Best card machine for private hire 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 private hire (PHV) drivers licensed by their local authority. Operates by pre-booking rather than hail. Often via dispatch companies (Addison Lee, Veezu, Andy's Cars), independent ops, or platforms (Uber, Bolt, Free Now). Card-payment requirements differ from black cabs: no statutory mandate but commercial reality says you take card.
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 platform-and-private-hire mix
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 private hire pick in 2026. Most platform earnings (Uber, Bolt, Free Now) settle in-app; you only need a card reader for the off-platform fares. There is no reader to buy, so the only cost is the per-transaction fee on the fares you take. Compatible iPhone XS or newer on iOS 16.4 or later.
2. SumUp Solo
Review score 4.2 / 5Best dedicated private hire 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, free 4G SIM, full-day battery. Works standalone (no phone tether) which matters for drivers running phone-mounted GPS in the cab without battery to spare. £79 + VAT hardware is the practical sweet spot.
3. Tide Card Reader
Review score 3.8 / 5Best for Tide Business banking private hire
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 settlement to Tide Business account. £49 hardware is the cheapest dedicated UK reader. Best fit if you already bank with Tide for your private hire Ltd or sole-trader business.
4. Square Terminal
Review score 4.1 / 5Best for private hire fleet co-ordinator
All-in-one countertop terminal with receipt printer · 1.75% per transaction (UK) · No contract
Square Terminal at £149 + VAT with 1.75% rate is the strongest pick for a private hire operator running a small fleet (3 to 10 cars) where one device handles dispatch-counter payments plus driver settlement. Built-in receipt printer for executive corporate fares.
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 | Square Terminal | 1.75% per transaction (UK) | £149 + VAT | No contract |
FAQs
What is the best card machine for a UK private hire driver?
Tap to Pay on iPhone wins overall: zero hardware, supports Apple Pay, Google Pay and contactless card up to £100. For drivers without a compatible iPhone, SumUp Solo at £79 + VAT with no contract is the strongest dedicated reader. Tide Card Reader at £49 is cheapest if you bank with Tide.
Does a private hire driver need an in-car card machine if I drive for Uber or Bolt?
Strictly no, since platform fares settle in-app. But most UK private hire drivers split shifts between platform work and direct bookings, off-platform tips, and pre-booked corporate jobs. Tap to Pay on iPhone covers the off-platform side at zero hardware cost.
Can private hire drivers add a card fee to the fare?
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 is the difference between a private hire driver and a black cab driver for card payments?
Black cab (Hackney carriage) drivers in London must accept card under TfL rules since October 2016. Private hire (PHV) drivers have no statutory mandate, but operate by pre-booking and so usually have card payment expectation set up via the booking platform. Card-machine pricing and setup are identical for both.
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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