The best card machine for a small business in the UK: how to choose
There is no single best card machine, only the best fit for how you trade. Here is how to choose a card payment machine for a small business, trade by trade.
The short answer: which card machine suits a small business?
Choose by where your customers pay. If they pay at a fixed counter and you use a till or EPOS, a countertop terminal such as the PAX A35 is usually the best fit. If you take payments at tables, at the door, on the road or at a stall, a portable terminal such as the PAX A920 Pro, with its own 4G SIM, usually suits better. Many businesses use one of each.
Start with where your customers pay
Before you compare prices, answer one question: where does the payment happen? A card machine that is perfect at a till can be awkward at a table, and the other way round. Most small businesses fall into one of two groups.
- Customers pay at one spot. A countertop terminal is built for this. It sits at the till, takes little space and can link to your EPOS so the amount appears automatically.
- You go to the customer, or they pay away from the counter. A portable terminal goes with you, prints a receipt on the spot and does not depend on the premises' broadband.
The two terminals PayZu supplies
PAX A920 Pro: the portable terminal
A smartphone-style Android touchscreen terminal with a built-in 4G SIM, automatic Wi-Fi fallback, a built-in receipt printer and a long-lasting battery. It takes contactless cards, chip and PIN, Apple Pay and Google Pay, and charges by USB-C or in its dock. It suits any business that takes payments away from a fixed counter.
PAX A35: the countertop terminal
A compact countertop terminal with a clear touchscreen and a physical PIN keypad. It connects to your till or EPOS, so the total appears on the terminal and you do not type amounts twice. It suits busy tills.
Both are rented from PayZu with £0 upfront. You can see them side by side on our card terminals page.
Which card machine for which trade?
Shop or convenience store
Customers queue at one till, so speed matters. A countertop PAX A35 linked to your till is usually the best fit. Add a portable PAX A920 Pro if you have a second counter or take payment for deliveries. See card machines for shops.
Café or restaurant
A portable PAX A920 Pro lets staff take payment at the table, so customers never have to queue at the till. A café with a busy takeaway counter can pair it with a PAX A35 at the till. See card machines for cafés and for restaurants.
Takeaway
Counter orders suit a PAX A35 on the till. If you take card payment for delivery orders at the door, a portable PAX A920 Pro with its own 4G connection does the job. See card machines for takeaways.
Salon or barber
Many salons take payment at reception, where a PAX A35 sits neatly beside the appointment screen. If your stylists take payment at the chair or you run a mobile service, choose the portable PAX A920 Pro. See card machines for salons and barbers.
Tradesperson
You are in customers' homes and on sites with no Wi-Fi you can use. A portable terminal with its own 4G SIM, such as the PAX A920 Pro, means you can take payment on the spot instead of chasing an invoice. See card machines for tradespeople.
Market stall or pop-up
You need something that works in a field or a car park. A PAX A920 Pro has its own 4G SIM, a battery and a built-in printer, so you do not need a phone or a nearby network. Check mobile signal at your regular pitches, because any 4G device depends on it. If you only take a handful of card payments a month, a card reader may cost less, as our card machine vs card reader guide explains.
What to check on any card payment machine for a small business
- Connection: built-in 4G with Wi-Fi backup keeps a portable terminal working if the local network drops.
- Payment types: contactless, chip and PIN, and Apple Pay and Google Pay should all work as standard.
- Receipts: a built-in printer saves time, and you can usually offer text or email receipts too.
- Till link: if you use an EPOS, check the terminal can connect to it.
- Battery and charging: for portable use, ask how a full day looks and whether there is a dock.
- Support: find out who you call when something goes wrong and when they answer.
- Contract: terminals are rented, so check the monthly fee, the term and the exit terms before you sign.
Compare the full monthly cost, not just the machine
The right terminal is only half the decision. Two providers can offer the same device with very different costs. Compare the percentage on each card type, the fixed fee per transaction, the monthly terminal rental and any other monthly charges, including PCI fees. Our card machine fees guide and card machine rental guide walk through each line.
If you already have a card machine, send us a recent statement. We will go through it line by line and look for a saving of up to 50% on some fees. If you are in 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.
What PayZu offers
- £0 upfront, zero hidden fees, zero PCI fees
- Portable PAX A920 Pro and countertop PAX A35
- Your own account manager and 24/7 UK support
Rates are personalised to your business. Savings of up to 50% on some fees are possible. T&Cs apply, subject to eligibility and status.
Choosing a card machine: common questions
What is the best card machine for a small business?
It depends on how you trade. A countertop terminal like the PAX A35 suits a fixed till, while a portable terminal like the PAX A920 Pro suits table service, deliveries, trades and market stalls. The best machine is the one that fits where your customers pay, at a total monthly cost that works for you.
Should I choose a portable or a countertop card machine?
Choose countertop if customers always pay at one counter and you use a till. Choose portable if you take payment away from the counter. Many shops and cafés use one of each.
Do I need an EPOS system to use a card machine?
No. You can type the amount into the terminal yourself. An EPOS link just saves time and avoids mistakes by sending the total to the terminal automatically.
Will a portable card machine work without Wi-Fi?
The PAX A920 Pro has a built-in 4G SIM, so it can take payments without Wi-Fi where there is mobile signal, and it switches to Wi-Fi automatically when available. It still needs a signal from one or the other to get an approval.
Does a card machine take Apple Pay and Google Pay?
Yes. Both the PAX A920 Pro and the PAX A35 take contactless cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay. Our contactless and mobile wallet guide explains how they work.
Are PayZu card machines rented?
PayZu terminals are rented monthly, with £0 upfront. Check the monthly rental and the contract terms with any provider before you sign.
Related
Tell us how you trade — we'll recommend a terminal
Tell us about your business and we'll come back with a personalised quote. You can also email your statement to info@payzu.co.uk.
- £0 upfront
- Zero hidden & PCI fees
- 24/7 UK support