The UK market for mobile card readers has matured quickly. You can now accept chip and PIN, contactless, and digital wallet payments from a pocket-sized device linked to your iPhone or Android phone — with no long-term contract and no monthly fees for most options.
I’ve compared the six leading readers on the market today, looking beyond the headline transaction rate to cover real-world usability, app quality, connectivity reliability, payout speed, and who each reader genuinely suits. Before you buy, there are three things worth knowing:
- Transaction fees compound. A 0.1% difference sounds trivial, but at £10,000 of monthly takings it’s £120 a year. Compare rates against your expected volume before committing.
- Some readers require a linked business account, like Tide. Factor in those account fees when calculating total cost.
- Connectivity matters more than specs. The best hardware is useless without a reliable connection. If you sell at markets or events with poor mobile signal, built-in 4G (Tide) or an offline mode (SumUp Solo) may be worth a premium.
Square Reader (2nd Generation)
SumUp Solo Card Reader
Tide Card Reader
- Quick Comparison: At a Glance
- Our Picks for the Best Android & iPhone Credit Card Readers
- Square Reader (2nd Generation): Best for App Features and Free POS
- Tide Card Reader: Best Built-in Connectivity for On-the-Go Sellers
- SumUp Air: Best Budget Reader for Occasional Sellers
- Zettle Reader 2 (PayPal) – Best if You Already Use PayPal Business
- Shopify WisePad 3 – Best (Only) Choice for Shopify Ecommerce Sellers
- How to Choose the Right Card Reader for Your Business
- FAQS
Quick Comparison: At a Glance
| Reader | Price | Transaction Fee | Monthly Fee | Battery | Connectivity | Best For | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Square Reader | £19 + VAT | 1.75% | None | ~500 txns | Bluetooth | Best all-round app ecosystem | Visit Square |
| Tide Card Reader | £99 + VAT | 1.39% + 5p (PAYG) | None | All-day | 4G + Wi-Fi | Built-in connectivity, no phone needed | Visit Tide |
| SumUp Air | £39 + VAT | 1.69% | None | ~500 txns | Bluetooth | Budget-friendly starter reader | Visit SumUp |
| Zettle Reader 2 | £29 + VAT | 1.75% | None | ~8 hrs | Bluetooth/USB-C | PayPal integration, ergonomic design | Visit Zettle |
| Shopify WisePad 3 | £49 + VAT | 1.5%–5%** | From £5/mo** | ~500–600 txns | Bluetooth | Shopify ecommerce sellers only | Visit Shopify |
**Shopify WisePad 3 requires a Shopify ecommerce plan (from £5/month). Transaction rates depend on the plan; the 5% rate applies to the cheapest Starter plan.
Our Picks for the Best Android & iPhone Credit Card Readers
Square Reader (2nd Generation): Best for App Features and Free POS
The Square Reader is the smallest card reader on this list and arguably the most capable overall, thanks to the free Square Point of Sale app that accompanies it. At £19 + VAT, it’s also the cheapest entry point into a mature, well-supported payments ecosystem.
What sets Square apart from cheaper alternatives isn’t the hardware — it’s the software. The free POS app includes inventory management, employee scheduling, gift cards, sales reporting, payment links, and even a basic online store builder. If you’re looking for one tool to handle in-person and online sales together, Square comes closest to delivering that at no monthly cost.
The reader itself has no screen or keypad. Customers enter their PIN on your phone or tablet, which some merchants find creates a small awkwardness in handing over the device. For countertop use, the optional Bosstab Dock (£29 + VAT) solves this by keeping the reader and your phone at a fixed, professional angle.
One genuinely useful feature is instant payouts. Funds reach your bank the next business day as standard — including weekends and Bank Holidays if your bank supports Faster Payments — or immediately for a 1% fee. Alternatively, instant free transfers are available to a Square Mastercard prepaid card, which is useful for managing cash flow if you need weekend access to takings.
Who should skip it: Businesses needing standalone operation without a phone, or those selling in locations with consistently poor mobile data signal. Square Reader has no built-in 4G and no offline mode. If your card machine needs to work independently, look at Tide or SumUp Solo instead.
