What is a PDQ machine? A UK guide for food businesses
Updated 19 October 2026
A PDQ machine is a card machine. It lets you take debit card, credit card and phone payments in person. PDQ is usually said to stand for "process data quickly". In the UK, a PDQ machine for a small business costs from about £19 to buy, or a monthly rental, plus a fee of roughly 1% to 1.75% on each payment. This guide explains the types, the real published fees and the contract rules.
Want customers to pay before they arrive? Take card payments online with your own Stripe account and 0% commission.
PDQ machine meaning
"PDQ" is an old banking term for the card terminal on your counter. Today most people just say card machine, card reader, card terminal or payment terminal. They all mean the same kind of device.
When someone says "PDQ payment", they mean a card payment taken face to face on one of these machines.
How a PDQ machine works
- The customer taps, inserts or swipes a card or phone.
- The machine sends the details, encrypted, to your payment provider (the acquirer).
- The card issuer checks funds and fraud rules and approves or declines. This takes a second or two.
- The machine prints or shows a receipt.
- The money lands in your bank, usually the next working day, minus the fee.
Contactless needs no PIN up to the limit, which is usually £100. Since 19 March 2026, £100 is no longer a fixed legal cap. Card providers can set their own limits, but most still use £100.
Types of PDQ machine
| Type | How it connects | Best for | Example devices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Countertop (wired) | Phone line or broadband cable | A fixed till in a café or takeaway | Bank and acquirer countertop terminals |
| Portable | Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to a base, inside your premises | Pay-at-table in restaurants and pubs | Most smart terminals |
| Mobile PDQ machine | Built-in SIM (4G) | Delivery drivers, food trucks, market stalls, events | SumUp Solo (built-in 4G SIM); check the spec sheet, as many terminals are Wi-Fi only |
| Card reader + phone | Bluetooth to a phone or tablet app | Low volume, pop-ups, starting out | Square Reader, SumUp Air, Zettle Reader |
| Tap to Pay on phone | Your iPhone or Android phone is the terminal | Back-up or very small trade | SumUp Tap to Pay, Square, Stripe |
| Smart terminal / handheld POS | Android device with apps, sometimes a printer | Ordering and paying on one device | Square Handheld, Teya Pro |
For a food business: a café or takeaway counter usually needs one countertop or portable machine. A restaurant wants portable machines for the table. A food truck or delivery driver needs a mobile PDQ with its own SIM.
UK PDQ machine fees compared (October 2026)
Figures come from each provider's own UK pages on 11 October 2026. Hardware prices are ex VAT unless stated. Fees change often, so check before you sign.
| Provider | In-person rate (UK consumer cards) | Hardware | Monthly fee | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SumUp (pay as you go) | 1.69% | Solo Lite £25, Solo £79, Terminal £135 | £0 | None |
| SumUp Payments Plus | 0.99% on domestic consumer cards; 1.69% on others incl. Amex | As above | £19 (or £189 a year) | Cancel anytime |
| Square | 1.75% (UK cards); +1.5% on non-UK cards | Reader £19, Terminal £149, Handheld £169 (+ VAT) | £0 for payments | None |
| Zettle by PayPal | 1.75% (incl. Amex) | First reader from £29; Terminal from £149 | £0 | None |
| Teya Start (up to £7,500 a month) | 1.59% (consumer cards) | Teya Lite £89, Teya Pro £179 list (launch offers £44.50 and £89.50 + VAT) | £0 (£29.99 if under £2,500 a month) | "No contracts" |
| Dojo | Based on your agreed plan; ask Dojo for a quote | Quote | Depends on plan | Check your agreement |
| Paymentsense | 1.40% personal debit and credit; 1.99% business debit; 5p per authorisation | Terminal £20 a month + VAT | PCI £4.95 + VAT; £24.95 minimum on transaction charges | Not stated |
| takepayments | Quote only | Quote only (depends on model) | Quote only | 12 months stated |
| Stripe Terminal | 1.4% + 10p (EEA cards); 2.9% + 10p (non-EEA cards); no separate UK-card rate listed | WisePad 3 £49; S700 £229 | £0 | None |
A few things this table shows:
- Low headline rates can hide fixed fees. Authorisation fees, terminal rental, PCI fees and minimum charges add up.
- Pay-as-you-go suits low volume. Subscriptions and custom rates win once you take several thousand pounds a month.
- Amex, business and non-UK cards cost more on most plans.
Worked example: a takeaway taking £12,000 a month on cards
Average payment £18, so about 667 payments a month. Assume 85% are UK consumer cards.
| Option | Sum | Monthly cost |
|---|---|---|
| SumUp pay as you go | £12,000 × 1.69% | £202.80 |
| SumUp Payments Plus | £19 + (£10,200 × 0.99%) + (£1,800 × 1.69%) | £150.40 |
| Square or Zettle | £12,000 × 1.75% | £210.00 |
| Paymentsense (published rates) | (£12,000 × 1.40%) + (667 × 5p) + £20 rental + £4.95 PCI | about £226 (the £24.95 minimum doesn't apply, as transaction charges are higher) |
The cheapest headline rate is not always the cheapest bill. Put your own numbers in before you choose. Then build the cost into your menu with our card fee calculator. You can't add a card surcharge for consumers in the UK.
Buy or rent a PDQ machine?
| Buy | Rent | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront | £19 to about £230 | Little or nothing |
| Monthly | Usually £0 | A rental fee (for example, Paymentsense £20 + VAT) |
| Contract | Usually none | Often 12 months; capped at 18 months for the largest acquirers |
| Best for | Small and new businesses | Busy sites that want a low negotiated rate and on-site support |
Contract rules. The Payment Systems Regulator limits card-terminal contracts. For businesses with card turnover up to £10 million a year, the first term can't be longer than 18 months. After that, it must roll monthly with one month's notice. This applies to the 15 card acquirers named by the PSR, including Square, SumUp, Stripe, PayPal, Worldpay, Barclays and Lloyds, including terminal contracts arranged through resellers or leasing companies. Some well-known brands are not on the list, so always read the contract.
