The cheapest card machine for cafés and coffee shops
Lots of small payments, so per-sale fees and a fast machine matter more than the headline rate.
An example café
Example numbers, to show how the providers compare: £8,000 a month on cards, an average sale of £6, and 75% UK debit, 20% UK credit, 5% premium. Yours will differ, so rerun it with your own.
Cheapest: SumUp Payments Plus at £100.28 a month (1.254% of takings). Dearest: Square Free at £141.58 (1.77%). That's £41.30 a month apart, £495.60 over 12 months.
| Provider | Per month | Where the money goes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SumUp Payments Plus |
£100.28 1.254% of takings |
card fees £79.20 (0.99%), monthly fee £19.00, machine £2.08/mo Solo Lite: £25.00 upfront + VAT Contract: none, cancel any time |
SumUp prices |
| Dojo Essential |
£108.42 1.355% of takings |
card fees £96.00 (1.2%), machine £12.42/mo Dojo Go Max: £149.00 upfront |
Dojo prices |
| Flatpay Payment terminal |
£119.20 1.49% of takings |
card fees £119.20 (1.49%) Payment terminal: £0.00 upfront |
Flatpay prices |
| SumUp Pay as you go |
£137.28 1.716% of takings |
card fees £135.20 (1.69%), machine £2.08/mo Solo Lite: £25.00 upfront + VAT Contract: none |
SumUp prices |
| Square Free |
£141.58 1.77% of takings |
card fees £140.00 (1.75%), machine £1.58/mo Square Reader: £19.00 upfront + VAT Contract: none |
Square prices |
- Card machine cost spread over 12 months (horizon_months not given).
Not ranked
- Teya Start: Published rate only applies below £90,000 a year in card takings. Above that the provider quotes a custom rate.
What to check before you sign
- The effective rate: everything you'd pay in a month divided by your card takings. It's the fair way to compare.
- Monthly and minimum fees: a low rate with a monthly fee can cost more if your takings dip.
- The machine: buying outright is usually cheaper over time than renting.
- Contract and exit fees: rolling monthly plans let you switch if prices change.