Whether you run a coffee shop, a boutique or a busy restaurant, taking card payments quickly and securely is essential.
The right card‑machine provider not only improves the customer experience but also integrates with your tills, accounting and online store. Below, Oliver profiles nine trusted providers that offer everything from simple mobile readers to fully featured point‑of‑sale systems.
1. SumUp – simple, affordable card readers for small businesses
History & heritage: SumUp launched in 2012 with a mission to make card acceptance easy for micro and small businesses. Based in Berlin, the company now operates across Europe and the US and serves millions of merchants.
What they do: SumUp offers compact card readers that connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth as well as a standalone 3G reader with a built‑in SIM. There are no monthly fees; merchants pay a flat transaction rate and can sign up online in minutes. SumUp’s app includes invoicing, remote payments and basic inventory tracking.
Why choose SumUp: It’s ideal for start‑ups and mobile traders thanks to low upfront costs and transparent pricing. Funds are deposited within two to three days, and the devices are well‑reviewed for ease of use.
Contact:
Address: 16–20 Short’s Gardens, London WC2H 9US
Email: paysupport@sumup.com
2. Square – all‑in‑one POS with no monthly fees
History & heritage: Founded in 2009 in San Francisco, Square transformed the payments landscape by letting anyone accept card payments with a simple plug‑in reader. The company entered the UK in 2017 and has grown rapidly thanks to its free point‑of‑sale software.
What they do: Square provides a range of readers, from a tiny Bluetooth dongle to full POS kits with stands, receipt printers and barcode scanners. Merchants pay a flat transaction fee, and there are no long‑term contracts. The Square ecosystem includes marketing tools, loyalty programmes, online store integration and next‑day payouts.
Why choose Square: Businesses appreciate its intuitive software and the ability to manage inventory, staff and customer data in one place. The lack of monthly fees makes it attractive for seasonal traders.
Contact:
Address: Squareup Europe Ltd, 6th Floor, One London Wall, London EC2Y 5EB
Phone: (Monday–Friday 9 am–5 pm)
3. Zettle by PayPal – flexible reader with PayPal integration
History & heritage: Swedish start‑up iZettle launched Europe’s first mini chip‑and‑PIN reader in 2011. It rebranded as Zettle after PayPal acquired the company in 2018. The firm now operates under PayPal UK Limited.
What they do: Zettle’s compact Reader 2 connects via Bluetooth to your phone or tablet and processes contactless and chip‑and‑PIN payments. There’s also the Zettle Terminal, a standalone device with receipt printer and SIM card. Merchants pay a flat percentage per transaction, and the accompanying app offers product catalogues, inventory management and sales reports. Zettle integrates seamlessly with PayPal and major accounting platforms.
Why choose Zettle: It’s popular with market stalls and cafés because of its affordable hardware and easy PayPal settlement. The ability to add extra POS accessories makes it scalable as your business grows.
Contact:
Address: PayPal UK Limited, 5 Fleet Place, London EC4M 7RD
Email: support.uk@zettle.com
4. Barclaycard Business – merchant services backed by a major bank
History & heritage: Barclaycard has been providing payment solutions for over 50 years and is part of Barclays Bank PLC. Its merchant‑services arm helps more than 350,000 businesses accept card payments in‑store, online and over the phone.
What they do: The company offers countertop, portable and mobile card machines alongside virtual terminals and payment gateways. Pricing is tailored to business size and turnover, and merchants benefit from Barclays’ robust fraud‑prevention and compliance tools. Funds are typically settled the next working day.
Why choose Barclaycard: Businesses that value stability and an established banking relationship often choose Barclaycard. Dedicated account managers and a wide range of payment options suit growing companies.
Contact:
Address: 1 Churchill Place, London E14 5HP
Phone: (merchant services sales and support)
5. Worldpay – global payments with 24/7 support
History & heritage: Worldpay began in the early 1990s and is now part of FIS, one of the world’s largest payment processors. The company handles millions of transactions daily for businesses of all sizes.
What they do: Worldpay supplies fixed and portable card machines, online payment gateways and virtual terminals. Pricing is offered as both pay‑as‑you‑go and monthly packages. The company prides itself on 24/7 customer support and robust security, including tokenization and chargeback protection.
Why choose Worldpay: Its scale brings reliability and a comprehensive range of services. Businesses that process high volumes or operate internationally often choose Worldpay for its multi‑currency capabilities.
