Card machine for your café

Quick transactions at the counter, tips on screen, and reliable connectivity all day. We match the right card machine to how your café actually runs.

Common challenges

Card machine is slow for quick counter transactions
Customers want to tip but the terminal doesn't support it
Wi-Fi drops in the café cause payment failures
Paying too much in transaction fees for small-value payments
Current provider is unresponsive when things go wrong

Why cafés choose uno

Cafés live or die by speed. When there’s a queue of customers waiting for their morning coffee, a slow card machine costs you sales and patience. And with average transaction values often under £10, high per-transaction fees hit harder than in other sectors.

We assess your operation, see how your counter operates, and recommend a card machine that keeps pace with your busiest periods.

Counter payments

For most cafés, a countertop terminal is the backbone. The PAX A800 connects over Wi-Fi or mobile data and processes contactless payments in under a second. Dual connectivity means if your broadband drops, it falls back to 4G automatically.

Table service

If your café offers table service as well, a portable terminal like the PAX A920 handles payments at the table with contactless, chip and PIN, and on-screen tipping.

Why two providers?

Because we’re not tied to one brand, we can show you both options honestly. The Shift4 A800 is ideal if you want a free terminal with slightly higher transaction rates, while the Dojo A920 suits cafés that prefer lower per-transaction costs with a fixed monthly fee. We help you work out which makes more sense for your volume.

What you get from uno

An assessment to understand your café’s layout and payment flow
A card machine matched to your counter speed and transaction volume
Clear comparison of costs across multiple providers
On-site setup and ongoing UK-based support

Common questions from café owners

Can customers add tips on the card machine in my restaurant?

Yes. The payment terminals we supply support on-screen tipping, so customers can add a tip when they pay by card. This works for both percentage-based and custom tip amounts - handy for restaurants, pubs, cafés, and anywhere tipping is common.

Can the card machine keep up with a busy morning coffee rush?

Contactless transactions take literally a few seconds. When you've got a queue of commuters at 8am all buying a flat white and a pastry, every one of those seconds at the till adds up. The terminals we'd recommend would be optimal for exactly this kind of sustained, rapid-fire processing.

Are card machine fees worth it when most of my sales are under £5?

Yes - because the alternative is losing customers entirely. Fewer and fewer people carry cash, and a customer who walks past because you're cash-only is a sale you never see again. On a £4 coffee at a blended rate of 1.25%, you're paying 5p per transaction. The cost of turning away card-paying customers is far higher than the processing fee.

I've got limited counter space in my café - how big are the terminals?

The terminals we supply are compact by design and can sit neatly beside a till or on a narrow counter. Many of the card machines we recommend are handheld and doesn't need counter space at all - they can charge on a cradle placed anywhere, and work wherever they're needed.

How quickly does the money from card payments reach my restaurant's bank account?

Settlement times vary by provider. Many providers offer next-day settlement, whilst others take two to three business days. For many businesses managing tight cash flow around supplier deliveries and weekly wages, faster settlement can make a real difference. We'll ensure whichever solution we recommend, this vital aspect is considered.

General questions about uno

Which card machine is right for my business?

It really does depend on how your business operates - there's no one 'best solution' for all, as a Fine Dining restaurant in Covent Garden has completely different operational requirements to a Market Trader in Glasgow's bustling Barras, or a Cardiff Arms Park pub. We make the effort to truly understand how your business actually operates - before recommending the best solution from a range of providers, not just one.

How much does a card machine cost?

It varies by provider and model. With some providers, your first card machine comes with no upfront cost, no monthly rental, and no per-transaction fees - so your only cost is the processing rate on each sale you make. Additional terminals - or those from other providers - may well carry rental or per-transaction fees. The exact cost depends on your terminal type, provider, and monthly card turnover. Because uno works across multiple providers, we compare the real-world, overall costs and then find the most competitive deal for your specific situation.

How long will it take for me to receive my takings?

We know for many UK independent buinesses cashflow is a daily struggle. We can offer various options, with settlement times ranging from just a few hours, to the full three days it takes providers to actually receive your customers money. Whatever your working requirements are, we'll find the ideal solution to match those needs.

Do all uno card machines accept contactless payments?

Yes. Every payment terminal we recommend accepts contactless payments, including Apple Pay, Google Pay, and standard contactless cards. Contactless is now the default way most customers pay in the UK.

Will I be able to take 'over-the-phone' payments?

For most merchant-types this will be offered as a default payment option, available on-screen along with contactless and Chip'n'Pin. There are a small number of exceptional businesess operational-types where this is not the case - but for most, 'over-the-phone' payments will be offered as standard.

How can we process refunds?

Any terminal uno suggests would allow you to easily identify the original transaction. If still within the same day as the sale, then the transaction could then be 'voided'(aka 'reversed'). Voids/Reverses are typically instantaneous. However, if that trading day's 'banking window' had closed (typically at Midnight) then it would technically be classed as a 'refund' - which would be subject to the bank's standard 3-5 processing timeframe to complete.

Will we need to do complicated PCI compliance like we do with our current provider?

The great news for you is none of the providers uno works with have complicated anything! For those that require PCI of any sort atall, it really is a simple, painless process that just takes a few minutes per year!

Am I locked into a contract?

Not with every provider. Several of the solutions we offer have no long-term contract - you can switch or cancel without penalty. We'll always be upfront about contract terms before suggesting you commit to anything.

How long does it take to get set up?

Most businesses are up and running within a few days. We handle the supply, installation, and configuration so you can focus on serving your customers. We walk you through everything on-site - so you're confident from day one.

Why go through uno instead of going direct to a provider?

Going direct means you only see a single provider's products, at a single provider's prices. Because uno works across multiple providers, we can genuinely compare options and recommend the solution that suits your business - not just the only one we happen to sell! You also get a dedicated point of contact for ongoing support.

Ready to find the right card machine?

We make the effort to your business, understand how you take payments, and recommend the solution that genuinely fits - not the one with the biggest commission.

Call 07395 451520 Get in touch