While Zettle has become quite popular in recent years, for some it’s not the most desirable card reader. Rest assured, there are other options. The card readers discussed below are quickly becoming the best Zettle alternatives for small businesses in the UK.
| Card Machine | Price* | Transaction fees | Deal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Square Reader | £19 | 1.75% | Visit Site |
| Tide Card Reader | £49 | 1.5% (excludes Amex) | Visit Site |
| SumUp Air Card Reader | £39 | 1.69% | Visit Site |
| myPOS Go 2 | £29 | 1.10% + £0.07 | Visit Site |
Whether you’re looking for a stand-alone handheld card reader or a more sophisticated point-of-sale system, there are a few key features that warrant consideration. We’ll cover what to look for, plus provide some of the best Zettle alternatives currently available to merchants in the UK.
What makes a good Zettle alternative?
Zettle is a portable credit card reader that provides both in-house and on-the-go credit card transactions. Most small businesses accepting credit cards desire:
- Secure transactions
- Multiple forms of payment
- Easy to set up / easy to use
- Affordable entry price
- No contracts or monthly fees
- Printed receipts
Thus, any Zettle alternative should contain as many of these key features as possible.
When deciding on the best card reader for your business, ensure it accepts all the major credit cards and forms of payment that are most suitable for your business model.
Subsequently, if you’re new to the whole spectrum of card payments, we have a good beginner’s guide on the different types of card payments available.
First and foremost, the best payment devices have chip readers, card swipers, and contactless card reader capabilities. However, with modern-day merchant services, E-wallets and near-field communications are also becoming popular forms of payment.
Equally true, many small business owners are crossing over to Bluetooth card readers. In truth, most businesses just want the best credit card reader that will make their transactions successful without any added headaches or heavy expenses.
What are the best Zettle alternative mobile card readers?
1. Square
Square was not only the first phone credit card reader to hit the industry, but many argue it’s one of the best Zettle alternatives for small businesses. If you do less than £1500 per month, then the Square card reader is a highly affordable alternative for Zettle PayPal.
The Square card reader can process chip and pin, magstripes, and contactless payments , in addition to processing transactions in person, online, or by phone utilising invoices.
Additionally, it plugs right into your phone through the audio jack and is recharged via USB. The Square reader works in conjunction with the credit card app for iPhone or Android.
Square accepts most major credit cards, and deposits can be made into your banking account the next business day. In addition, the Square card reader app can process transactions through Android Pay, Apple Pay, and smartphones and watches with near-field communication (NFC).
Plus, the cryptographic security protocols are top-notch with their PCI Compliance Level 1 .
Coupled with years of experience, Square is one of the most trusted and versatile mobile card readers within the merchant services industry with plenty of add-on options for your small business needs.
However, it should be noted that Square does not do business with high-risk merchants. If you’re involved in adult entertainment, gambling, illegal operations, or other endeavours considered “high risk,” then Square is not for you. You can review their prohibited goods and services on their website.
Fees
- £16 + VAT Square card reader
- 2.6% + £.089 for chip and pin or contactless payments
- 2.9% + £.27 for remote transactions
- 3.5% + £.13 for online, keyed-in, or invoice payments
There are no set-up costs or monthly fees. Even better, there are no additional charges for refunds, cash payments, chargebacks, or inactivity making Square, arguably, the best Zettle alternative.
Pros
- Affordable flat rate fees
- No contracts or monthly costs
- Secure processing
- Free point-of-sale app
- Add-on features and accessories
Cons
- Expensive for larger volume sales
- Limited customer support
- Add-ons become costly
2. SumUp Air
For as little as £39, SumUp Air is another great small business card reader for limited transaction amounts. Plus, the SumUp card reader setup is fairly easy to use.
Accepting chip and pin, contactless, magnetic stripe, or Apple Pay, the SumUp Air mobile card reader works with the SumUp card reader app for either Android or iPhone.
In addition, it also has NFC and Bluetooth capabilities. SumUp Air accepts basic major credit cards and can send receipts via text or email. But be advised, there is a minimum £.89 purchase required.
