Card machines for small businesses

Straightforward card payments for your small business - competitive rates, honest advice, and a terminal that just works.

Common challenges

  • Overwhelmed by the number of card machine providers
  • Worried about being overcharged on transaction fees
  • Don't want complicated technology
  • Need reliability — can't afford downtime
  • Unsure if the cheapest option is actually the best value

Published:

Recommended solutions

PAX A800

Portable/countertop Android terminal with 5.7-inch touchscreen and Payment & POS functionality. Built-in Wi-Fi & 4G connectivity, along with thermal printing. Includes merchant branding on-screen, an intuitive over-the-phone payment flow, on-board POS features, and is configurable for full POS integration.

  • 5.7-inch HD touchscreen
  • Built-in printer
  • Wi-Fi & 4G
  • Contactless, Chip & Pin, over-the-phone
  • Fast contactless transacting
  • Integrates with its provider's own POS only
  • Android POS and payments
Contract
negotiable

Why small businesses choose uno

Running a small business means wearing every hat. You don’t have time to research card machine providers, compare fee structures, and decode contract terms — that’s what we do.

Impartial advice

We’re not tied to one provider. We compare terminals and rates across multiple providers and recommend whichever genuinely suits your business best.

Competitive rates

Transaction fees add up quickly. We negotiate competitive rates and explain exactly what you’ll pay - no hidden charges, no surprises on your statement.

Simple and reliable

You need a card machine that works every time a customer taps their card. We supply proven, reliable terminals and set them up for you on-site.

What you get from uno

  • A card machine recommended for your specific business
  • Rates compared across multiple providers
  • On-site installation and walkthrough
  • UK-based support whenever you need it

Common questions from small business owners

I'm just starting to take card payments - what do I actually need?

A card machine, a bank account for settlements, and about five minutes to learn how to use it. We handle the supply, setup, and configuration. You don't need special infrastructure, a dedicated phone line, or technical knowledge. We'll walk you through everything on-site.

My business is small - can I justify the cost of a card machine?

With some providers, the card machine itself is free — no upfront cost, no monthly rental. Your only cost is the processing rate on each sale. If you take even a few card payments a week, the terminal costs you very little. The cost of NOT having a card machine - the customers who walk away — is almost certainly higher.

I'm a sole trader - can I get a card machine in my own name?

Yes. You don't need a limited company to get a card machine. Sole traders, partnerships, and limited companies are all eligible. The setup process is straightforward - we'll handle the application and guide you through the merchant account setup.

General questions about uno
Which card machine is right for my business?

The right card machine depends on how the business trades. A fine-dining restaurant in Covent Garden, a market trader at Glasgow's Barras and a pub beside Cardiff Arms Park take payments in completely different ways, and no single machine suits all three. uno starts by understanding how a business actually operates, and only then recommends - from a range of providers rather than from one.

Do all the card machines uno recommends take contactless?

Yes, every one of them. Apple Pay, Google Pay and contactless cards are accepted as standard on every machine uno recommends; contactless is how most UK customers now pay, and every machine features it as standard.

Will I be able to take 'over-the-phone' payments?

For most merchants, yes - available on-screen along with contactless and Chip & Pin. The small minority of high-risk business-types that are not offered over-the-phone payments by default are the exception - for the vast majority, 'over-the-phone' payments will be offered as standard.

How can we process refunds?

From the card machine, in a few taps. Refund a sale on the same day and it is cancelled outright, with the money never leaving the customer's account; refund it after the provider's daily cut-off and the customer's bank typically takes 3-5 days to return it. Every machine uno recommends handles both, and the difference is only in how quickly the customer sees the money.

Is PCI compliance as much of a chore as it is with my current provider?

With several of the providers uno works with the merchant does nothing at all, because the provider handles PCI on their behalf; with the others it is a few minutes once a year. Nobody uno works with makes it complicated, and uno tells a merchant which they are getting before anything is signed.

How long does it take to get set up?

Most businesses are up and running within a few days. uno handles the installation and configuration, then walks the merchant and their staff through everything.

Ready to choose the right card machine?

We make the effort to understand how you operate, and only then recommend the solution that's right for your business - not the provider's.

Get Started 07395 451520