Want to make it easier for a customer to simply tap their card or mobile, pay with an American Express card or VISA? Need to be able to switch your payment device between a Wi-Fi and mobile data connection on the fly? Think there are too many Card Machines to choose from? Don't worry; we’ve compiled our list of the best Card Machines for small businesses.
We've got further information about each of these Card Machines below, so keep scrolling if you want to find out more, but here's our top 10:
Tide Card Reader Plus
Best for Businesses Switching Bank Accounts
Barclaycard Smartpay Touch
Best for B2B Traders
TakePaymentsPlus
Best for Restaurants
SumUp Solo
Best for Businesses on a Budget
Square Terminal
Best for Clothing Stores
Zettle Payment Terminal
Best for Retail Stores with an Online Presence
Worldpay Mobile Card Machine
Best for Businesses with a High Turnover
Shopify POS Go
Best for Businesses with a Shopify eCommerce Store
Tyl Clover Flex
Best for Businesses Offering Loyalty Schemes
myPOS Pro
Best for Pop-Up Shops
In the table below, we've listed the types of Card Machines available from each provider we've covered in our best Card Machines list. We've also included helpful information about the purchase methods and whether the devices accept non-standard payment methods such as American Express (AMEX) and mobile alternatives like Apple Pay and Google Pay. Where available, we've also included the provider's TrustPilot score.
Provider | Device Types Available | Device Purchase Methods | Mobile Data Option | Accepts Mobile Payments | Accepts AMEX | TrustPilot Rating* |
Tide |
|
| Yes | Yes | No | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
Barclaycard |
|
| Yes | Yes | Yes | N/A |
TakePayments |
|
| Yes | Yes | Yes | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
SumUp |
|
| Yes | Yes | Yes | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
Square |
|
| No | Yes | Yes | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
Zettle by PayPal |
|
| Yes | Yes | Yes | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
Worldpay |
|
| Yes | Yes | Yes | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
Shopify |
|
| No | Yes | Yes | N/A |
Tyl by Natwest |
|
| Yes | Yes | Yes | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
MyPos |
|
| Yes | Yes | Yes | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
The Tide Card Reader Plus is an exceptional card reader with a modern, stylish design and a 5.5" touch display that runs off an Android operating system. This sleek device includes 4G and Wi-Fi connectivity options, meaning you can switch between a broadband or mobile internet connection without worrying about being unable to process payments. The 1-day battery life helps to support this, ensuring that you won't get caught out with a dying battery when processing a payment.
Pros
Stylish and modern black design
Large touch screen
Wi-Fi and 4G connectivity options
Battery lasts for one day
Low transaction fees
Accepts mobile payments
Paper and email receipts
Cons
Requires a Tide Bank Account
No option to accept American Express payments
The Tide Card Reader Plus has a lot to offer small businesses looking for a versatile mobile and card payment solution, which is why we've placed it so high on our list.
The all-in-one Smartpay Touch from Barclaycard is a point-of-sale payment solution that includes everything your business could need to accept card and mobile payments. Featuring a touch screen and 4G and Wi-Fi connectivity options, the Smartpay Touch uses an Android operating system, making it quick and easy to use. This enables your business to display a range of point-of-sale options to your customers or just keep it as a simple payment device.
Pros
Clean, white design
Large touch screen
Wi-Fi and 4G connectivity options
Accepts mobile and AMEX payments
Paper and email receipts
Barcode scanner
Cons
No information about battery life
Consumers widely recognise the Barclays and Barclaycard brands, so if you're looking for a payment solution that will instil confidence in your customers, the Barclaycard Smartpay Touch might be the right choice for your business.
The TakePaymentsPlus features an interactive touchscreen and a simple set-up, but this device stands out because it can turn on cash payments on the fly, making it easier to reconcile cash payments. You can even set up your TakePaymentsPlus to take part cash and part-card payments, making this the ideal device for businesses in environments where cash is still widely used.
