Dojo vs Revolut: Card Machine Fees and Features Compared in 2026

Choosing the right card machine for your UK business in 2026 means weighing up transaction fees, hardware costs, contract flexibility and the features that matter most to your day-to-day operations. Dojo and Revolut are two of the most talked-about names in the market right now - but they serve quite different types of business. This guide breaks down everything you need to know to make an informed decision.

Pricing Comparison

Fees are usually the first thing business owners look at, and the two providers take very different approaches.

Dojo offers two main pricing structures:

• Dojo Fix - a flat monthly fee of £39.99 that covers up to £3,999 in card turnover per month. If your card takings exceed that threshold, a 1% rate applies to the amount above it. This plan works well for businesses with predictable, moderate card volumes.
• Dojo Flex - custom rates negotiated based on your business type and turnover. This is typically aimed at higher-volume merchants who want a tailored deal.

Revolut Reader takes a pay-as-you-go approach:

• A rate of 0.8% + 2p per transaction applies to UK card taps - making it one of the lowest no-contract rates currently available in the UK market.
• There is a catch: you need an active Revolut Business account, which starts from £10 per month. Factor this into your total cost of acceptance when comparing.

For a business processing, say, £2,000 per month in card payments, Revolut’s total cost would be around £16 + £10 (account fee) = roughly £26 per month. Dojo Fix at £39.99 covers that volume outright with no per-transaction charge. The maths shifts as volumes rise - at higher turnover, Dojo Fix’s flat fee becomes increasingly attractive.

Hardware

Dojo hardware is purpose-built for professional use. Terminals are available from £109 upfront or on a subscription from £15 per month. The devices are robust, designed for countertop or portable use, and come with features like fast connectivity and next-day settlement as standard.

Revolut Reader is a compact, low-cost tap-to-pay style device aimed at businesses that want a simple, affordable entry point. It is well suited to mobile sellers, market traders and service providers who do not need a full-featured terminal. The hardware cost is significantly lower than Dojo’s, making it easy to get started without a large upfront investment.

For businesses that need a reliable, feature-rich terminal in a fixed location - such as a restaurant or retail shop - Dojo’s hardware is the stronger option. For flexibility and portability on a budget, Revolut Reader has clear appeal.

Contracts

Contract terms are an important consideration, particularly for newer businesses or those that want to keep their options open.

Dojo offers two contract options:

• 30-day rolling - flexibility to leave with just 30 days’ notice, though rates may be slightly higher.
• 12-month contract - typically comes with better rates in exchange for a longer commitment.

Revolut Reader has no contract for the card reader itself. You are only committed to your Revolut Business account subscription, which can be cancelled on a monthly basis. This makes it one of the most flexible options available for businesses that are wary of being locked in.

Pros and Cons

Dojo

Pros:

• Predictable monthly cost with the Fix plan
• Professional, purpose-built hardware
• Fast next-day settlement
• Dedicated UK-based customer support
• Suitable for high-footfall environments

Cons:

• Higher upfront or monthly hardware cost
• 12-month contract option may not suit all businesses
• Dojo Fix plan requires consistent card volume to be cost-effective

Revolut

Pros:

• Very competitive per-transaction rate (0.8% + 2p)
• No contract on the card reader
• Low-cost hardware entry point
• Integrates with the broader Revolut Business ecosystem
• Good for low-to-medium volume businesses

Cons:

• Requires a paid Revolut Business account (from £10/month)
• Less robust hardware compared to dedicated terminal providers
• Customer support can be slower than specialist payment providers
• Less suited to high-volume or complex hospitality environments

Who Each Provider Suits

Dojo is best for:

• Established UK businesses with consistent card turnover above £2,000 per month
• Restaurants, cafes, pubs and retail shops that need reliable, professional hardware
• Businesses that value dedicated support and fast settlement
• Merchants who want a fixed, predictable monthly cost

Revolut is best for:

• Start-ups, sole traders and small businesses with lower or variable card volumes
• Mobile businesses, market stalls and pop-up traders
• Businesses already using Revolut Business for banking and expense management
• Anyone who wants to avoid a long-term contract and keep costs flexible

Verdict

Both Dojo and Revolut offer genuinely competitive propositions in 2026 - but they are aimed at different ends of the market. Dojo is the stronger choice for established businesses that process significant card volumes and need professional hardware with reliable support. Its Fix plan offers excellent value once you are consistently turning over more than a few thousand pounds per month on card.

Revolut Reader, on the other hand, is hard to beat for simplicity, flexibility and low entry costs. If you are just starting out, run a mobile operation, or simply want to keep your options open without committing to a contract, Revolut’s 0.8% + 2p rate and no-contract model make it a very attractive option.

The right choice ultimately depends on your monthly card volume, how important hardware quality is to your business, and whether you value predictability or flexibility in your pricing.

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