The Best Card Readers To Buy For Your Business in 2024

Take your business to the next level and start accepting card payments. Use our easy comparison table to get matched to a Card Reader provider that’s right for you.

Providers
Features
Rating
Further info
BEST FOR SMBS
  • Price = £19 + VAT
  • Transaction fee = 1.75%
  • No monthly Fees
  • No long-term commitments or contracts
  • Over 4 million sellers around the world
9.8

Square’s merchant account service stands out for its simplicity and ease of use, making it an ideal choice for small businesses and startups. With no lengthy contracts or hidden fees, Square offers a transparent pricing model, charging a flat rate per transaction. This straightforward approach helps businesses avoid unexpected costs and simplifies budgeting.

In addition to its competitive pricing, Square provides a comprehensive suite of tools to support business operations. These include point-of-sale (POS) systems, invoicing, and inventory management, all integrated into a user-friendly platform. The service also features robust analytics, enabling merchants to track sales, manage customer relationships, and make data-driven decisions.

Furthermore, Square’s flexibility and accessibility are significant advantages. It supports various payment methods, including credit and debit cards, contactless payments, and e-commerce transactions. With no need for a dedicated merchant account or gateway, businesses can start accepting payments quickly and efficiently, making Square an excellent option for those seeking a hassle-free and scalable payment solution.

Suited for all business types..
  • Price = £149 + VAT
  • Transaction fee = 1.75%
  • No monthly Fees
  • No long-term commitments or contracts
  • All-in-one terminal
9.5

Square’s merchant account service stands out for its simplicity and ease of use, making it an ideal choice for small businesses and startups. With no lengthy contracts or hidden fees, Square offers a transparent pricing model, charging a flat rate per transaction. This straightforward approach helps businesses avoid unexpected costs and simplifies budgeting.

In addition to its competitive pricing, Square provides a comprehensive suite of tools to support business operations. These include point-of-sale (POS) systems, invoicing, and inventory management, all integrated into a user-friendly platform. The service also features robust analytics, enabling merchants to track sales, manage customer relationships, and make data-driven decisions.

Furthermore, Square’s flexibility and accessibility are significant advantages. It supports various payment methods, including credit and debit cards, contactless payments, and e-commerce transactions. With no need for a dedicated merchant account or gateway, businesses can start accepting payments quickly and efficiently, making Square an excellent option for those seeking a hassle-free and scalable payment solution.

Best for SMBs
  • Price = £89 + VAT
  • Transaction fee = 1%
  • No Monthly Fees
  • Use Code 'EARNMORE' to get promotion low transaction fees
  • Trusted by over 600,000 UK businesses
9.3

Tide’s merchant account service is designed specifically for small businesses and freelancers, offering a seamless and efficient way to manage finances. Tide provides a straightforward application process with quick approvals, enabling businesses to start accepting payments promptly. With competitive transaction fees and no hidden charges, Tide ensures cost transparency and predictability.

A standout feature of Tide’s service is its integration with business banking. This allows merchants to manage both their payments and banking needs from a single platform, simplifying financial management. Tide offers tools such as invoicing, expense tracking, and instant account statements, all accessible through an intuitive mobile app.

Moreover, Tide’s commitment to customer support and innovation makes it a strong contender in the market. Businesses benefit from dedicated support and ongoing improvements to the platform, ensuring they have the latest features at their disposal. Tide’s focus on simplicity, combined with comprehensive banking and payment solutions, makes it an excellent choice for entrepreneurs seeking an all-in-one financial service provider.

Best Rates
9.1

MyGuava Business’s merchant account and point-of-sale (POS) solutions are designed for use by businesses of any size. By utilising the MyGuava Terminal, merchants are able to run their business from a single device and receive a complementary business account which enables them to hold funds and make payments in up to 20 currencies.

The pricing model is extremely competitive at just 0.3% interchange++ for UK credit and debit cards, which provides peace of mind from the outset as there will never be any nasty surprises. They provide all the data, tracking and analytics you would expect, including reports that offer valuable insights into your business performance.

Payment processing is PCI-compliant and MyGuava provide access to local and international payment schemes, including BACS, CHAPS, Faster Payments, SEPA, SEPA Instant and SWIFT. If required, batch payments can be easily accommodated, for salaries in one click but, above anything, MyGuava enable businesses to start accepting payments quickly, simply and efficiently.

8.8

Takepayments’ merchant account service excels in providing tailored solutions for small and medium-sized businesses. Known for its personalized approach, Takepayments offers a free, no-obligation consultation to understand each business’s unique needs and recommend the most suitable payment solutions. This customized service ensures that businesses get the best fit for their specific requirements.

Takepayments stands out with its flexible contract options and transparent pricing. Businesses can choose from various contract lengths, including short-term agreements, which provide greater flexibility and control. Additionally, Takepayments offers competitive rates with no hidden fees, helping businesses manage costs effectively.

Another key advantage of Takepayments is its comprehensive support and onboarding process. The service includes free setup and installation of payment terminals, along with extensive training and 24/7 customer support. This ensures that businesses can seamlessly integrate their payment systems and receive ongoing assistance, making Takepayments a reliable and supportive partner for managing merchant accounts.

8.3

Revolut’s merchant account service is renowned for its innovative and tech-savvy approach, catering to modern businesses seeking a streamlined payment solution. With a quick and straightforward setup process, businesses can start accepting payments online and in-store with minimal hassle. Revolut offers competitive transaction fees and transparent pricing, making it an economical choice for businesses of all sizes.

One of Revolut’s key strengths is its robust multi-currency support. Merchants can accept payments in numerous currencies without incurring excessive conversion fees, which is particularly beneficial for businesses with an international customer base. The platform also provides advanced financial tools, such as expense management, invoicing, and detailed analytics, all accessible via an intuitive mobile app.

Additionally, Revolut’s merchant account service includes seamless integration with other Revolut financial products, creating a cohesive ecosystem for business banking and payments. With features like instant settlement and comprehensive security measures, Revolut ensures that businesses can manage their finances efficiently and securely. This makes Revolut an excellent choice for forward-thinking businesses looking for a versatile and integrated payment solution.

  • Click link to find out more on pricing
  • 24/7 dedicated customer service
  • 0 Upfront and authorisation fees
7.7
  • Click link to find out more on pricing
  • Smartpay Touch
  • Flex Mobile
7.3
  • Customer service issues
  • Online payment features
  • Option for iPad based software
6.7

Find The Right Match

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What to look for in a Card Reader

The world of payment processing is growing rapidly, as new technologies and payment avenues expand. Take your business to the next level and start accepting card payments today. Here are five things to look for when choosing a Card Reader:

1. Cost
2. Reliability
3. Payment method coverage
4. Fraud prevention & security tools
5. Customer support
6. Length of contract

FAQs

How do Card Readers work?
Card readers are crucial for businesses as they facilitate seamless, secure, and efficient payment transactions. By accepting credit and debit card payments, businesses can cater to a broader customer base, enhance sales, and improve customer satisfaction. Card readers also streamline the checkout process, reduce the handling of cash, and mitigate the risk of theft and errors. Moreover, modern card readers often support contactless payments and mobile wallets, aligning businesses with current consumer preferences and technological advancements.
Who needs Card Readers
Unless your plan is only to accept cash payments, you need to have a Card Reader for your business; it’s an integral part of the payment infrastructure.
What is the typical fee for a Card Reader
The Card Reader provider, or payment processor, will charge a fee to facilitate the credit card transaction. Processing fees can range from 1.5% to 3.5% typically, but in some cases can be as high at 6% per sale.

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