The cheapest card machine for taxi and private hire drivers
Modest takings on the move, with some overseas cards; check the non-UK card rate.
An example taxi driver
Example numbers, to show how the providers compare: £3,000 a month on cards, an average sale of £18, and 70% UK debit, 20% UK credit, 5% premium, 5% non-UK. Yours will differ, so rerun it with your own.
Cheapest: Flatpay Payment terminal at £44.70 a month (1.49% of takings). Dearest: Square Free at £56.33 (1.878%). That's £11.63 a month apart, £139.56 over 12 months.
| Provider | Per month | Where the money goes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flatpay Payment terminal |
£44.70 1.49% of takings |
card fees £44.70 (1.49%) Payment terminal: £0.00 upfront |
Flatpay prices |
| Dojo Essential |
£48.42 1.614% of takings |
card fees £36.00 (1.2%), machine £12.42/mo Dojo Go Max: £149.00 upfront |
Dojo prices |
| SumUp Payments Plus |
£50.78 1.693% of takings |
card fees £29.70 (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 |
£52.78 1.759% of takings |
card fees £50.70 (1.69%), machine £2.08/mo Solo Lite: £25.00 upfront + VAT Contract: none |
SumUp prices |
| Square Free |
£56.33 1.878% of takings |
card fees £54.75 (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
- Teya Start: Doesn't publish a rate for premium or international cards, which are in this card mix.
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.