The SumUp Air mobile card reader features a micro USB for recharging, which typically lasts through 500 transactions.
You also have the option of upgrading to a point-of-sale system that offers employee management, record keeping, inventory management, and sales analytics.
Furthermore, payments are accepted through online links, online stores, email invoices, keyed transactions, and even QR codes. SumUp Air is one of the most versatile Zettle alternatives and one of the best card machines for self-employed individuals like pop-up shops and mobile services.
However, SumUp does have a limited license and cannot engage with certain business practices. Be sure to check their list of
restricted businesses prior to purchase.
Fees
- 1.69% flat-rate fee
There are no monthly costs or set-up fees, and payments can be processed to your bank account within 2-3 business days. Plus, you get the upgrade option for a point-of-sale app.
Pros
- Very simple to use
- No contracts or monthly fees
- Can upgrade to point-of-sale app
- Complimentary business account
- Secure transactions
- Good selection of add-on accessories
Cons
- Limited integration features
- Limited customer support
3. Clover Flex
While not one of the most orthodox Zettle alternatives, if you have a higher sales volume, then Clover Flex might be your diamond in the rough. Clover Flex is actually a portable POS system with a built-in card reader and keypad.
As such, it also comes with a docking station and power supply with an 8-hour battery life.
Most impressive, it has a 5″ touchscreen with a built-in printer for receipts, a barcode scanner, and a camera.
In addition, it can process swipes, taps, and dips, as well as Apple, Google, and Samsung pays. The credit card machine keypad even features Braille for the visually impaired.
If you require more than what Zettle has to offer, this all-in-one POS lets you conduct all of your business transactions with one simple, handheld device. Furthermore, there’s no need to purchase a bunch of external hardware.
Additionally, Clover offers superb, 24/7 customer service.
Fees
In Europe, AIB Merchant Services acts as the payment processor, and there are a wide variety of customizable options available. Pricing is uniquely tailored to each business, so you must contact AIB for pricing inquiries.
Pros
- End-to-end encryption security
- Print receipts
- Full POS system
- Camera and scanner
- Accepts a variety of payments
- 24/7 Customer support
Cons
- More expensive
- Unclear pricing structure
- Monthly fee
4. MyPOS Go
Some merchants that are well-versed in portable card readers consider MyPOS Go a little outdated. However, for those seeking something plain and simple, this card payment machine is one of the simplest Zettle alternatives on the market.
Additionally, it offers a great entry-level price for low-end businesses that don’t have an abundance of credit card sales. It’s also a good option for cross-border solutions.
MyPOS Go is competitively priced with SumUp, but MyPOS also offers other card readers that may be more suitable for your business needs.
In addition, MyPOS Go offers a wide spectrum of add-ons and accessories.
It accepts most credit and debit cards including chip, magnetic stripe, contactless, and e-wallet. For as little as £29+VAT, the Go connects with 3G/4G and a SIM card with unlimited data.
One of the more unique perks, the MyPOS mobile card reader offers a Visa business card that gives you instant access to your profits. You get an International Bank Account Number (IBAN) and 24/7 instant access to all your business funds.
Additionally, transactions can be processed in seconds. Perhaps not as popular as other models, but the MyPOS Go is one of the most affordable independently-working card readers that doesn’t require a Bluetooth connection or smartphone.
Fees
- 1.10% + £.07 for UK, EEA, and Domestic cards
- 2.50% + £.07 for American Express
- 2.90% + £.07 for all other transactions
- £2-4 for withdrawals from myPOS card
- £1.50 for transfers from myPOS to your bank account
There are no contracts or monthly fees, and your account can be created in as little as five minutes. However, there are additional fees for chargebacks and inactivity.
Pros
- E-money merchant account
- Wide Spectrum of add-ons
- Multiple user accounts
- No contracts or hidden fees
- Budget-friendly option
- Free access to myPOS mobile app
Cons
- Fee for transferring money from IBAN to personal account
- No touchscreen
- Limited customer support
Conclusion
As you can see, finding the best Zettle alternative for your small business is easily doable. If Zettle doesn’t fit your bill and you need a mobile card reader for your small business, these are all viable alternatives from reputable companies.