Card payment machines are like lifesavers these days. They accept payments through a respective PIN or Chip. Furthermore, you can even pay through a digital wallet.
Mobile phones can also act like card payment machines while accepting payments.
Such a machine accepts any type of card, debit or credit, and processes a transaction. It becomes very convenient to make a purchase or withdrawal.
Technological advancements have led to the introduction of card readers for smooth card payments. Get the best card reader for small businesses UK and flourish at a great pace.
The businesses will not lose money or go through the risk of non-payment. The card machines allow payers to make immediate payments quicker, even if they do not have cash.
I have sorted a few of the top brands to make payments easy. Moreover, your sales will surge as you use these card readers.
Top 7 Card Payment Machines for Small Businesses
1. Revolut Reader
Revolut Reader is often considered the best card reader for small businesses UK. It involves very low processing fees with several attractive options.
It is 0.08% of the transaction value and £0.02, only for the UK consumer cards. Others will get it for 2.6% plus £0.02.
Moreover, the upfront cost is also very low here. There is no ongoing monthly cost. This is the perfect device for in-person payments.
However, you need to operate it through a separate Revolut Business Account. There is an option to use only one card reader here.
- Advantage: Low transaction and other costs. Best for processing
- Disadvantage: Only one card reader allo
- Price Range: £49
Customer reviews:
“I love Revolut and I like the experience with the virtual card, the transfer speed. I really like splitting the bill at restaurants and you can have several currencies at the same time.”
Emil Ro (Revolut reviews)
2. Toast
This is a fabulous card payment machine, especially for restaurants.
With this customizable platform, you can easily monitor the front and back operations of your shop or house. Furthermore, it has a great battery backup of 24 hours. It is also spill-proof and drop-proof.
Toast is a user-friendly device with vast functionalities. It gets a 4.2-star rating from Forbes.
- Advantage: Durable card reader. Improved battery, and spill and drop proof, fits in a pocket
- Price Range: £493 upfront. The processing fee is 2.49% and £0.12 for every transaction.
- Disadvantage: Requires a contract
Customer reviews:
“Love the software, and so does our staff. We have many takeout locations opening, and so we wanted expansion options. So, this was a winning solution”
Rex S. (Toast POS)
3. Clover
Clover covers all your payment issues by providing a convenient method for transacting. Moreover, it gives immediate access to the deposits to the eligible customers.
However, that facility charges a 1% fee. The operations are available 24/7. Within minutes, anyone can access funds and request a transfer of money. However, £7,874 is the maximum transfer amount.
Moreover, you can add a monthly plan to each card reader. Live support and overnight shipping facilities are available at any time. It also offers an offline payment option.
- Advantage: Best for rapid deposits, free overnight shipping, compatible with both Android and iOS
- Disadvantage: Comparatively Expensive
- Price Range: The purchase price is Free. Hardware cost is £38.59 per month. The Advanced Plan is £35.40/month, and the Standard plan is £11.77/month.
Customer reviews:
“It was extremely easy to use and set up. The user interface is also beautiful. Customers really enjoy how sleek and clean it looks”.
Savannah L. (Getapp.com)
4. Lightspeed
Lightspeed occupies a spot as you look for a reliable card payment machine for small businesses. The incredible design of the device is suitable for all types of businesses at all operational levels.
You may also track inventory and process payments so quickly. Hence, Lightspeed is undoubtedly ideal for businesses willing to use easy-to-use card readers.
- Advantage: Refurbished card reader, greater easy-of-use
- Disadvantage: Hardware pricing is not transparent
- Price Range: £46.42 per month; card reader costs £77.92
Customer reviews:
“Overall, we are happy with the performance and support from Lightspeed. It’s reliable with little problems.”
Chrysie R. (Getapp.com)
5. Square Reader
This card reader allows contactless payments with better security features and improved connectivity. Moreover, it accepts PIN and CHIP to facilitate easier, faster, and safer transactions.
