A card machine needs to work where your customers pay: at a fixed till, across a restaurant floor or away from your premises. Start with that location and its available connections, then compare features and cost.
This guide covers countertop, portable and mobile terminals. Our Card Processing FAQs provide short answers to common questions about each type.
What Each Terminal Type Does
Countertop terminals
A countertop terminal stays at a payment point, such as a shop till or reception desk. It may connect through Ethernet or Wi-Fi, depending on the model.
A wired connection can be useful at a fixed counter, but terminal type alone does not guarantee speed, uptime or EPOS compatibility. Check the device and the provider's supported setup.
Portable terminals
A portable terminal can be carried around your premises. It may use Wi-Fi directly or communicate with a base or paired device over Bluetooth.
This can suit table service, salons and showrooms. Usable range depends on the device, walls, interference and network layout. Test the actual areas where staff will take payments rather than relying on a general distance claim.
Mobile terminals
A mobile terminal uses cellular data through a supported SIM or built-in connection. Some also support Wi-Fi. A separate compact reader may instead rely on a paired smartphone.
Mobile arrangements can suit tradespeople, markets, events and deliveries. Payments still depend on supported network coverage, account configuration and the device being charged. For an example of the differences between phone-paired and standalone devices, see SumUp's mobile-reader information; other providers' features differ.
Compare the Practical Differences
| Feature | Countertop | Portable | Mobile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where it is used | Fixed payment point | Around the premises | Away from premises |
| Connection to check | Ethernet or Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or supported base | Cellular data; sometimes Wi-Fi |
| Power arrangements | Mains or model-specific setup | Charging routine and battery | Battery and charging on the move |
| Common suitability | Shop till or reception | Table service or showroom | Markets, trades and events |
| Main check | Connection at the counter | Coverage throughout the venue | Coverage at trading locations |
The categories overlap. A handheld terminal may work both inside and outside a venue, while a smart terminal may offer ordering or till functions. Ask for the exact model and supported services.
For a broader buying checklist, read how to choose a card machine for a small business.
Match the Device to Your Trading Pattern
List every place where you accept payments, then identify essential features. A restaurant might need printed receipts and integration with table bills. A mobile trader might prioritise battery life, a reliable data connection and a compact charging setup.
Consider your busiest period and quiet months. Ask about transaction capacity, charging between shifts and whether staff can access the reports they need.
Neither a subscription nor pay-as-you-go pricing is automatically the cheapest choice. Compare hardware and processing costs against your sales pattern using the card machine transaction fees guide.
Connectivity and Outages
Test the connection at your actual checkout, tables or event location. Buildings, crowds and network conditions can affect availability.
If the provider offers multiple-network access or a backup connection, ask how it works and whether extra charges apply. Do not assume every mobile terminal selects the strongest network automatically.
Some devices support offline payments. This can involve storing a transaction for later processing, with risks of declines, expiry or disputes. Availability and responsibility for losses are provider-specific. Check the rules before enabling it and train staff in the provider's outage process. Our terminal FAQs explain the key distinction.
EPOS and Accounting Integration
Electronic point of sale (EPOS) integration can pass the till's amount to the terminal and return the payment result. It can reduce manual entry, but does not guarantee that every reconciliation problem disappears.
Ask both providers to confirm compatibility, supported features and any connector or subscription cost. If switching processor, check whether the existing till and terminal can be reused. An accounting export is not necessarily the same as direct integration.
Contract Length and Support
The PSR's terminal-contract rules limit the initial term of qualifying terminal hire contracts to 18 months, followed by monthly terms. Separate card-acquiring or software services may have different terms. The fees guide explains the scope and the questions to ask.
For repairs and replacements, confirm support hours, reporting deadlines, delivery coverage and charges. Do not assume next-day or same-day replacement is included. Ask what happens at weekends and whether there is a temporary way to take payments.
Security and Daily Use
PCI DSS, the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, covers merchants of every size. Your acquirer or card brand determines how you need to validate compliance. Confirm the requirements for your particular setup using PCI's small-merchant guidance.
Train staff to follow terminal prompts and check payment status before retrying a transaction. Confirm refund permissions, secure device handling and the provider's procedure for reporting a lost or damaged terminal.
Before You Choose
Prepare your payment locations, connection requirements, current statement and any EPOS details. Ask for a written quote that covers hardware, processing, support and contract terms. The Card Processing FAQs can help you check individual points before accepting.
