Stripe Terminal UK Review 2026: Readers From £49, Fees Checked
If your business already runs on Stripe online, Stripe Terminal is the obvious next question: can the same account take payments over the counter? It can. But Terminal isn't a card reader you plug in and go like SumUp. It's a set of readers and developer tools that plug into a point of sale app, either one you build or one that already supports it. We went through Stripe's UK pricing page and its Terminal documentation in October 2026.
Overview
Stripe Terminal lets you take in person card and contactless payments through the same Stripe account you use online. Payments, refunds, customers and payouts all sit in one dashboard, which is the big draw for online brands opening a shop, running pop ups or selling at events.
The flip side is that Stripe expects you to connect the readers to software. You can build your own POS using Stripe's SDKs, pick a third party POS that supports Stripe Terminal, or use Tap to Pay on a compatible phone. If you just want a card machine to type amounts into, you'll find simpler options elsewhere.
Quick verdict: Stripe Terminal is a strong choice for online businesses and software platforms that want online and in person payments in one place. At 1.4% + 10p it's competitive on larger sales, but the 10p fixed fee hurts on small tickets, and you'll need a compatible POS app.
Fees and pricing
Stripe's UK pricing page listed these Terminal charges in October 2026:
| Charge | Price |
|---|---|
| In person payment, EEA cards | 1.4% + 10p per successful charge |
| In person payment, non EEA cards | 2.9% + 10p per successful charge |
| Tap to Pay on iPhone or Android | Extra 10p per authorisation |
| Optional point to point encryption (P2PE) | Extra 4p per authorisation |
| Cellular data on enabled readers | £7 per reader per month |
| Monthly or setup fees | None on standard pricing |
Source: stripe.com/gb/pricing, checked October 2026. UK cards count as EEA cards for this pricing.
Online fees for comparison
Online, Stripe charges 1.5% + 20p for standard UK cards and 2.8% + 20p for premium UK cards. International cards online start at 2.5% + 20p. Disputes cost £20 each, plus another £20 if you counter one manually, which you get back if you win.
Card readers
| Reader | Price ex VAT | Type |
|---|---|---|
| BBPOS WisePad 3 | £49 | Mobile reader that pairs with a phone or tablet |
| Stripe Reader S700 | £229 | Smart touchscreen reader that can run your POS app |
| Stripe Reader S710 | £229 | As S700, with cellular connection |
| Stripe Reader T600 | £249 | Countertop smart reader with an 8 inch customer display |
Prices from stripe.com/gb/pricing, October 2026. The Stripe Reader M2 isn't available in the UK. Stripe's help centre says it only supports PINless payments, and PIN support is required here.
Smart vs mobile readers
The WisePad 3 is the cheap way in, but it needs a phone or tablet running a Terminal enabled app. The S700 and S710 are all in one devices that can run your POS app directly on the reader, so staff carry one device rather than a phone plus a reader. The T600 is designed to stay plugged in at the counter or on a pole mount.
Worked monthly cost examples
These use 1.4% + 10p on UK cards. The fixed 10p means your average sale size matters, so we've shown two.
| Monthly takings | Average sale £8 | Average sale £40 |
|---|---|---|
| £2,000 | £53.00 (250 sales) | £33.00 (50 sales) |
| £10,000 | £265.00 (1,250 sales) | £165.00 (250 sales) |
| £30,000 | £795.00 (3,750 sales) | £495.00 (750 sales) |
At an £8 average sale, Stripe works out at about 2.65%, which is pricier than SumUp at 1.69% or Square at 1.75%. At a £40 average sale it's about 1.65%. So Stripe Terminal suits higher value sales much better than coffees.
Add the extras
If you use Tap to Pay, add 10p a payment. If you run an S710 on cellular, add £7 a month per reader. And if your POS software charges a subscription, add that too.
Stripe Terminal for different businesses
Online brand at a pop up
This is where Terminal shines. Your products, customers and reports are already in Stripe, and a WisePad 3 or S700 at a weekend pop up keeps everything in one place.
Cafe
A cafe with small average sales will feel the 10p per payment. Unless your POS already runs on Stripe, a flat rate reader is usually cheaper and simpler.
