PayPal (ex-Zettle) vs SumUp: cheap card readers, increasingly different
Which is best: SumUp or PayPal card readers? The differences in products and features are deciding factors.
Square for Restaurants review: worthy POS system in Australia?
Square for Restaurants is a game changer in POS apps, but is it powerful enough for a busy restaurant? We tested the POS system.
SumUp Ireland review: hassle-free card payments and pretty terminals
SumUp sells low-cost card readers for small Irish businesses. But do the price, no contract and simple transaction fee have trade-offs?
Stripe vs Square Australia: technical or easy payment system
Stripe and Square may seem similar, but they have very different approaches to payments. How do their fees, features and service compare in Australia?
Square review Australia: excellent value packed into a card reader
Connected to the free POS app, Square Reader makes a secure EFTPOS terminal with many features - but it's not all that Square has to offer.
Barclaycard card machine review: viable merchant service, but not for everyone
Which businesses should consider a Barclaycard card terminal? The costs are worth it for some, but only if the service, payouts and contract suit.
Takepayments review: tailored, all-inclusive card machines
Takepayments offers competitive card machine contracts for small businesses. What about the product and quality of service?
myPOS review: pay-as-you-go card machines with online business account
myPOS card machines give access to payments instantly through an e-money account, but what about costs?
Smartpay vs Square: hugely different payment services for small businesses
Smartpay and Square are popular payment companies in Australia, but why are they so different? We compare features, costs and experiences.
Shopify vs Square: two experts in each their specialty – but which is best?
Square and Shopify are great platforms for small businesses. But if you compare ecommerce, POS and payments, a nuanced picture emerges.
Square Virtual Terminal review: phone payments the simplest way possible
Square's virtual terminal is cheap, easy to use and requires no commitment. How does it work? Any feature limitations?
The historical roots of electronic card machines
The story behind electronic payment terminals starts with Diners Club. What happened since, in chronological order?
How much does a card machine cost? Fees explained
How much does a card machine cost in the UK? Here's our in-depth summary of prices and charges for buying and renting a terminal.
What is an X report vs Z report? How are they done?
What are Z reports and X reports? On a cash register, card machine or EPOS system, they have the same purpose, but are done differently.
Best card machines for taxi drivers and private hire cabs
We've carefully selected the best card terminals for UK- and London-based cab drivers, private hire taxis and fleet owners.
Clover vs Square in Ireland – how do they compare for restaurants?
Square and Clover offer card machines, POS and payments, but their fees, contract and service are very different. Here's what we found.
EVO Payments review: card machines on tiered, all-inclusive plans
Are EVO card machines worth the fixed monthly cost and contract? What do reviews say? We investigated the service, pros and cons.
Best ecommerce platforms for small businesses in the UK
Which ecommerce platform is the best for a small business? We've analysed UK options and pick the best-value online stores you can afford.
Square Ireland review: easy face-to-face and online payments for few fees
Square offers many affordable payment solutions for face-to-face and online selling. We tested the products and found its pros and cons.
Airwallex vs Revolut Business Australia: global currency accounts with differences
We've used Airwallex and Revolut Business accounts for years - so which is best? Here's our experience of the services.
Retail Merchant Services review: good card machines, no competitive edge
Retail Merchant Services card machines may be good, but are costs too high for what you get? What makes RMS worthwhile?
SumUp vs Square: which payment platform is best in Ireland?
Square and SumUp lead small-business payments in Ireland, but they still differ a lot. Compare the card readers, fees and payment features.
Revolut vs Square Ireland: which do we think is best for a small business?
Revolut and Square are popular in Ireland, but how do they differ? Which is better for money and accepting payments? We tried them both.
Paymentsense review: monthly rolling contracts, push-button card machines
Is Paymentsense good for small businesses? How much do their contracts cost? We review fees, features and customer service.
Self-service kiosks: what are the UK options?
We compare the best self-order checkout machines for small restaurants, shops and takeaway venues. What are the costs, pros and cons?
Tide business account review: online bank account with useful extras
Is Tide business account any good for small businesses? Is it a safe banking platform? We discuss Tide account fees, app, service and limitations.
Zempler Bank business account review: easy to qualify, imperfect service
Is Zempler Bank (formerly Cashplus) business account any good? The credit options are useful, but reviews paint a different picture.
Best payment apps (and card reader) for busking in the UK
How can you collect donations and tips as a street musician? We shortlist the apps and card readers that buskers would get the most out of.
Square Appointments Australia review: versatile booking POS with payments
Square's booking system is a POS app for in-person and online bookings with payments. Here's what you should know about features and costs.
Clover Flex review: multi-functional card machine with touchscreen
The Clover Flex card machine is a mobile smart POS terminal with customised features (at a cost). We analyse specs and terms to be wary of.
What is softPOS (or Tap to Pay) and how does it work?
