Worldpay Card Machine Fees UK 2026: £20.00 Monthly Terminal Cost

LAST REVIEWED 2026-09-06

What are Worldpay's card machine fees in 2026?

Worldpay does not publish a standard in-person transaction rate. Instead, it charges a monthly fee of £20.00 per terminal. This is the only published pricing element. Settlement occurs within 24 hours. Contract length and hardware costs are not disclosed on the pricing page.

Worldpay's approach differs from providers like SumUp and Zettle, which publish per-transaction rates of 1.69% and 1.75% respectively and charge no monthly fee. Worldpay's £20.00 monthly fee per terminal can be significant for low-volume businesses.

However, for high-volume businesses, a fixed monthly fee might be offset by lower transaction rates, but since Worldpay does not publish its rate, direct comparison is impossible. Businesses should request a custom quote to understand the total cost.

How does Worldpay's monthly fee compare to other providers?

Worldpay charges £20.00 per terminal monthly. In contrast, SumUp, Zettle, and Square charge £0 monthly. Tide charges £2.99 plus VAT, and Barclaycard offers £0 for the first 12 months, then £18 plus VAT. Worldpay's fee is the highest among those with published monthly fees.

The difference can be substantial.

However, Worldpay may offer lower transaction rates or additional services that justify the fee. Since its transaction rate is not published, businesses cannot calculate the total cost without a quote. The table above shows that Worldpay is the only provider with a per-terminal fee, which may be a disadvantage for multi-terminal businesses.

What is Worldpay's card machine hardware cost?

Worldpay does not publish hardware costs on its pricing page. This means businesses cannot know upfront whether terminals are free, rented, or sold outright. Other providers like Zettle sell hardware from £29 excluding VAT, and Tide from £11 plus VAT. Barclaycard charges £29 plus VAT one-off.

The lack of published hardware pricing makes it difficult to compare total cost of ownership. For example, if Worldpay charges a one-off fee for a terminal, that adds to the £20.00 monthly fee. Alternatively, if terminals are provided free on a contract, the monthly fee might cover hardware rental.

Businesses should ask Worldpay for a detailed quote including hardware costs. The table above shows that only Zettle, Tide, and Barclaycard publish hardware prices. Worldpay's omission means potential hidden costs.

How long does Worldpay take to settle card payments?

Worldpay settles card payments within 24 hours. This is a standard settlement time, similar to SumUp's next day and Barclaycard's next day. Zettle settles within minutes to a PayPal Business account, which is faster. Tide settles next business day.

For cash flow, a 24-hour settlement means funds are typically available the next working day. For example, a sale on Monday at 10 AM would be settled by Tuesday at 10 AM. This is acceptable for most businesses, but faster settlement can improve liquidity.

Worldpay's 24-hour settlement is not the fastest, but it is not the slowest either. Some providers may take longer, but Worldpay's published time is clear. Businesses that need immediate access to funds might prefer Zettle's instant settlement, but that requires a PayPal account.

What are Worldpay's contract terms and exit fees?

Worldpay does not publish its contract length or exit fees. This is a significant gap. In contrast, takepayments has a 12-month contract, and Barclaycard has an 18-month contract. SumUp, Zettle, and Square offer no contract.

Without published contract terms, businesses may face unexpected exit fees or auto-renewal clauses. The UK card machine market has seen issues with long contracts and high exit fees, leading to regulatory scrutiny. The 18-month cap on exit fees is a common industry standard, but Worldpay's terms are unknown.

Businesses should request a copy of the contract before signing. Look for minimum term, notice period, and any cancellation penalties. The table above shows that Worldpay is one of several providers not publishing contract details, making comparison difficult.

Is Worldpay regulated by the FCA?

Worldpay is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under the Payment Services Regulations. This means it must comply with safeguarding requirements and provide clear information about fees. However, the FCA does not set pricing, so Worldpay can choose not to publish rates.

Being FCA-regulated offers some protection to businesses, such as access to the Financial Ombudsman Service for disputes. But it does not guarantee transparency. Worldpay's pricing page lacks key details like transaction rates and contract terms, which is legal but not helpful for comparison.

Businesses should verify a provider's FCA status on the Financial Services Register. Worldpay's status is a positive sign, but it does not replace the need for a detailed quote. The table above shows that many providers do not publish full pricing, so due diligence is essential.

Who is Worldpay best suited for?

Worldpay is a large, established provider that may suit businesses needing a full-service solution with international capabilities. Its £20.00 monthly fee per terminal suggests a focus on businesses with higher transaction volumes, where a fixed fee is less significant than a percentage rate.

For small businesses or startups with low volumes, the £20.00 monthly fee could be prohibitive. However, Worldpay may offer lower rates for high volumes, making it competitive for larger enterprises.

Businesses should compare Worldpay's quote with providers like SumUp or Zettle, which have no monthly fee. The table above shows that Worldpay is the only provider with a per-terminal fee, so it is likely aimed at businesses that value its brand and services over cost.

What hidden fees does Worldpay charge?

