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Starting out: cafes

Your First Card Machine for Cafes: What to Get

For new cafes, start with a terminal that costs nothing upfront and has no monthly fee, such as Flatpay's at 1.49% on every card. One catch matters when you are new: Flatpay expects at least £1,100 a month in card takings (assessed over the year) or charges £39 a month. If you expect less than that at first, a pay-as-you-go reader from SumUp (£25) or Square (£19) can cost less until trade builds.

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What to start with: a terminal now, a pos when orders get busy

A POS adds tables, saved orders, split bills and kitchen printing. Flatpay's POS bundles cost from £1,495 and are charged at 1.69%, against 1.49% and nothing upfront for the terminal alone, so many new cafes and takeaways start with the terminal.

Your set-up checklist

  • Fast contactless at the counter
  • Low cost on small tickets
  • Tips
  • Receipts and a printer for the kitchen or coffee bar

How Flatpay covers it

  • Percentage-only fee, so a £3.50 coffee is not hit by a fixed charge
  • POS with saved orders, discounts and kitchen printing
  • Dine-in and takeaway labels on receipts
  • Daily payouts for cash flow

Worth checking first

  • The POS systems are charged at 1.69% and the bundles cost from £1,495 (Flatpay POS page; the price list shows £1,995 to £2,495 ex VAT, so confirm on your quote); the terminal alone is 1.49% and free upfront
  • Compare against what you take: the calculator below shows a year's cost

Want the numbers for your business? We will arrange a free Flatpay quote and a call from a local sales manager.

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What will card payments cost you in year one?

Fees on your card takings plus the cheapest terminal each provider sells. Published rates, checked 21 October 2026.

  1. 1.Flatpay£715
  2. 2.Worldpay£720
  3. 3.Dojo£725
  4. 4.SumUp£836
  5. 5.Square£859
  6. 6.Zettle by PayPal£869
  7. 7.Stripe Terminal£913

Flatpay includes its £39 monthly charge when takings are under its £1,100 minimum. Stripe includes 10p per payment. Optional monthly plans, VAT on hardware and providers with no published rate are left out. Your own quote may differ.

Card machines for cafes near you

Other new businesses

Questions

What card machine should new cafes start with?

A terminal now, a POS when orders get busy. A POS adds tables, saved orders, split bills and kitchen printing. Flatpay's POS bundles cost from £1,495 and are charged at 1.69%, against 1.49% and nothing upfront for the terminal alone, so many new cafes and takeaways start with the terminal.

What is the cheapest way for a small cafe to take cards?

It depends on your takings. Use the calculator on this page with your monthly card sales; hardware matters in year one, the percentage matters every year after.

More card machine guides

Sources, last checked 21 October 2026

Facts about Flatpay come from Flatpay's own website; to get a quote, use the form on this page.

flatpay.com (pricing), flatpay.com (pricelist), flatpay.com (terminal), flatpay.com (coffee shop pos)

Want the numbers for your business? We will arrange a free Flatpay quote and a call from a local sales manager.

Get my free quote

GetBrent is an independent UK directory. We work with Flatpay and may receive a fee if you sign up through this page; that does not change the facts shown, which come from each provider's own website or the regulator, checked 21 October 2026. Terms change, so check your own agreement.

Your First Card Machine for Cafes: What to Get | GetBrent