As a small business owner trying to keep costs under control while you grow, it’s natural to ask whether there’s a way to accept card payments without paying ongoing fees.
The short answer is no. But what matters more than chasing a free way to take payments is understanding how those costs affect your business. For example, a card reader with no monthly fee can be a sensible choice early on, but higher transaction rates may start to bite as your sales increase. On the flip side, a paid plan that seems expensive initially can reduce your overall costs once card payments become a regular part of how you trade. For a full breakdown of paid options that offer better value, read our best card machines guide.
Below, we break down how to spot good value and look at some of the best-value card reader options for UK small businesses, including:
How small businesses really keep card payment costs under control
For most small businesses, the challenge is to find the pricing model that won’t get more expensive as your business grows.
Some providers charge nothing upfront but take a higher cut of every sale. Others lock you into a monthly fee in return for lower transaction rates. Neither approach is inherently better. The cost difference only shows up once you look at how often customers pay by card, your average transaction size, and how predictable your sales are month to month.
This is why two businesses taking the same payments can end up paying very different amounts for card processing, even when they use similar-looking devices.
Instead of asking whether a card reader is free, it’s more useful to ask when each pricing model starts to work for or against your business.
The main approaches to card reader fees you’ll encounter
Most UK card reader providers offer one or all of the following pricing models.
Some focus on pay-as-you-go pricing, where there’s little or no commitment but transaction fees are higher. Others use monthly plans to reduce the cost per payment once volumes increase. And others offer tailored pricing, where rates depend on how and where you trade.
Each approach suits a different type of small business. Occasional sellers and seasonal traders usually benefit from flexibility. Businesses with steady footfall or repeat customers often save money by paying a fixed monthly cost. Higher-turnover businesses can sometimes negotiate rates that aren’t publicly advertised.
7 of the best value card readers for small businesses
1. Worldpay
With Worldpay, instead of buying a card reader outright, you rent a terminal for a fixed monthly cost of £15-£22.50 per month, with support and replacements included.
Worldpay offers different pricing structures depending on how much certainty you want over costs. Smaller businesses can opt for a simple, flat transaction rate, while higher-turnover firms can move onto tailored pricing. Contracts are longer than most newer providers (18 months), but this comes with improved service levels and reliability.
This setup suits businesses where card payments are central to day-to-day trading — such as shops, cafés and service businesses — and where predictability matters more than flexibility.
Worldpay costs and fees
- Setup fee: No
- Device cost: None
- Monthly: £15–£22.50
- Transaction fee: 1.50% or custom
- Contract: 18 months
- Payouts: Next working day
2. Square
Square is one of the easiest ways for a small business to start taking card payments, particularly if you want to avoid monthly fees and long-term commitments. You can use Tap to Pay on your phone or buy a low-cost reader, then pay a flat percentage on each transaction.
What makes Square appealing is how much is included at no extra cost. Basic point-of-sale tools, sales tracking, fraud protection and dispute handling all come as standard, so you don’t need to pay for bolt-on software just to get started. Payments usually land in your bank account the next working day, which helps with cash flow.
Square works well for sole traders, pop-ups, cafés and small retailers that want predictable costs and minimal setup. As volumes grow, Square does offer custom rates, but it’s best suited to businesses that value simplicity over fine-tuned pricing.
Square costs and fees
- Setup fee: No
- Upfront: £19 (or £0 with Tap to Pay)
- Monthly: None
- Transaction fee: From 1.75%
- Contract: None
- Payouts: Next working day
3. Tide
Tide offers card readers alongside its business banking accounts, with pricing that gives you flexibility as your business expands.
Tide gives you a choice between pay-as-you-go pricing and monthly plans, which works well if your sales fluctuate. You can start with no monthly fee and transaction costs from 1.39% + 5p, then upgrade later to reduce fees. You also have the choice of buying a reader outright, renting one, or skipping hardware entirely with Tap to Pay. Monthly plans go up to £24.99, and funds usually reach your Tide account within one to three working days.
It’s a good fit for small businesses that want flexibility early on, without being locked into a pricing model that no longer works once volumes increase.
Tide costs and fees
- Setup fee: No
- Device cost: From £99–£159 (or £0 with Tap to Pay / rental)
- Monthly: £0–£24.99
- Transaction fee: From 1.39% + 5p
- Contract: Varies by plan
- Payouts: 1–3 working days
4. takepayments
takepayments’ pricing is tailored to your business rather than published upfront. After a discussion about your turnover and how you trade, you’re given a package that covers hardware, transaction fees and support.
