Alternative card readersIf you wanted to look at alternative card readers to see if they’re more suited to your business, these are popular choices:
Are you using one of our three best card readers? Has it made life easier? Let us know in the comments below. Can I use a card reader for my business?If you want to simply accept magstripe, chip and contactless payments, a basic card reader can likely do the job. But if you're looking for more sophisticated features, like inventory management or advanced sales analytics, consider a comprehensive POS system instead.
How much does a card reader cost?Best Credit Card Readers Compared. Can you take payments on a card reader?It's just another name for a card machine. You might have also heard it referred to as a card payment terminal, a PDQ machine, or something else entirely, but they're all the same thing. They allow you to take credit and debit cards from your customers, including Visa, Mastercard, Maestro and American Express.
How do I choose a card reader?5 things to look for in a card reader. Connection type.. USB speed. USB 3.1 Gen 2 is twice as fast than Gen 1, but few readers use it, and even fewer memory cards are fast enough to exploit Gen 2.. UHS-I vs UHS-II. UHS-II SD cards are faster, and all the readers here are compatible. ... . Wire it up.. Extra ports.. |
Portable credit card readers for small business
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