PDQ Machines UK (2026): Compare Card Machine Prices & Fees
A PDQ machine (card machine) costs two things: the hardware and the fee on every payment. A £19 reader can cost far more over a year than a £179 terminal if its rate is higher. Below are the published prices of the main UK providers, checked on 15 October 2026, so you can compare like for like.
PDQ Machine Prices & Fees Compared (October 2026)
| Provider | Hardware price | In-person fee | Monthly fee | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Square | Reader £19 + VAT; Terminal £149 + VAT | 1.75% | £0 | None |
| SumUp | Solo Lite £25 + VAT; Solo £79 + VAT | 1.69% (0.99% on Payments Plus) | £0 (Payments Plus £19) | None |
| Zettle (PayPal POS) | Reader from £29 + VAT; Terminal from £149 | 1.75% | £0 | None |
| Teya | Lite £89 + VAT; Pro £179 + VAT (launch offers at half price) | 1.59% consumer cards (Start plan) | £0 (£29.99 if under £2,500/month) | Start plan for £0–£7,500/month |
| Dojo | Wired £179; Pocket £239 (or monthly) | 1.2% blended (under £100K/year) + 5p per authorisation | £0 Essential (Plus £11.99 offer) | Custom rates: 12-month fixed or 30-day rolling |
| Tide | Card Reader £69–£99 + VAT; Reader Plus £89–£119 + VAT | 1.39% + 5p pay-as-you-go; from 0.69% + 3p on plans | £0, £17.99 or £19.99 + VAT | Essential: cancel anytime; Premium: 12 months |
| takepayments | Rented (A920Pro, takepayments plus) | Quoted individually | Quoted individually | 12 months |
Prices from each provider's UK pricing page, checked 15 October 2026. Tide requires a Tide business account; lower Tide rates apply to UK consumer Visa/Mastercard debit cards. Providers change prices — confirm before you sign.
What a Card Machine Really Costs Per Month
Fees only, ignoring hardware, on published rates:
| Monthly card takings | SumUp (1.69%) | Square / Zettle (1.75%) | Teya Start (1.59%) | Dojo (1.2%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £2,000 | £33.80 | £35.00 | £61.79 (incl. £29.99 fee) | £24.00 + 5p/txn |
| £5,000 | £84.50 | £87.50 | £79.50 | £60.00 + 5p/txn |
| £8,000 | £135.20 | £140.00 | Custom quote | £96.00 + 5p/txn |
At £5,000 a month, SumUp's Payments Plus (0.99% + £19) works out at about £68.50. Above about £10,000 a month, a negotiated or interchange-plus deal is usually worth quoting — see how merchant fees work or get a free fee check.
The Providers in Brief
Square
The cheapest hardware (£19 reader) and no contract. Flat 1.75% suits low or irregular takings. Custom rates over £200K a year.
SumUp
1.69% pay-as-you-go, or 0.99% for £19 a month — worthwhile from about £3,000 a month. Solo has a built-in 4G SIM.
Zettle (now PayPal Point of Sale)
1.75% on all cards including Amex, readers from £29. Good if you already use PayPal; funds arrive in your PayPal business account.
Teya
1.59% on consumer cards for £0–£7,500 a month, next-day settlement (even weekends) and a free business account. Watch the £29.99 fee if you take under £2,500 a month.
Dojo
1.2% blended rate under £100,000 a year, popular with hospitality. Dojo says it pays up to £3,000 towards exit fees when you switch.
Tide
Needs a Tide business account. Subscriptions cut the debit card rate to as low as 0.69% + 3p, with discounted readers. Good value for sole traders and small shops already banking with Tide.
takepayments
Part of Global Payments. Rents its terminals on 12-month contracts with UK support 7 days a week. It doesn't publish a rate card, so ask for a written quote including all monthly charges.
PDQ Machine Types
- Mobile readers (Square Reader, SumUp Solo Lite, Zettle Reader) pair with your phone — cheapest, ideal for market traders and mobile trades.
- Standalone 4G terminals (SumUp Solo, Teya Lite, Tide Card Reader) work without a phone — good for pubs, cafés and tradespeople.
- Countertop / printer terminals (Square Terminal, Teya Pro, Dojo Wired) suit shops, salons and busy counters.
Hidden Costs to Check Before You Sign
- Authorisation fees — e.g. Dojo's 5p per authorisation, Tide's 3p–5p.
- Minimum monthly fees — e.g. Teya's £29.99 under £2,500/month.
- Terminal rental on contract providers, often £10–£60 a month.
- PCI compliance and non-compliance fees.
- Exit fees if you leave a contract early — always ask for the figure in writing.
Our Verdict
Under £2,000 a month, buy a cheap reader from SumUp, Square or Zettle. From £2,500 to £8,000 a month, compare Dojo's 1.2%, Teya's 1.59% and the SumUp or Tide subscriptions. Above £10,000 a month, get negotiated quotes — that's where a free comparison saves the most.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a PDQ machine cost in the UK?
Buying outright, UK card readers start at £19 + VAT (Square Reader) and £29 + VAT (PayPal/Zettle Reader). Standalone 4G terminals cost around £79–£179 + VAT (SumUp Solo £79, Square Terminal £149, Dojo Wired £179). Contract providers such as takepayments usually rent the machine monthly on a 12-month contract and quote prices individually.
What is the cheapest card machine transaction fee in the UK?
On pay-as-you-go, SumUp charges 1.69%, Teya 1.59% on consumer cards (£0–£7,500/month, with a £29.99 fee under £2,500/month), Square and Zettle 1.75%. Dojo charges a 1.2% blended rate under £100,000 a year. Tide's subscription plans go as low as 0.69% + 3p on UK consumer debit cards. Above roughly £10,000 a month, negotiated rates from contract providers can be cheaper still.
Are PDQ machines the same as card machines?
Yes. PDQ ('process data quickly') is the traditional UK name for a card payment terminal that accepts chip and PIN, contactless and mobile wallet payments in person.
Should I rent or buy a card machine?
Most small businesses are better off buying outright — readers cost £19–£179 and there's no contract. Renting can suit higher-volume businesses when it comes with low negotiated rates, replacement cover and support, but check the contract length and exit fees first.
Do I need a contract for a card machine?
No. SumUp, Square, Zettle (PayPal), Teya's Start plan and Tide Pay As You Go have no long-term contract. takepayments uses 12-month contracts, and Tide's Sell In-Person Premium plan has a 12-month minimum term.
Which card machine is best for a small business?
Under about £2,000 a month in card takings, a pay-as-you-go reader (SumUp, Square or Zettle) is usually cheapest. Between £2,500 and £8,000 a month, Dojo's 1.2% blended rate, Teya's 1.59% or a Tide or SumUp subscription can cut costs. Above £10,000 a month, get quotes on negotiated or interchange-plus pricing.