Paymentsense Review 2026: Rates, Fees and Contract Checked
Paymentsense is one of those names you'll hear from a salesperson before you ever see an advert. It says more than 70,000 UK small businesses use it, and it'll get you taking payments in three days. Unlike a lot of traditional providers, it now has a pricing tool on its website that shows an example schedule of charges. We went through it line by line in October 2026, because the extras matter just as much as the headline rate.
Overview
Paymentsense rents card machines to small businesses and sets up card processing for them. It's registered with Visa and Mastercard as an Independent Sales Organisation and Member Service Provider of First Data Europe, so the actual processing is done by First Data's European business. You deal with Paymentsense for your machines, support and bills.
It offers countertop, portable and mobile 4G machines, plus online payments, pay by link and phone payments. Rates are tailored to your turnover and business type, and above £150,000 a year in card takings Paymentsense says its team will advise on bespoke pricing.
Quick verdict: Paymentsense can work for established shops, takeaways and restaurants that want a rented terminal, free till integration and round the clock support. But the monthly extras add up quickly, so smaller businesses will usually pay less with a no contract reader.
Fees and pricing
Paymentsense's pricing page shows an example price schedule once you enter your turnover, average sale and business type. These are the figures it showed us in October 2026. Yours may differ.
Transaction rates (example)
| Card type | In person | Online | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa and Mastercard personal debit | 1.40% | 1.40% | 1.40% + 50p |
| Visa and Mastercard personal credit | 1.40% | 1.40% | 1.90% |
| Visa and Mastercard business cards | 1.99% | 1.99% | 2.49% |
Plus a 5p authorisation fee on each transaction. Source: paymentsense.com/uk/pricing, checked October 2026.
Monthly and other charges (example)
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Card machine rental | £20 per terminal per month (+VAT) |
| PCI DSS service fee | £4.95 a month (+VAT) |
| PCI non compliance fee | £35 a month (+VAT) |
| Minimum monthly service charge | £24.95 |
| Reporting fee | £12.95 a month, free for 3 months |
| Online gateway | From £9.95 a month |
| Account on file fee | £3.99 a month |
| Refund fee | 50p |
| Chargeback fee | £28 |
| Settlement | 24 working hours |
Paymentsense explains that the minimum monthly service charge is the least you'll pay in transaction charges each month. If your actual fees are higher, it doesn't apply.
Rates vs extras
On paper, 1.40% beats SumUp's 1.69% and Square's 1.75%. But once you add £20 rental, a £4.95 PCI fee and 5p on every payment, the gap closes fast for small businesses. The worked examples below show where the break even sits.
Card machines
Paymentsense offers three types:
- Countertop: connects by ethernet or WiFi, with a built in receipt printer, for a till point.
- Portable: WiFi and Bluetooth, for taking payments at tables or around a shop.
- Mobile: 3G or 4G with WiFi, for taxis, trades and mobile food vans.
All take chip and PIN, contactless and Apple, Google and Samsung Pay. Visa, Mastercard and Amex are accepted, and you can add the Discover Global Network.
Contactless limit
Paymentsense's card machine page still mentions a £45 contactless limit. The UK contactless card limit has been £100 since October 2021, so don't let anyone tell you otherwise when you're setting up.
Free till integration
Paymentsense's Connect software links your card machine to a supported EPOS, so the amount goes from your till to the terminal without retyping. It's included in the standard plan, which is a nice touch for busy counters.
Worked monthly cost examples
These use the example rates above, assume all payments are personal cards in person, and add the £20 rental and £4.95 PCI fee (both plus VAT, so £29.94 including VAT). We've assumed a £20 average sale for the 5p authorisation fee.
| Monthly takings | Transaction fees (1.40%) | Authorisation fees | Monthly extras inc VAT | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £2,000 | £28.00 | £5.00 | £29.94 | £62.94 |
| £10,000 | £140.00 | £25.00 | £29.94 | £194.94 |
| £30,000 | £420.00 | £75.00 | £29.94 | £524.94 |
For comparison, SumUp pay as you go at 1.69% would cost £33.80, £169 and £507 at the same levels. At £10,000 a month SumUp's Payments Plus plan, at 0.99% plus £19 a month, would cost about £118. So the Paymentsense example only starts to compete at higher turnovers, and only if you negotiate. Once the reporting fee kicks in after three months, add another £12.95.