Market stall
Stripe's S710 with cellular data could work, but you'll need a POS app that supports it. For most stallholders, a standalone reader is less hassle.
Hairdresser
Salon software that already uses Stripe is a natural fit. With average bills of £40 or more, the effective rate drops to around 1.65%.
Trades and taxis
Tap to Pay on your phone means no extra hardware, but it costs an extra 10p a payment. For larger jobs that's small change. For taxi fares, check your average fare first.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Online and in person payments in one account and dashboard
- No monthly fee on standard pricing
- Readers from £49 ex VAT
- Smart readers can run your own POS app
- Tap to Pay option with no extra hardware
Cons
- Needs a compatible POS app or development work
- 10p fixed fee makes small sales expensive
- Non EEA cards cost 2.9% + 10p
- Cellular data costs £7 a month per reader
Who it suits
Online sellers moving into physical retail, software platforms adding in person payments, and businesses with higher average sales. It's not built for someone who just wants a simple card machine on the counter.
Setup tips
- Pick your software first. Check that your POS or booking system supports Stripe Terminal before ordering a reader.
- Work out your average sale. Divide last month's takings by number of sales. Under about £15, the 10p fee bites.
- Order one reader and test it. Run real payments for a week before you roll out more.
- Check payout timing in your Dashboard. Stripe lets you choose rolling, weekly or monthly payouts, and instant payouts to an eligible debit card for a fee.
- Think about P2PE. All Terminal payments are encrypted end to end by default. P2PE is optional and costs 4p per authorisation, but it may cut your PCI paperwork. Check with your PCI adviser.
Who shouldn't use Stripe Terminal
Stripe Terminal isn't the right pick for everyone. Think twice if:
- You want something working today with no setup. Most Stripe readers need an app or point of sale that supports Stripe Terminal. Without one, you'll need a developer or a compatible third party app.
- You sell lots of low value items. The 10p fixed fee hurts on small payments. On a £2 sale, the fee is 12.8p, or 6.4%.
- You want phone support from day one. Stripe's support is mainly online. If you'd rather call someone, a traditional provider may suit you better.
- Most of your customers pay with non UK cards. At 2.9% + 10p on non EEA cards, costs add up for tourist businesses.
Alternatives
- Square: online and in person in one place, with its own free POS.
- Adyen: for larger businesses wanting one global platform.
- Viva Wallet: app based terminals with a business account.
- Tap to Pay on iPhone and Android: our guide to card free hardware.
Verdict
Stripe Terminal is excellent if you're already on Stripe and want one view of every payment. It's less good as a first card machine for a small cafe or market trader, because of the 10p per payment and the need for compatible software. Run the numbers on your own average sale before you choose.
FAQs
How much does Stripe Terminal cost in the UK?
1.4% + 10p per successful in person payment on EEA cards, including UK cards, and 2.9% + 10p on non EEA cards. There's no monthly fee on standard pricing.
What card readers can I use with Stripe in the UK?
The BBPOS WisePad 3 (£49 ex VAT), Stripe Reader S700 (£229), S710 (£229) and T600 (£249). The Stripe Reader M2 isn't available in the UK.
Does Stripe Terminal work without an app?
You need software to start a payment: your own app, a supported third party POS, or Stripe's no code option. Check what's available for your setup in your Stripe Dashboard.
Can I use Tap to Pay with Stripe in the UK?
Yes, on compatible iPhone and Android devices, for an extra 10p per authorisation on top of the normal Terminal fee.
Does Stripe charge for refunds?
On standard pricing Stripe doesn't charge to issue card refunds, but the original processing fee isn't returned.
Is Stripe Terminal cheaper than SumUp?
For large sales it can be. For small sales, no. On a £40 sale Stripe's fee is 66p versus about 68p at SumUp's 1.69%. On an £8 sale it's about 21p versus 14p.
Can I use Stripe Terminal without a developer?
Sometimes. If your point of sale or booking app already supports Stripe Terminal, you can usually connect a reader from its settings. If not, you'll need a developer to build it in, or choose a provider with a ready made app.
How quickly does Stripe pay out?
Payout timing depends on your account and country settings, which you can see in your Stripe Dashboard. New accounts often start on a slightly longer schedule.