Leading portable card machines for small businesses

A card machine is a device that lets businesses accept debit and credit card payments from customers. Modern card readers are fully mobile and connect via Wi-Fi or 4G/5G, so you can take payments wherever you work, whether in a retail shop, a restaurant, a café, at a beauty salon, or at a client visit.

Today’s machines support both Chip and PIN and contactless payments. Customers can tap their card, phone or smartwatch using Apple Pay or Google Pay, or insert their card and enter a PIN.

Card machines remain one of the most secure ways to accept payments, meeting industry standards for data protection. They also match customer expectations. In the UK, for example, more than four out of five transactions are now made by card, and contactless has become the preferred way to pay. Offering a card machine is no longer a nice-to-have, it’s essential for any business that wants to stay competitive.

The best card machine is one that gives customers flexibility while keeping costs predictable. Small business owners and self-employed professionals need card readers that are affordable, portable and easy to set up.

SumUp card machines are designed with exactly that in mind. They provide the same features as traditional terminals but without contracts or monthly fees, and with the freedom to take payments wherever you work. Whether you serve customers in a shop, a café, a salon or on the go, you can accept card and contactless payments quickly and securely.

Because you only pay a small fee per transaction, SumUp card readers are a practical choice for both established businesses and side hustles looking for a simple, reliable way to get paid.

SumUp card machines are built to adapt to different industries, making them a reliable choice for almost any kind of small business. Because they’re portable, easy to set up and contract-free, they work just as well in fixed locations as they do on the move.

Food and beverage: restaurants, coffee shops, bars and clubs, market stalls, food trucks, grocery shops and quick-service restaurants use SumUp to serve customers faster and accept contactless payments at the table, counter or outdoors.

Retail: from independent clothing shops and gift stores to general retail, SumUp readers help reduce queues and give customers the choice to pay how they prefer, including Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Services: taxis, hotels, contractors, beauty salons, healthcare providers, charities, event organisers and professional services can all accept card payments on the go or at the point of service, without relying on cash.

By supporting all major debit and credit cards as well as digital wallets, SumUp readers make it simple for small businesses across different sectors to offer the payment methods their customers already expect.

Using a card machine is simple. Modern readers are designed to be intuitive, with minimal setup required. With SumUp, you can start taking payments in just a few minutes:

1. Switch on your device and connect it to Wi-Fi or mobile data. If you’re using Air, pair it with your smartphone; Solo and Terminal connect directly with their built-in SIM.

2. Log in to your SumUp profile through the device or the free app.

3. Accept payments by Chip and PIN, contactless card, Apple Pay or Google Pay.

Every SumUp card reader includes contactless technology and supports all major cards, so customers can choose how they want to pay. Whether they prefer “tap and go” or Chip and PIN, the process is fast, secure and familiar, which helps you deliver a smoother checkout experience.

Getting a card machine used to mean contracts, high upfront fees and even opening a merchant account with your bank. For many small businesses, that made accepting cards almost impossible.

Today, the process is simple. With SumUp you can order a reader online and be ready to take payments in just a few steps:

1. Choose the card machine that fits your business.

2. Place your order on the SumUp website.

3. Create your free SumUp profile in minutes.

4. When the device arrives, connect it and start accepting payments.

There are no binding contracts or monthly costs, just a straightforward way to start getting paid by card.

Yes. You don’t need to go through a bank or sign a long-term contract to get a card machine anymore. With SumUp, you can buy your own reader outright with a simple one-off payment. Once purchased, the device is yours to keep, with no rental fees or binding agreements.

All you need to do is:

1. Choose the card machine that fits your business needs.

2. Order it directly from the SumUp website.

3. Create a free SumUp profile to activate your device.

4. Start accepting card and contactless payments right away.

Because SumUp machines have no monthly fees, you only pay a small transaction fee when you process a payment. That makes buying your own reader a cost-effective option for small businesses, freelancers and anyone who wants a flexible way to get paid.

Where can I buy a portable card machine?

• Directly from SumUp: Visit SumUp's official website to purchase devices like the SumUp Air, Solo, or bundles with charging docks and printers.

• E-commerce retailers available in the UK

A credit card machine is a one-off purchase, and the price depends on the model you choose. With SumUp, every device is designed to be affordable and portable:

• Air – £25: Compact reader that pairs with your smartphone for quick, simple payments.

• Solo – £79: Standalone touchscreen device with built-in mobile data and charging station included.

