Countertop vs Portable Card Machines
Comparing countertop and portable payment terminals — which type suits your business? uno breaks down the differences honestly.
| Feature | Pax A800 | Pax A920 |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | Shift4 | Dojo |
| Type | combo | portable |
| Hardware outlay | £0 | £0 |
| Monthly fee | Free for 1st machine | £25-35 |
| Debit rate | < 1.25% blended | 0.6% typical |
| Credit rate | < 1.25% blended | 1.0% typical |
| Commercial rate | < 1.25% blended | > 2.25% typical |
| International rate | < 1.25% blended | 2-3.5% |
| Per transaction fee | 0p | 3–5p |
| Contract | negotiable | negotiable |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, 5G | Wi-Fi, 4G |
Which type of card machine do you need?
The choice between a countertop and portable payment terminal comes down to how your business operates — specifically, where and how your customers pay.
Countertop terminals
A countertop terminal sits at a fixed point — usually next to the till. It connects via Ethernet or Wi-Fi and draws power from the mains. This means:
- Rock-solid reliability. Wired Ethernet means no Wi-Fi drops, no battery anxiety
- Fastest processing. Wired connections consistently process payments faster
- No charging required. Plugged in permanently
Countertop terminals suit businesses where customers come to a fixed pay point: shops, cafés with a counter, takeaways, and any business with a traditional till setup.
Portable terminals
A portable terminal connects over Wi-Fi or 4G and runs on battery. It goes wherever your staff go:
- Table service. Process payments at the table in restaurants, pubs, and cafés
- Queue-busting. Take payments anywhere on the premises during busy periods
- Outdoor and events. Beer gardens, markets, pop-up events — anywhere with a mobile signal
- Flexibility. One terminal that covers every payment scenario
Portable terminals suit any business where payments happen away from a fixed till point, or where flexibility is important.
The honest answer
Many businesses benefit from both. A countertop at the main till for day-to-day counter payments, plus a portable for table service, outdoor areas, or busy periods. That’s exactly the kind of tailored recommendation uno provides — we’ll fully assess your operation, and we suggest what actually will work best for you.
Frequently asked questions
Which card machine is right for my business?
It really does depend on how your business operates - there's no one 'best solution' for all, as a Fine Dining restaurant in Covent Garden has completely different operational requirements to a Market Trader in Glasgow's bustling Barras, or a Cardiff Arms Park pub. We make the effort to truly understand how your business actually operates - before recommending the best solution from a range of providers, not just one.
How much does a card machine cost?
It varies by provider and model. With some providers, your first card machine comes with no upfront cost, no monthly rental, and no per-transaction fees - so your only cost is the processing rate on each sale you make. Additional terminals - or those from other providers - may well carry rental or per-transaction fees. The exact cost depends on your terminal type, provider, and monthly card turnover. Because uno works across multiple providers, we compare the real-world, overall costs and then find the most competitive deal for your specific situation.
How long will it take for me to receive my takings?
We know for many UK independent buinesses cashflow is a daily struggle. We can offer various options, with settlement times ranging from just a few hours, to the full three days it takes providers to actually receive your customers money. Whatever your working requirements are, we'll find the ideal solution to match those needs.
Do all uno card machines accept contactless payments?
Yes. Every payment terminal we recommend accepts contactless payments, including Apple Pay, Google Pay, and standard contactless cards. Contactless is now the default way most customers pay in the UK.
Will I be able to take 'over-the-phone' payments?
For most merchant-types this will be offered as a default payment option, available on-screen along with contactless and Chip'n'Pin. There are a small number of exceptional businesess operational-types where this is not the case - but for most, 'over-the-phone' payments will be offered as standard.
Ready to find the right card machine?
We make the effort to your business, understand how you take payments, and recommend the solution that genuinely fits - not the one with the biggest commission.