Worldpay does not publish details of hidden fees such as chargebacks, PCI DSS compliance, or statement fees. These can add to the cost of card processing.

PCI DSS compliance is mandatory for all businesses that handle card data. Some providers charge an annual fee for compliance services, while others include it. Worldpay's stance is unclear. Businesses should ask about these fees before signing.

The table above shows that Worldpay is not alone in omitting such fees, but it is still a risk. To avoid surprises, request a full schedule of fees from Worldpay, including chargebacks, PCI, and any monthly minimums.

How does Worldpay's pricing page compare to other providers?

Worldpay's pricing page is sparse, publishing only the £20.00 monthly fee and 24-hour settlement. In contrast, SumUp and Zettle clearly list their transaction rates and monthly fees. This lack of transparency makes it hard for businesses to compare.

The table above shows that Worldpay is one of several providers with incomplete pricing. For example, Dojo, Teya, and Elavon also publish no rates. This is a common industry practice, but it means businesses must request quotes from multiple providers to compare.

When comparing, consider the total cost: transaction rate, monthly fee, hardware, and any hidden fees. Worldpay's £20.00 monthly fee is a fixed cost, but without a transaction rate, the total cost is unknown. Use the table as a starting point and ask for detailed quotes.

What should a business check before choosing Worldpay?

Before choosing Worldpay, a business should request a full written quote that includes the transaction rate, monthly fee, hardware costs, contract length, and exit fees. The published £20.00 monthly fee is only part of the picture.

Check the settlement time of 24 hours and whether it applies to weekends and holidays. Also, ask about chargeback fees and PCI DSS compliance costs. These can add up.

Compare Worldpay's quote with providers like SumUp or Zettle, which have no monthly fee and transparent rates. The table above shows that Worldpay's £20.00 fee is the highest among those with published fees, so it must offer significant benefits to be cost-effective.

Glossary: card payment terms explained

Monthly fee: A fixed charge per terminal or account, often £20.00, paid regardless of transaction volume.

Settlement: The time it takes for funds from card transactions to reach the business's bank account, e.g., 24 hours.

Transaction rate: A percentage of each transaction value charged by the provider, e.g., 1.69%.

PCI DSS: Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, a set of security requirements for handling card data.

Chargeback: A dispute where a customer's card issuer reverses a transaction, often incurring a fee.

Exit fee: A charge applied when a business terminates a contract early, often capped at 18 months.

Checklist: what to check on a fee statement or contract

• Check if Worldpay's quote includes a transaction rate or only the £20.00 monthly fee.
• Ask for hardware costs, as they are not published.
• Confirm settlement time is 24 hours for all days, including weekends.
• Request contract length and exit fees in writing.
• Ask about chargeback fees and PCI DSS compliance costs.
• Compare Worldpay's total cost with providers like SumUp and Zettle.

Each item above maps to a line that must appear in the PSR summary box or the contract schedule, so a missing entry is itself a question for the provider.

Frequently asked questions

Does Worldpay publish its card machine rates?

Worldpay does not publish a standard in-person transaction rate. Its pricing page only shows a monthly fee of £20.00 per terminal and a settlement time of 24 hours. This lack of transparency means businesses must request a custom quote to know the transaction rate. Other providers like SumUp publish rates of 1.69%, making comparison easier. Worldpay's approach is common among larger providers, but it can be frustrating for small businesses trying to compare costs.

What is Worldpay's contract length?

Worldpay does not publish its contract length. This is a significant omission, as contract terms can include minimum terms and exit fees. In contrast, takepayments has a 12-month contract, and Barclaycard has an 18-month contract. Some providers like SumUp offer no contract. Without knowing Worldpay's contract length, businesses cannot assess the risk of being locked in. It is essential to ask for a copy of the contract before signing and to check for any early termination fees.

How long does Worldpay take to settle payments?

Worldpay settles card payments within 24 hours. This means funds from a transaction are typically available in the business's bank account the next working day. For example, a sale on Monday would be settled by Tuesday. This is a standard settlement time, similar to SumUp's next day and Barclaycard's next day. Zettle offers faster settlement within minutes to a PayPal account. Worldpay's 24-hour settlement is acceptable for most businesses, but those needing faster access to funds might consider other options.

Is Worldpay regulated by the FCA?

Yes, Worldpay is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under the Payment Services Regulations. This means it must follow rules on safeguarding customer funds and providing clear information. However, FCA regulation does not require providers to publish all fees. Worldpay's pricing page is sparse, but it is still compliant. Businesses can check Worldpay's FCA status on the Financial Services Register. Being regulated offers some protection, such as access to the Financial Ombudsman Service for disputes.

Does Worldpay charge PCI DSS fees?

Worldpay does not publish whether it charges separate fees for PCI DSS compliance. Many providers include PCI compliance in their monthly fee, while others charge an annual fee. Since Worldpay's monthly fee is £20.00 per terminal, it is unclear if this covers PCI. Businesses should ask Worldpay directly about PCI DSS fees and any associated costs. Chargeback fees are also not published, so it is important to request a full schedule of fees before signing a contract.