What is a PDQ Machine?
If you have ever been told you need a PDQ machine and quietly wondered whether that is different from a card machine, here is the short answer: it is not. PDQ machine is just an older name for the card machine you already picture. This guide explains what PDQ actually stands for, how the machine works, the different types, and what it costs, so the jargon stops getting in the way.
What is a PDQ machine?
A PDQ machine is a device that takes card payments from your customers. It is simply another name for a card machine, and the term is an umbrella that also covers card readers and chip and PIN machines.
In other words, if a device lets a customer pay you by debit card, credit card or mobile wallet, it is a PDQ machine. The name dates back to when card machines first arrived in the UK and has stuck around in some circles ever since, even though most people now just say "card machine."
What does PDQ stand for?
PDQ stands for Process Data Quickly. The name reflects the machine's whole purpose: to process a card transaction fast and securely.
It was the original term used for card machines when they were introduced, and you will still hear it today, particularly from banks and longer-established providers. A few people in the trade jokingly expand it to "pretty damn quick," which tells you everything about what it was meant to do.
Is a PDQ machine the same as a card machine?
Yes. PDQ machine, card machine, card reader, chip and PIN machine and POS terminal all describe the same thing: a device that processes card payments.
There is genuinely no difference. The various names are just regional and generational habits for the same piece of kit. So if one provider talks about a PDQ terminal and another about a card reader, they are offering you the same type of device. What actually varies between them is the deal behind the machine, not the machine itself.
How does a PDQ machine work?
The machine reads the card, asks the customer's bank to approve the payment, and once approved the money lands in your merchant account before moving to your business bank account.
Step by step, a typical payment goes like this:
- The customer taps, inserts or (rarely now) swipes their card.
- The machine sends an authorisation request to the customer's bank.
- The bank checks there are sufficient funds and approves or declines.
- If approved, the payment is confirmed and a receipt is issued.
- The funds go into your merchant account, then move to your business bank account after a settlement period.
That settlement period can be anything from the next working day to several days depending on the provider, which is why next-day settlement is worth looking for.
What payment types does a PDQ machine accept?
Modern PDQ machines accept chip and PIN, contactless, and mobile wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay, all as standard.
Contactless has become the dominant method. In December 2024, contactless made up around 65% of credit card and 75% of debit card payments in the UK. A PIN is sometimes still requested on a contactless payment as a security check, or above a limit set by the customer's bank. This is a long way from the original machines, which relied on a swipe and a signature. The arrival of chip and PIN, made mandatory in 2006, was a major security step that helped prevent an estimated £81.9 million in counterfeit card fraud between 2004 and 2014. For more on the methods, see our guide to chip and PIN vs contactless vs mobile.
What are the types of PDQ machine?
There are three main types: countertop, portable and mobile. They do the same job and differ only in how they connect and where you can use them.
| Type | How it connects | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Countertop | Broadband or Ethernet at a fixed point | Shops, salons and fixed counters |
| Portable | WiFi or Bluetooth, within your premises | Restaurants, pubs and table service |
| Mobile | Mobile data, 4G or 5G, anywhere | Markets, events and businesses on the move |
PDQ machine vs EPOS: what is the difference?
A PDQ machine takes the payment. An EPOS system runs the whole sale around it, handling stock, reporting and receipts, then connects to the PDQ machine to take the money.
This is where the terms genuinely do mean different things. The PDQ machine is the payment device. An EPOS system is the wider till and management platform that can plug into one. If you only need to take card payments, a PDQ machine on its own is enough. Our guide to how to accept card payments covers where each fits.
How much does a PDQ machine cost?
Expect a device cost or monthly rental plus a transaction fee on every payment. The transaction rate matters far more than the hardware price.
Buying a machine is a one-off cost while renting spreads it monthly, usually with support included. The bigger number over time is the transaction fee, charged on every sale. As a benchmark, debit rates start from around 0.35% and consumer credit from around 0.65%, with PCI around £6 a month. A cheap machine paired with a high rate is rarely the bargain it looks like, so the device should never be the main thing you compare. Our guide to the best card machine for small businesses walks through choosing one.
PDQ machines: FAQs
What does PDQ stand for?
Process Data Quickly. It was the original UK name for a card machine, reflecting its job of processing card transactions fast. Some people jokingly call it "pretty damn quick."
Is a PDQ machine the same as a card machine?
Yes. PDQ machine, card machine, card reader, chip and PIN machine and POS terminal all describe the same thing: a device that takes card payments. PDQ is just an older term.
How does a PDQ machine work?
The customer taps, inserts or swipes their card, the machine sends an authorisation request to their bank, and if there are funds the payment is approved. The money lands in your merchant account, then moves to your business bank account after a settlement period.
What payments does a PDQ machine accept?
Chip and PIN, contactless, and mobile wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay. A PIN may be requested on contactless for security or above a limit set by the customer's bank.
What are the main types of PDQ machine?
Countertop for a fixed counter, portable for moving around your premises, and mobile for taking payments anywhere on mobile data.
How much does a PDQ machine cost?
Usually a device cost or monthly rental plus a transaction fee on each payment. The transaction rate matters more than the hardware, as that is where most businesses overpay.
Got a PDQ machine already? The device is rarely the problem, the rate behind it usually is. Get a free, no-obligation statement review and we will show you whether you are on a fair deal.
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