Best card terminals for UK charities 2026
Compare the UK shortlist below, then get matched quotes from the acquirers most likely to approve you and beat your current pricing.
Registered charities, churches, and not-for-profits collecting donations. Distinct from commercial acceptance because of Gift Aid, lower-volume seasonality, and different acquirer underwriting. SumUp publishes a 0.99% rate for registered charities; that is the strongest mainstream offer in 2026.
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 charity rate (0.99% for registered charities)
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 0.99% per transaction (England and Wales: Charity Commission registered, Scotland and Northern Ireland: equivalent registers) is the cheapest mainstream charity rate. £79 + VAT hardware, no contract, no monthly fee. Best fit for most UK charities collecting donations at events or premises.
2. Square Terminal
Review score 4.1 / 5Best for charity shops and event retail
All-in-one countertop terminal with receipt printer · 1.75% per transaction (UK) · No contract
Square Terminal is the strongest fit for charity shops and charity event retail. Built-in receipt printer, full POS app, no contract. 1.75% standard rate; Square negotiates charity rates for high-volume registered charities.
3. Tide Card Reader
Review score 3.8 / 5Best for Tide-banked charities
Compact Bluetooth-paired reader (similar to Zettle / SumUp) · 1.5% per transaction (UK) · No contract
Tide Card Reader at 1.5% per transaction is the cheapest no-contract mainstream rate. Best fit for small charities already banking with Tide; same-day settlement to Tide Business account.
4. Tap to Pay on iPhone (no terminal)
Review score 4.2 / 5Best zero-hardware option for charity events
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 removes the hardware cost entirely. Zero contract, choose the acquirer (SumUp at the charity rate, Square, Zettle, Stripe, Tide or Revolut). Best fit for one-off fundraising events where buying dedicated hardware is overkill.
5. Zettle Reader 2
Review score 4.0 / 5Best PayPal-ecosystem option
Compact card reader (pairs with phone or tablet) · 1.75% per transaction · No contract
Zettle Reader 2 at £29 + VAT for your first reader is the cheapest entry-point hardware. 1.75% per transaction, no contract. Best fit for charities already using PayPal Giving Fund or PayPal Donate.
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 | Square Terminal | 1.75% per transaction (UK) | £149 + VAT | No contract |
| #3 | Tide Card Reader | 1.5% per transaction (UK) | £49 hardware | No contract |
| #4 | 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 |
| #5 | Zettle Reader 2 | 1.75% per transaction | £29 first reader, £69 each extra (ex VAT) | No contract |
FAQs
What is the best card terminal for a UK charity?
SumUp Solo at the registered-charity rate (0.99%) is the strongest fit for most UK charities at 2026 rates, on the strength of no contract, low hardware cost, and no monthly minimum. For charity shops, Square Terminal is the better fit because of the built-in receipt printer and full POS. For church donations, dedicated kiosks (covered in our Faith Institutions section) are often a better fit than a generic card terminal.
Can a charity claim Gift Aid on card donations?
Yes if the donor is a UK taxpayer and signs a Gift Aid declaration. The card terminal captures the donation; the Gift Aid declaration is captured separately (paper, email, or via a donation platform like Stewardship or GoodBox). Speak to your charity treasurer for the HMRC reporting flow.
Do I need to register as a charity to get the 0.99% SumUp rate?
Yes. SumUp's 0.99% rate requires Charity Commission registration (England and Wales) or equivalent (OSCR for Scotland, CCNI for Northern Ireland). Unregistered community groups, CICs without charitable status, or church PCCs that have not registered separately do not qualify.
Are there card terminals built specifically for donations?
Yes. Dedicated donation hardware (GoodBox G2 kiosk, Tap2Donate) is built for low-touch contactless giving in worship and museum settings. Generic card terminals work but lack the donor-receipt and Gift Aid integration that purpose-built kiosks offer. Covered in detail in our Faith Institutions section.
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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