Should you rent a card machine or buy one?

Whether to rent a card machine or buy one comes down to cash flow, how long you'll keep it and what's bundled with the rental. Here's how I help businesses decide.

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Last updated 18 October 2026

Renting

No upfront cost
Support and replacement often included
Monthly charge for as long as you keep it
Often tied to a contract term

Buying

One payment, then it's yours
No monthly rental
Usually tied to one provider's network
Repairs and replacements are on you

The third option: free with your account

In most cases your first card machine is free with the providers I work with. When that applies, the rent-or-buy question mostly goes away, and the thing to compare is the fees. See free card machines.

Short-term hire

If you only need card payments for an event or a busy season, short-term hire makes sense. Rapyd hires terminals from 3 days to 3 months with no long-term commitment. See Rapyd card machines.

How I'd decide

Check whether a free machine is available on your account.
If not, compare the total rental over the time you'll keep it with the purchase price.
Check whether a bought machine would work if you ever switch provider.
Look at what support you get if it breaks on a Saturday.

myPOS is the provider I use when a business wants to own its reader.

QUESTIONS

Questions

Is renting a card machine a waste of money?

Not if the rental includes support and replacement, or if it comes free in most cases with your account. It's worth checking what you're paying for.

Can I rent a card machine short term?

Yes. Rapyd hires machines from 3 days to 3 months for events and seasonal trade.

What happens to a bought machine if I switch provider?

Machines are usually tied to one provider, so a bought machine may not move with you. Check before you buy.

Ready to cut your card fees?

Send your statement today and I'll come back to you with what I find.

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