Top 10 Best Card Terminals for Small Businesses in 2025

In today’s fast-paced digital economy, accepting card payments is no longer optional for small businesses—it’s essential. Whether you run a café, retail store, or a mobile business, having the right card payment machine can streamline transactions, improve cash flow, and enhance customer experience. Selecting the best card payment machines is crucial for optimizing your business operations.

With so many card payment providers offering different features—from contactless payments to digital receipts—choosing the best card terminals can be overwhelming. Card machines for small businesses are particularly important in a cashless society, providing quick, reliable, and cost-effective payment solutions. This guide explores the top card payment machines in 2025, comparing transaction fees, monthly contracts, upfront costs, and key features to help you find the right payment solution for your business. Embracing cashless payments can significantly enhance convenience and efficiency for both you and your customers.

What is a Card Payment Machine?

A card payment machine, also known as a card reader, is a device that enables businesses to accept payments using various methods such as chip and PIN or contactless. These machines can also process payments through smartphones or mobile devices, making them versatile tools for modern commerce. In today’s increasingly cashless economy, having a reliable payment machine is essential for businesses to stay competitive and meet customer expectations.

Card payment machines streamline the transaction process, allowing businesses to accept payments quickly and securely. They are designed to handle credit and debit card payments, as well as mobile payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay. By integrating a card payment machine into your business operations, you can enhance customer satisfaction, reduce the risk of cash handling errors, and improve overall efficiency.

Why Your Business Needs a Card Machine

Before diving into the best options, let’s look at why investing in a card reader is crucial:

• Increased Sales: Customers spend more when they can pay via credit and debit cards or mobile payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay. Businesses that accept debit card payments can cater to changing consumer preferences and enhance sales opportunities.

• Faster Transactions: Chip and PIN and contactless payments speed up checkout, making card and mobile payments more efficient.

• Professionalism: A reliable payment machine builds trust with customers.

• Reduced Cash Handling: Minimise risks of theft and human error.

• Flexibility: Portable card machines allow you to accept payments anywhere, including both card and cash payments, providing a versatile payment solution.

Understanding the implications of each payment method on your business can help you choose the right solution.

Now, let’s explore the best card terminals for small businesses in 2025.

Types of Card Readers

There are several types of card readers available, each offering unique features, fees, and upfront costs. Understanding the differences between these types can help you choose the best option for your business needs.

Portable Card Readers

Portable card readers are compact, battery-powered devices that use a GPRS signal or Wi-Fi to process payments. These readers are ideal for mobile businesses, pop-up shops, markets, and festivals where flexibility and mobility are crucial. With a portable card reader, you can accept payments on the go, ensuring that you never miss a sale, no matter where your business takes you.

Countertop Card Machines

Countertop card machines are designed for fixed payment points, such as retail stores, bars, cafes, and restaurants. These machines are typically connected to a phone line or internet connection, making them suitable for businesses that process a high volume of transactions. Countertop card machines offer robust features and reliability, ensuring smooth and efficient payment processing during busy business hours.

Mobile Card Readers

Mobile card readers are devices that can be paired with a smartphone or tablet to process payments. These readers are ideal for businesses that want to accept payments using their mobile device, offering a cost-effective solution for small businesses or occasional use. Mobile card readers are often more affordable than countertop card machines and provide the flexibility to accept payments anywhere, making them perfect for businesses on the move.

When choosing a card payment machine, it’s essential to consider your business needs and compare fees between providers to find the best value. Look for a machine that supports multiple payment methods, including contactless, chip and PIN, and mobile payments. Additionally, consider the upfront cost, transaction fees, and monthly fees associated with the card machine to ensure it aligns with your budget and operational requirements.

1. SumUp Air

Best for: Low-cost, pay-as-you-go card payments

A card payment machine is a device that allows businesses to accept card payments from customers. The card machine cost can vary significantly based on the type and features, with some models requiring an upfront payment.

These devices are particularly useful for small businesses and those with sporadic sales. Mobile card machines offer the versatility to process payments on the go, which is especially beneficial for mobile service providers.