Effective rate
At £2,000 a month the example works out at about 3.1% of your takings. At £30,000 it's about 1.75%. That's why the effective rate, not the headline one, is the number to compare.
Paymentsense for different businesses
Cafe and takeaway
Free till integration and next day settlement will appeal. Ask for the authorisation fee to be cut or removed, since lots of small sales mean lots of 5p charges.
Retail shop
A countertop machine with a printer suits a shop till. Ask how many terminals you'll pay rental on before you order a spare.
Hairdresser
A portable machine works well, but at £3,000 to £5,000 a month you'll probably pay less with a no contract reader. Get a written quote and compare.
Trades and taxis
The mobile 4G machine is built for you. Check whether you'll pay rental through the quiet months too.
Market stall
The fixed monthly costs make Paymentsense hard to justify for occasional or seasonal trading.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Example rates and charges published on its website
- Free till integration with supported EPOS
- 24/7 tech support
- Next working day payouts to your bank account
- Will pay exit fees up to £3,000 if you switch to it
Cons
- Lots of monthly extras on top of the transaction rate
- 5p authorisation fee on every payment
- £35 a month PCI non compliance fee if you don't complete your checks
- Contract length not shown on its pricing page
Who it suits
Established businesses with steady turnover of roughly £15,000 a month or more, a till system to integrate, and a preference for phone support from a provider that sets everything up for them.
Setup and contract tips
- Ask for the contract length and cancellation terms in writing. They aren't on the pricing page.
- Get the full schedule of charges. Check each line against the example list above.
- Do your PCI checks straight away. The non compliance fee is more than the rental.
- Ask for the reporting fee to be waived. Many businesses don't need paid reports if they have the free dashboard.
- Check the exit fee offer. If you're switching, ask exactly what proof Paymentsense needs to cover your old provider's fees.
Questions to ask Paymentsense before you sign
- What's my exact rate on personal and business cards? The example calculator rates are 1.40% and 1.99%, but your quote may differ.
- Is there a minimum monthly service charge? The example shows £24.95. Check what it is for you and whether your quietest month clears it.
- What's the contract length and notice period? Get the exit terms in writing.
- Will you really cover my exit fees? Paymentsense says it covers exit fees up to £3,000. Ask what proof you need and how it's paid.
- What does PCI cost, and how do I complete it? Note the £4.95 a month fee and the £35 non compliance fee, both plus VAT.
- Who is my point of contact? Ask how to reach support after hours, especially if you trade evenings or weekends.
Write the answers down and keep them with your agreement.
Alternatives
- Teya: hospitality focused, with next day payouts.
- Barclaycard: bank acquirer.
- Square: no rental, no monthly fee.
- Handepay: another broker style provider.
Verdict
Paymentsense gets credit for publishing an example pricing schedule. Read every line though. The 1.40% rate looks keen, but rental, PCI, authorisation and reporting fees mean smaller businesses can end up paying 3% or more. If you take well over £15,000 a month and want integrated terminals with human support, get a quote. If not, a no contract reader is probably cheaper.
FAQs
How much does Paymentsense charge?
Its pricing tool showed example rates of 1.40% on personal debit and credit cards in person, 1.99% on business cards, a 5p authorisation fee and £20 a month (+VAT) terminal rental in October 2026. Your quote depends on your turnover and business type.
Does Paymentsense have a minimum monthly charge?
Yes. The example showed a minimum monthly service charge of £24.95, which applies only if your transaction charges are lower than that.
How quickly does Paymentsense pay out?
It says it transfers takings to your bank account the next working day.
Does Paymentsense charge a PCI fee?
The example showed a £4.95 a month PCI DSS service fee and a £35 a month non compliance fee (both plus VAT).
Will Paymentsense pay my exit fees?
It says it could pay your exit fees up to £3,000 if you switch to it.
Who processes Paymentsense payments?
Paymentsense is registered as an Independent Sales Organisation and Member Service Provider of First Data Europe.
Is Paymentsense good for a brand new business?
It can be, but read the minimum monthly service charge carefully. If your takings are low or unpredictable at first, a no contract reader may be cheaper until you know your numbers.