In today’s increasingly cashless economy, having the right card payment technology is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. For business leaders, choosing the best card reader can mean the difference between successful transactions and frustrating payment failures.
With a range of options available, from mobile to countertop devices, it’s crucial to select a solution that aligns with your business needs, optimises cash flow, and enhances customer experience. But with so many options on the market, how do you choose?
Here, we break down the top card reader providers to help you make an informed decision.
Tide Card Reader
Device Cost: £159 + VAT (one-off payment)
Transaction Fee: 1.50%
Key Features:
- Lifetime free 4G connectivity (worth £5/month)
- Accepts Contactless, Chip & PIN, and digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay
- No monthly contracts
The Tide Card Reader is designed for businesses that value flexibility and convenience. Whether you’re operating in-store or on-the-go, this compact device is a reliable way to take payments. The reader accepts most types of payments, issues email receipts, and settles funds within three working days. It has a variety of payment options, including pay-as-you-go, buying the device outright, and renting for a monthly fee, so you can choose the arrangement that suits your business best.
Tide’s card reader is particularly appealing for small businesses and pop-up ventures, thanks to its portability and lack of ongoing fees. Additionally, Tide is currently offering an 85% discount to new customers who subscribe to a card reader within seven days of opening a Tide account.
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TakePayments
Device Cost: From £7.50 + VAT (rental) or £25 + VAT/month (18-month contract)
Transaction Fee: 0.3%-2.5% (based on turnover)
Key Features:
- Speedy 4G and Wi-Fi connectivity
- Real-time inventory tracking and detailed transaction reporting
- Customisable dashboard for remote business management
- Accepts all major payment types, including Amex and Diners Club
TakePayments, a UK-based provider with over 30 years of experience, offers a range of card readers and POS systems tailored to businesses of all sizes.
TakePayments stands out for its flexibility, offering shorter contract lengths and no setup or exit fees. Its proprietary EPOS system, tPOS, provides advanced features like product management, split payments, and enhanced reporting, making it ideal for businesses looking to scale. But there are a number of other devices available to suit different business needs. Next-day settlement is available, and you can access tailored pricing based on your turnover. Customer support is available 10 days a week.
Square Reader
Device Cost: £19 + VAT
Transaction Fee: 1.75%
Key Features:
- All-day battery life and lightweight design (just 56g)
- Accepts Chip & PIN, contactless, Apple Pay, and Google Pay
- Funds deposited the next business day
- Free app for sales monitoring and management
Square card readers offer simplicity and affordability, making it a favourite among small businesses and startups.
Square’s low upfront cost and nifty design make it an excellent choice for businesses with limited budgets. Its app also offers specialised dashboards for restaurants, retail, and appointment-based businesses, such as salons or spas. For businesses processing over £200,000 annually, Square offers reduced transaction fees, adding even more value. Funds can arrive in your bank account as soon as the next working day.
Airwallex
Device Cost: N/A (Software-based solution)
Transaction Fees: UK cards 1.30% + £0.20, EEA Cards 2.40% + £0.20, international cards 3.15% + £0.20, local payment methods: £0.20 + payment method fee
Key Features:
- Accept payments in 180+ countries with local payment methods
- Like-for-like settlement to eliminate FX conversion fees
- AI-powered fraud prevention and smart 3DS optimisation
- Multi-currency accounts and global payout network
- Integrations with Shopify, WooCommerce, Xero, and more
Airwallex is a modern payments platform designed to help businesses of all sizes – from ecommerce stores to online marketplaces – achieve global growth, while reducing costs. With its full suite of tools, Airwallex enables you to accept payments from your customers in multiple currencies, optimise acceptance rates, and streamline cross-border transactions by doing away with unnecessary conversion fees. Meanwhile, built-in AI-powered fraud prevention protects your
Airwallex’s solutions – including payment links, plugins, and APIs – are fully customisable, and it allows you to accept over 160 different payment methods, making it easy to start take payments from consumers anywhere in the world.
SumUp Air
Device Cost: £19 + VAT for first reader (£25 for subsequent readers)
Transaction Fee: 0.99% (subscription) or 1.69% (pay-as-you-go)
Key Features:
- 500 transactions per charge (12-hour battery life)
- Accepts contactless, Chip & PIN, and mobile payments
- Payments settled in one day
- Email and SMS receipts
SumUp Air is a compact and popular card reader for small businesses. It pairs with your smartphone or POS system via wifi or data, and all you need to do is download the SumUp app to start taking payments. It can take 500 transactions on a single charge, making it a great option for mobile businesses.
SumUp Air is perfect for businesses that need a reliable, portable card reader without the hassle of long-term contracts. Its pay-as-you-go option is particularly appealing for startups, while the subscription model offers even lower fees for high-volume businesses.
Tyl by NatWest
Device Cost: From £13.99/month + VAT
Transaction Fee: 1.39%-1.99% + 5p
Key Features:
- Integrated inventory and customer management
- Access to 150+ business management apps
- Payments settled within one business day
Tyl by NatWest has a number of card readers and payment solutions for small businesses, including mobile and countertop devices.
These include the PAX A80 (countertop), PAX A50 (pocket-sized), or PAX A920 Pro (smart terminal), which all accept contactless, chip & PIN and mobile wallet payments. In addition, you get essential features like analytics and reporting, bank-grade security, and UK-based customer support.
Alternatively, you can keep things simple and affordable and use the Tyl Tap to Pay app on your smartphone. This is a great solution for businesses with less demanding requirements, though functionality is limited compared to its card readers.
Choosing the Right Card Reader for Your Business
When selecting a card reader, consider the following factors:
- Portability: Mobile readers like Tide and Square are ideal for businesses on the move, while countertop systems suit fixed locations.
- Fees: Compare transaction fees and device costs to find a solution that fits your budget.
- Features: Look for additional functionalities like inventory management, customisable dashboards, and app integrations.
- Scalability: Choose a provider that can grow with your business, such as Tyl by NatWest or TakePayments.
Conclusion
Investing in the right card reader technology is a strategic move that can streamline operations, improve cash flow, and enhance customer satisfaction. Whether you prioritise affordability (Square), mobility (Tide), customisation (TakePayments), or scalability (Tyl by NatWest), there’s a solution tailored to your business needs.
Don’t let outdated technology hold your business back. Embrace the future of payments with a card reader that works as hard as you do.
See also: The future of payments technology – Consumers demand speed, convenience and security when it comes to payments, which puts technology in the driving seat
