Compare card machines and payment solutions
Card processing fees quietly eat into your margin. Compare card machines, online payment gateways and merchant accounts from UK providers and see exactly what you'd pay per transaction.
Compare payment quotes
Interchange fees have changed — is your rate still competitive?
Many small businesses are still on legacy blended rates signed years ago. A quick review typically uncovers 0.3–0.8% of savings on every card transaction.
Should I switch card payment provider?
It depends on your contract, your monthly card turnover and how you take payments. These four situations cover most UK businesses.
You're on a blended rate over 1.6%
Blended pricing hides the real cost. Interchange-plus pricing is usually cheaper and far more transparent for anything above £3,000 a month in card takings.
Your terminal contract is ending
Terminal hire is often the biggest hidden cost. Start comparing 60 days out so you avoid auto-renewal into another 48-month deal.
You're taking more payments online
If ecommerce or pay-by-link is growing, an integrated gateway plus in-person terminal on one merchant account cuts admin and settlement delays.
You're happy with your provider
Still worth a check. Rates move, and providers rarely reprice existing customers unless you ask — a quote gives you the leverage to renegotiate.
How do card processing fees actually work?
- Every card payment carries an interchange fee set by the card scheme, a scheme fee, and your provider's margin on top.
- Blended pricing rolls all three into one percentage — simple, but you can't see what margin you're paying.
- Interchange-plus pricing shows each element separately and is almost always cheaper at higher volumes.
- Terminal hire, PCI compliance charges, authorisation fees and minimum monthly service charges sit outside the headline rate.
- Settlement speed matters: next-day settlement helps cash flow, but some providers charge extra for it.
What do payment solutions typically cost?
Indicative UK market rates for small and medium businesses. Your quote depends on card turnover, average transaction value and sector risk.
| In person (card machine) | Online (gateway) | |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction fee | 0.4% – 1.6% per sale | 1.2% – 2.9% + 20p |
| Terminal / gateway cost | £10 – £30 per month | £0 – £25 per month |
| Contract length | Rolling to 48 months | Usually rolling monthly |
| Settlement | Next day to 3 working days | Next day to 3 working days |
How to compare payment providers
Three steps and roughly five minutes of your time.
Tell us how you take payments
In store, online, over the phone or on the move — plus your monthly card turnover and average transaction value.
Compare tailored quotes
We show effective rates, hardware costs, contract length and settlement times so you can compare like for like.
Switch with support
A specialist handles onboarding, underwriting and terminal delivery, so you're taking payments on the new rate quickly.
Expert advice
Most owners look at the headline percentage and stop there. The real cost sits in terminal hire, PCI charges and minimum monthly fees, which can double what you actually pay.
“Ask any provider for your effective rate — total fees divided by total card turnover. It's the only number that lets you compare fairly.”
Types of payment solution
Most businesses end up with a mix. Here's what each option suits.
Countertop card machines
Wired to broadband or a phone line, best for fixed tills in shops, salons and practices where the terminal never moves.
Portable and mobile terminals
Bluetooth or 4G terminals for hospitality, market traders and mobile trades taking payment at the table or on site.
Online payment gateways
Hosted checkouts and APIs for ecommerce, with tokenised card storage, 3D Secure and recurring billing support.
Pay by link and virtual terminals
Take card details over the phone or send a secure payment link by email or SMS — ideal for trades and service businesses invoicing remotely.
Merchant accounts
The account that receives your card settlements. Bundled with most modern providers, but standalone accounts can be cheaper at high volume.
EPOS integrations
Terminals connected to your till software so sales, stock and payment reconciliation happen automatically at close of day.
3 things to do if you can't switch yet
Locked into a contract? You can still bring your costs down.
Ask for a rate review
Providers routinely reprice when a customer has a competing quote in hand. It costs nothing to ask.
Check your PCI compliance status
Non-compliance fees of £10–£40 a month are common and completely avoidable by completing the annual self-assessment.
Encourage lower-cost card types
Consumer debit is the cheapest card to accept. Understanding your card mix helps you pick the right pricing model at renewal.
Why choose Grow Your Business?
Wide choice of providers
We compare a broad panel of UK payment providers, so you can weigh price, service and contract terms side by side.
Exclusive offers
We negotiate exclusive rates, cashback and switching incentives you won't always find by going direct.
Simple and fast
One short form, one call from a specialist, and quotes tailored to your business — usually within 24 hours.
We compare these payment providers
From global acquirers to UK challengers built for small business.
Worldpay
Barclaycard
SumUp
Zettle
Square
Dojo
Stripe
Elavon
takepayments
Global Payments
Adyen
Tyl by NatWestComparing with us is a no-brainer
“We were paying 1.9% blended on everything. Fifteen minutes on the phone and we moved to interchange-plus at an effective 0.72% — over £4,000 a year back in the business.”
Marcus, café group in Leeds
Latest from our experts
Interchange-plus vs blended pricing explained
Which pricing model actually costs less for your card mix and turnover.
Card machine contracts: what to check before you sign
Terminal hire, exit fees and auto-renewal traps to watch out for.
How to cut online payment costs in 2026
Gateway fees, 3D Secure and chargeback costs for UK ecommerce sellers.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I be paying per card transaction?
Most small UK businesses should be between 0.5% and 1.2% effective on in-person consumer cards. Above 1.6% blended is usually a sign you're overpaying.
Do I need a merchant account?
You need somewhere for card settlements to land. Modern providers bundle this in, so you rarely need a separate merchant account unless you process very high volumes.
How long does switching take?
Underwriting typically takes 1–3 working days, with terminals delivered within a week. Online gateways can go live even faster.
Can I keep my existing terminal?
Usually not — terminals are locked to an acquirer. Most providers supply new hardware as part of the deal.
Are there contracts?
They vary from rolling monthly to 48 months. We always show contract length up front so you can weigh a lower rate against less flexibility.
Is comparing free?
Yes. Our service is free and there's no obligation to switch.
Written by the Grow Your Business editorial team · Updated 25 July 2026