takepayments Fees and Contract Costs Explained
Understand tailored processing rates, terminal rental and the separate agreements to check in a takepayments proposal.
The short answer
A takepayments comparison needs the complete written quotation and the acquiring terms. Its public guidance describes tailored transaction charges, terminal rental and a separate acquiring-bank contract. Add the applicable charges together before comparing it with a single-rate alternative.
In this guide
What the public information tells you
takepayments states that processing prices are tailored to the business. Its guidance describes terminal rental and potential minimum monthly service charges, and says customers need a separate contract with its nominated acquiring bank. The page states no account setup fee, but that is not a complete statement of every possible service cost.
Ask for both the equipment or service documents and the acquiring price schedule. A rate quoted on a sales call should be traceable to the written offer, with the transaction types and conditions clearly identified.
Build one combined quotation sheet
| Part of the offer | What to record |
|---|---|
| Processing | Debit, credit, commercial and overseas card rates; transaction and authorisation charges where applicable. |
| Terminal | Number of devices, monthly rental, ownership and replacement terms. |
| Acquiring | Minimum charges, other periodic fees and settlement arrangements. |
| Software and channels | EPOS, online gateway, remote payments and integrations you require. |
| Contracts | Who supplies each part, start date, minimum term, renewal and notice. |
If one price includes another service, mark it as included. That prevents both omissions and double counting. Confirm VAT treatment line by line when comparing equipment and software charges with processing.
Example: why a low percentage needs context
Fictional quote, not takepayments pricing. Assume £20,000 monthly card sales across 1,000 transactions, a 1% processing rate, 3p per transaction and £25 monthly terminal rental.
The monthly total is £200 + £30 + £25 = £255. A second fictional offer at 1.2% with £10 fixed monthly charges totals £250. The lower-percentage offer is £5 dearer in this particular model.
At a different average sale or turnover, the result can change. Any applicable minimum, additional card category or separate service must be added before treating this as a complete comparison.
Do the contract dates align?
Equipment, acquiring and software arrangements can have different dates and cancellation procedures. Make a short record for each, including the business name on the agreement and where notice must be sent. Ask the suppliers to confirm the position in writing.
Before a switch, obtain a current exit figure and identify any services that remain payable. Do not assume cancelling one agreement automatically ends the others. If you are seeking a retention offer, request the full replacement schedule and whether accepting it starts a new term.
For a quiet or seasonal business, test a low-sales month. A minimum charge, if present in your agreement, can change the effective cost considerably.
How to judge the offer
Compare total cost over the same period, using your own card mix and transaction count. Then assess settlement, device replacement and support against your opening hours. A slightly cheaper quote is less useful if it cannot support your required till connection.
Use the Dojo versus takepayments comparison to organise two proposals. The calculator can then show the first-year impact after any setup or exit costs. Keep the signed schedules with the report so you can check the first bills against the agreed charges.
Common questions
Is there one standard takepayments transaction rate?
The provider describes tailored pricing. Use the rate schedule offered to your business and check every relevant card and payment category.
Does no setup fee mean there are no other fixed charges?
No. Check terminal rental, software, any applicable minimum charges and all other items in the written quotation.
Put your own figures to work.
Use the free calculator to organise your costs and keep a report. If something is unclear, you can ask for a free initial review.
No registration required. Calculator entries stay in your open browser page unless you choose to share a report in a review request.
Sources and how to use this guide
Primary references checked on 15 October 2026:
Business profiles are fictional. Examples either use the explicitly identified published tariff or clearly labelled hypothetical prices. They are not customer results, market averages or personalised provider quotations. Unless stated otherwise, they use a consistent VAT basis and include only the costs listed. Provider prices, eligibility and terms can change. Check your written agreement before deciding.
Our guides explain costs and comparison methods. They do not rank the whole market or claim hands-on product testing. Source links are references, not a claim of partnership. Read the calculation method and limitations, or about the service.
Researching other options? Browse the payment and EPOS provider directory for provider profiles, official sources and questions to include in your quotation brief.