The all-in-one device offers reliable POS solutions with a fully integrated and seamless payment system. Wifi and Bluetooth connectivity are strong.
- Advantage: Smooth and faster contactless payments, offers an integrated payment system with customized solutions
- Disadvantage: Not cost-effective for high-volume transactions
- Price range: The purchase price is £19+VAT. The monthly fee is nil. Transaction fees are 1.75% of the transaction value.
Customer reviews:
“The app is very well-organized with great battery life. I had no connection issues at all. Every transaction was smooth and quick”.
Jodi C. (Amazon)
6. Zettle
Get modern POS solutions to simplify daily operations as you choose Zettle. This international brand helps to track every sale and accept the concerned payments.
It is a superb product from PayPal. It also offers unique solutions for new and existing businesses.
- Advantage: Deposits hit the bank account within a day, compatible with Android, iOS, or Bluetooth tablet
- Disadvantage: No age-verification features
- Price range: £29+VAT, with a transaction fee of 1.75% of the transaction value
Customer reviews:
“I love that Zettle is made from recycled sea plastics. my advisor was very helpful and nice, and he sorted my problems. Couldn’t ask for more.”
Ian Hodgson (Trustpilot)
7. SumUp
SumUp genuinely sums everything up, ensuring smooth payments, processing orders, and managing money efficiently.
Moreover, today around 4 billion businesses across the globe are selecting this card payment machine for small businesses.
It keeps you covered and offers customized support for your business. There are no nasty surprises, and it ensures speedy payouts.
- Advantage: Smart tools and easy solutions for seasoned business
- Disadvantage: Not suitable for high-risk customers
- Price range: Varies as per request
Customer reviews:
“I like the fact that SumUp makes it easy for small businesses to accept card payments. It also allows for the recreation of a basic website.”
Carol Ann V. (Getapp.com)
Setting Up and Using Your Card Payment Machine
Step-by-Step Guide
- Installing the terminal battery
- Charging stand and paper roll installation
- WifFi access point connection
- Charging terminal
- Turning on the terminal
Troubleshooting
- You can check for loose wires in case of a wired machine
- Try rebooting if the system is not working
- Use a different power source for the terminal
- Check the device in case of wireless models
- Call the company if you cannot resolve it
Factors to Consider When Choosing A Card Payment Machine
Are you ready to buy a card payment machine? Please consider the following factors to choose the best card reader for small businesses UK.
If a product fulfils all of these criteria, you can undoubtedly select that to ensure a great experience. The factors are:-
Cost-Effectiveness
The most essential factor for purchasing a card payment machine is the cost. Moreover, a small business often has a limited budget for getting a particular product.
Therefore, it is better if you can make a bulk purchase.
You will find more lucrative and attractive deals when the quantity of card payment machines is greater. Choose a quality product with a lower cost to get the maximum advantage.
Reliability and Durability
A card reader machine must show reliable results. After all, it is the medium through which hundreds of customers make payments.
Therefore, inaccurate figures can hamper the sales. Furthermore, the machine should be durable. It implies that a one-time investment will make you take benefit for a long time.
Security Features
You can call a device the best card reader for small businesses UK when it claims top security for any transaction. Digital transactions are always subject to some risks.
Therefore, as a small trader, you must focus on the quality and safety features of your payment device.
Compatibility with Business Needs
A device will be of no use if it does not match your business style. Hence, compatibility is extremely important when selecting a card payment device for your business.
Ensure that it ticks all your wish boxes. The device must be compatible with your existing system. Furthermore, you should have trained employees to operate the system with ease.
Wireless Vs. Wired Card Payment Machines
A card payment machine for small businesses can be wired or wireless. Although wireless is more in demand in the UK, the wired connection also has many advantages. Let me give a comparative analysis of both the models.
