Best card machine for minicab 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 UK minicab drivers, both independent private hire and dispatched via local minicab firms. Minicab is the colloquial UK term for licensed private hire vehicle (PHV) in most regions, with the practical difference that minicab is the everyday word and PHV is the licensing term. Card-payment setup is identical.
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 for minicab driver (zero hardware)
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 strongest UK minicab driver pick in 2026: zero hardware cost, no contract, no monthly fee. Your iPhone XS+ on iOS 16.4+ acts as the reader. Best for sole-trader minicab drivers doing under £15k monthly card volume.
2. SumUp Solo
Review score 4.2 / 5Best dedicated minicab 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. Standalone 4G means it works when your phone is running the dispatch app and GPS without battery to spare. Cheapest dedicated UK reader on TCA for sub-£10k monthly volume.
3. Tide Card Reader
Review score 3.8 / 5Best for Tide Business banking minicab drivers
Compact Bluetooth-paired reader (similar to Zettle / SumUp) · 1.5% per transaction (UK) · No contract
Tide Card Reader at £49 with 1.5% per transaction, same-day to Tide Business banking. Cheapest dedicated hardware option in 2026 if you already bank with Tide.
4. Zettle Reader 2
Review score 4.0 / 5Best entry-level minicab reader
Compact card reader (pairs with phone or tablet) · 1.75% per transaction · No contract
PayPal Zettle Reader 2 at £29 to £69 hardware with 1.75% rate. Cheapest UK hardware entry point. Bluetooth-paired with your phone, no contract, no monthly fee.
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 |
| #4 | Zettle Reader 2 | 1.75% per transaction | £29 first reader, £69 each extra (ex VAT) | No contract |
FAQs
What is the best card machine for a UK minicab driver?
Tap to Pay on iPhone is the strongest overall pick (zero hardware, supports Apple Pay, Google Pay and contactless card up to £100 with chip-and-PIN above). For drivers without a compatible iPhone, SumUp Solo at £79 + VAT with 1.69% rate is the strongest dedicated reader. Tide at £49 is cheapest if you bank with Tide.
Is a minicab the same as a private hire driver for card-machine purposes?
Yes. "Minicab" is the colloquial UK term; the licensing term is private hire vehicle (PHV). Same card-machine specs apply: pre-booked, no statutory mandate to accept card, but passengers increasingly expect it. Tap to Pay on iPhone is the cheapest setup.
Can a minicab driver charge for paying by card?
No. UK card surcharging on consumer transactions has been illegal since January 2018. The card-acceptance cost has to be built into your fare structure, not added at point-of-sale.
What about minicab fleet driver settlement?
Two models. Operator-receives: card payment lands in the minicab firm merchant account, firm pays driver via weekly settlement minus commission. Driver-receives: each driver has their own sub-account (via Stripe Connect or Adyen for Platforms), payment splits at transaction time. MerchantHQ works with the dispatch software (iCabbi, Autocab, Cordic) to align the acquirer setup with the firm's settlement model.
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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