Is the Tide Card Reader vs Tide Card Reader Plus better for your UK small business?
We compare both machines based on real user reviews, prices and what features they each offer.
You can also find our comparison of all the best card machines here.
Tide Card Reader vs Tide Card Reader Plus: The Basics
Tide Card Reader | Tide Card Reader Plus | |
Payment Company Name | Tide | Tide |
Machine Type | Card Machine | Mobile POS |
Where To Buy It? | Click Here To Buy The Tide Card Reader | Click Here To Buy The Tide Card Reader Plus |
Tide Card Reader vs Tide Card Reader Plus: Which Is Cheaper
Below we compare the cost of buying the Tide Card Reader compared to the Tide Card Reader Plus and how much each charge you to use them.
You can also see if either qualify as one of the 7 Cheapest Card Readers.
Tide Card Reader | Tide Card Reader Plus | |
Price For The Machine (excluding VAT) | £49 | £79 |
Minimum Monthly Fee | None | None |
Standard Debit Card Transaction Fee | 1.50% | 1.50% |
Standard Credit Card Transaction Fee | 1.50% | 1.50% |
Amex Card Fee | No | No |
Standard Card Not Present Fee | 1.50% | 1.50% |
Contract Required | No | No |
Minimum Transaction Amount | £5 | £5 |
How Soon Can You Get Your Money | 1-3 business days | 1-3 business days |
Tide Card Reader vs Tide Card Reader Plus Reviews
Does the Tide Card Reader or the Tide Card Reader Plus have better reviews? We compare Trustpilot, iPhone and Android app reviews below.
Tide Card Reader | Tide Card Reader Plus | |
Trustpilot Rating | 4.2 | 4.2 |
Number of Trustpilot Reviews | 18,090 | 18,090 |
iPhone App Rating | 4.8 | 4.8 |
Number of iPhone Reviews | 64,800 | 64,800 |
Android App Rating | 3.9 | 3.9 |
Number of Android Reviews | 16,200 | 16,200 |
Tide Card Reader vs Tide Card Reader Plus Accepted Cards
Both the Tide Card Reader and Tide Card Reader Plus accept standard debit and credit cards issued by Visa and Mastercard. But do they accept other card types? We compare below:
Tide Card Reader | Tide Card Reader Plus | |
Accept Visa | Yes | Yes |
Accept Mastercard | Yes | Yes |
Accept Amex | No | No |
Accept Apple Pay | Yes | Yes |
Accept Google Pay | Yes | Yes |
Accept Union Pay | No | No |
Accept JCB | No | No |
Accept Discover | No | No |
Tide Card Reader vs Tide Card Reader Plus Features
Tide Card Reader | Tide Card Reader Plus | |
Mobile Phone Required | Yes | No |
Built-In Printer | No | Yes |
Touch Screen | Yes | Yes |
Take Phone Payments | Yes | Yes |
Take Online Payments | Yes | Yes |
Business Bank Account Included | Yes | Yes |
Tide Card Reader Features

- Lightweight and compact, for taking payments on the move
- Tide app required to initiate payments
- Proof of transaction by email only
Tide Card Reader Plus Features

- Robust and reliable, for taking frequent payments
- Lifetime FREE 4G conneInitiate payments from the device or the Tide appctivity
- Paper and email receipts
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