Card machine alternatives: how small businesses can take card payments without a POS terminal
By SendPay Business · · 2 min read
Not every business needs a card machine. Market traders, mobile trades, tutors and anyone who is paid a few times a day can take cards without buying or renting a terminal. Here are the options, and when a card machine is still the right call.
Payment links
Send a link by text, email or WhatsApp, or show it on your phone, and the customer pays with their own card on their own phone. Nothing to buy or rent, and it works in person, over the phone and online.
Invoices with a pay button
For bigger jobs, send an invoice that the customer pays online. It suits trades and services that finish the work before they are paid.
Tap to pay on a phone
Some card providers let you take contactless payments on your own smartphone with their app. Check what your provider offers in your country.
When a card machine is still worth it
If you serve a queue of customers all day, like a busy cafe, a card machine or POS terminal is faster at the counter. For everyone else, links and invoices often do the job without the monthly rental.
Run your own payments app
SendPay Business does not sell card machines. Its platforms include payment links and invoicing, so you can launch your own payments app for traders in your area, under your brand, and earn a fee on what they take.
Build it
Create your own financial platform.
Pick a template, name it, brand it, preview every page before you pay. Your brand, your users, your fees.
Build my platform →Questions people ask
How much do card payments cost?
The free card fee calculator shows what you keep from each sale after the fee.
Card fee calculator →What about virtual terminals?
The virtual terminal guide compares keying in card numbers with sending payment links.
Virtual terminal vs payment links →How do I start my own payments app?
Pick a template, name it and preview every page before you pay.
Build my platform →Read next
This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. SendPay Business is a technology company, not a bank, and does not take deposits; regulated services on the platforms are provided by licensed partners. PayPal, Patreon and Substack are named as reference points only and are not affiliated with SendPay Business.