Contact:
Address: The Walbrook Building, 25 Walbrook, London EC4N 8AF
Phone: 0800 096 3997 (sales); 03457 61 62 63 (merchant support)
6. Tyl by NatWest – digital‑first terminals with charitable impact
History & heritage: Tyl launched in 2019 as a division of NatWest Group to offer modern payment solutions with the backing of a major UK bank. The brand has been applauded for its community‑giveback initiatives, donating a portion of profits to local charities.
What they do: Tyl provides portable and countertop card machines with simple pricing and no long contracts. Merchants can track sales via the Tyl Portal and receive funds the next business day. The service integrates with Xero and QuickBooks and supports Apple Pay, Google Pay and contactless.
Why choose Tyl: Businesses appreciate its easy onboarding and responsive customer service. There’s also a feel‑good factor: for every card transaction processed, Tyl gives a donation to charitable causes through the NatWest Thrive programme.
Contact:
Address: 250 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 4AA
Phone: 0345 901 0001 (customer support, 8 am‑midnight Mon–Sat; 9 am‑5 pm Sun); 0161 605 6626 (new customers)
7. Dojo – speedy payments and next‑day settlement
History & heritage: Dojo is the customer‑facing brand of Paymentsense Limited, a UK payment processor founded in 2009. The Dojo range launched in 2020 to provide sleek, modern card machines with flexible contracts for small businesses.
What they do: Dojo offers the portable Dojo Go with built‑in 4G and Wi‑Fi, a desktop model and a mobile app for remote payments. Transactions are settled seven days a week by 10 pm the next day. Dojo’s contract is rolling monthly, and there are no exit fees. The platform also provides business funding and integrates with major EPOS systems.
Why choose Dojo: Hospitality businesses particularly like Dojo’s speed – payments are processed faster than many competitors, reducing wait times. The user‑friendly touchscreen devices and responsive support make the switch painless.
Contact:
Address: The Brunel Building, 2 Canalside Walk, London W2 1DG
8. Takepayments (formerly Payzone UK) – tailored solutions with human support
History & heritage: Payzone UK rebranded to Takepayments in 2020. The company has been providing card‑payment solutions for small businesses since the late 1980s and now focuses solely on merchant services, having sold its bill‑payments arm to the Post Office.
What they do: Takepayments offers countertop, portable and mobile card machines alongside phone payments, payment gateways and point‑of‑sale systems. Each contract is tailored to the business, and an account manager visits you to set up the terminal and train staff. Tariffs are generally monthly with no exit fees.
Why choose Takepayments: Merchants value the personalised setup and on‑site training. Local field engineers are on hand to install equipment, and the UK‑based helpdesk is praised for its friendly service.
Contact:
Address: 4th Floor Highbank House, Exchange Street, Stockport SK3 0ET
Phone: 01606 566 600 (support); 01472 306 695 (sales)
WhatsApp: 07888 863 182
9. Clover – smart POS systems with app marketplace
History & heritage: Clover is part of Fiserv (formerly First Data), a global payments giant. Launched in 2014, Clover’s devices blend payment processing with point‑of‑sale functionality.
What they do: Clover’s range includes the handheld Flex, the countertop Mini and the full‑sized Station Duo. Each device runs on Android and links to the Clover App Market, allowing businesses to add tools for inventory, staff scheduling, loyalty programmes and more. Clover supports contactless, chip‑and‑PIN and mobile wallet payments.
Why choose Clover: It’s a versatile platform for growing businesses that need more than a simple reader. The ability to customise your system with apps means it can evolve with your business, and cloud‑based reporting keeps you on top of sales in real time.
Contact:
Address: Janus House, Endeavour Drive, Basildon, Essex SS14 3WF
Choosing the right card‑machine provider can transform how you do business. SumUp and Square offer low‑cost readers that are perfect for side‑hustles and pop‑ups.
Zettle and Dojo provide sleek devices with rapid settlement for busy cafés and restaurants. Traditional heavyweights like Barclaycard and Worldpay deliver reliability and scale, while Tyl adds a charitable twist.
Takepayments stands out for personal support, and Clover brings full point‑of‑sale functionality with an app ecosystem. Whatever your business needs, there’s a solution on this list ready to help you accept payments with confidence.
