Best card machine for London Bolt driver UK 2026
Compare the UK shortlist below, then get matched quotes from the acquirers most likely to approve you and beat your current pricing.
For PCO-licensed London Bolt drivers. Bolt platform fares settle in-app, similar to Uber. Off-platform direct fares, hotel-concierge handoffs and repeat private customers need a card-reader. Bolt commission rate is typically lower than Uber so Bolt drivers retain more per platform fare; many cross-list with Uber and FreeNow to maximise utilisation across the working day.
Based on MerchantHQ terminal reviews and our ranking methodology.
The ranking
Ranked on fit for this use case. The score beside each pick is that terminal's overall review score across all uses, so a lower-scored terminal can rank higher here when it suits this job better. The rate, hardware and contract lines come from the same terminal data as the comparison table below.
1. Tap to Pay on iPhone (no terminal)
Review score 4.2 / 5Best Bolt driver setup
Software on an iPhone Xs or later, no separate terminal · Set by the provider you use it with; see that provider's own pricing page · No fixed term for the feature itself; any contract is with your provider
Tap to Pay on iPhone is the cheapest setup at zero hardware. Best for the standard Bolt driver whose platform-fare share dominates and who only needs card-reader for occasional off-platform direct bookings.
2. SumUp Solo
Review score 4.2 / 5Best dedicated Bolt driver reader
Portable standalone touchscreen terminal (no built-in printer; Solo Lite is the cheaper phone-paired version) · 1.69% per transaction · No contract
SumUp Solo at £79 + VAT with 1.69%. Standalone 4G means no phone tether, no battery drain on the driving phone (which is running Bolt + Uber + FreeNow apps concurrently for utilisation).
3. Tide Card Reader
Review score 3.8 / 5Best for Bolt driver on Tide Business
Compact Bluetooth-paired reader (similar to Zettle / SumUp) · 1.5% per transaction (UK) · No contract
Tide Card Reader at £49 with 1.5% rate, same-day to Tide Business banking. Tide is popular with new PHV drivers for the free business account, integrated tax helper and Companies House filing service.
Quick comparison
Headline rate, hardware cost, contract and form factor at a glance.
| Rank | Terminal | Rate | Hardware | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Tap to Pay on iPhone (no terminal) | Set by the provider you use it with; see that provider's own pricing page | £0 hardware (you already have the iPhone) | No fixed term for the feature itself; any contract is with your provider |
| #2 | SumUp Solo | 1.69% per transaction | £79 + VAT list price (SumUp often discounts it) | No contract |
| #3 | Tide Card Reader | 1.5% per transaction (UK) | £49 hardware | No contract |
FAQs
Do London Bolt drivers need a card machine?
No, not for Bolt platform fares which settle in-app to the customer's saved card. Card-reader is for off-platform direct bookings: corporate accounts, repeat private customers, hotel concierge fares.
Can Bolt drivers also drive for Uber and FreeNow?
Yes. PCO licence allows multi-platform working and most London PHV drivers maintain accounts on Bolt, Uber and FreeNow simultaneously to maximise utilisation across the working day. Card-machine choice should be platform-agnostic since it only handles off-platform fares anyway.
What is Bolt's commission rate for London drivers in 2026?
Bolt commission rate in London is 10% to 20% depending on driver tier, lower than Uber's typical 25% commission. This is the main reason Bolt retains driver supply against Uber. Driver-friendly economics also explains why Bolt drivers maintain smaller off-platform books than Uber drivers (less margin to recapture by going direct).
How we rank
Rankings are built by desk research from each provider's published rates, upfront costs, contract lengths and settlement terms, held in a dated record per terminal (last-reviewed date shown on this page) and re-checked when published pricing changes. We do not hands-on test every device; specs are taken from provider documentation and cited. No provider pays for inclusion or position. MerchantHQ is an introducer. Quote enquiries go to one card-payments broker, Merchant Advice Service, which pays us a fee for each introduction; acquirers do not pay us commission on quote enquiries. That fee never affects a ranking. See our methodology and how we are funded.
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