Its own connection
A portable terminal with its own 4G connection as well as Wi-Fi, so you aren't depending on a venue's network or a customer's hotspot.
Card machines for market stalls and mobile traders
No till, no Wi-Fi and a different pitch most days. A portable card machine with its own 4G connection, a built-in printer and an optional charging dock for the evening.
What market traders need
Built for a pitch without a plug
Markets, food vans, fairs and pop-ups all have the same problem: a card machine that works anywhere, all day, in whatever the weather does.
A printer on board
The PAX A920 Pro has a built-in receipt printer, so customers who want a paper receipt get one at the stall.
Pre-orders and repeat customers
Take payment for a pre-order, a bulk booking or a regular customer by sending a secure payment link, or over the phone, away from the stall.
What card payments look like on a stall
Market and mobile trading is mostly small and medium sales, in bursts, at places where nothing is built for you. There is no till to link to, often no power and sometimes no Wi-Fi. Your card machine has to carry its own connection and last the day.
Check how the terminal connects. A portable terminal with its own 4G connection, as well as Wi-Fi, works without a venue's network. Signal still varies from one site to the next, so test it at the pitches you use most and note any spots where it struggles. Charge the terminal fully the night before, keep its dock or charger with you on long days and keep it out of direct rain.
Seasonal trading changes which fees hurt. If you trade hard in summer and at Christmas but barely in January, a minimum monthly service charge or a monthly terminal rental can sting in the quiet months. Ask exactly what you pay in a month with no sales, and how the monthly rental works if you stop trading for a while. Our card machine rental guide lists what to check.
A card machine isn't always the right answer. If you trade only a few days a month and take little by card, a small card reader linked to your phone may cost less. A card machine makes sense once you take card payments regularly and want a printer, a bigger screen and a connection of its own. Our card machine vs card reader guide explains the trade-off honestly.
You don't have to be a limited company to take card payments, and sole traders are welcome. See our guide to card payments for sole traders. Most businesses are up and running within 24 hours of receiving their terminal, so you can sort it out between one market and the next.
Which terminal?
The right card machine for a stall or a van
PAX A920 Pro: for any pitch
Portable Android terminal with 4G and Wi-Fi, a built-in receipt printer and an optional charging dock for the end of the day. No till or venue Wi-Fi needed.
See the A920 Pro
PAX A35: for a fixed, powered stall
A compact countertop terminal that suits a permanent stall or kiosk with power and a till. Most market traders will want the portable one, but we'll recommend what fits.
See the A35
What you get
More than a low rate
- Debit card rates from 0.29%* (T&Cs apply)
- £0 upfront, zero hidden fees, zero PCI fees
- 4G and Wi-Fi, so you aren't tied to a venue's network
- Pay by link and phone payments for pre-orders and bookings
- Your own account manager and 24/7 UK support
*0.29% applies to UK consumer debit cards for businesses with monthly card takings above £100,000. Credit, business and international card rates, and rates for lower takings, are quoted individually. Subject to eligibility and status.
Already have a card machine? Send us a recent statement and we'll show you what you could save, up to 50% on some fees. If you're already on a great deal, we'll tell you straight. Already in a contract? Let us look into it and find you a saving. In most cases, subject to approval, we can help with your exit or termination fee. See our guide to switching card machine provider.
Do I need Wi-Fi to take card payments at a market?
No. The PAX A920 Pro has its own 4G connection as well as Wi-Fi. Signal strength varies by site, so test it at your usual pitches.
How long does the battery last on a full day of trading?
Battery life depends on how much you use the terminal and the screen brightness, so we can't give a single figure. Charge it fully the night before, keep the charger or dock with you on long days and tell us about a typical day so we can advise.
Is a card machine or a card reader better for a market stall?
If you trade a few days a month and take little by card, a card reader may cost less. If you take card payments regularly and want a receipt printer and a connection of its own, a card machine is usually the better fit. See our card machine vs card reader guide.
Can I take card payments for pre-orders?
Yes. You can send a secure payment link by text, email or WhatsApp, or take card payments over the phone, so a customer can pay before they collect.
Can a sole trader take card payments?
Yes. You don't need to be a limited company to take card payments. See our guide to card payments for sole traders, then send us your details for a quote.
Get your quote
Lower card fees for your business
Tell us about your business and we'll come back with a personalised quote. You can also email a recent statement to info@payzu.co.uk.
- £0 upfront
- Zero hidden & PCI fees
- Your own account manager
- 24/7 UK support