Specifications
| Price | £19 + VAT |
| Transaction fee | 1.75% (all card types); 6% + 30p for Clearpay |
| Monthly fee | None |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth BLE 5.3 (requires phone internet) |
| Compatibility | iOS 14.0+ (excl. iPad 2 and 3); Android 7.0+ |
| Battery life | ~500 transactions per charge (USB-C) |
| Accepted payments | Chip & PIN, contactless, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, Amex, Clearpay |
| Payout speed | Next business day; instant for 1% fee or free to Square Card |
| Warranty | 2 years |
| Customer support | Phone and live chat, weekdays 9am–5pm |
- No monthly fees or contracts
- Most feature-rich free POS app of any reader on this list
- Instant payout option available (to Square Card, free)
- Large accessory ecosystem: dock, receipt printer, barcode scanner
- 2-year hardware warranty — longest on this list
- Accepts Amex, Samsung Pay, and Clearpay
- No built-in screen or keypad — PIN entered on your device
- No 4G or offline mode; requires stable internet connection
- Phone support weekdays only (9am–5pm)
- High transaction fee relative to Tide for volume sellers
Tide Card Reader: Best Built-in Connectivity for On-the-Go Sellers
The Tide Card Reader is the only standalone device on this list with built-in lifetime 4G connectivity included at no extra cost. Unlike every other reader here, it does not need a tethered phone to process payments — it operates on its own SIM and connects independently to the payment network. This makes it genuinely useful for market traders, tradespeople visiting client sites, or anyone operating in locations with unreliable mobile signal.
The entry-level Tide Card Reader costs £99 + VAT* and charges 1.39% + 5p per transaction on the Pay As You Go plan. There’s also a Sell In-Person subscription (from £14.99 + VAT per month) that unlocks lower domestic transaction rates if your volume justifies it. However, note that commercial cards and international cards carry higher rates than the headline domestic fee.
The Tide Card Reader Plus £119 + VAT* adds a built-in receipt printer, making it the only reader on this list that prints physical receipts without purchasing a separate peripheral. For businesses like restaurants, cafés, or tradespeople where a paper receipt is expected, this removes a common pain point entirely.
There are important limitations. The Tide reader only works with a Tide Business Account, which is a requirement rather than just a suggestion. Processing refunds requires contacting Tide support rather than doing it yourself in the app — an operational frustration for any business that regularly needs to issue refunds. And there’s no offline mode: if your 4G signal drops completely, so does your ability to take payments.
Additionally, the Tide reader does not accept American Express, which is an unusual gap for a 2026 product. Businesses with customers who regularly pay by Amex — corporate expense users in particular — should factor this in.
Who should skip it: Merchants who already have a preferred business bank account elsewhere (the Tide account is mandatory), businesses with regular Amex transactions, or those who need a full EPOS system with inventory management.
Exclusive Offer: Purchase your Tide Reader by 28/02/2026 using code TIDEZERO to get no transaction fees for domestic card payments under £10 for 3 months. You’ll also get a £200 cash reward if you accept at least £1000 in payments within the first 90 days of becoming a member.
* Prices are subject to signing up for the Sell In Person subscription.
Specifications
| Price | £99.99 + VAT (standard); £119.99 + VAT (Plus, with receipt printer) |
| Transaction fee | 1.39% + 5p (domestic consumer cards, PAYG); Prices subject to signing up for the Sell In Person subscription |
| Monthly fee | None (PAYG); optional Sell In-Person subscription from £14.99 + VAT/month |
| Connectivity | Built-in lifetime 4G SIM + Wi-Fi (no phone required) |
| Compatibility | Standalone device; Tide app required for setup and management (Android 10.0+, iOS 15+) |
| Battery life | All-day use |
| Accepted payments | Chip & PIN, contactless, Apple Pay, Google Pay; Visa and Mastercard only (no Amex, no Samsung Pay) |
| Payout speed | 1–3 business days |
| Warranty | Contact Tide for current terms |
| Customer support | In-app live chat |
- Built-in lifetime 4G SIM included — no phone or tethering required
- Tide Card Reader Plus includes a receipt printer (unique on this list)
- Compact and standalone — ideal for mobile businesses
- No monthly fee on the basic Pay As You Go plan
- Competitive transaction rate for domestic consumer cards
- Requires a Tide Business Account — not usable with other bank accounts
- Does not accept Amex or Samsung Pay
- Refunds require contacting Tide support — not self-service
- No offline mode despite 4G: if signal drops completely, payments stop
- POS features are basic; not suitable for detailed inventory management
- Payout speed (1–3 days) slower than Square
SumUp Air: Best Budget Reader for Occasional Sellers
The SumUp Air is a well-established, no-frills card reader that does one thing well: accept contactless and chip & PIN payments simply and affordably. At £39 + VAT with a 1.69% transaction fee and no monthly costs, it sits in a comfortable middle ground — cheaper than Tide’s upfront cost, slightly more expensive than Square, with a marginally lower transaction rate than Square or Zettle.