This model can work well for small businesses that already process card payments regularly and want to move away from flat-rate pricing. Next-day settlement is standard, and contracts are usually shorter than those offered by some traditional providers. For businesses with steady volumes, personalised pricing can result in better value over time.
takepayments costs and fees
- Setup fee: Sometimes (quote-dependent)
- Device cost: Included in quote
- Monthly: Included in quote
- Transaction fee: Custom pricing
- Contract: Typically 12 months
- Payouts: Next working day
5. myPOS
myPOS is built around full ownership rather than subscriptions. You buy the card reader upfront and then only pay transaction fees, with no monthly charges or contracts.
Funds are settled instantly into a myPOS account, which can be a big advantage if cash flow is tight. The reader also supports multi-currency payments, making it a practical option for businesses that trade overseas.
myPOS suits small businesses that want to keep ongoing costs as low as possible and are happy with a straightforward payments setup rather than advanced POS features.
myPOS costs and fees
- Setup fee: No
- Device cost: One-off device purchase
- Monthly: None
- Transaction fee: From 1.10%
- Contract: None
- Payouts: Instant to myPOS account
6. PayPal
PayPal offers a familiar route into in-person card payments, particularly if you already use PayPal online. You buy the reader once, then pay a flat fee per transaction, with no setup costs or monthly charges.
Payments can be taken via card, PayPal balance or QR codes, all managed through the PayPal app. Settlement is typically quick, and everything flows into the same PayPal account you may already use for invoicing or online sales.
PayPal is easy to understand and quick to deploy, but the flat pricing structure means it’s usually better suited to lower or moderate transaction volumes.
PayPal costs and fees
- Setup fee: No
- Device cost: From £29 + VAT
- Monthly: None
- Transaction fee: 1.75%–2.5%
- Contract: None
- Payouts: Next working day
7. Revolut Business
Revolut Business combines card payments with a digital business account, giving you a single place to manage takings, expenses and cash flow. You buy the reader outright, with no setup fees or processing subscriptions.
Transaction fees depend on your Revolut plan, and funds are settled quickly into your Revolut account. This makes it particularly attractive for businesses that trade online and in person, or deal with international customers and currencies.
Revolut Business works best if you’re already using Revolut for banking, as the value comes from keeping everything under one roof rather than from ultra-low headline rates.
Revolut costs and fees
- Setup fee: No
- Device cost: One-off reader purchase
- Monthly: None (account fees may apply)
- Transaction fee: Varies by plan
- Contract: None
- Payouts: Fast settlement to Revolut account
Quickly compare the best value card reader providers for your small business
Quickly see how the card reader providers compare on costs and fees using the table below.
| Provider | Device cost | Monthly fee | Transaction fees (in person) | Setup fee | Contract | Payout speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Square | £19 (or £0 with Tap to Pay) | None | From 1.75% | No | None | Next working day |
| Worldpay | None (rental) | £15–£22.50 | 1.50% or custom | No | 18 months | Next working day |
| Tide | £99–£159 (or £0 with Tap to Pay/rental) | £0–£24.99 | From 1.39% + 5p | No | Varies by plan | 1–3 working days |
| takepayments | Included in quote | Included in quote | Custom pricing | Sometimes | ~12 months | Next working day |
| myPOS Go 2 | One-off device purchase | None | From 1.10% (card-dependent) | No | None | Instant to myPOS account |
| PayPal | From £29 + VAT | None | 1.75% (card/PayPal)2.5% (links/invoicing) | No | None | Next working day |
| Revolut Business | One-off reader purchase | None* | Varies by plan | No | None | Fast settlement to Revolut |
Choosing a card reader that stays cost-effective as you grow
There’s no free card reader, and no single cheapest card reader either. The real difference in cost comes from how well a provider’s pricing model fits the way you trade.
If card payments are occasional or unpredictable, flexibility usually matters more than headline rates. If most of your sales go through a card reader, lower transaction fees or tailored pricing can make a bigger difference over time.
You can’t avoid fees altogether. But you can choose a setup that won’t become expensive as your business grows. Take the time to understand how different providers structure their costs, and then pick a card reader that both supports your business now and as you scale.
