Bluetooth reader or 4G terminal?
- Bluetooth readers pair with your phone, which provides the screen and internet. Cheapest to buy. Examples: Square Reader, PayPal/Zettle Reader, SumUp Solo Lite.
- Standalone 4G terminals have their own SIM and screen, so your phone can stay in your pocket and signal doesn’t depend on it. Examples: SumUp Solo, Square Terminal, Teya and Dojo’s portable machines, Lloyds Cardnet and Barclaycard mobile options.
- No hardware at all: Tap to Pay turns a compatible iPhone or Android phone into a contactless terminal.
Market stalls and events
Signal at outdoor markets can be patchy. A terminal that can store payments offline, or a 4G device on a good network, saves lost sales. Check battery life for a full day and carry a power bank. Pay-as-you-go pricing suits seasonal trading because there’s no monthly fee in quiet months.
Tradespeople and mobile services
Plumbers, electricians, cleaners and mobile mechanics often take larger payments at the end of a job, or in advance. Look for invoices, pay by link and keyed (card-not-present) payments too, and check those rates: they’re usually higher than in-person rates (Square publishes 2.5% for keyed and invoice payments, for example). Our sister site TradesStation covers tools and services for trades.
Hairdressers, barbers and beauty salons
Salons benefit from a reader linked to a booking app, so deposits, no-show fees and payments sit with the appointment. Square Appointments, SumUp and specialist salon software with integrated payments are common choices. Agree deposit and cancellation terms with clients in advance.
Last updated: 16 October 2026
