For many UK businesses, card payments come with more frustration than convenience. Traditional banks and legacy payment providers often layer excessive charges on top of each transaction, quietly draining profits month after month. To make matters worse, many merchants are locked into long 48-month contracts tied to outdated card machines that no longer meet modern business needs.
Thankfully, the market has evolved. Teya has quickly become one of the UK’s fastest-growing payment solution providers, earning the trust of thousands of businesses by offering secure, dependable, and easy-to-use card machines without the usual complexity.
What sets Teya apart is its commitment to simplicity and fairness. Instead of punishing businesses as they grow, Teya uses a transparent pricing structure that adapts to transaction volume. Rates start at 1.69% for new businesses with no monthly fees and can drop as low as 0.59% for established retailers—without hidden charges or long-term lock-ins.
This guide explains Teya card machine fees in detail, explores the available pricing plans, and shows how businesses can calculate real savings when switching from traditional providers. It also highlights how Teya removes common industry “junk fees,” including PCI compliance costs, authorization fees, and minimum monthly charges—all priced at £0.
How Teya Card Machine Fees Work
Teya has simplified payment processing by removing unnecessary complexity from its fee structure. Knowing exactly what you’re paying for helps businesses make confident, informed decisions.
What fees do Teya card machines charge?
Teya offers two pricing approaches designed for different business profiles.
The most popular option is the Blended Rate model. This provides a single, fixed percentage for all card transactions. Card scheme fees, interchange fees, and Teya’s service costs are bundled into one clear rate. Importantly, if actual processing costs exceed your agreed rate, Teya absorbs the difference—protecting your margins.
For larger or more established businesses, Teya also offers the Interchange++ (IC++) model. This separates each transaction into three transparent components:
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Interchange fee (paid to the card-issuing bank): typically 0.20%–1.80%
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Scheme fee (paid to Visa or Mastercard): usually 0.02%–0.65%
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Acquirer fee (Teya’s fixed service charge)
This structure gives high-volume merchants full visibility into where their money goes.
How Teya differs from traditional payment providers
Conventional card machine providers often rely on complicated pricing with additional charges such as setup fees, monthly rentals, PCI compliance costs, and authorization fees.
Teya takes a different approach. Plans are built around business growth stages and come without hidden extras. The entry-level Start plan has no monthly fee, while higher-tier plans reduce transaction costs as volume increases. Merchants can switch plans at any time without penalties.
Additionally, Teya removes many standard industry fees altogether, including PCI compliance charges, setup costs, and authorization fees—expenses that often catch businesses off guard elsewhere.
Why pricing transparency matters
Payment processing has long been known for unclear contracts and confusing statements. Many providers promote attractive headline rates but hide extra charges in the fine print.
Teya’s transparent pricing model allows businesses to:
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Forecast payment costs accurately
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Avoid unexpected deductions
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Clearly understand what services they’re paying for
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Choose a payment provider with confidence
This clarity lets merchants focus on running their business instead of questioning their monthly statements.
Exploring Teya’s Pricing Plans
Teya offers four pricing options designed to support businesses at every stage. Each plan includes a free Business Account and access to Tap on Phone technology at no extra cost.
Start Plan – Ideal for new businesses
The Start plan is designed for businesses taking their first steps into card payments. With no monthly fee and a simple 1.69% transaction rate on consumer cards, it offers a low-risk way to accept payments.
There are no long-term contracts, making it suitable for seasonal traders or businesses with fluctuating sales. Hardware is available at standard pricing, and all users benefit from Teya’s free Business Account.
Boost Plan – Built for growing merchants
As transaction volumes increase, the Boost plan becomes more cost-effective. It includes a £19 monthly fee plus VAT and reduces the consumer card rate to 0.99%.
Boost also offers a major hardware benefit—your first card machine is available at half price, saving up to £107.40. Businesses typically start saving with this plan once monthly card turnover reaches around £5,000.
Thrive Plan – Best for high-volume retailers
For established businesses processing larger volumes, the Thrive plan delivers the lowest rates. With a £39 monthly fee plus VAT and a 0.59% consumer card rate, it’s designed for maximum efficiency.
This plan includes one free card machine and 50% off a second device, potentially saving up to £214.80. Thrive generally becomes the most cost-effective option once monthly turnover exceeds approximately £7,800.
Custom IC++ pricing for enterprise businesses
Businesses processing hundreds of thousands or millions annually can access Teya’s Custom pricing. This uses the Interchange++ model, clearly separating interchange fees, scheme fees, and Teya’s acquirer fee.
Larger volumes allow for more competitive, tailored pricing based on transaction patterns and card usage.
What’s Included Beyond Transaction Rates
Teya’s value extends well beyond competitive fees.
Flexible and affordable hardware
Hardware costs reduce as businesses scale. Boost users receive their first device at half price, while Thrive users get one free card machine and a discounted second device.
All hardware includes lifetime benefits such as free delivery, repairs, replacements, and swaps for wear and tear—ensuring long-term reliability without extra costs.
No surprise fees—ever
Teya eliminates common industry charges entirely. There are no fees for PCI compliance, setup, or authorizations.
For online payments, PCI compliance is handled through Teya’s hosted checkout, removing administrative burden from merchants. There are no hidden clauses, lock-ins, or unexpected costs.
Faster access to your money
Teya offers next-day payouts, including weekends and bank holidays, helping businesses maintain healthy cash flow. Eligible merchants can also access Instant Settlements, receiving funds within seconds.
Detailed settlement reports are available via email, the Teya App, or the Business Portal.
Built-in tools and integrations
Every plan includes access to more than 50 ePOS integrations, allowing seamless connection with leading POS systems. Merchants can manage in-store and online sales in one place, track expenses, send payment links, and analyse performance using Teya’s tools.
How Teya Compares to Other Providers
Against traditional banks
Traditional banks often lock businesses into long contracts with complex pricing and aging equipment. Teya replaces this with a clear blended rate and flexible plans. If processing costs exceed your agreed rate, Teya covers the difference—providing predictability that banks rarely offer.
Against other card machine providers
While some competitors offer low introductory rates, they often lack Teya’s combination of transparent pricing, hardware incentives, and fee elimination. Teya’s discounted and free device offers provide long-term savings many alternatives can’t match.
Calculating your potential savings
On average, UK businesses save around £420 per year by switching to Teya. High-volume businesses—such as restaurants processing £30,000–£80,000 monthly—can save between £3,000 and £6,000 annually.
To estimate savings:
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Compare total costs, not just transaction rates
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Include hardware and contract expenses
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Consider faster settlements and improved cash flow
Final Thoughts
Selecting a payment provider isn’t just about transaction fees—it’s about transparency, flexibility, and long-term value. Teya stands out by offering clear pricing that rewards growth instead of penalising it.
From the no-monthly-fee Start plan to the high-volume Thrive option, Teya ensures businesses of all sizes can find a suitable solution. As turnover increases, rates decrease, making growth more profitable.
By removing hidden charges like PCI compliance fees, authorization fees, and minimum monthly costs, Teya addresses one of the biggest frustrations in payment processing. Combined with next-day settlements—even on weekends—this approach supports stronger cash flow and financial stability.
Beyond savings, Teya delivers meaningful value through modern hardware, powerful business tools, and seamless integrations. Compared to traditional banks and legacy providers, the difference is clear.
For businesses currently paying excessive fees or stuck in restrictive contracts, reviewing your payment costs with Teya could unlock significant savings. Ultimately, Teya represents a modern vision of payment processing—simple, transparent, and designed to grow with your business.
