Best card machine for tradespeople
Plumbers, electricians, builders and other tradespeople need a reader that works reliably on-site — not just at a fixed till — and often need to invoice for materials or follow-up work rather than take payment on the spot. Here's what actually fits that use case.
Quick verdict
Best for patchy signal on-site: myPOS Go 2 — built-in 3G/4G rather than relying only on your phone's Bluetooth connection. Cheapest per callout: Lopay (0.79–0.99%). Best invoicing tools: Lopay (Xero integration) or SumUp (Invoices Plus add-on, £8/month) if you regularly bill after the job rather than taking payment there and then.
| Provider | Connectivity | Transaction fee | Invoicing option | Hardware |
|---|---|---|---|---|
mymyPOS Go 2 | Built-in 3G/4G | 1.10% + £0.07 | Not a core feature | £29 ex VAT |
LoLopay | Phone Bluetooth | 0.79%–0.99% | Xero: 0.29% + 10p/invoice | £35 + P&P |
SuSumUp | Phone Bluetooth | 1.69% | Invoices Plus £8/mo | £25 +VAT |
ZeZettle | Phone Bluetooth | 1.75% | Payment Links 2.5% | £29 +VAT |
Figures checked directly against each provider's official pricing page on 30 July 2026 — see methodology. We may earn a commission when you sign up through a link on this page — see our Affiliate Disclosure.
Cost per month at a typical callout rate
Assume £120 average job value and £4,500/month in card takings (38 jobs/month) — a realistic baseline for a self-employed tradesperson:
| Lopay Standard (0.99%) | £44.55/month |
| myPOS (1.10% + 7p × 38) | £52.16/month |
| SumUp (1.69%) | £76.05/month |
| Zettle / Square (1.75%) | £78.75/month |
Calculation excludes any invoicing add-on fees — add these separately if you regularly bill after the job rather than taking payment on-site.
Beyond the transaction fee
Signal reliability
A Bluetooth reader paired to your phone is only as reliable as your phone's own signal. myPOS Go 2's built-in 3G/4G can be more dependable in basements, rural areas, or new-build sites without a stable network yet.
Materials and follow-up billing
Not every job is paid in full on the day — extra materials, follow-up visits, or staged payments on bigger jobs often need an invoice rather than a card-present transaction. Lopay's Xero integration and SumUp's Invoices Plus both cover this.
Battery life and durability
Job-site readers get more physical wear than a shop counter unit — check the manufacturer's stated battery life and durability rating if you're outdoors regularly, since none of the providers compared publish a formal IP rating for their standard readers.
Bigger, irregular payments
Larger jobs mean occasional bigger transactions — check for any per-transaction cap or additional verification step some providers apply above a certain amount, particularly on newer accounts.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a reader with its own SIM?
Not essential, but it helps in areas with unreliable phone signal. myPOS Go 2 is the option here with built-in 3G/4G rather than relying purely on Bluetooth to your phone.
Can I invoice instead of taking card payment on the spot?
Yes — SumUp's Invoices Plus (£8/month) and Lopay's Xero integration (0.29% + 10p per invoice) both let you bill after the job.
Comparing for a specific trade?
See our sole trader and small business breakdowns for more detail.
Methodology: Pricing pulled directly from each provider's official UK pricing page (mypos.com, lopay.com, sumup.com, zettle.com) on 30 July 2026. See our Editorial Policy.