UK whole-of-market comparison

Best card machine for London FreeNow 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.

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For London FreeNow drivers. FreeNow (formerly MyTaxi, before that Hailo) is the platform built specifically for licensed Hackney carriage drivers in London, distinct from Uber and Bolt which are PHV-only. FreeNow fares can settle in-app or be charged on the cab's own TfL-compliant card-machine for street-hail or rank passengers. Driver retains direct relationship with the customer in-cab.

Based on MerchantHQ terminal reviews and our ranking methodology. Last reviewed 2026-05-12.

The ranking

1. SumUp Solo

4.2 / 5

Best FreeNow / black cab reader

Portable terminal with built-in receipt printer (Solo Lite is no-printer) · 1.69% per transaction · No contract

SumUp Solo at £99 with 1.69% rate is the most-deployed reader on FreeNow-active black cabs. Standalone 4G clears central-London signal blackspots. TfL-compliant card-machine for street-hail passengers who did not pre-book via FreeNow.

2. Tap to Pay on iPhone (no terminal)

4.2 / 5

Best zero-hardware FreeNow setup

iPhone XS or later running iOS 16.4+, no separate terminal · Matches your chosen acquirer (about 1.69% to 1.75%) · No fixed term

Tap to Pay on iPhone is TfL-compliant and the cheapest setup. Best for FreeNow-heavy drivers where most fares settle in-app and the in-cab card-machine is only for the street-hail slice.

3. Verifone V200c / V400m

3.5 / 5

Best meter-integrated for FreeNow black cab

V200c countertop with built-in printer; V400m portable handheld with printer · Acquirer-dependent; blended or interchange-plus negotiated per merchant · Typically 12 to 48 months via the acquirer

Verifone V200c (Cabvision) integrates with the LEVC TX, TX5 and TX4 black cab meter. Auto-prints receipt with metered fare. Long-tenured Knowledge drivers running Cabvision often add FreeNow as overlay app for the platform-fare share.

Quick comparison

Headline rate, hardware cost, contract and form factor at a glance.

Rank	Terminal	Rate	Hardware	Contract
#1	SumUp Solo	1.69% per transaction	£99 to £149 hardware	No contract
#2	Tap to Pay on iPhone (no terminal)	Matches your chosen acquirer (about 1.69% to 1.75%)	£0 hardware (you already have the iPhone)	No fixed term
#3	Verifone V200c / V400m	Acquirer-dependent; blended or interchange-plus negotiated per merchant	Almost always rented via the acquirer; £15 to £25 per terminal per month is typical	Typically 12 to 48 months via the acquirer

FAQs

Do FreeNow drivers in London need a separate card machine?

Yes, every London black cab needs a TfL-compliant card-machine for street-hail and rank passengers regardless of FreeNow membership. FreeNow handles only the platform-booked fares; the in-cab card-machine handles everything else.

What is the difference between FreeNow and Uber for London drivers?

FreeNow is exclusively for licensed Hackney carriage (black cab) drivers and integrates with the TfL meter. Uber is exclusively for PCO-licensed private hire drivers and uses its own in-app pricing. Drivers cannot work both platforms simultaneously: Hackney carriage and PHV are separate TfL licence types.

Can a London black cab driver work FreeNow and street-hail in the same shift?

Yes, and this is the standard pattern. FreeNow handles pre-booked platform fares (typically 30% to 50% of shift earnings). Street-hail and rank passengers (the remaining 50% to 70%) settle on the in-cab card-machine. Same TfL Conditions of Fitness apply throughout.

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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: acquirers, including some brands ranked here, pay us commission on completed introductions. Commission never affects a ranking. See our methodology and how we are funded.

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Reviewed by Oliver Mackman, Director, Best Business Loans Ltd. Last reviewed: 2026-05-12.