How to choose a PDQ machine for your food business
- Work out your monthly card takings and average payment. These decide which pricing model wins.
- Pick the connection. Counter only? Wired or Wi-Fi. Tables? Portable. Deliveries or a van? A SIM.
- Check every fee: rate, authorisation fee, rental, PCI, minimum charge, Amex and non-UK cards.
- Check the contract: length, auto-renewal, notice, exit fee, and who owns the machine.
- Check payout speed. Next-day payouts help cash flow. Some providers charge for faster ones.
- Check it works with your till. A machine linked to your EPOS saves keying errors. A standalone one is cheaper and simpler.
- Keep a back-up. Tap to Pay on a phone can save a Saturday night if the machine fails.
PDQ machines vs online payment at order time
A card machine takes payment when the customer is in front of you. For collection and delivery, there's another option: take payment when they order.
- Fewer no-shows on collection orders, because the food is already paid for.
- No card machine in the delivery car, and no cash to count.
- Faster counter, because prepaid orders just get handed over.
With Menuthere, customers order from your own page and pay by card through your own Stripe account (Lite and above, from US$17 a month). Apple Pay and Google Pay work too if you switch them on in your Stripe account. Stripe charges 1.5% + 20p for standard UK cards, and Menuthere takes 0% commission. You still need a PDQ machine for walk-ins. Many takeaways use both. Read SumUp vs Square vs Dojo for takeaways for a side-by-side.
Let customers pay online when they order, with 0% commission. See.
FAQs
What does PDQ stand for?
PDQ is usually said to stand for "process data quickly". It's an old name for a card payment terminal.
What is a PDQ machine used for?
To take card and phone payments face to face. The customer taps, inserts or swipes, and the money reaches your bank, usually the next working day.
How much does a PDQ machine cost in the UK?
To buy, from about £19 for a basic reader to about £230 for a smart terminal, ex VAT. Rental is usually a monthly fee instead. On top, you pay roughly 1% to 1.75% per payment, depending on the provider and plan.
What is a mobile PDQ machine?
A card machine with its own SIM card, so it works away from Wi-Fi. Food trucks, market stalls and delivery drivers use them.
Is a PDQ machine the same as a card reader?
Mostly, yes. "Card reader" often means a small device that pairs with your phone by Bluetooth. A PDQ machine or terminal usually works on its own. Both take card payments.
Can I charge customers extra for paying by card?
No. Card surcharges on consumer cards have been banned in the UK since 13 January 2018. Build the fee into your prices instead.
What's the best PDQ machine for a small business?
It depends on volume. For low takings, a pay-as-you-go reader with no monthly fee is simplest. Once you take several thousand pounds a month, compare subscription and custom-rate plans. Always check the contract.
How long are card machine contracts?
Many pay-as-you-go machines have no contract. Rental contracts are often 12 months. For the 15 card acquirers named by the Payment Systems Regulator, the first term can't exceed 18 months for businesses with up to £10m card turnover.
Sources (15)
- SumUp UK pricing (1.69% pay as you go; Payments Plus £19/month, 0.99%): sumup.com/en-gb/pricing (accessed 11 Oct 2026)
- SumUp UK card readers (Solo Lite £25, Solo £79, Terminal £135 ex VAT): sumup.com/en-gb/card-readers (accessed 11 Oct 2026)
- Square UK pricing (1.75% in person UK cards): squareup.com/gb/en/pricing (accessed 11 Oct 2026)
- Square UK hardware (Reader £19, Terminal £149, Handheld £169 + VAT): squareup.com/gb/en/hardware (accessed 11 Oct 2026)
- Zettle by PayPal UK pricing: zettle.com/gb/pricing (accessed 11 Oct 2026)
- Teya UK pricing (Start plan 1.59%): teya.com/pricing-store (accessed 11 Oct 2026)
- Dojo fee schedule v2.1, 24 Aug 2026 (fixed fees; rates "based on your agreed plan") (accessed 11 Oct 2026)
- Paymentsense UK pricing: paymentsense.com/uk/pricing (accessed 11 Oct 2026)
- takepayments card machines (quote-based, "correct as of March 2025"): takepayments.com/card-machines (accessed 11 Oct 2026)
- Stripe UK pricing and Terminal: stripe.com/gb/pricing, stripe.com/gb/terminal (accessed 11 Oct 2026)
- SumUp Payments Plus (0.99% domestic consumer cards; 1.69% international, corporate, premium and Amex; £19/month or £189/year) and Solo spec (built-in 4G SIM): sumup.com/en-gb/payments-plus, sumup.com/en-gb/solo-card-reader (accessed 11 Oct 2026)
- Square Terminal connectivity (Wi-Fi or Ethernet): squareup.com/gb/en/hardware/terminal (accessed 11 Oct 2026)
- Payment Systems Regulator, PS22/2 Card-acquiring market remedies: final decision (6 Oct 2022), and Specific Direction 16 (varied May 2024): psr.org.uk (accessed 11 Oct 2026)
- FCA press release, "Greater flexibility to be given for setting future contactless limits", 19 Dec 2025, and Handbook Notice 136 (in force 19 March 2026): fca.org.uk; UK Finance contactless information, 12 Mar 2026: ukfinance.org.uk (accessed 11 Oct 2026)
- Consumer Rights (Payment Surcharges) Regulations 2012, reg 6A: legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2012/3110/regulation/6A (accessed 11 Oct 2026)