Additionally, some card machines come with no monthly fee, making them ideal for occasional users, sporadic businesses, or specific environments like pubs and festivals.

Key Features:

• No monthly fees, just competitive transaction fees (1.69% per transaction).

• Accepts contactless payments, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and chip and PIN.

• Battery life: Up to 8 hours.

• No merchant account required—funds go straight to your bank account.

• Free unlimited mobile data (via Bluetooth).

This mobile card reader is designed for flexible payment processing, offering quick transaction capabilities and support for various payment methods. It is easy to use with smartphones, ensuring security and functionality for businesses on the go. Additionally, the wireless card machine provides a convenient payment processing solution with low transaction fees and efficiency, ideal for small businesses and mobile service providers.

Pros:

✅ Affordable upfront costs✅ No hidden fees or early cancellation fees✅ Ideal for mobile businesses with lower transaction fees

Cons:

❌ No phone line or print receipts option ❌ Limited to debit and credit card payments

Best for: Market traders, pop-up shops, and sole traders looking for a mobile payment solution.

When choosing a card machine, it’s crucial to consider the payment provider to ensure it meets your business needs and supports various payment methods.

2. Tyl by NatWest

Best for: Integrated banking and payment solutions

Key Features:

• Seamless integration with NatWest business accounts.

• Lowest transaction fees starting from 1.4% + 10p (varies by business size), making it an affordable option for small businesses.

• Supports major payment types (Visa, Mastercard, mobile payments).

• Point-to-point encryption for security.

• Digital receipts and inventory management tools.

Pros:

✅ Instant access to funds

✅ Competitive transaction fees

✅ No additional fees for online payments

✅ Valuable sales insights: SumUp Air provides features like live transaction reporting and product categorization, empowering small businesses with valuable sales insights. These insights are crucial for enhancing the efficiency of managing cash and card payments and improving overall business operations.

Cons:

❌ Requires a merchant account with NatWest
❌ Monthly contracts may not suit all businesses

Best for: Established small businesses looking for an all-in-one payment system.

---

3. Zettle by PayPal

Best for: Fast, affordable card processing

Key Features:

• Pay-as-you-go model (1.75% per transaction).

• Accepts contactless, chip and PIN, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.

• Portable card machine with long battery life.

• Syncs with PayPal for online payments.

• Competitive transaction fee structure that varies based on business turnover, impacting overall profitability.

Pros:

✅ No monthly fees
✅ Quick setup and instant access to funds
✅ Great for small businesses on a budget

Cons:

❌ Higher transaction costs for Mastercard and Visa transactions over £100
❌ No phone payments support

Best for: Startups and pop-up stores needing a cheapest card reader.

---

4. Square Reader

Best for: All-in-one POS and card payments

Key Features:

• Free card reader (pay per transaction at 1.75%).

• Point of Sale (POS) system with inventory management.

• Accepts all major payment types, including mobile payments.

• Digital receipts and analytics dashboard.

• Recommended for small businesses in the UK looking for reliable payment processors.

Pros:

✅ No upfront costs for the basic reader
✅ Excellent for retail and hospitality
✅ Pay-as-you-go with no monthly contracts

Cons:

❌ Higher fees for keyed-in transactions
❌ Limited offline functionality

Best for: Cafés, retail stores, and businesses needing a payment processor with POS features.

---

5. Dojo Go

Best for: Mobile and countertop flexibility

Key Features:

• Portable card machine with 4G connectivity.

• Transaction fees from 1.4% + 8p.

• Print receipts or send digital receipts.

• 24/7 customer support.

• Free visa business card for immediate access to funds.

Pros:

✅ No early cancellation fees
✅ Free unlimited mobile data
✅ Works for mobile and countertop use

Cons:

❌ Slightly higher monthly fees
❌ Not the cheapest card payment machine

Best for: Food trucks, delivery services, and mobile businesses.

---

6. Worldpay Zinc

Best for: Simple, no-contract payments

Key Features:

• Pay-as-you-go at 1.9% per transaction.

