Card Machines & POS Systems for UK Businesses
Customers expect to pay by card, contactless and mobile wallet wherever they shop or eat. The right card machine — and, if you need it, a point-of-sale (POS) system — makes taking payments quick and reliable, and keeps day-to-day admin simple.
Meridian helps UK businesses explore card terminals and POS systems from third-party payment providers. We explain the options and the costs involved so you can choose with confidence before you commit to anything.
How can a small UK business get a card machine?
Choose a terminal type that suits how you take payments (countertop, portable or mobile), compare the provider's transaction fees, terminal costs and contract length, then apply with a payment provider, which carries out its own checks. Meridian can help you compare options from the providers we work with before you commit.
Who it’s for
- Retail shops and convenience stores
- Restaurants, cafés, pubs and takeaways
- Hair, beauty and wellness salons
- Market traders, delivery and mobile businesses
- Offices and professional services taking in-person payments
What we help you with
Take the payments customers prefer
Accept debit and credit cards, contactless and mobile wallet payments, subject to the provider and card schemes supported.
The right terminal for how you work
Countertop terminals for a fixed till, portable terminals for table service, or mobile terminals for deliveries and market stalls.
POS that fits your business
POS systems can help with orders, stock and sales reporting. We help you decide whether you need one or simply a card machine.
Clear view of the costs
Understand transaction fees, terminal rental or purchase costs, any monthly charges and the contract length before you sign.
How it works
- 1
Tell us about your business
Your sector, typical monthly card takings, average transaction value and how you serve customers.
- 2
We help you compare
We review options from the providers we work with, explain the differences in plain English, and tell you which provider you would contract with.
- 3
Apply with the provider
The payment provider carries out its own application, identity and eligibility checks before offering you an agreement.
- 4
Get set up
The provider supplies and supports the terminal or POS system under its agreement with you.
Card machine types compared
| Type | How it connects | Typically suits |
|---|---|---|
| Countertop | Broadband (ethernet or Wi-Fi) at a fixed till | Shops and convenience stores with one payment point |
| Portable | Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to a base within the premises | Restaurants, cafés and pubs with table service |
| Mobile | Mobile data (SIM) | Deliveries, market stalls, events and mobile services |
| POS system | Till software and hardware, often integrated with a card machine | Busier venues needing orders, stock control and sales reports |
Before you start
- Your approximate monthly card turnover and average transaction value
- Your current provider, contract end date and any early termination fees
- Which terminal types you need and how they will connect (Wi-Fi, ethernet or mobile data)
- Any POS features you need, such as table service, stock control or reporting
- Approval and pricing are decided by the provider and depend on its checks
Our role and your provider
Card processing, settlement and terminal support are provided by third-party payment providers under their agreement with you. Meridian is not a payment service provider and does not process payments or hold funds.
Some terminals are supplied on rental or lease agreements. Please read the agreement length, charges and cancellation terms carefully before you sign.
Read more in our Terms & Conditions.
Card Machines & POS: frequently asked questions
What types of card machine are available?
Most providers offer countertop terminals that sit at your till, portable terminals that move around your premises over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth (useful for table service), and mobile terminals that use mobile data (useful for deliveries, events and market stalls). Availability depends on the provider.
How much does a card machine cost?
Costs usually combine transaction fees (a percentage and/or a fixed amount per transaction), terminal rental or purchase, and sometimes a monthly service charge. The exact pricing is set by the provider based on your business, so we help you compare the full picture rather than a single headline rate.
Do I need a POS system or just a card machine?
A card machine takes payments. A POS system adds tools such as order management, stock control and sales reporting, and may integrate with your card machine. Many smaller businesses only need a card machine; busier venues often benefit from POS.
Can I switch from my current card machine provider?
Usually, yes. Check your current agreement first for its end date, notice period and any early termination or terminal return charges, so you can plan the switch.
How long does it take to get a card machine?
It depends on the provider's application and checks, and on delivery of the terminal. We will explain the expected timescale for the option you choose.
Who can help my business compare card machine providers?
You can compare providers directly, use comparison websites, or use an intermediary. Meridian Merchant & Energy Solutions Ltd helps UK businesses explore card machine and POS options from the providers it works with and explains the costs and contract terms before you decide. Meridian is not a payment provider; the provider you choose supplies and supports the terminal.
What is the best card machine for a small business?
There is no single best option. The right choice depends on how and where you take payments, your monthly card turnover, your average transaction value and whether you need POS features. Compare the total cost — transaction fees, terminal rental or purchase, and contract length — rather than one headline rate.
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