Best card machine for London Uber 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 Uber drivers. Uber fares settle in-app on the customer's saved card so the driver does not handle the card on platform trips. This guide is for the off-platform side: corporate accounts, hotel concierge handoffs, repeat private customers booking direct, and family-and-friends fares where the driver wants a quick card-reader to avoid cash.
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 London Uber 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 via SumUp, Square, Stripe or Zettle. Zero hardware, no monthly fees. Ideal for the 90%+ Uber driver whose platform-fare share handles almost all earnings and who only takes card occasionally on direct fares.
2. SumUp Solo
Review score 4.2 / 5Best for Uber Black / Lux off-platform
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. Worth the hardware spend for Uber Black and Uber Lux drivers carrying executive clients who also book direct off-platform for repeat journeys.
3. Revolut Card Reader
Review score 3.7 / 5Best for Uber driver banking with Revolut
Compact Bluetooth-paired reader · 0.8% to 1.0% per transaction (depending on subscription tier) · Subscription-tier dependent (Revolut Business plan)
Revolut Card Reader at £49 with a 0.8% to 1.0% rate depending on Revolut Business plan (higher for non-UK cards), settles same-day to Revolut Business account. Cheapest UK rate if you already bank with Revolut for the Uber-driver Ltd or sole-trader.
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 | Revolut Card Reader | 0.8% to 1.0% per transaction (depending on subscription tier) | £49 hardware | Subscription-tier dependent (Revolut Business plan) |
FAQs
Do London Uber drivers need a card machine?
Not for Uber platform fares (those settle in-app). Card-reader is only needed if the driver also accepts off-platform direct bookings, corporate accounts or repeat private customers paying in person.
Can a London Uber driver take a private fare off-platform?
Yes, but only while PCO-licensed and only on pre-booked basis (PHV cannot ply for hire). Most Uber drivers maintain a small off-platform book of repeat customers (school runs, airport runs for family, regular corporate clients) to escape Uber's commission on those journeys.
What is the cheapest card machine for an occasional Uber driver?
Tap to Pay on iPhone is the cheapest setup at £0 hardware. The acquirer (SumUp, Square, Stripe, Zettle) charges 1.69% to 1.75% per transaction. If you bank with Revolut, the £49 Revolut Card Reader at 0.8% UK rate undercuts everyone.
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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