How does softPOS work? What is the definition of it? We explain the term, technology and issues around 'Tap to Pay'.
Debit cards vs eftpos: what’s the difference?
How are debit cards different from eftpos cards? Aren't they the same thing? In plain language, we explain the key differences.
Best point of sale systems for restaurants and cafés in Ireland
What are the best point of sale systems for Irish hospitality? Let's compare the leading POS systems for a small food and drink business.
Merchant fees and costs of accepting card payments – explained
How do transaction fees work in Australia? What are they? We explain merchants' fees with examples of how they vary in different contexts.
Shopify POS Australia review: multichannel selling for Shopify retailers
Shopify POS is a clever till app for retail businesses with an online store. Unusual for its multichannel features, is the cost worth it?
PayNuts review: high-end EFTPOS terminals with no or low tailored fees
PayNuts EFTPOS machines appeal to cash-strapped businesses, esp. the fee-free plan. But what are the conditions and downsides of the service?
5 best business accounts for the self-employed
Which business account is best for UK sole traders? We've tried different online bank accounts - let us compare their limitations and strengths.
Best virtual terminals in Ireland for small businesses
What are the best over-the-phone payments in Ireland? We found surprisingly few virtual terminals that really compete.
How fast are instant, same- or next-day transfers really in payment processing?
EFTPOS and online card payments can take days to receive, but fast transfer options exist. We explain instant, same- and next-day settlement.
Zeller review: attractive EFTPOS terminals, low rate and online account
Zeller's EFTPOS terminals have an online account and card for a fast cash flow. At no monthly cost and a low card fee, is there a catch?
Is zero-fee EFTPOS (or surcharging) a good idea for business?
How does zero-fee EFTPOS work? What's the catch for a business? Learn how "no costs" are done through surcharging, and whether you should do it.
Worldpay card machine review: geared towards steady businesses
Many companies use Worldpay, but are the card machines worth the cost and fees? Let's look at what a contract involves.
Starling Bank business account review: real UK bank with general banking services
Starling Business Account is for sole traders and limited companies in the UK. Is it as good as high street banks? We tested the service.
NAB EFTPOS review: low fixed rate for a bank, but with a few caveats
A NAB EFTPOS machine could be affordable for small businesses - but benefits are greater with a NAB business account.
Westpac EFTPOS machine review: competitive for stable businesses
Of the Australian banks, are Westpac EFTPOS machines a good option for small businesses? It depends on sale volume and what you need.
Revolut Business review: account for borderless freelancers and companies
Revolut for Business is a current account for freelancers and companies - are there hidden fees for international transfers?
Stripe Terminal Australia review: for multichannel businesses with custom needs
Is Stripe Terminal a decent EFTPOS solution in Australia? We explain how it works and whether it's too technical for a small business.
Stripe Terminal review: adaptable card machines for online businesses
Stripe Terminal is a choice of card readers for Stripe users. Intended for online-first businesses, who actually benefits most from it?
Shopify card reader review: Australia’s omnichannel EFTPOS for Shopify stores
Shopify card reader is small and useful for retail shops with a store online too. But is the monthly cost too high for what it's worth? We tested it.
Shopify card reader Ireland review: works with POS app and online store
The latest Shopify reader works with a POS app, but is it overpriced? We consider pricing, features, reviews and ecommerce integration.
Shopify card reader review: POS payments for multichannel selling
Shopify has a card reader that pairs with a POS app for retail shops. Is it worth the cost when you have to subscribe to an ecommerce plan?
Handepay card machine review: average contract with a few benefits
Are Handepay card machines worth the commitment? What does the Price Challenge entail? Here's our verdict on Handepay.
6 best retail POS systems for shops in the UK
What's the best EPOS system for small shops in the UK? Although many options prevail, only few tills are great for small retailers.
Tips vs service charge – what’s the difference and which should you accept?
How is tipping different from service charge? Which should a food-and-drink place accept? We consider the options to help merchants choose.
How to use a POS machine: step by step explained
How does a POS machine work, or rather: how do you use it? We give a definition and run through the steps to accept cash and card payments in person.
SumUp vs Square Australia: which is better value for a small business?
Like Square, SumUp has a cheap EFTPOS machine at a low cost. How else do they compare? We look at payment features, fees, POS and more.
Elavon review: okay card machines, but so-so service better for large companies
Elavon has okay card machines, but fees are not that clear. We cover payment features and who should consider Elavon.
What VAT rates should you charge for takeaway food and drinks?
Cafes, restaurants and other food businesses apply different VAT rates. We explain and list the VAT required for different food and drink items.
Teya review: a card machine package that supports local businesses
Teya's card machine is a promising contender on the payment market. We tested the product and service and found its pros and cons.
Revolut POS review: exceeds expectations for a free café POS system
Revolut's POS app for iPad is basic, with surprising potential. We tested the EPOS and give our opinion of the product and service.