CARD PAYMENTS FOR IRISH BUSINESSES
Compare card payment providers, understand fees and payment options, and find a solution that suits the way your business takes payments.
Compare card payment providers
Card payment providers vary more than their headline rates suggest. The right choice depends on where your customers pay, how much they typically spend, how often you sell, and which software you already use. Stuama.ie sets out the main options for businesses in Ireland, what they cost and how they differ, so you can compare providers on the details that matter before you sign up. If you are setting up for the first time, our step-by-step guide on how to accept card payments in Ireland walks through the whole process.
This page is general information, not personalised financial advice. Always check a provider's current terms before you apply.
Three widely used providers that offer card payments to businesses in Ireland, compared on their published standard terms. Providers are listed alphabetically. Stuama.ie is not a partner of any provider listed, and inclusion is not a recommendation.
In-person and online card payments, using a Revolut terminal or Tap to Pay on iPhone.
In-person and online payments with a €0 core point-of-sale subscription and a range of readers and terminals.
Online and in-person payments with no setup or monthly fee on standard pricing.
Prices are each provider's published standard rates for businesses in Ireland, checked on 28 September 2026. Rates can change, and some providers offer custom pricing to larger businesses. VAT may apply to fees. Check the provider's own site for current terms before you apply.
Start with how your customers pay you today, then compare providers on total cost and on the practical details that affect your cash flow and day-to-day admin.
Most providers charge a percentage of each sale. Check whether the rate differs for in-person, online and keyed-in payments, and for cards issued outside the EEA or business cards, as these are often charged more.
Some rates add a fixed amount, such as a few cent, to every payment. On small sales this can cost more than the percentage itself, so it matters most for cafés, market stalls and other low-value, high-volume businesses.
Look for subscription plans, minimum monthly fees, PCI compliance charges or software add-ons. A monthly plan with a lower rate can pay off at higher volumes and cost more at lower ones.
Buying a reader outright is usually a one-off cost. Renting spreads the cost but continues for as long as the agreement runs. Work out the total over two or three years, not just the upfront price.
Some providers work on a pay-as-you-go basis that you can stop at any time. Others, particularly for rented terminals, have minimum terms and exit fees. Read the cancellation terms before you sign.
Check how many working days it takes for card takings to reach your bank account, whether weekends count, and whether faster or instant payouts cost extra. This has a direct effect on cash flow.
Find out whether the original fee is returned when you refund a customer, and what the provider charges when a customer disputes a payment. Businesses taking payments online or in advance tend to see more disputes.
If you sell both at a counter and online, a single provider can combine your sales, reporting and payouts in one place. If you only do one, you may not need to pay for tools built for the other.
Check that the provider works with your website platform, booking system, till or point-of-sale software, and accounting package. A good integration saves hours of manual reconciliation.
Clear daily reports that match payouts to individual sales make bookkeeping and VAT returns easier. Check which reports are included and whether you can export them.
A terminal fault on a busy Saturday costs sales. Check which support channels are offered, their opening hours, and how quickly faulty hardware is replaced.
Check whether the provider handles PCI requirements, what security standards are built in, and whether there are any extra compliance costs or actions for your business.
Most card payment costs fall into a few types. Comparing providers means adding these up for your own sales pattern, not just comparing headline rates.
For every charge in more detail, including international cards, VAT, payouts and worked monthly examples, read card machine fees in Ireland explained.
An illustrative comparison of two made-up price plans. These are not any provider's rates.
| Sale value | Plan A1.4% + 10c | Plan B1.75%, no fixed fee |
|---|---|---|
| €8 coffee and scone | 21c | 14c |
| €40 retail sale | 66c | 70c |
| €250 trade job | €3.60 | €4.38 |
Plan A has the lower percentage, but its fixed 10c makes it the more expensive plan on small sales. The two cost the same at about €29; above that, Plan A is cheaper. Lower figures are shown in bold. Add any monthly fee and hardware cost, then multiply by your typical number of sales to compare totals.
"Card machine" covers several kinds of device. The right one depends on where you take payments and whether you need a built-in receipt printer, a screen for your staff, or something that fits in a pocket. Our guide to card machines for small businesses covers connectivity, battery life and what different trades need.
