Card machines for small businesses

A card machine lets businesses accept payments from customers in person, whether they're paying by debit card, credit card, phone or smartwatch. You might also see them called card readers, card terminals, point-of-sale (POS) terminals or PDQ machines.

Machines are designed to be adaptable to the way your customers want to pay, from chip and PIN and contactless to mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay. They accept Visa and Mastercard as standard, and most also take American Express. Once a payment goes through, the money will be sent to your business bank account or merchant account, usually arriving within one to three working days.

There are five main types of card payment machines available for businesses:

• Countertop terminals: These sit at a fixed location, such as a retail counter or café till. They plug directly into a power source and an Ethernet line, providing a reliable and smooth checkout experience.

• Portable machines: These connect to smartphones or tablets via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. They are lightweight and ideal for mobile businesses, market stalls or delivery services.

• Mobile card readers: These feature a built-in SIM card to connect to mobile networks, removing the need for a local Wi-Fi connection. They are designed for on-the-go businesses like pop-up stalls.

• Tap to pay: This setup requires no additional hardware; payments are taken securely and directly onto a merchant's mobile phone. Frequently used by taxi drivers and businesses trading at festivals.

• Smart terminals: These are advanced, all-in-one machines usually fixed at a till or point of sale. Popular in hospitality and modern retail, they offer touchscreens and built-in features like receipt printing and real-time transaction reporting.

Our 2026 survey of 500 UK SMEs* found that wireless portable machines are the most widely used type (72%), followed by countertop terminals (48%) and mobile card readers, reflecting a trend for flexible, on-the-go payment solutions.

We asked small business owners what matters most when choosing a card payment system. Here’s what they told us:

• 53% – Reliable connectivity (Wi-Fi, 4G or built-in SIM)

• 50% – Multiple payment options (Apple Pay, Google Pay etc.)

• 48% – Faster fund settlement (same-day)

• 42% – Transparent all-in pricing (no hidden fees)

• 37% – Mobility (easy to transport)

• 33% – 24/7 dedicated support

• 32% – Long battery life

• 29% – No long-term contracts

• 29% – Integrated software (accounting/POS sync)

• 15% – Free or discounted hardware

The top priorities for UK businesses

Our findings* show that small business owners are prioritising day-to-day operational efficiency and financial predictability over upfront perks like free hardware.

• Reliability and flexibility come first: Reliable connectivity is the single most critical factor for more than half of SMEs (53%), closely followed by the ability to accept modern digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay (50%).

• Cash flow is king: Waiting days for funds to clear is a major pain point. It makes sense, therefore, that getting paid quickly via same-day fund settlement is a top requirement for 48% of business owners.

• A demand for clarity: Businesses want to know exactly what they are paying. Transparent pricing (42%) and flexible terms like rolling monthly contracts (29%) are highly valued.

To get a card payment machine, you’ll need a business bank account and a card terminal provider. Then choose either a pay-as-you-go or contract plan.

Card payment machines must be linked to a business bank account or merchant account so you can receive customer payments.

Research conducted by money.co.uk in 2026 found that more than half (53%)* of UK SMEs are only "somewhat confident" they have the best card payment system for their business.

Switching your card machine provider may offer benefits, including:

• Lower transaction fees

• More payment methods for your customers

• Flexible contracts

• Better reporting services

Before switching, check if there are any cancellation fees in your contract, so you're not charged unexpectedly.