Joined in 2023 
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63 About this deal
Consider upfront costs versus long-term value. A cheaper machine might seem enticing initially, but durability and functionality matter. Investing a bit more upfront might save you from frequent replacements or operational glitches down the line. Transaction fees: They told us their Barclaycard machine is “relatively easy and straightforward to use”, but that it “can be slow to connect sometimes; we're still connected via telephone”.
He said: “I find Zettle easy to use and straightforward. It has everything we need. I love that it is small and easily transportable so that customers can pay at their tables. The software is also really easy to use, and accessible for my customers. I haven’t considered switching to a different device and don’t plan to any time soon.”
What's the best card machine for small businesses?
Customer Support: the assistance and resources provided by the merchant account provider to users in resolving issues, answering questions, and providing guidance. While charging, you’ll see a LED on the printer next to the USB C plug. When the LED is red, the battery is being charged. When the LED turns green, the battery is fully charged. At CardSwitcher we will explore everything from products and price to practicality and performance, to give you a complete review of SumUp. You can choose to either print a receipt automatically after every transaction or only on demand. To select the preferred option, go to “Menu” -> “Settings” -> “Printer” -> “Auto-print receipts” -> “On/Off”. Connect using the free built-in SIM card for unlimited 3G data, or use Wi-Fi for your transactions, this SumUp card reader is truly flexible to work with your business needs.
Compared to bulkier machines like the Dojo card reader, the A920 also leads on design. It offers a modern, fully touchscreen interface that easily blends in with your countertop. It can be wireless, unlike the Worldpay reader, which has numerous additional wires and could make your countertop look and feel cluttered. If you need to detach the printer later, just press the button on the front while pulling the card reader, as seen in the image below: Printing That said, to make it even more customer-centric, and like the Square card machine, the Zettle could have a larger display screen. Some of my customers also prefer buttons to input their data rather than a touchscreen.” The smallest and cheapest model, the SumUp Air, requires both smartphone connectivity via Bluetooth and WiFi to function effectively. Whereas the Solo and 3G readers are both equipped with SIM cards so it can function independently without the need for WiFi or a separate smartphone. Founded in 2012, this London based provider is acclaimed for its support of small businesses. SumUp’s mission is to support those who would likely be snubbed by larger providers, and with their range of affordable products they do just that.Zettle's reader is more expensive than Square's, however Zettle outranks the latter in terms of deposit speed and because it has a stronger mobile app, which makes it the better choice for firms making transactions on the move. It also comes with a neat feature that allows you to allocate tips to each user, ensuring that gratuities are correctly distributed among your staff. If the above has maybe been a little too transparent and insightful or you’ve reached the end of our review and decided SumUp isn’t for you, it is of course worth exploring the alternatives. Dreadful customer service. The card reader stopped working for “misuse” while it was boxed and switched off.” Kate, 2022 Zettle's closest rival is Square, another software provider that released a small business card reader at a similar time.
My customers seem happy with it. The charge also lasts for ages. One charge will last for three days. I charge it every night and it never drops below four bars. We tested 11 merchant account products and services to evaluate them in terms of functionality, usability, price, compliance, and more so we can make the most useful recommendations to small UK-based businesses. The SumUp App also gives you access to our full range of merchant services for small businesses, including invoices, issuing receipts, and seeing your transaction history. Frederico, the owner of Rugged Brunch, a cafe in North London (pictured), has had a Zettle card reader since he opened the cafe in 2020.
Card machine specs
Like Tyl by Natwest, SmartPay Anywhere is best for users who already have a business account with the linked bank. If you have a Barclays Business account you'll be able to take full advantage of the device. We found the SumUp card reader in use at Jerry's, a food stall in Angel, London. We spoke to the owner about the reader, who has used the product for the last eight months and is “very happy” with it. You can receive funds into your account on the same day if you have a SumUp Business Account, out with this it takes a standard 1-3 working days to arrive into your account. There is also the option of receiving your funds on a weekly or monthly schedule. However, it's high transaction fees mean Worldpay is not a good option for businesses that sell lots of cheap items. However, if you’re an established business that sells expensive, boutique items, then we recommend Worldpay's fixed monthly plan for your shop's point of sale area. Whether you’re running a mobile coffee stall, or simply want something a little more compact in store, SumUp Air travels well and measures 8.4cm by 8.4cm. It also has a long-lasting battery life to boot, being able to make 500 transactions in one charge. This makes it a popular option among businesses fresh on the startup scene.
With low transaction fees in the UK (just 1.69%) and crystal-clear, flat-rate prices, SumUp pricing receives a respectable overall score of 3.6 out of 5 in our research. This marks it as a perfect option for beginners and savvy business owners who want to minimise expenses. When the printer is out of paper, it’ll be communicated on the display of the card reader and you’ll also see red lines on the paper itself when it’s nearly out. An additional feature of the 3G Printer is that it also works as a charging cradle: when the printer is plugged into a power supply and the card reader is attached to it, both the printer and the reader will be charged. The two card reader models available are: the countertop Ingenico Desk/5000, and the mobile Ingenico Axium DX8000 with Wi-Fi (designed for table service).Our rigorous testing process means these products have been scored and rated in six main categories of investigation and 25 subcategories – in fact, we covered 36 areas of investigation in total. We then gave each category score a ‘relevance weighting' to ensure the product's final score perfectly reflects the needs of our Startups.co.uk readers. Our main testing categories for merchant account products and services are: The first thing we need to highlight about the SmartPay Anywhere is its incredibly low transaction fees (1.6%). This is more than a whole percent less than rival provider Worldpay, and is a significant pull factor for firms selling low-cost goods, like a corner shop. Beyond the basics, consider additional functionalities. Features like inventory management, reporting tools, or integration capabilities with your existing systems can streamline operations and enhance business efficiency. Compliance measures: The Square card reader is pretty easy to use and a nice bit of kit. Because it's so small, it's ideal for my setup because I have a limited amount of space. It was also simple to setup and cheap to buy. Plus, the money goes into my account the next day.
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