Built by merchants, for merchants
We got tired of overpaying and built the tool we wished existed.
Our vision
Our goal is simple: to be the comparison platform UK small businesses trust most. That trust has to be earned, so we build everything on accurate, transparent data, do the math for you, and let the best option win on merit, not on who pays us.
Why we built SMECompare
We’ve been on both sides of the counter. We’ve run retail stores, e-commerce businesses, and worked in payment solutions. We know what it feels like to open a merchant statement and wonder if you’re getting a fair deal.
UK merchant fees are some of the most opaque numbers in small business. Pricing pages compete on adjectives instead of pence per transaction, blended rates hide the real cost of card mix, and switching providers can feel like a leap of faith. We spent hours trying to compare providers like-for-like and could never find an independent tool that actually did the work for us. So we built it.
The stakes are higher in the UK than most owners realise. Surcharging consumer cards has been banned here since 2018, so every penny of card fees comes straight off your margin rather than being passed on to customers. The difference between a good deal and a bad one lands squarely on the business owner.
Independent. Transparent. Built for the UK.
Independent comparisons
No provider pays to rank higher. Your estimated cost is calculated from published rates, and the cheapest option for your business is always shown first.
Full transparency
We may earn commissions when you click through to a provider and sign up. This is how we keep the site free. It never affects rankings or recommendations.
Built for the UK
Every rate, fee, and feature is specific to the UK market. We track card machine fees, contract terms, and the add-on costs that matter to UK small businesses.
What we do differently
Plenty of sites compare providers. Here’s what sets ours apart.
Every price in pounds sterling
Some providers publish their pricing in US dollars. Most comparison sites leave those figures as they are, sitting next to GBP prices, which makes overseas options look cheaper than they really are. We convert every price to pounds sterling first, so when you compare two providers side by side, you’re comparing the true cost to your business.
Rankings based on real data, not deals
Our rankings and estimates come from published pricing, not commercial partnerships. If a provider is more expensive, we show it. If a cheaper option exists, we surface it. The calculator does the math so you don’t have to, and the cheapest option for your business always ranks first, whether or not we earn a commission from it.
No surprises after signup
A headline price rarely tells the whole story. We break down what’s actually included, the subscription, payroll add-ons, hosting, and processing fees, so the cost you see is the cost you pay. The detail that usually hides in the fine print is the part we put up front.
Who’s behind SMECompare
SMECompare is built by a small team with experience across merchant services, payment solutions, e-commerce operations, and technology. We combine hands-on experience running businesses that accept card payments with deep knowledge of how interchange, scheme fees, and acquirer margins actually work.
The business is operated by DVF Labs, an independent business building tools for small and mid-sized businesses. We have no parent company and no investors.
- Merchant experience
- Payment solutions
- E-commerce operations
How we make money
SMECompare is free to use. We earn revenue through affiliate commissions. When you click through to a provider’s website and sign up, we may receive a commission from that provider. Some providers pay us a flat referral fee, others a percentage of your first-year fees. Commission rates vary between providers.
These commercial arrangements do not influence our rankings, estimated costs, or recommendations. The comparison table always shows the cheapest option for your specific business inputs, regardless of whether we have an affiliate relationship with that provider. Providers cannot pay to appear higher in our results, to have their fees presented differently, or to have negative information removed. If we ever begin running paid placements, we will mark them clearly as “sponsored” and separate them from organic results.
Some providers in our comparison are not affiliate partners. We include them anyway, because a complete comparison is more useful than a biased one.
What we are not
SMECompare is not a financial adviser. The information we publish is general factual information about each provider, not financial advice tailored to your business. We are not authorised to give regulated financial advice, and we do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider your own circumstances and, where appropriate, talk to your accountant before making a decision.
See also our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Have a question or feedback?
We’re always looking to improve. If you spot an error in our data, have a suggestion, or just want to say hello, we’d love to hear from you.