Tide is one of the leading free business bank account providers in the UK. And they’ve just recently launched two new card readers. Their standard model and their Plus model.
Current Best Card Machine Deals
|
Below we look at the key things you need to know about them:
Tide Reader Features
- No monthly contract and low 1.5% transaction fees
- Includes a free business bank account
- Accept card and mobile payments on the go
- Free unlimited 4G data, no Bluetooth required
- Receive funds in just 1-3 business days
- Offers two different card readers depending on your needs
- Accepts Visa, Mastercard, ApplePay, GooglePay (Corporate, international and UK consumer cards)
- 4 month device warranty as standard
- Tamperproof design complies with anti-fraud security standards
- Full day of battery life
- Receive payments directly into your Tide account
- Monitor your card sales income in the Tide app
Tide Reader Cost
The basic Tide Card Reader costs £89 + VAT. They also offer their Plus model which includes a receipt printer and does not require the use of the App for just £99 + VAT.
Tide Reader Transaction Fees
Tide charges a flat 1.5% transaction fee. This fee is lower than some competing card readers because Amex cards are not accepted as standard. However, they do accept all Visa, Mastercard, ApplePay, GooglePay including business, international and UK consumer cards.
Tide Set-Up & Monthly Fees
Tide has no set-up or ongoing monthly fees and even includes a free business bank account.
Other Tide Card Machines
Tide offers two different machines, here are some of the key differences between them.
Tide Card Machine Add-ons
At the current time Tide only offers the two machines listed above and does not have any add-ons. This may change in future.
Tide Card Reader Summary
- Initial cost of £79 is higher than the cheapest companies
- Amex cards not included as standard
Tide offers a very unique solution when it comes to card machines by including both a business bank account and card reader in one package.
To get started with Tide you just need to follow the following 3 steps:
- Sign up for a free Tide business bank account and download the Tide app
- Order your Card Reader within the Tide app (it’ll arrive within 5 days)
- Charge the battery to full and you’re ready to go!
Click here to get started with Tide
Tide User Reviews
Review Summary
Recent Reviews
There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.
Submit a Review
Common Questions About The Tide Reader
Do I need a Tide business bank account to use a card reader?
Yes, the Tide Card Reader is only compatible with Tide business bank accounts.
How secure is the Tide Card Reader?
The Tide Card Reader, provided by Adyen, is a PCI PTS-approved Secure Card Reader. When using the card reader as the payment interface, the payment details are encrypted immediately.
If a customer uses Apple Pay, when using an iPhone as the payment interface, transactions are encrypted and handled using Apple’s Secure Element.
How many Card Readers can my business order?
Currently, there is a restriction on 1 Tide Card Reader per company registered by Tide. They are working on the ability to connect more than 1 device to 1 company account.
Do you need the internet to use a Tide Card Reader?
In order for the Tide Card Reader to work and process payments, you will need internet access. The card reader device comes with a SIM card and WiFi compatibility, so you can use its built-in 4G or connect to a WiFi network.
What is the minimum transaction value?
Currently, there is a minimum transaction value of £5 per transaction. Although this is being reviewed.
Are there any restrictions on what types of businesses can sing-up for a card reader
Yes, you business needs to be at least 90 days old and not sell certain restricted products. You can find out more from the Tide website here.
What currencies can I use to accept payments?
Currently you can only accept payments in GBP. However, they do allow you to accept foreign issued cards they will just convert the amount charged into pounds sterling.