Pros
Turn on cash payments on the fly
Take part cash/card payments
Enable gratuities
Large touch screen
Wi-Fi and 4G connectivity options
Accepts mobile and AMEX payments
Paper, email and SMS receipts
Cons
No information about battery life
No information about the device cost
The TakePaymentsPlus has many features to offer businesses of all sizes. However, the cash payment features will make this an appealing machine for companies operating in areas where cash is still prevalent but still requires a Card Machine.
For businesses looking for an economical Card Machine, the SumUp Solo may be the best option. It's a standalone all-in-one device, meaning you don't need to pair it with a mobile phone to take payments. The SumUp Solo includes free, unlimited data and a Wi-Fi connectivity option, with no monthly fees or extra costs.
Pros
No monthly fees or extra costs
Free unlimited mobile data
Standalone device
Pocket-sized
Wi-Fi and 4G connectivity options
Accepts mobile and AMEX payments
Cons
8 hours battery life
The receipt printer is an optional extra
The SumUp Solo is a marvellous payment solution for the price. However, it does have some limitations. The limited battery life, smaller screen and lack of features might be off-putting for businesses looking for a more full-featured payment solution. This pocket-sized credit card machine for small businesses could be the perfect option for those on a budget.
Square has been offering payment solutions to businesses for many years, so it's no surprise that the Square Terminal is a popular choice. The device has a unique design and can create pre-set discounts, which, with its ability to accept a wide range of payment options and an all-day battery life, makes it an excellent choice for fashionable clothing stores.
Pros
Unique design
Create pre-set discounts
30-day free trial available*
No monthly fees or long-term commitment
Wi-Fi connectivity
Built-in receipt printer
Accepts mobile and AMEX payments
Cons
No mobile data connectivity
The Square Terminal is a powerful card payment solution well-suited to restaurants and cafes but would also be right at home in retail and other sectors. The only thing letting it down, compared to other devices on this list, is the need for mobile connectivity. If this is fine for you, it's still worth considering as an option.
The Zettle Payment Terminal combines a fast device with PayPal's full-featured, seamless payment processing know-how. Because it integrates so well with inventory management, it's an ideal device for retailers, especially those with an online presence who need to ensure that they have up-to-date inventory volumes available at a moment's notice.
Pros
Inventory management features
Can link to an eCommerce website
Barcode scanner
Mobile data is included with the purchase of the device
Wi-Fi and 4G connectivity
Email receipts
Accepts mobile and AMEX payments
Cons
The Printer & Dock is an optional extra
Low battery life with intensive use
With the Zettle Payment Terminal, you can process payments via the user-friendly Zettle by PayPal app, which includes various innovative features. You can also link your payments to an eCommerce website, making this an ideal payment solution for any business that needs to take in-person payments for inventory they also sell online.
With its low transaction fees and zero upfront cost (but monthly contract fee), the Worldpay Mobile Card Machine is best for businesses with a high turnover. The Worldpay Mobile Card Machine is available with an 18-month contract rental plan. Although rates aren’t competitive on their basic plan, they offer low transaction fees to businesses with a high monthly turnover.
Pros
Low transaction fees
Option of custom rates (terms and conditions apply)
Wi-Fi and 4G connectivity
Paper and email receipts
Accepts mobile and AMEX payments
Cons
Monthly contract fee
No information about battery life
The Worldpay Mobile Card Machine is better suited to businesses on the larger side of the small business scale because you can negotiate a custom plan and reduce your Card Machine rates if your business has a high enough turnover. Worldpay also offers an app that allows your business to accept payments over the phone, send remote payment links and even send email invoices.
If your business already hosts an eCommerce website with Shopify, the Shopify POS Go might be the best option for you, as it provides seamless integration between your website and physical store. It includes various features, making it a versatile Card Machine. However, it does lack mobile data and a receipt printer. If you want a receipt printer, Shopify offers a POS Terminal that trades portability for functionality.
Pros
Shopify eCommerce integration
Barcode scanner
Long battery life
Wi-Fi connectivity
Email receipts
Accepts mobile and AMEX payments
Cons
No mobile data connectivity
No receipt printer
With the ability to integrate into your existing Shopify eCommerce store, this is an excellent Card Machine for small businesses if you have a Shopify store. If you don't have a Shopify store or don't plan to set one up, this might not be the best option for your business.