The Air’s standout practical feature is battery life. It processes around 500 transactions on a single charge and has been a reliable workhorse for market traders, café owners, and mobile businesses since its launch. Setup takes minutes: download the SumUp app, pair via Bluetooth, and you’re ready to accept payments.
The app is notably simpler than Square’s. You get a product library, basic sales overview, digital receipts, and payout reporting, but not much more. There’s no native inventory tracking, no employee management, and no built-in EPOS-level features. If you only need to take payments and occasionally review your sales summary, this is fine. If you need a fuller POS system, you’ll want to look at Square or invest in SumUp’s paid POS Pro upgrade.
One genuine concern worth flagging: SumUp’s customer support has attracted consistent criticism from UK merchants. Reports of frozen accounts, slow resolutions, and difficulty reaching support staff are common in user reviews. If dependable customer service matters to your business, this is a risk worth weighing against the competitive pricing.
SumUp also offers a Solo card reader (£79 + VAT) with a touchscreen, built-in SIM, and standalone operation — similar territory to the Tide Card Reader. If you need offline or independent operation, the Solo is worth comparing.
Who should skip it: Businesses needing detailed sales reporting, reliable customer support, or a standalone device without phone tethering. Also unsuitable if you accept American Express, as the Air doesn’t support it.
Specifications
| Price | £39 + VAT; bundle with charging stand: £49 + VAT |
| Transaction fee | 1.69% (PAYG); 0.99% on Payments Plus subscription (£19/month) |
| Monthly fee | None (PAYG); optional Payments Plus subscription |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth (requires phone internet via Wi-Fi or data) |
| Compatibility | iOS 15.1+; Android 8.0+ with Bluetooth 4.0 |
| Battery life | ~500 transactions per charge; ~12 hours |
| Accepted payments | Chip & PIN, contactless, Apple Pay, Google Pay; Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Diners Club, Discover, Union Pay (no Amex) |
| Payout speed | 2–3 working days standard; next day with SumUp Business Account; by 7am next day with SumUp One |
| Warranty | 12 months; 30-day money-back guarantee |
| Customer support | Web chat only (weekdays 8am–7pm, weekends 7am–5pm) |
- Lowest transaction rate without a monthly subscription (1.69%)
- Strong battery life: ~500 transactions per charge
- No contracts, no monthly fee on standard plan
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Option to upgrade to SumUp Solo for standalone operation
- Accepts a wide range of card brands (Diners, Discover, Union Pay)
- Customer support consistently criticised; account freezes reported
- Requires phone for all operations — no standalone mode
- App is basic; no inventory tracking or staff management
- Does not accept American Express
- Payout speed slower than Square without a paid account
- Higher purchase price than Square Reader
Zettle Reader 2 (PayPal) – Best if You Already Use PayPal Business
Note: Zettle by PayPal has rebranded to PayPal Point of Sale. The original Zettle Reader 2 remains available, but the actively promoted hardware is now the PayPal Reader. Both use the same fee structure. This review covers both as they function identically for most merchants.
The Zettle Reader 2 / PayPal Reader is the most ergonomic device on this list. It’s genuinely comfortable in the hand, with a well-placed PIN pad and a colour touchscreen. The optional USB-C wired connection — unique to this reader — provides a more stable alternative to Bluetooth, which is particularly useful in fixed-location environments where connectivity consistency matters.
The headline advantage for existing PayPal users is payout speed. When Zettle settles into your PayPal Business account, funds arrive within minutes rather than days. You can then spend that balance directly with a PayPal Business Debit Card or transfer it to your bank account free of charge. For businesses that already manage finances through PayPal — online sellers using eBay, Etsy, or similar platforms — this tight integration is genuinely valuable.
