The cheapest card machine for independent shops
A balance of volume and card mix; compare the effective rate, not the headline one.
An example retail shop
Example numbers, to show how the providers compare: £12,000 a month on cards, an average sale of £25, and 70% UK debit, 22% UK credit, 6% premium, 2% non-UK. Yours will differ, so rerun it with your own.
Cheapest: SumUp Payments Plus at £139.88 a month (1.166% of takings). Dearest: Square Free at £215.18 (1.793%). That's £75.30 a month apart, £903.60 over 12 months.
| Provider | Per month | Where the money goes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SumUp Payments Plus |
£139.88 1.166% of takings |
card fees £118.80 (0.99%), monthly fee £19.00, machine £2.08/mo Solo Lite: £25.00 upfront + VAT Contract: none, cancel any time |
SumUp prices |
| Flatpay Payment terminal |
£178.80 1.49% of takings |
card fees £178.80 (1.49%) Payment terminal: £0.00 upfront |
Flatpay prices |
| SumUp Pay as you go |
£204.88 1.707% of takings |
card fees £202.80 (1.69%), machine £2.08/mo Solo Lite: £25.00 upfront + VAT Contract: none |
SumUp prices |
| Square Free |
£215.18 1.793% of takings |
card fees £213.60 (1.78%), 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
- 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.