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.
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.
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. SumUp Solo
Review score 4.2 / 5Best FreeNow / black cab 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% rate is a common dedicated reader choice on FreeNow-active black cabs. Its own 4G SIM means it does not rely on the driver's phone. TfL-compliant card-machine for street-hail passengers who did not pre-book via FreeNow.
2. Tap to Pay on iPhone (no terminal)
Review score 4.2 / 5Best zero-hardware FreeNow 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 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
Review score 3.5 / 5Best 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 · Not published; often 12 to 48 months via the acquirer (our estimate)
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 | £79 + VAT list price (SumUp often discounts it) | No contract |
| #2 | 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 |
| #3 | Verifone V200c / V400m | Acquirer-dependent; blended or interchange-plus negotiated per merchant | Usually rented through the acquirer; the price is set by the acquirer (not published) | Not published; often 12 to 48 months via the acquirer (our estimate) |
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. The same TfL card-payment rules apply throughout.
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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