Wired Connection
You can have the best card machine for small businesses having a wired connection. The pros and cons of such machines are:-
Pros
- High security
- Freedom to use
- Faster checkout
- Cost-effective
Cons
- Limited mobility
- Some security concerns
- Limited choices among the models
- Bulky to carry
Wireless Machines
With business increasing rapidly, the number of transactions is likely to increase. Moreover, you may get the best card machines for small businesses with wireless connections.
Most businesses avoid wired machines these days, especially due to portability issues. So, let’s now study the pros and cons of wireless models.
Pros
- Fast and efficient payment
- Better connection with the customers
- Sales complete from any place
- Remote sales
- Improved storefront appearance
- Easy to handle
- High flexibility
- Better portability
Cons
- Higher risks of cyber fraud
- Easy access for the intruders
- Costly
Choosing the Right Option for Your Business
A small business person must analyze all the salient features of wired and wireless machines before choosing anyone.
Both have their unique advantages and limitations.
Therefore, you need to determine the requirements of your business and the budget.
If faster processing is important, it is better to go for the wireless ones. However, the wired connection will be a suitable card payment machine for small businesses if there are budget constraints.
Security Measures for Card Payment Machines
Every card transaction should be subject to high-end security.
Robust encryption methods will detect fraud mechanisms and protect financial fraud. Therefore, the customers will also get relief from unauthorized transactions.
PCI DSS is a set of standards that establishes the baseline for reducing data breaches and financial fraud.
Therefore, entities transmitting cardholder information must have well-protected card payment machines.
Customer Support and Service
Customer service is very important for any business. Therefore, a small-scale business must install the best card reader for small businesses UK that gives appropriate customer support.
Technical assistance must be available promptly and 24/7.
Please purchase a card reader and card payment machine with having proper warranty period. Read about the service options to ensure that it is reliable from all aspects.
Understanding Transaction Fee
The different types of fees associated with card payments are:-
- Interchange fee
- Transaction fee
- Processing fee
- Acquirer fee
- Annual fee
- Late payment fee, etc.
Reducing the number of transactions in bulk will minimize transaction costs, lowering the per-transaction cost.
Please negotiate fees with the payment processors to reduce the overall cost of maintenance.
Mobile Payment Solutions
Mobile payments have resolved several issues related to payments. It will facilitate easy and faster payments as customers can pay using cards, and UPI. QR codes, etc. through mobile phones or tablets.
You must set up a merchant account, choose a payment gateway, and obtain API keys. Test the integrated payment gateway before implementing it.
Small businesses can expand more and get timely payment through these solutions. They are economical, secure, convenient, and help to detect fraud.
FAQs
1. What is a card payment machine?
A card payment machine, also known as a POS terminal is a technical device for accepting payments. It accepts debit or credit cards to process different transactions.
2. How do card payment machines work?
Card payment machines need customers to swipe their cards in the chamber provided. Then they have to give the PIN.
As the transaction processes, the machine will communicate it to the concerned banker. As it gets approved, a receipt will be generated. The merchant will get the payment maximum by 2 or 3 business days.
3. What types of businesses can benefit from using card payment machines?
Card payment machines can benefit all types of businesses, irrespective of nature and size.
4. What are the security risks associated with card payment machines?
The security risks of card payment machines can be payment card skimming, phishing attacks, data breaches, unauthorized access, etc.
5. How do I choose the right card payment machine for my business?
Consider the type of transactions associated with your business. Moreover, think about the connectivity and customer choices to get the right card payment machine.
6. Are there any hidden fees associated with card transactions?
Sometimes transaction fees or processing fees may be included for card transactions.
7. Can I accept international payments with a card payment machine?
Yes, you can. However, your card must be compatible to process international transactions.
Conclusion
The best card reader for small businesses UK is not hard to find. Furthermore, you need to determine the features of the best card machines for small business to understand their compatibility.
Determine the needs of your business, and then select the correct card machine and reader. Hope the above list of top 7 machines will help you make a good decision. Analyze the features, pros and cons, to get the best one for your business.
