The cheapest card machine for restaurants
Bigger bills and more premium and overseas cards, so the rate on those cards matters.
An example restaurant
Example numbers, to show how the providers compare: £25,000 a month on cards, an average sale of £45, and 60% UK debit, 25% UK credit, 10% premium, 5% non-UK. Yours will differ, so rerun it with your own.
Cheapest: SumUp Payments Plus at £268.58 a month (1.074% of takings). Dearest: Square Free at £457.83 (1.831%). That's £189.25 a month apart, £2271.00 over 12 months.
| Provider | Per month | Where the money goes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SumUp Payments Plus |
£268.58 1.074% of takings |
card fees £247.50 (0.99%), monthly fee £19.00, machine £2.08/mo Solo Lite: £25.00 upfront + VAT Contract: none, cancel any time |
SumUp prices |
| SumUp Pay as you go |
£424.58 1.698% of takings |
card fees £422.50 (1.69%), machine £2.08/mo Solo Lite: £25.00 upfront + VAT Contract: none |
SumUp prices |
| Square Free |
£457.83 1.831% of takings |
card fees £456.25 (1.825%), 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
- Flatpay Payment terminal: Published rate only applies below £200,000 a year in card takings. Above that the provider quotes a custom rate.
- Dojo Essential: Published rate only applies below £100,000 a year in card takings. Above that the provider quotes a custom rate.
- 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.