The 1.75% transaction rate is identical to Square and applies uniformly to all major card types, including Amex, Diners Club, and Discover — Zettle does not charge a premium for premium cards, which is a meaningful advantage if your customers use corporate or travel cards regularly.
Where Zettle disappoints is in app development. PayPal has removed several features from the POS app over time, including payment links and QR codes. These now need to be managed separately through your main PayPal account rather than the Zettle app, which creates operational friction. The app has not added meaningful new features in some time, and the impression is of a product that is no longer being actively developed.
Who should skip it: Businesses without a PayPal account (one is mandatory), those who need offline functionality, or merchants who want a feature-rich POS app with inventory management and integrations.
Specifications
| Price | £29 + VAT (first reader, new accounts); £69 + VAT (additional readers); Zettle Reader 2 now £49 + VAT |
| Transaction fee | 1.75% (all in-person card types including Amex) |
| Monthly fee | None |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth and USB-C wired connection |
| Compatibility | iOS and Android; most Bluetooth 5.0+ devices |
| Battery life | ~8 hours or ~100 transactions |
| Accepted payments | Chip & PIN, contactless, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, Amex, Diners Club, Discover |
| Payout speed | Within minutes to PayPal account; 1–2 working days to bank |
| Warranty | 12 months |
| Customer support | Phone and chat, weekdays 9am–5pm; response quality inconsistent |
- Most ergonomic reader on the list — comfortable for all-day use
- Unique USB-C wired connection option for more reliable connectivity
- Instant payouts to PayPal account — fund access in minutes
- Accepts Amex, Diners Club, and Discover at the same flat rate
- No monthly fees or contracts
- Integrates with Xero, QuickBooks, and third-party POS systems
- Requires a PayPal Business Account
- Battery life (~100 transactions) is the weakest on this list for high-volume use
- App development has stalled: payment links and QR codes removed from POS app
- No offline mode; requires internet to process payments
- Transaction protection limited to £250/month in eligible chargebacks
- Support quality inconsistent; average Trustpilot rating notably lower than competitors
Shopify WisePad 3 – Best (Only) Choice for Shopify Ecommerce Sellers
The Shopify WisePad 3 is a solid card reader with one important caveat: it only makes financial sense if you’re already using Shopify to run an online store. If you are, the integration between your online and in-person sales is seamless — the same inventory, the same customer records, the same reporting dashboard. If you’re not already a Shopify merchant, the mandatory subscription costs make this the most expensive option on the list by a significant margin.
The reader costs £49 + VAT and requires an active Shopify ecommerce subscription to function. The cheapest option is the Starter plan at £5 per month, but this carries a 5% in-person transaction rate — one of the highest on the market. To bring the in-person rate down to 1.7%, you need the Shopify plan at £65 per month, or 1.5% on the Advanced plan at £344 per month. The monthly costs are only justifiable if Shopify is already your primary sales platform.
The hardware itself is well-made. The WisePad 3 is compact, has a customer-facing PIN pad display, accepts all major cards and digital wallets including Amex, and has an excellent battery life of 500–600 transactions per charge. The Shopify POS app is genuinely strong: Click & Collect, detailed inventory management across online and in-store channels, customer profiles, staff accounts, and barcode scanner support via the Shopify POS Go device.
The slowest payout speed of any reader on this list (up to 6 working days to your bank) is a genuine operational drawback. This can create cash-flow challenges for smaller businesses.
Who should skip it: Anyone who doesn’t already use Shopify for ecommerce. The subscription model and transaction rates are uncompetitive as a standalone card reader. Existing Shopify merchants with high in-person transaction volumes should run the numbers carefully against the plan cost and transaction rate.