• Accepts contactless, chip and PIN, and mobile wallets.

• No merchant account needed.

• Ideal for smaller businesses like coffee shops and food trucks, offering portable card readers suited for low-volume transactions.

Pros:

✅ No long-term contracts
✅ Quick setup
✅ Good for small businesses

Cons:

❌ Higher transaction fees than some competitors
❌ No phone line support

Best for: Startups needing a simple payment solution.

---

7. Elavon Mobile

Best for: Secure, high-volume transactions

Key Features:

• Point-to-point encryption for security.

• Competitive transaction fees (custom pricing).

• Supports all major payment types.

• Payment authorization requests are transmitted to the customer’s bank to ensure sufficient funds are available for transactions.

Pros:

✅ High security
✅ Good for high-risk businesses
✅ 24/7 support

Cons:

❌ Monthly contracts required
❌ Early cancellation fees

Best for: Businesses needing a secure payment processor.

---

8. Barclays Smartpay

Best for: Barclays business account holders

Key Features:

• Integrated with Barclays accounts.

• Transaction fees from 1.3%.

• 24/7 fraud monitoring.

• Machines for small businesses: Barclays Smartpay offers a variety of card machines for small businesses, emphasizing affordability and essential features. These machines support cashless payments, which are increasingly popular among small business owners.

Pros:

✅ Instant access to funds
✅ Low transaction fees

Cons:

❌ Only for Barclays customers
❌ Monthly fees apply

Best for: Barclays business customers.

---

9. PaymentSense

Best for: Custom payment solutions

Key Features:

• Tailored pricing for different business types.

• Multiple terminal options (countertop, portable).

• Card reader machines with easy setup, portability, long battery life, and various connectivity options to help small business owners accept payments efficiently.

Pros:

✅ Flexible plans
✅ Good customer support

Cons:

❌ Hidden fees possible
❌ Long business hours for support

Best for: Businesses needing a custom payment solution.

---

10. Revolut Reader

Best for: Tech-savvy businesses

Key Features:

• Low-cost transactions (1.5% + 5p).

• Seamless integration with Revolut business accounts.

• Reliable payment provider ensuring compatibility with various card payment systems and supporting multiple payment methods.

Pros:

✅ No monthly fees
✅ Instant settlements

Cons:

❌ Limited to Revolut users
❌ Newer to the market

Best for: Digital-first businesses.

---

How to Choose the Right Card Machine for Your Business

When selecting the best card payment machine, consider:

✔ Transaction fees – Compare per-transaction vs. monthly fees. ✔ Payment types – Ensure it accepts contactless, Apple Pay, Google Pay, chip and PIN. ✔ Payment method – Evaluate the different payment methods your customers prefer, such as contactless payments, and how a mobile card machine can facilitate flexible and efficient transactions. ✔ Contract terms – Look for no early cancellation fees. ✔ Portability – If you’re a mobile business, choose a portable card machine. ✔ Security – Point-to-point encryption is a must.

Final Verdict: Best Card Terminals in 2025

Rank	Card Machine	Best For	Transaction Fees	Contract
1	SumUp Air	Low-cost, mobile businesses	1.69%	Pay-as-you-go
2	Tyl by NatWest	Integrated banking	From 1.4% + 10p	Monthly contracts
3	Zettle by PayPal	Fast, affordable payments	1.75%	Pay-as-you-go
4	Square Reader	All-in-one POS	1.75%	Pay-as-you-go
5	Dojo Go	Mobile & countertop	From 1.4% + 8p	Monthly contracts

For most small businesses, SumUp Air and Zettle offer the best balance of affordability and features. If you need banking integration, Tyl by NatWest is a strong choice. Selecting the right payment provider is crucial to ensure that transaction fees are manageable and that various payment methods are supported.

Conclusion

Choosing the right card payment machine can transform how you accept payments, reduce transaction costs, and improve customer satisfaction by enabling cashless payments. Whether you need a cheapest card reader or a full payment system, there’s a card terminal for every business.

Ready to start accepting card payments? Compare the best card terminals today and find the perfect payment solution for your business!