5 Best Low-Cost Card Readers
1. SumUp Air (Best Overall Value)
Price: £19 (one-off)
Fees: 1.69% per transaction
No: Monthly fees, contracts or hidden charges
Best for: Market traders, mobile businesses, pop-ups
2. Zettle Reader 2 (Best for Retail)
Price: £29 (one-off)
Fees: 1.75% per transaction
Bonus: Free POS app with inventory management
Best for: Small shops, cafes, service businesses
3. PayPal Zettle (Best for Online Sellers)
Price: £29 (one-off)
Fees: 1.75% (same as Zettle – same company)
Plus: Seamless PayPal integration
Best for: E-commerce businesses doing occasional face-to-face sales
4. Dojo Go (Best for Reliability)
Price: £19 first month, then £9/month
Fees: 1.4% + 5p per transaction
Bonus: Next-day settlement, 24/7 support
Best for: Businesses processing £2k+ monthly
5. Square Reader (Best for Occasional Use)
Price: £16 + VAT (one-off)
Fees: 1.75% per tap/swipe
Feature: Free basic POS app included
Best for: Very small/occasional transactions
Key Comparison Table
| Provider | Upfront Cost | Transaction Fee | Monthly Fee | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SumUp Air | £19 | 1.69% | None | Market traders |
| Zettle | £29 | 1.75% | None | Retail shops |
| PayPal Zettle | £29 | 1.75% | None | Online sellers |
| Dojo Go | £19* | 1.4% + 5p | £9 after 1st month | Higher volume |
| Square | £16+VAT | 1.75% | None | Occasional use |
*First month only
Most Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What’s the absolute cheapest option?
A: SumUp Air (£19 + 1.69%) or Square (£16 + 1.75%) with no monthly fees.
Q2: Are there any hidden fees?
A: SumUp, Zettle and Square have no hidden costs – just the published transaction fees.
Q3: Which is best for contactless payments?
A: All accept contactless – Dojo Go has the lowest fees (1.4%) for regular use.
Q4: Can I take phone payments?
A: Yes – PayPal Zettle and Square have virtual terminal options.
Q5: Which settles money fastest?
A: Dojo Go offers next-day transfers; others take 1-3 working days.
Q6: Is there a minimum contract?
A: No – all these options are pay-as-you-go with no lock-in.
Q7: What about Apple Pay/Google Pay?
A: All support mobile wallet payments.
Q8: Which works best at markets?
A: SumUp Air – compact, battery-powered, offline mode available.
Q9: Can I get a card machine completely free?
A: Some banks offer free readers (like Tyl by NatWest) but with higher transaction fees (around 2.5%).
Q10: Which has the best customer support?
A: Dojo provides 24/7 UK phone support.
Final Recommendation
For most small businesses:
- Best value: SumUp Air (£19 + 1.69%)
- Best features: Zettle Reader 2 (£29 + 1.75%)
- Best for higher volume: Dojo Go (1.4% + £9/month)
Pro Tip: If you process under £1,000/month, stick with SumUp or Zettle to avoid monthly fees. Over £2,000/month? Dojo’s lower % fee saves money.
Need help choosing?
Compare real-time quotes at Cardswitcher or MoneySuperMarket.
“The right card reader can save small businesses £500+/year in fees – choose wisely!”
Which card reader are you considering? Ask below about specific needs! 💳
