Best Card Readers for Small Businesses
What is the best Card Reader for a small business? Here, Posland tells you how much the most popular POS terminals for this type of business cost, what features they have and what their advantages and disadvantages are:
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- Cheap and easy to use POS.
- Sign up for only 39£.
- 1.69% commission for transaction.
- Online contracting and without permanence.
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- Pay only for each transaction.
- Receive it for only 29£.
- Commission of 1.10% + 0.07£.
- Good customer service
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- POS without permanence.
- Registration for only 16£ + VAT.
- Commission of 1.75% per transaction.
- Simple, portable and compact.
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- Low-cost POS (one-time payment of £29).
- 1.75% per transaction.
- No maintenance fees.
- Linked to cell phone.
Price | Transaction fees | |
SumUp | SumUp Air: 39£. SumUp 3G Solo: 79£. SumUp 3G + Printer: 129£. | 1,69%. |
MyPOS | MyPOS Go: 29£. MyPOS Carbon: 189£. MuyPOS Slim: 189£. MyPOS Combo: 199£. | 1,10% + 0,07£. |
Square | Square Reader: 16£. Square Terminal: 149£. Square Stand: 99£. | 1.75%. |
Zettle | 29£. | 1.75%. |
The best Card Readers for small businesses and retailers
1- SumUp
The Card Reader company SumUp offers Card Readers adapted to small businesses, which are easy to sign up for, do not require any commitment of permanence and do not charge maintenance fees. In addition, its transaction fees are 1.69% per transaction.
Price | SumUp Air: 39£ + VAT. SumUp 3G Solo: 79£ + VAT. SumUp 3G + Printer: 129£ + VAT. |
Commissions | 1.69% commission for each transaction. |
Advantages | No commitment of permanence. No set-up or maintenance fees. Payments by insertion and contactless.. |
Disadvantages | Compatibility with other software rather limited. |
- SumUp Air: This is a mobile device that connects to a smartphone or tablet. It does not have a screen, so you will have to operate it from your mobile phone using the App available for iOS and Android.
- SumUp 3G: This device is more autonomous than the previous one, as it has its own screen and can be used without connecting it to the smartphone. Although it does not have a printer, it can send receipts via SMS.
- SumUp 3G + Printer: It has the same features as the SumUp 3G Solo, but with the difference that it includes an adaptable base with a built-in thermal printer.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Cheap and easy to use POS.
- Sign up for only 39£.
- 1.69% commission for transaction.
- Online contracting and without permanence.
2- MyPOS
MyPOS is one of the most popular companies of payment terminals, among its main advantages is the immediate availability of funds, although these are received in a MyPOS current account, which is associated with a card.
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- Pay only for each transaction.
- Receive it for only 29£.
- Commission of 1.10% + 0.07£.
- Good customer service
With MyPOS you can choose between three different Card Reader terminals, which are:
Price | MyPOS Go: 29£ + VAT. MyPOS Carbon: 189£ + VAT. MuyPOS Slim: 189£ + VAT. MyPOS Combo: 199 + VAT. |
Commissions | Commission of 1,10% + 0,07£. |
Advantages | Excellent customer service. Low transaction costs. Instant crediting. |
Disadvantages | MyPOS account credits with high transfer and withdrawal fees. |
- MyPOS Go: This is the simplest and cheapest option in the MyPOS line, it has a very competitive price among similar wireless devices, but offers the advantage of having its own keyboard and screen. It does not have a printer, but it can send receipts by SMS. It is compatible with chip, magnetic stripe and contactless cards.
- MyPOS Carbon: Smart Card Reader with Android operating system that can be expanded with additional applications. It has a screen, keyboard and thermal printer. For a standalone device, its price is quite competitive.
- MyPOS Combo: Standalone device with 4G SIM, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity. It has a screen, keyboard and high speed printer. Ideal for shops, hotels and restaurants.
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- Pay only for each transaction.
- Receive it for only 29£.
- Commission of 1.10% + 0.07£.
- Good customer service
3- Square
For small businesses, Square offers two Card Reader options. Both have no commitment of permanence and can be linked to multiple Square products and services. The options you will find with this company are:
Price | Square Reader: 16£ + VAT. Square Terminal: 149 + VAT. Square Stand: 99£ + VAT. |
Commissions | Commission of 1.75%. |
Advantages | Compatible with other POS software. No commitment of permanence. Multiple tools for free online invoicing. |
Disadvantages | Poor technical support. |
- Square Reader: The company’s most accessible option. It is a portable device that works connected to a smartphone, it does not have its own screen or keyboard. It is easy to use and configure, fast and compatible with chip cards and contactless payments.
- Square Terminal: All-in-one device. It has a screen, keyboard and thermal printer. It connects via WiFi, and allows payments with chip cards, magnetic stripe and NFL technology.
- Square Stand: Rotating base for counter, equipped with magnetic stripe card reader, insertion and contactless technology. It works by adapting an iPad, and has a USB hub and Bluetooth connection, so it can be complemented with printers, cash drawers and barcode readers, among other accessories.
4- Zettle Reader 2
Formerly known as iZettle, the new Zettle is a Card Reader belonging to PayPal and is the only model marketed by the company.
Price | 29£ + VAT. |
Commissions | Commission of 1.75%. |
Advantages | No commitment of permanence. Commissions adapted to the number of monthly transactions. Mobile device more resistant than other similar devices. |
Disadvantages | Higher commissions for low turnover. Higher price than other mobile Card Readers such as SumUp and Square. |
The Zettle Reader 2 is a wireless device that works connected via Bluetooth to a smartphone or tablet. It is compatible with chip cards and contactless technology.
In terms of terms and conditions, the PayPal Card Reader charges transaction fees that may be somewhat higher than other portable terminals. It does not charge a monthly fee and has no commitment of permanence, and offers a virtual POS service for e-commerce.
Buy or rent a Card Reader?
Buying your own Card Reader is not the only option for receiving card payments: you can also rent one from a bank.
The option of renting a payment terminal may seem tempting for businesses that do not have the means to invest in their own equipment, but you should be aware that it will be much more expensive in the long run.
Banks that rent Card Readers charge fees that will be higher for higher transaction volumes, so they will be cheaper for high turnover businesses. But if you have a small business, the best thing to do is to buy your own Card Reader according to your needs, there are options starting from 20£ that will be more convenient than renting one.
Frequently Asked Questions about Card Readers for Small Businesses
How much does a Card Reader cost?
The cost will depend on the type of device you are looking for. If, for example, you’re looking for a low-cost, wireless, mobile-connected Card Reader, you’ll find options from as little as £16.
If, on the other hand, you are looking for an option with greater autonomy, which includes its own printer and connects to the internet on its own, prices will be from £140 upwards.
What fees do Card Readers charge?
Fees are usually for transactions, remote payments (virtual POS), cancellations and refunds. Some companies also charge a maintenance fee.