Specifications
| Price | £49 + VAT |
| Transaction fee | 1.5%–5% depending on Shopify plan (5% on Starter, 1.7% on Shopify plan, 1.5% on Advanced) |
| Monthly fee | Required: from £5/month (Starter) to £344/month (Advanced) |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth (requires phone internet) |
| Compatibility | iOS 15+; Android 7.0+; requires Shopify POS app v9.0+ |
| Battery life | ~500–600 transactions per charge (3–4 hour recharge) |
| Accepted payments | Chip & PIN, contactless, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Visa, Mastercard, Amex |
| Payout speed | Up to 6 working days to bank (slowest on this list) |
| Warranty | 1 year standard; 2 years on POS Pro plan |
| Customer support | 24/7 support (all plans); 30-day return policy |
- 24/7 support (all plans); 30-day return policy
- Strong POS app with Click & Collect, customer profiles, and staff management
- Excellent battery life (~500–600 transactions per charge)
- 24/7 customer support — best availability of any reader on this list
- Accepts Amex at no premium rate
- Compact design with customer-facing display
- Mandatory Shopify subscription required — adds significant monthly cost
- 5% transaction rate on cheapest plan makes it uncompetitive without a higher-tier subscription
- Slowest payout speed on this list (up to 6 working days)
- No built-in connectivity; requires stable internet
- No receipt printer; cannot connect one via Bluetooth
- Total cost of ownership is high unless Shopify is already your core platform
How to Choose the Right Card Reader for Your Business
The right reader depends on your situation more than any single spec. Here’s a practical guide by scenario:
You’re a new or casual seller — simple setup, lowest entry cost
Square Reader (£19 + VAT) is the strongest all-round starting point. The free POS app gives you more than you’ll need at launch, payout is next-day, and the 2-year warranty is reassuring. If you’re price-sensitive on fees and already using a business bank account, SumUp Air (£39 + VAT, 1.69%) is worth comparing — the lower transaction rate saves money once you’re taking more than a few hundred pounds per week.
You sell at markets, festivals, or client sites with unreliable signal
Tide Card Reader (£19.99 + VAT) is the only reader that works independently of your phone’s mobile data. Its built-in 4G SIM is free for life. This is a meaningful operational advantage for anyone who has experienced the frustration of a dropped signal mid-transaction. The Tide Card Reader Plus adds a receipt printer, which is particularly valuable for tradespeople and hospitality businesses.
You already sell through PayPal or manage finances via PayPal
Zettle Reader 2 / PayPal Reader’s key advantage is instant settlement to your PayPal balance. If your business already lives in PayPal — online selling through eBay, payments through PayPal invoices — the integrated view of all your takings in one place has genuine operational value. The USB-C wired connection option is also underrated for fixed-location use.
You run an ecommerce business on Shopify
Shopify WisePad 3 is the obvious choice — but only because it’s the only card reader that connects to your Shopify inventory and customer data. If you’re not on Shopify, skip it. If you are, run the numbers on whether the Shopify plan cost plus transaction rate totals less than what you’d pay with a cheaper reader and a separate POS system.
FAQS
Do I need a business bank account to use a card reader?
Most readers — Square, SumUp, Zettle — only require you to link any bank account to receive payouts. Revolut and Tide are exceptions: both require you to open their own business accounts, which adds a monthly cost.
What’s the difference between a card reader and a card machine (PDQ)?
A traditional card machine (PDQ) is usually rented from a bank or payment processor on a monthly contract, includes a built-in SIM, and processes payments directly. A card reader is bought outright, connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth, and uses your phone’s internet connection to process payments. Card readers are typically cheaper upfront and more flexible, but depend on your phone being present and charged.
Can I accept payments without a card reader?
Yes. Square, Tide, and Revolut all offer Tap to Pay — a feature that turns your iPhone or Android device itself into a card reader using NFC, with no hardware required. Transaction fees are the same as with a physical reader. This is useful as a backup or for very occasional use, but a dedicated reader offers a more professional customer experience and doesn’t drain your phone battery.
What happens if my internet connection drops mid-transaction?
Most readers cannot process payments without an internet connection, and a transaction interrupted mid-process will typically need to be attempted again once connectivity returns. The Tide Card Reader’s built-in 4G provides more resilience than tethering to your phone’s data signal, but there is still no offline mode. SumUp’s Solo reader (not the Air) can queue a limited number of transactions offline.
Are card reader transactions secure?
All readers on this list comply with PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) requirements and use end-to-end encryption. Card data is never stored on the device. Contactless transactions use the same tokenisation standards as major bank card machines. All providers also maintain fraud monitoring and chargeback management processes.
How quickly will I receive my money?
Payout times vary: Zettle settles into a PayPal account within minutes; Square and Revolut settle next business day (weekends included if your bank supports Faster Payments); SumUp takes 2–3 business days as standard; Shopify can take up to 6 business days. Most providers offer faster payout options, sometimes for a fee.
