The UK Small Business Payment Fees Index
The only independent monthly tracker of what real UK small businesses are actually paying in card machine fees. Not marketing rates. Not best-case scenarios. Real numbers from real statements.
Where this data comes from
I built the index because I was frustrated that small businesses had no way of knowing whether their card machine fees were higher than average. Every month I go and find out.
Every month a short survey goes out to small business owners across England. Four core questions plus a fresh theme each month. Takes under two minutes to complete.
Plumbers, café owners, market traders, mobile beauty therapists — real businesses reporting what's on their actual statements. Not estimates. Not marketing materials.
Every month the results are compiled and published here. Subscribers get the findings before anyone else. The data is free and open for anyone to use.
What the data is telling us this month
Up from 1.68% last month. Sole traders are paying the highest average at 1.81% while limited companies are negotiating better rates averaging 1.61%.
Over a third of small businesses surveyed this month reported at least one fee on their statement they were not told about when they signed up. Monthly minimums and PCI compliance charges are the most common surprises.
Based on each respondent's reported turnover and transaction fee, the average small business is paying £412 more per year than they would on the best currently available rate.
Two thirds of respondents have never actively compared their current fees against what else is available. Most assumed switching would be too complicated or not worth the saving.
The hidden fees small businesses are actually finding
This month's survey asked: "Did you encounter any unexpected fees last month?" Here are the most commonly reported surprises.
If you don't process enough volume in a month, some providers charge a minimum fee regardless. Commonly reported by seasonal businesses and part-time sole traders.
An annual security certification charge. Often buried in small print. Several respondents reported discovering this for the first time on their 12-month anniversary statement.
Some providers advertise "free card reader" but charge a monthly rental for countertop terminals. Commonly reported by café and retail businesses who opted for a fixed terminal.
When a customer disputes a payment, providers charge a fee per dispute regardless of the outcome. Few respondents knew this fee existed before they were charged it.
Get next month's results first
Join small business owners who use the index every month to make sure they're not being overcharged. I'll send you the findings the moment they're published. Free, every month.