MerchantHQ Blog
UK card-payment rate benchmarks, switching triggers, hardware comparisons and industry rule changes. Edited by Oliver Mackman.
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Rates and fees
Card Machine Fees Explained: The UK SME Guide for 2026
Every card machine fee a UK business pays in 2026: interchange, scheme fees, acquirer margin, PCI, monthly and chargeback charges, and your effective rate.
Oliver Mackman -
Rates and fees
2026 UK Card Processing Rate Benchmarks: What SMEs Are Actually Paying
Real UK SME card processing rates for Q2 2026. Headline rates and effective blended rates for Dojo, SumUp, Square, Stripe, Zettle, Tide, Tyl and Revolut.
Oliver Mackman -
Rates and fees
Hidden Fees on Free Card Machines: What to Check Before Signing
Free UK card machines are rarely free. PCI fees, statement fees, minimum monthly, gateway fees, chargeback fees and withdrawal fees explained for SMEs.
Oliver Mackman -
Hardware
Tap to Pay on iPhone vs Hardware Card Machine: Which Wins for You
When Tap to Pay on iPhone beats a hardware card machine and when hardware wins. Cost-vs-volume thresholds, vertical fit and the £100 contactless ceiling.
Oliver Mackman -
Industry news
UK Contactless Limit in 2026: Where the £100 Cap Stands
Current UK contactless limit, FCA Strong Customer Authentication context, and what changes for merchants if the £100 cap is lifted in 2026.
Oliver Mackman -
Switching
When to Switch Your Card Machine Acquirer: 5 Trigger Points
Five signals it is time to switch your UK card-machine acquirer: contract renewal, rate review, hardware end of life, settlement, vertical change.
Oliver Mackman
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