The Tyl Clover Flex is Natwest's multi-tasking Card Machine. It includes a charging base that provides a lightning-fast charge and up to 8 hours of battery life to a unique-looking handheld device. The Tyl Clover Flex gives you access to the Clover App Market, where you can access apps to help you grow your business.
Pros
Unique design
Clover App Market access
Wi-Fi connectivity
Print receipts
Accepts mobile and AMEX payments
Cons
Minimum 12-month contract
Additional fees for mobile data usage
Although the 12-month contract might be restrictive for some businesses, if you're happy to stay with the same provider for a year, the Tyl Clover Flex has a lot to offer small businesses and is worth your consideration.
The myPOS Pro is a powerful and stylish full-featured Card Machine that includes a free, pre-installed 4G SIM card with no monthly fees, alongside Wi-Fi connectivity. As a standalone device, it's ideal for pop-up shops or market stalls, where there's not always a guarantee of a Wi-Fi connection, as well as those attending trade shows and events, where it's handy to be able to accept a payment knowing that you have either a Wi-Fi or mobile connection at your disposal.
Pros
Free pre-installed 4G SIM card
All-day battery life
Supports QR payments
Free merchant account and VISA business card
Wi-Fi and 4G connectivity
Print receipts
Accepts mobile and AMEX payments
Cons
No barcode scanner
The myPOS Pro includes valuable features for a range of small business types. This might be your ideal payment solution if you're looking for a Card Machine that comes bundled with a merchant account and VISA business card.
Card Machines are essential for any business that takes payments in person, especially with the UK's shift to a cashless society as more customers choose to pay by card and mobile payments.
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There are a variety of Card Machine device types available. Although each Card Machine provider may give each device a slightly different name, they typically operate similarly. The types of Card Machines to be aware of include the following:
Countertop and Portable Card Machines
Most people picture these when they think of Card Machines. Countertop Card Machines allow you to take payments by card and mobile devices in person and come in two varieties: wired and portable. You must use wired machines at a specific location, but portable Card Machines have more range and the potential to be used as an entirely mobile payment solution. Some providers issue a cradle, allowing you to use your Card Machine as a countertop or portable Card Machine.
Card Readers
Card readers are similar to Card Machines but much smaller and more portable. Typically including fewer features than a countertop or portable Card Machine, card readers are perfect for businesses looking for a simple portable payment solution.
Mobile Payment Systems
Mobile payment systems allow you to process payments using a mobile device like a smartphone or tablet. They're an effective solution for businesses that already rely on such hardware. However, some consumers can be sceptical about using them.
POS Systems
These are more substantial than in-person payment solutions, providing an integrated payment system at a point of sale (POS). Because their intended use is at the POS, they need the portability afforded by other Card Machine types.
Online Payment Gateways
All the options we cover here are in-person payment solutions which allow your business to take payments when you're with your customer. However, an online payment gateway will enable you to accept payments through a website or app.
When trying to find the best Card Machine for your business, you must ensure that the device and provider offer everything you need to take payments. Some of the points your business should consider when comparing Card Machines are as follows:
The portability of the device
The features of the device
Which payment types the provider allows you to take
What features are in the package (auto-invoicing and account management etc.)
How much it costs to process payments
Whether there's a minimum subscription term
Whether you need an online Payment Gateway solution alongside a Card Machine depends on how your business operates. If you have or are considering making your products or services available online, you may want to unify your payment solutions to make it easier to manage transactions.
Equally, if your business requires accurate inventory management, unifying your online and in-person payments solution and integrating these systems into your payment solution could save you a lot of time and effort.
No, not all countertop Card Machines are portable. Some devices require a wired connection to operate. However, some portable Card Machines allow you to use the device as a wired countertop Card Machine through a cradle. How your business needs to take payments depends on how you service your customers, so consider what you need from a Card Machine before making a purchase.
While it's not essential to have a credit card machine, it's important to keep in mind that card and mobile payments are becoming the preferred way to pay for many people, with a large portion of the population no longer carrying cash with them. While there's no requirement for your businesses to accept card and mobile payments, you could miss out on potential sales by not doing so.
