The British fintech company launched in 2015 offers a digital approach to personal and business financial services. In 2022, Revolut expanded its product line to card readers. This fast and lightweight card reader is designed to allow shops of all kinds to accept payments anywhere in the world.
The Revolut point-of-sale (POS) terminal accepts instant and secure transactions whether they are made using debit cards, credit cards or contactless payment methods.
Like most card readers, Revolut Reader is designed to last all day and can perform up to 200 transactions on a full charge (Mobile Transaction). Though not the greatest for battery life, it’s still pretty good for a small touch-screen reader.
With this card reader, you can take payments in under “5 seconds”, and your Revolut business account which partners with it means you can accept, settle, and store funds all in one place. The Revolut Reader is cheaper than many of its rivals, with a transaction fee of 0.8% + £0.02 for UK consumer cards (2.6% + £0.02 for all international and commercial cards). But if your customers are avid Amex users, you might want to consider a card machine that supports those cards.
It’s worth knowing that, in some cases, Revolut will hold a percentage of each transaction value, which it calls a “Reserve”, for a period of time. Both the percentage and the period of time is determined by Revolut based on its assessment of the risk you pose. If your business relies on immediate funds, it’s best to keep this in mind.
The Revolut Reader comes with a software transaction which can be accessed via the Revolut app on your phone or tablet, or through Revoluts website. The app’s simple and sleek design makes viewing payments, transferring funds, and creating a product catalog straightforward. Revolut has also recently launched sales analytics and has future plans to add a tipping option.
Key features of the Revolut Reader
Compact and mobile point of sale system
£49 initial cost
Wifi or 3G/4G compatible
No monthly costs
30 day money-back guarantee
How to order Revolut Reader
On Revolut’s website, create a Revolut business account. From there you’ll be able to order your Revolut Reader.
Pros and cons of the Revolut Reader
Pros
Low transaction fees
Compact and mobile point of sale system
No monthly costs
Accompanied by a well designed and efficient app to view transactions
Cons
Limited app features
Doesn’t accept Amex when most of its competitors do
No current tipping option
Our verdict
This is a great first card reader for a small or on-the-go business, such as stall traders. With its low costs and all-day battery life, Revolut Reader can be a powerful tool for your business. Not to mention the simple transaction software which can be accessed on your phone, tablet or on the Revolut website.
However, compared to its competitors, this card reader has basic features. Ultimately, this card reader is more suitable for simple transactions. Before you decide on a card reader, it’s smart to compare a range of them to find the right fit for you and your business.
Revolut Reader reviews
Revolut scores highly on the review site Trustpilot, with a rating of 4.3 out of 5 based on over 140,000 reviews (updated September 2023). This is considered an “excellent” rating overall. Customers commend Revolut’s “excellent customer service”, “super-efficient app and product design”.
Frequently asked questions
Once set up, Revolut Reader will connect to 3G/4G and/or Wi-Fi. Your customers can then use their credit card or debit card to make payments, and they can also pay via Apple Pay and Google Pay. You can see transactions made through the Revolut Business app on your phone or tablet.
When you receive your reader, turn it on using the power button. If it doesn’t have enough battery, plug it into a power source.
Then, open the Revolut Business app, tap “Merchant” in the Home section, tap “New Request” on your dashboard, and select “Card Reader”.
Next, click “Connect a card reader”, activate the permissions requested within the Business App, then select the Revolut Reader you’d like to connect to by using the last 3 digits of the serial number on the device, and accept the pairing code on both the reader and your mobile device.
Finally, when you’re ready to make a transaction, enter the amount you want to charge and a description of the item (if you need to). Then press the “Charge” button and you’re ready.
No, Revolut Reader doesn’t accept Amex. Revolut Reader accepts: Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Yes. Before you buy the card reader, Revolut will ask you to create a Revolut business account. You can access this account before the reader arrives, via the app or website.
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Izzy Thomas is a senior associate publisher at Finder specialising in credit-based products including credit cards, business loans and personal loans. Izzy has a Masters in Publishing and a Bachelor of Arts in International Business Management. See full bio
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Izzy has written 26 Finder guides across topics including:
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