Card readers for mobile tradespeople in the UK
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Plumbers, cleaners, mobile hairdressers and other trades that go to customers need a reader that works away from a shop counter. The main question is how the reader connects.
How the readers connect (official pages)
| Reader | Connection | Price (ex VAT) | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tide Card Reader | Wi-Fi plus built-in 4G, which Tide says is 'lifetime free' | £49 PAYG / £39 Essential / £29 Premium | 1.5% + 5p PAYG |
| Tide Nano | Uses your phone screen | £25 PAYG | 1.5% + 5p PAYG |
| Square Reader | Bluetooth to your phone. Needs internet; offline mode for up to 24 hours, but not for contactless | £19 (source) | 1.75% |
| PayPal Reader | Bluetooth to your phone | £29 first (new business users), then £69 (source) | 1.75% |
| PayPal Terminal | Wi-Fi or 4G, all-in-one | £149 | 1.75% |
| SumUp Solo Lite | Pairs with your phone | £25 (source) | 1.69% |
| Lopay card reader | Bluetooth | £35 + P&P (source) | 0.79%–1.79% by payout speed |
Practical checklist before a job
- Charge the reader and your phone. Square says its Reader's battery lasts all day. SumUp's spec table doesn't list all-day battery for Solo Lite, so check the model you buy.
- Check mobile signal at the job if your reader relies on your phone.
- Know your fallback: a payment link or bank transfer if signal fails.
- Send a digital receipt (most apps support email receipts; check yours).
- Keep the reader's serial number handy in case it's lost.
Fees for a typical month
On £2,000 of card takings: Tide PAYG about £35.00 (assuming a £20 average sale), SumUp £33.80, Square and PayPal POS £35.00, Lopay Standard £19.80. These come from published rates. Use the calculator or the quiz for your own numbers.
Frequently asked questions
Which reader works without my phone's signal?
Of the options here, Tide's Card Reader and PayPal's Terminal list their own 4G connection. Bluetooth readers need your phone's internet. Square offers offline payments for up to 24 hours, but not contactless.
Is there a monthly fee?
Not on the pay-as-you-go options listed. The reader is a one-off purchase. Tide's readers need a Tide business account.
SumUp offers: SumUp runs time-limited hardware offers. On 26 Oct 2026 we saw sale prices below its usual reader prices. Offers may end without notice, so check SumUp's card reader page for the current price (usual prices Solo Lite £25, Solo £79, Terminal £135 ex VAT, checked 28 Oct 2026).
Last checked: 19 Oct 2026. Prices ex VAT unless stated. Figures come from each provider's official UK page. Check it before you buy, because fees and offers change. Tide says its fees go up on 1 Dec 2026. General information, not financial advice.
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