Card machines for startups

Get card payments sorted from day one - flexible terms, low upfront costs, and honest advice from people who've helped hundreds of new businesses launch.

Common challenges

  • Unsure which card machine to choose with so many options
  • Tight budget - need low upfront costs
  • Don't want to commit to a long contract before knowing what works
  • Need something simple to set up without technical knowledge
  • Worried about hidden fees eating into thin margins

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

Solo

Compact, buy-outright card machine with Wi-Fi and 4G connectivity. No monthly fees, no contract - just a one-off hardware cost and a simple flat transaction rate. Ideal for very low volume merchants.

  • 3.5-inch greyscale touchscreen
  • Wi-Fi and multi-network 4G
  • Contactless, Chip & Pin, Payment-Links
  • No monthly fees
  • No contract
  • Buy outright - yours to keep
Contract
No contract

Why startups choose uno

Starting a business means a hundred decisions all at once. Card payments shouldn’t be one of the stressful ones.

We help new businesses pick the right card machine from day one - no jargon, no pressure, and no locking you into a contract before you’ve even opened the doors.

Start simple, scale later

Most startups don’t need a full POS system on day one. A simple, reliable card machine gets you taking payments immediately. When your business grows, we’ll help you upgrade.

Low upfront costs

Cash flow matters when you’re starting out. We’ll find you a terminal with minimal upfront costs and competitive transaction rates, so you keep more of what you earn.

No long-term lock-in

Some providers want you tied in for three years before you’ve had your first customer. We offer flexible terms so you can adapt as your business finds its feet.

What you get from uno

  • A card machine matched to your startup’s needs and budget
  • Rates compared across multiple providers
  • On-site setup and walkthrough
  • Ongoing support as your business grows

Common questions from startups owners

I don't have any trading history - can I still get a card machine?

Yes. New businesses are eligible for card machines from all the providers we work with. You don't need months of trading history or bank statements. Some providers approve new businesses within a day. We'll match you with the right provider for your situation.

I'm testing a business idea with a pop-up before committing to a shop - what's the cheapest way to take cards?

We'd recommend a card machine under a 'no-use, no-fee contract that offers a Blended rate billing model.

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