Card machine for your pop up

Portable, no contract, and ready to take payments wherever your pop-up lands - from markets to festivals to short-term retail spaces.

Common challenges

  • Need a card machine for a short-term event or space
  • Don't want a long contract for temporary trading
  • No fixed broadband at your pop-up location
  • Need to be set up and taking payments quickly
  • Want something portable and self-contained

Recommended solutions

SumUp

Solo

Compact, buy-outright card reader with Wi-Fi and 4G connectivity. No monthly fees, no contract — just a one-off hardware cost and a simple flat transaction rate. Ideal for low-volume merchants, micros and seasonal trading.

  • Touchscreen display
  • Wi-Fi connectivity
  • Contactless
  • No monthly fees
  • No contract
  • Buy outright — yours to keep
Hardware
£79
Monthly
£0
Debit
1.69% +
Credit
1.69% +
Commercial
1.69% +
International
1.69% +
Per transaction
0p
Contract
No contract

Shift4

Pax A800

Portable/countertop Android 10 terminal with 5.7-inch touchscreen and Payment & POS functionality. Built-in thermal printer along with Wi-Fi & 4g connectivity. Latest model from Pax includes on-screen merchant branding, intuitive over-the-phone payment flow, on-board POS features, as well as being configurable for full Shift4 POS integration (Dine & Delivery)

  • 5.7-inch HD touchscreen
  • Built-in printer
  • Wi-Fi & 4G
  • Contactless, chip & PIN, over-the-phone
  • Queue-Busting Fast Transacting
  • Only integrated with Shift4 POS
  • Latest Android POS & Payments
Hardware
£0
Monthly
Free for 1st machine
Debit
< 1.25% blended
Credit
< 1.25% blended
Commercial
< 1.25% blended
International
< 1.25% blended
Per transaction
0p
Contract
negotiable

Why pop-ups choose uno

Pop-up shops and event traders need card machines that work without fixed infrastructure, without long contracts, and without complicated setup. You need to be taking payments from day one.

No contract

Several of the solutions we offer have no long-term contract. You use them when you’re trading, and you’re not locked in when you’re not.

Portable and self-contained

The Dojo PAX A920 connects over 4G, runs on battery, and has a built-in printer. No mains power, no broadband, no problem.

Buy outright

The SumUp Solo at £79 is yours to keep - no monthly fees, no contract. Pay 1.69% per transaction and nothing else. Ideal if you’re testing a pop-up concept before committing to ongoing costs.

What you get from uno

  • A terminal ready for temporary or mobile trading
  • No long-term contract options
  • Portable terminals with 4G — no fixed line needed
  • Honest comparison of costs across providers

Common questions from pop up owners

I'm only running a pop-up for two weekends - do I need a contract?

No. The SumUp Solo is £79 outright with no contract and no monthly fees. Use it for your pop-up, and if you don't trade again for months, it costs you nothing. It's yours to keep and use whenever you need it. For traders who do regular pop-ups, a lower-rate terminal may save more over time.

I do pop-ups in different venues - will the terminal work everywhere?

Yes. A portable terminal with 4G connectivity works anywhere with mobile signal - shopping centres, markets, event spaces, gallery pop-ups, pub gardens. You don't need to connect to each venue's Wi-Fi or arrange anything in advance.

I'm testing a business idea with a pop-up before committing to a shop - what's the cheapest way to take cards?

The SumUp Solo at £79 with no monthly fees is designed for exactly this. You pay 1.69% per transaction and nothing else. If your pop-up succeeds and you move to a permanent location with higher volume, we can upgrade to a lower-rate terminal at that point.

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