The short answer
There is no single cheapest setup for every business. Awais is a Payment Consultant working with takepayments / Global Payments and can explain an available quote against the costs you provide. A lower cost or a saving is not guaranteed.
What £10k a month on card could cost you
Example: £10,000 a month in card payments, £15 average sale. A typical 1.69% flat rate is about £169 a month. A bespoke rate in this example (80% debit at 0.6%, 20% credit at 1%, £25 rental, 6p authorisation on about 667 transactions) comes to £133.02, roughly £36 a month or £432 a year less. Flat rates aren't always worse: it depends on your turnover, average sale and card mix. Illustrative example, not a guaranteed saving.
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What belongs in the comparison?
| Cost component | What to compare |
|---|---|
| Processing rates | Your personal debit, credit, business and other card mix |
| Pence fees | Each applicable charge and the number of billable events |
| Recurring costs | Terminal, software, gateway and PCI service fees where applicable |
| Minimum charges | The qualifying fees and actual top-up calculation |
| Setup and switching | Upfront charges, exit costs and the remaining commitment |
In this guide
Use your turnover, payment count and card mix
Monthly card turnover is the value paid by card. Average transaction value is that amount divided by the number of payments. Where a tariff includes a fixed charge per transaction or authorisation, more billable events increase that part of the cost. Rates may also differ by card type and between in-person and remote payments.
Count each charge once
Add the applicable percentage charges, billable pence fees and fixed costs for the same period. A minimum monthly service charge may create a top-up when qualifying fees fall below an agreed amount; apply the actual contract calculation rather than adding the full minimum twice. Keep VAT treatment consistent and separate ordinary monthly charges from setup or exit costs.
Compare the equipment and commitment
TP+ on PAX A920 Pro provides a portable terminal; Worldpay 360 adds POS functions; Genius mobile pay uses a compatible Android phone; payment links support remote payments. Compare the functions you need alongside their quoted costs. Check contract length and any promotional end date. Use a quiet month as well as normal trading when assessing fixed commitments.
Common questions
Is a machine with no rental always cheaper?
No. Compare the total bill using the same sales and payment assumptions. Lower fixed costs can be outweighed by processing charges, and the reverse can also happen.
Why does average transaction value matter?
For the same turnover, smaller payments mean more transactions. When the tariff includes a fixed pence charge per payment, that increases the total of those charges.
Can you guarantee the cheapest quote?
No. Awais offers options through takepayments / Global Payments. He can explain a written proposal and compare it with your figures; this is not a whole-market comparison.
What should I prepare for a cost review?
Have your monthly card sales, payment count, current fees and contract details ready. If you are new to cards, use realistic estimates and compare quiet and expected trading months.
Sources and method
Public sources checked on 9 October 2026. Offers can change; your individual proposal and signed terms determine what applies.
Global Payments: card-type rates and itemised quotation structure Global Payments: turnover and average transaction value inputs takepayments: compare overall costs and minimum monthly fees takepayments: TP+ product features Worldpay: Worldpay 360 UK bundles and terms Global Payments: Tap to Pay on Android takepayments: Pay by LinkWorked examples are illustrative mathematics, not provider quotes or promised savings. Read our editorial approach.
Apply this to your business
Ask Awais to explain the available pricing for your business and how the full cost compares with the figures you provide.