Fixed at the till and usually connected by cable, Wi-Fi or ethernet. They often print receipts and can link to your point-of-sale system so the amount is sent automatically.
Often suits Retail shops, pharmacies, salons and busy counters.
Battery-powered, standalone devices that work anywhere within Wi-Fi range or on a mobile data connection. Staff can bring them to the customer.
Often suits Cafés, restaurants and pubs with table service.
Small, lower-cost readers that pair with a smartphone or tablet app by Bluetooth. The phone handles the connection and the receipt, usually sent by email or text.
Often suits Market sellers, trades, pop-ups and mobile services.
Some providers' apps let a compatible smartphone accept contactless cards and digital wallets directly, with no extra hardware. Supported phones and payment limits vary.
Often suits Low-volume sellers, tradespeople and anyone starting out.
You do not need a full online shop to take card payments remotely. The main options range from a simple link you send to a customer, through to a checkout built into your website. Our guide to online card payments, payment links and virtual terminals explains each option in depth.
Reliable countertop hardware, a till or point-of-sale integration, stock tracking and fast, dependable payouts. Total cost at your average basket size matters more than the headline rate.
Portable terminals for table service, tipping on the device, splitting bills and strong Wi-Fi or mobile data coverage. Fixed per-transaction fees add up quickly on low-value sales.
A reader that works on mobile data, or tap to pay on a phone, plus payment links and invoices for deposits and work completed. Low or no monthly fees suit irregular volumes.
Invoices with a card payment option, payment links, and occasionally a virtual terminal for payments by phone. Integration with your accounting software usually matters more than hardware.
Support for your website platform, a smooth checkout with digital wallets, fraud screening, clear dispute handling, and rates for customers paying with cards issued outside Ireland.
Card payments are part of everyday trade in Ireland. Central Bank of Ireland payment statistics for 2025 recorded 3.30 billion card payments worth €186.85 billion, with the number of card payments up 9.8% on 2024.
The average domestic card payment in 2025 was €42.69. If your typical sale is around that size, both the percentage rate and any fixed fee per payment affect what you pay, as the fee example above shows.
3.30bn
card payments in 2025, up 9.8% on 2024
€186.85bn
total value of card payments in 2025
€42.69
average domestic card payment in 2025
Source: Central Bank of Ireland, Payment Statistics, 2025 data.
It depends on the provider and on how you take payments. Most charge a percentage of each sale, sometimes with a fixed fee per payment, and rates for online or keyed-in payments are often higher than for in-person ones. Add any hardware and monthly costs to get the full picture. The comparison above shows each provider's published standard rates.
Not always as a separate step. Traditional bank-based merchant services involve applying for a merchant account with an acquirer. Many newer providers include this in a single sign-up, so you can start accepting payments once they have verified your identity and business details.
Yes. Sole traders can generally sign up with card payment providers in the same way as limited companies. Expect to provide identification, details of your business activity and an account for payouts. Check each provider's eligibility requirements before applying.
A card reader is usually a small device that pairs with a phone or tablet, which runs the app and handles the connection. A payment terminal is a standalone device with its own screen and connection, and often a built-in receipt printer.
Yes. You can send payment links, add a card payment option to invoices, take payments through a website checkout or a virtual terminal, or use tap to pay on a compatible smartphone where your provider supports it.
It varies by provider and can depend on your account history. Standard payouts typically arrive within a few working days, and some providers offer faster payouts, sometimes for a fee. Check the payout schedule and any charges before choosing.
Practical guides to help you understand card machines, fees and payment options before choosing a provider.
FEATURED GUIDE
A step-by-step guide to taking card payments in person, online or both, from choosing a provider and getting verified to testing, payouts and keeping costs down.
FEES
Transaction fees, hardware, monthly charges and worked examples.
CARD MACHINES
Countertop, portable, mobile and Tap to Pay options by type of business.
ONLINE PAYMENTS
Checkouts, payment links, invoices and phone payments explained.
Before you choose, think about how your customers pay, your typical number and value of sales, whether you need a card machine, and whether you sell in person, online or both. Then compare providers on their total cost for your business.
Looking for other business services? Return to the Stuama.ie homepage to compare accounting software, business websites and business insurance.