Poynt Card Machine Review UK 2026: Availability, Features and Alternatives

Updated August 2026. Poynt still exists as a payments and commerce technology platform under GoDaddy, but UK businesses need to be careful with old reviews. The biggest issue is availability: GoDaddy’s current device guidance lists the Poynt Card Reader as US-only, while its main smart-terminal hardware is currently marketed for the US and Canada rather than as a normal new UK merchant offer.

That means old UK-facing articles quoting a £300 to £500 Poynt terminal price or generic 1.5% to 2.9% transaction fees should not be used as current UK buying information. Those figures do not describe a live UK GoDaddy merchant package.

What is Poynt?

Poynt started as a smart payment-terminal company and was acquired by GoDaddy. Its technology combines payment acceptance with commerce software, device management and applications. The classic Poynt Smart Terminal became well known for its dual-screen design, with one display facing the merchant and another facing the customer.

The wider Poynt OS platform remains relevant because it can be used by payment companies and commerce providers to manage devices and payment applications. That is different from saying every Poynt-branded terminal is currently available to a new UK SME.

The original Poynt hardware

The Poynt Smart Terminal was attractive because it brought several functions together:

• dual touchscreen displays;
• Chip & PIN and contactless acceptance;
• support for mobile wallets;
• Wi-Fi and mobile connectivity on supported models;
• integrated receipt printing;
• apps for inventory, sales and other business tasks;
• a customer-facing screen for tips, signatures and transaction information.

Those are still useful features in 2026, but the UK buying decision should be based on the supported provider package rather than the terminal design alone.

Why UK availability is confusing

GoDaddy operates country-specific websites and help content, so UK users can still find Poynt training pages and product references. However, GoDaddy’s current device-availability documentation explicitly lists the portable Poynt Card Reader as US-only, while its smart terminals are described for the US and Canada.

That is why we would not quote US dollar hardware prices or US GoDaddy Payments transaction rates to a UK business. The fact that a product page is visible from the UK does not mean the same acquiring offer is available to a UK company.

If you already have a Poynt terminal in the UK

Do not assume the device is obsolete. Poynt hardware has been supplied through different resellers, acquiring partners and merchant-service arrangements. An existing terminal can remain useful if the provider supporting it still boards transactions, maintains the payment application and supports the hardware.

Before changing anything, ask your current provider:

• Who is the underlying acquirer?
• Is my exact Poynt model still supported?
• How long will security and software updates continue?
• What happens if the device fails?
• Can you replace it with another supported model?
• What is my current minimum agreement?
• What are my effective transaction and monthly costs?

Should you buy a used Poynt terminal?

Be cautious. A payment terminal is not like buying a used tablet. It needs the correct payment application, security keys, device management and acquirer configuration. A cheap used terminal can be worthless if your intended UK payment provider will not board it.

Get written confirmation from the provider before buying independent hardware. The same rule applies to used Ingenico, Verifone and other merchant terminals.

Poynt versus Square for a new UK business

Square is far easier to recommend to a new UK micro-business because its hardware and transaction pricing are publicly available. Square Reader currently costs £19 + VAT and standard UK in-person card payments cost 1.75%. Standard Square POS software has no monthly fee.

That makes Square a clearer fit for a new shop, salon or service business that wants to start taking cards without negotiating an acquiring contract.

See Square

Poynt versus SumUp

SumUp’s Solo Lite costs £25 + VAT and PAYG in-person payments cost 1.69%. Its standalone Solo and Terminal give businesses alternatives where they do not want to rely on a phone.

For a small UK seller, SumUp is much easier to price than trying to source an unsupported or reseller-specific Poynt arrangement.

See our SumUp fees guide.

Poynt versus takepayments

takepayments uses personalised pricing rather than a single public transaction rate. It currently advertises a 12-month card-machine contract, next-working-day settlement subject to the acquiring terms and UK customer support seven days a week.

For an owner who wants a traditional merchant-service relationship and supported smart terminal, that is a more straightforward route than trying to recreate an old Poynt setup independently.

See takepayments

Poynt versus Worldpay

Worldpay remains a mainstream UK merchant-services option with current mobile and countertop terminal propositions. Its published mobile offer currently uses an 18-month agreement and shows a 1.50% Mastercard and Visa rate on the Simplicity tariff, with different fees applying to some other card types.

For an established business that wants a conventional acquiring package, Worldpay is at least a live UK proposition with current support and pricing information.

Read our Worldpay review.

What if you specifically want a smart terminal?

You still have several UK choices. Square Terminal combines card payments with a screen and receipt printer. SumUp Terminal combines payments with ordering and POS features. takepayments supplies smart terminal options. Dojo is designed around modern portable payment hardware and EPOS integrations.

Start with the workflow you want, not the Poynt name. Ask whether you need:

• a customer-facing second screen;
• a built-in receipt printer;
• 4G as well as Wi-Fi;
• pay-at-table functionality;
• tips and pre-authorisation;
• product and stock management;
• EPOS integration;
• employee logins and permissions.

How much should a replacement setup cost?

There is no single answer because modern payment models differ. Square and SumUp sell hardware and charge flat public rates. takepayments, Worldpay and Dojo combine hardware or device plans with merchant-service pricing. A higher upfront terminal price can still produce a lower annual cost if the transaction rate is materially better at your turnover.

Use your last three months of card statements and calculate the effective cost:

Total payment-provider charges ÷ card turnover × 100.

That gives you a percentage you can compare more fairly across different pricing models.

Our verdict

Poynt remains relevant technology, but it is no longer a straightforward new UK card-machine recommendation. Existing UK users should check support with their provider rather than rushing to replace a working setup. New UK buyers should compare providers with active UK onboarding, current terms and clear support.

If you like the idea of a smart all-in-one terminal, look at Square Terminal, SumUp Terminal, takepayments, Dojo and Worldpay before buying old Poynt hardware from a reseller.

More help choosing

See our card machine providers guide, PDQ terminal guide, mobile card reader guide and best card machines guide.