Tradespeople
Best card machines for plumbers and electricians in 2026
Mobile, no fixed premises, unreliable WiFi. What actually works on the job for UK tradespeople.
UK Small Business Payment Index — April 2026
Are you being ripped off on card fees?
I survey hundreds of real UK small businesses every month to find out what they're actually paying — not what providers advertise. No spin. No provider backing. Just the truth.
Real data from real businesses
Updated monthly
100% independent
Your fee calculator
No sign up. No email. See exactly what you could be saving.
Estimates based on published standard rates. Always check your merchant statement for exact charges.
You're paying approx. per year
£0 per year in fees
You could save up to
£0 by switching
Cheaper options for your turnover:
SumUp
1.69% per transaction · No monthly fee
Save £0
Zettle by PayPal
1.75% per transaction · No monthly fee
Save £0
Want to be alerted when fees change? Get next month's index results first.
UK Small Business Payment Fees Index
What UK businesses are actually paying right now
Every month I survey hundreds of real small business owners across England. These are real numbers. Not marketing rates, not best-case scenarios. What businesses are actually seeing on their statements.
See the full April 2026 report →1.73%
Average transaction fee paid by sole traders this month
34%
of businesses paying hidden monthly fees they didn't expect
£412
Average annual overpayment vs best available rate
↑ 0.05%
Average fee increase vs March 2026
Get next month's results before anyone else
Join small business owners who use the index to make sure they're not overpaying. I'll send you the numbers the moment they're published. Free, every month.
No spam. Unsubscribe any time. Your data is never sold.
Why CompareTheFees
Not another comparison site
Most comparison sites just republish what providers tell them. I actually go and find out what small businesses are paying in the real world.
Real data, not marketing rates
The monthly index is built from surveys of actual UK small businesses. Not press releases from card machine companies. You see what real businesses on real statements are actually paying.
100% independent
I'm not funded by any card machine provider. No provider can pay to rank higher or appear more favourably. Recommendations are based on data alone.
Built for your business type
A plumber has different needs to a café owner. I break down comparisons by business type so you're not getting advice aimed at someone completely different.
Guides & Comparisons
Find the right card machine for your business
Market Traders
Cheapest card reader for market traders with no contract
Seasonal traders and market stall holders need flexibility. The no-contract options that actually work.
Sole Traders
Card machine fees for sole traders — what you should actually be paying
Index data shows sole traders are overpaying by an average of £412 a year. Here's how to fix that.
"Small businesses deserve to know the truth about what they're paying. Providers count on you not checking. I make it impossible to hide."