Best card machine for post offices and newsagents UK 2026

The best UK card machine for post offices and newsagents in 2026 is Dojo Go, on Dojo. Post Office branches run high transaction counts (50-200 per hour at busy branches). Dojo handles the throughput plus integration with Post Office Horizon-NG (the new Post Office IT system). Same-next-day settlement helps the daily cash float. Multi-network connectivity reduces dropout risk on a high-volume counter. Alternatives that fit lower-volume post offices and newsagents: Square Terminal (smaller newsagents); SumUp Solo (single-counter newsagents).

Our pick

Dojo Go

Acquirer: Dojo

Post Office branches run high transaction counts (50-200 per hour at busy branches). Dojo handles the throughput plus integration with Post Office Horizon-NG (the new Post Office IT system). Same-next-day settlement helps the daily cash float. Multi-network connectivity reduces dropout risk on a high-volume counter.

Read full Dojo Go review

What post offices and newsagents card payments look like

Cashflow shape
Daily cycle with morning rush and end-of-day post collection. Christmas-card and benefit-payment-day spikes. Local-event lottery surges.
Average transaction
£5 to £25
Contactless share
~80%
Recommended acquirer
Dojo

Alternatives for post offices and newsagents

  • Square Terminal (smaller newsagents)
  • SumUp Solo (single-counter newsagents)

Watch outs specific to post offices and newsagents

  • Post Office Horizon-NG integration with the acquirer is the key spec for sub-postmasters.
  • Lottery and gaming transactions have separate processing rails (Camelot, then Allwyn from 2024).
  • High contactless share means rate impact is acute on every transaction.
  • Multi-counter branches need terminals to share a daily cash-up flow.

FAQs

What is the best card machine for post offices and newsagents in the UK?

The best UK card machine for post offices and newsagents in 2026 is Dojo Go on Dojo. Post Office branches run high transaction counts (50-200 per hour at busy branches). Dojo handles the throughput plus integration with Post Office Horizon-NG (the new Post Office IT system). Same-next-day settlement helps the daily cash float. Multi-network connectivity reduces dropout risk on a high-volume counter.

How much does a card machine cost for a post offices and newsagent business?

Card-machine cost for post offices and newsagents comprises hardware (free to £329 upfront), monthly fee (£0 to £25), per-transaction rate (0.8% to 1.95% typical for post offices and newsagents), plus chargeback and scheme fees. Headline rate is one input; total 12-month cost depends on monthly card volume, average transaction size, and contract length. Use our /fees-calculator/ to model the blended cost.

Average transaction size in post offices and newsagents?

£5 to £25. Daily cycle with morning rush and end-of-day post collection. Christmas-card and benefit-payment-day spikes. Local-event lottery surges..

What contactless share do post offices and newsagents businesses see?

~80%. Post offices and newsagents card-payment kit should prioritise contactless reliability over chip-and-PIN throughput; tap-to-pay reliability after 10pm is the differentiator on late-night trade.

What should post offices and newsagents owners watch out for when choosing a card machine?

Post Office Horizon-NG integration with the acquirer is the key spec for sub-postmasters. Lottery and gaming transactions have separate processing rails (Camelot, then Allwyn from 2024). High contactless share means rate impact is acute on every transaction. Multi-counter branches need terminals to share a daily cash-up flow.

Reviewed by Oliver Mackman, Director. Last reviewed: 2026-05-10.