Take payments with a card reader
However you want to take cards, whether at a till point, at the table, or on the move, we've got the right card reader for your business.
Whether you're a long established business, or brand new to the card payments world, signing up with us is easy. We can come and visit you to tell you more about how a card reader could help your business.
Which card reader is best for my small business?
Whichever card reader you choose, it'll come with the latest tech, including contactless, Apple and Google Pay as standard.
Which card reader is best for my small business?
You can accept all major credit and debit cards and contactless payments.
Take your card reader to the next level.
- Safe, secure card and cash transactions
- Realtime reporting on screen
- Easy set up
Countertop
Great for serving customers from one place.
- Small, compact design
- Connect by broadband or phone
- Fast receipt printing
Portable
Take payments around your shop floor.
- Small and lightweight
- 50m range via Bluetooth or WiFi
- Long battery life
Mobile
Accept payments on the move.
- Built-in GPRS SIM card
- Connect anywhere there's 4G signal
- Long battery life
How we can help.
With over 29,000** reviews, we're proud of our 5 star Trustpilot rating. Our award winning team is on hand 7 days a week.
There’s no one-size-fits-all. One of our specialists can visit your business and find you our best solution.
Our Welcome Team will get you transacting quickly and confidently, and will be there if you've any questions.
It's your money, so why wait for it? Keep your cash flowing with next day settlement.
See what our happy customers are saying
What is a card reader?
That’s an easy one. It’s just another name for a card machine. You might have also heard it referred to as a card payment terminal, a PDQ machine, or something else entirely, but they're all the same thing.
They allow you to take credit and debit cards from your customers, including Visa, Mastercard, Maestro and American Express.
We know that different small businesses need to take cards in different ways, which is why we offer a range of card readers and a tailormade pricing package to suit your individual needs.
Plus, all our card readers come equipped with contactless, so you can take faster payments on sales up to £100. Plus, you'll be able to accept Apple Pay and Android Pay too.
Whether you're brand new to cards, or are looking for a new provider, we're here to help.
Get a free quote
Why take card payments with a card reader?
Card payments are continuing to rise. In fact, according to UK Finance, there were 1.5 billion debit and credit card transactions in the UK in March 2021, 24.7 per cent more than in February and 3.3 per cent more than in March 2020.
So, if you're not already taking cards with a card reader, you could be missing out on potential sales. Here are a few more benefits:
- It's more convenient for your customers as it takes contactless card payments
- It can speeds up your service, reducing queues
- It's safer and more secure than cash
- It can encourage people to spend more with you
FAQs
Are card readers the same as a card machine?
Yes. A credit and debit card reader is another name for a card machine. In fact, they go by a few different names - you might have heard them called a PDQ machine, chip & PIN card reader or card payment machine too.
It’s a device that is used for payment processing, meaning you can accept card payments from your customers using their credit and debit cards and contactless card payments like Apple Pay and Android Pay.
Which card reader is best for me?
We have a number of credit card readers to choose from. And which one is best for you will depend on how your business operates.
Need to take payments at a counter or reception? The countertop reader is ideal. It can plug in next to your till and connects using your phone line or broadband. It’s a great option if you only want customers to pay from one area.
If you have a café, restaurant or bar, our portable card machine will be ideal. It comes with a base unit which can be left plugged in at the counter, whilst you take payments using the handset at the table. As long as you’re within 50 metres of the base unit, you can get paid.
Our mobile card reader lets you take payments whilst out on the road. Using 3G, it connects to the strongest mobile network in your area to take payment. They’re ideal if you’re a tradesperson, courier, taxi service or if you work at different events.
All of our card readers are equipped to take contactless card payments up to the value of £100.
What payments can I take?
You’ll be able to take standard chip and PIN payments for all of the main credit cards and debit cards, like Visa, Mastercard, Maestro and American Express.
Got customers that want to make a contactless payment? No problem. With no extra cost to get set-up, all our card readers accept contactless cards as standard. They come with Apple Pay, Android Pay and Samsung Pay too.
How much do they cost?
At takepayments, we don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. That’s why we offer personalised pricing packages that are based on your business.
One of our local specialists will come and meet with you to help you get you the best deal. They’ll tailor the package based on your business type, your expected or current card turnover and what card reader you choose.
The pricing package will include the authorisation and transaction fee for each of your processed payments. It’ll also include your card reader rental fee.
What is a merchant account and why do I need one?
Any business that takes card payments needs a merchant account. It works separately to your business bank account and is a holding area where the funds are checked and approved, before being transferred to your bank account.
When you join takepayments, we’ll help get you a merchant account set up free of charge with one of our partnered acquirers, such as Barclaycard.
Terms and conditions apply.
Businesses will be required to enter into and maintain a separate contract with an acquiring bank nominated by takepayments for the processing of the card transactions. Under the contract with the acquiring bank, transaction charges and other fees will apply.
*This service is available to takepayments Limited customers who are accepted for Barclaycard acquiring services and is subject to Barclaycard’s approval. Next day settlement refers to the next banking day. Your card machine’s banking window function must be performed before 8:30pm in order to receive settlement the next banking day. Transactions processed via Ecommerce pay pages, pay by link and virtual terminals may be subject to different settlement timescales.
**Correct as of December 2022.