• Terminal – £169: All-in-one handheld device with a printer and POS features.

• Tap to Pay – Free: Accept contactless payments directly on your smartphone using the SumUp app.

There are no rental costs or hidden extras. Occasionally, discounts are available, so it’s worth checking the SumUp website for promotions.

How much is a credit card machine?

Beyond the device cost, you’ll also want to consider transaction fees. With SumUp, pricing is simple and transparent.

You only ever pay a 1.69% fee per debit or credit card payment on the pay-as-you-go plan. This fee is automatically deducted from each sale, so you’ll never receive unexpected bills at the end of the month.

There are no subscription charges, no setup fees and no fixed monthly costs. If you don’t use your card machine, you don’t pay anything.

What’s the cheapest card machine with no monthly fees?

The cheapest SumUp device is the Air card machine. It connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth and accepts all major debit and credit cards, as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay. All SumUp devices come with no monthly fees.

Can I compare card machines that accept contactless payments?

SumUp tends to offer the most competitive hardware pricing and transaction rates. You can easily compare SumUp card readers with other available options.

The cheapest way to take card payments is to choose a pay-as-you-go credit card machine. Instead of paying rental costs or monthly fees, you buy the reader once and only pay a small fee when you use it.

With SumUp you have two of the most affordable options:

• Tap to Pay (Free): Take contactless payments directly on your smartphone using the SumUp app.

• SumUp Air (£25): A compact card reader that connects to your phone via Bluetooth.

Both options let you accept all major cards as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay. For a side hustle, market stall or new business, this keeps your upfront spend low while giving customers the payment flexibility they expect.

See the comparison of different card machine fees and charges to understand how SumUp’s pricing and devices compare.

Yes. Portable card machines are designed to let you take payments wherever your business happens. With SumUp, all devices connect via Wi-Fi or mobile data, which means you’re not tied to a checkout counter.

This flexibility makes them a great fit for businesses that move between locations or serve customers directly:

• Mobile professionals like hairdressers, beauty therapists, plumbers or dog groomers can accept payments during home visits.

• Market traders and pop-up shops can process card transactions at stalls, fairs and outdoor events without relying on cash.

• Restaurants and cafés can bring the machine to the table, letting customers pay without waiting at the counter.

Because every SumUp reader supports contactless, Chip and PIN and mobile wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay, you can offer customers the same fast, secure checkout experience whether you’re in a shop or on the move.

Yes. Card machines are one of the safest ways for small businesses to accept payments, and every SumUp reader is built to meet the highest security standards.

• Industry-level protection: All SumUp devices are fully PCI DSS compliant, which is the global standard for handling card payments. Every transaction is encrypted from the moment the card is tapped or inserted, and no sensitive data is ever stored on your device or smartphone. This means neither you nor your customer is exposed to unnecessary risk.

• Secure transactions for every method: Whether customers pay by Chip and PIN, contactless, Apple Pay or Google Pay, the process is protected by layers of security. PIN entry and biometric verification add an extra level of protection for higher-value payments.

• Trust and reliability: Because millions of businesses worldwide use SumUp, our systems are constantly tested and monitored. This ensures that your transactions are processed securely and that your customers’ data remains private.

By using a SumUp card machine, you can reassure customers that paying by card is not only convenient but also one of the most secure ways to pay.

SumUp is designed to make running a small business easier, not just to process card payments. When you sign up for free, you get access to a full suite of tools that go beyond the card machine and support every part of your day-to-day operations.

Grow and streamline your business

• Point of Sale features: Depending on your device, you can manage items, track sales and process receipts directly from your reader.

• Integrations and extras: Connect SumUp with other tools you already use to make your workflow even smoother.

Manage your money with ease

• SumUp Business Account: Keep your business and personal finances separate. Enjoy next-day payouts, even on weekends, and get a free Mastercard to access your funds instantly.

• Expense tracking and spending: Use your Business Account and card to cover business costs, all in one place.

Get paid in more ways

• Invoices: Create and send professional invoices in minutes and let customers pay securely online.

• Payment links and QR codes: Share a payment link by email, text or social media, or let customers scan a QR code to pay instantly.

• Online store builder: Set up your own e-commerce shop for free, with no technical skills required.

With these additional solutions, SumUp becomes more than just a card machine provider. It’s a complete payment ecosystem that helps you sell in person, online or remotely, while giving you the tools to manage your money and grow your business.