Best card machine for tradesmen 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 self-employed tradesmen: plumbers, electricians, builders, roofers, plasterers, painters, decorators, carpenters, joiners, kitchen fitters, bathroom fitters, gas engineers. Mobile work site, customer payment at completion or via staged invoices, sometimes emergency callouts. Card-machine needs to be mobile, 4G capable, no-contract for the typical sub-£40k-monthly volume trader.
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 sole-trader tradesmen
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 tradesman pick in 2026. Zero hardware to carry on the work van, no contract, no monthly fee. iPhone XS+ on iOS 16.4+ becomes the card reader at the customer's door at job completion.
2. SumUp Solo
Review score 4.2 / 5Best dedicated mobile reader for tradesmen
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, ruggedised for site use. Works without phone tether so your phone stays free for customer calls and material orders. Cheapest UK dedicated reader for tradesmen below £15,000 monthly card volume.
3. Stripe Reader S700
Review score 4.0 / 5Best for trades with online quote-acceptance
Touchscreen handheld smart terminal, 5.5in display, Android 10 (no built-in printer; external receipt printer via the optional dock or hub) · 1.4% + 10p EEA cards, 2.9% + 10p non-EEA (Stripe standard Terminal pricing) · No contract (Stripe standard pay-as-you-go terms)
Stripe Reader S700 at £229 with Stripe Checkout for online deposit collection. Best for building contractors and kitchen-fitters running a website with quote-acceptance and deposit at sign-off. Stripe Billing handles staged-payment plans (deposit + half-stage + completion).
4. Zettle Reader 2
Review score 4.0 / 5Best entry-level for occasional trades
Compact card reader (pairs with phone or tablet) · 1.75% per transaction · No contract
Zettle Reader 2 at £29 to £69 hardware with 1.75% rate. Cheapest UK hardware entry. Best for part-time or weekend-trade traders below £500 monthly card volume.
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 | Stripe Reader S700 | 1.4% + 10p EEA cards, 2.9% + 10p non-EEA (Stripe standard Terminal pricing) | £229 excl. VAT | No contract (Stripe standard pay-as-you-go terms) |
| #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 plumber, electrician or builder?
Tap to Pay on iPhone wins overall: zero hardware, no contract, supports Apple Pay, Google Pay and contactless card. SumUp Solo at £79 + VAT wins as a dedicated reader for tradesmen who do not want to use their personal phone. For builders running website-quote sign-offs, Stripe Checkout for the online deposit plus Tap to Pay for the balance.
How do UK tradesmen handle staged payments (deposit + balance)?
Card-on-file via Stripe Billing or Adyen Subscriptions: customer SCA-authenticates at job sign-off, deposit charges immediately, balance charges automatically on a set date or after completion confirmation. MerchantHQ wires this up. Avoid asking for full payment upfront unless you are running the trade on a deposit-only basis (uncommon).
What about emergency callout charges for plumbers and electricians?
Emergency callouts can be charged on the spot via Tap to Pay or hardware reader. Many tradesmen charge a standard callout fee (£60 to £150) plus parts and labour. Card acceptance at the door reduces unpaid-callout risk on customer-defaulting cases.
Can a UK tradesman charge a card fee on top of the bill?
No. UK card surcharging on consumer transactions has been illegal since January 2018. The card-acceptance cost has to be built into your quoted rate, not added at point-of-sale. Surcharging risks a Trading Standards complaint.
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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