Castles is a payment solution provider specializing in Android payment terminals and card machines. For mid-size and small UK businesses, it’s one of the most common card terminal providers on the market. For example, you can source Castles card machines through Adyen and other banking partners.
In addition, Castles offers a wide selection of payment processors. Whether you’re looking for contactless payments, point of sale, or biometrics and tokenization, Castles offers it.
Its selection of Android terminals meets most needs for face-to-face card payments. However, Castles does not offer a payment gateway or card processing. Instead, you’ll have to partner with an additional payment processor.
However, Castles is well-known for its sleek, state-of-the-art card machines. You can source them through top merchant account providers like Adyen, Handepay, PayTen, Lloyds Bank, Visa, and many more.
Here’s everything you need to know before choosing a model.
What Is Castles Technology?
Castle’s Technology is a global payment technology provider. The organization focuses on card terminals including mobile, desk, point of sale, and unattended models. It’s also one of the only to offer a choice of Linux or Android terminals.
The company launched in 2016 and has since been a major disruptor on the card terminal market. Rather than delivering traditional card readers, Castles uses modern and sleek designs, focuses on using mobile operating systems, and offers repairs as part of service.
Today, the company has 1,000+ global employees, sales in 150 countries, and has shipped more than 4 million card terminals.
Castles Card Machines
Castles has a large number of card readers in categories including countertop, mini POS, multi-lane PIN Pad, Portable (Mobile) and Unattended (Self-checkout).
With 20 individual models, it also has more choice of card terminal than nearly any other manufacturer.
S1F4 Pro
The Castles S1F4 Pro Card Machine is a portable Android card terminal. The device was developed on Android 13 and offers full touchscreen capabilities.
- PCI PTS 6.x security
- 6.7” HD touchscreen
- 13MP camera
- 2 sim card slots
- 3350/7.2v Li-ion battery for 8-12 hours of use
- Integrated printer
- 4G LTE, 3G, 2G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- USB-C charging
- Magnetic Stripe, Smart Card, Contactless
- Integrated barcode scanner
S1U2-M4
The Castles S1U2-M4 is an unattended card reader offering contactless, magstripe, and chip and pin payments. It’s meant to be mounted, indoors or out and is fully waterproof.
In addition, it can be connected to coin change and door switch technologies for use in everything from vending machines to ticketing, petrol pumps, and more.
- 4” colour touchscreen
- Android 13
- PCI PTS 6.x
- 2 sim card slots
- IP65 and IK09 weatherproofing
- RG LTE, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth
- USB, Ethernet, MDB, RS232, Coin Pulse, and Door Switch interfaces
- GPS positioning
- 2mp camera for barcode scanning and security available
S1P2
The S1P2 is a countertop Android-based pin terminal offering a permanent card terminal ideal for retail, restaurants, and the service industry.
The reader accepts all major payments including magstripe, Chip and Pin, contactless, and even QR codes and barcodes. It also offers backlit keys for ease of use.
- PCI PTS 6.x
- Android 13
- 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- MagStripe, Contact, Contactless cards
- Ethernet, USB, RS232 interfaces
- 4” colour touchscreen
- 2 SIM
V1M
The V1M Castles mobile card terminal is one of Castles’ most popular models. This mobile card reader supports all major payment options.
In addition, it comes with a battery for 8+ hours of use on the go. It also offers more security for businesses with a Linux processor.
- PCI PTS 6.x
- Contact payments, contactless, MagStripe, QR Code, barcode
- 3.5” colour touchscreen
- Linux
- 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- Keypad
- Integrated printer
- 2mp camera
- 3,100 mAh battery for up to 12 hours of service
S1F3
The S1F3 is a card reader ideal for small retail sales, food, and microbusinesses. Unlike some alternatives, it also offers a printer, so you get a mobile and lightweight card terminal capable of printing receipts.
- PCI PTS 6.x
- Android 12
- 2G, 3G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- 5.5” colour touchscreen
- 2 cameras including barcode scanner/QR code reader
- MagStripe, Smart Card, Contactless, SIM/SAM
- Integrated printer
- Use plugged in or with an up to 8 hour battery
S1F2
The S1F2 is a Castles card machine offering a mobile terminal, apps, a marketplace for PoS, and a 5.5” touchscreen. It also features pin on glass, a printer, and a 6,000 mAh battery for an all-day charge.
- PCI PTS 6.x
- Micro SD storage
- 5.5” colour touchscreen
- 3G, 4G LTE, GPRS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- Contact, Contactless, Magstripe, SIM, SAM
- 6000 mAh battery
- 2 cameras with optional barcode scanner/QR code reader
- Integrated printer
S1E2
The S1E2 is a modern card reader putting the focus on touchscreen and navigation. The reader accepts magStripe, Smart Card, Contactless, SIM, and SAM payments. You can also add an optional barcode reader.
In addition, with a 3,000 mAh battery, this phone-size card reader will go all day.
- PCI PTS 6.x
- Contact and contactless payments
- 5” touchscreen
- 8+ hour battery
- 3G, 4G LTE, WI-Fi, Bluetooth
- PIN on Glass
- Integrated camera
S1U2
The S1U2 is a large self-service card reader offering contactless and contact card payments.
The Android-based terminal also offers support for vending, ticketing, multimedia, public transportation, petrol, laundromats, and much more.
- PCI PTS 6.x
- Android 10
- 5” colour touchscreen
- Contact, contactless, magstripe payments
- 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- 5Mp camera with QR and barcode capabilities
- Unattended model
S1 MINI 2
The S1 MINI 2 is a mobile card reader designed for small and micro businesses with mobile sales. It’s ideal for use in taxis, outdoor vending, and delivery services.
It’s also small and lightweight enough to fit into a pocket, although it won’t print receipts.
- PCI PTS 6.x
- 4” colour touchscreen
- Android 13
- Accepts smart card and contactless payments (No chip and pin)
- Charges via USB-C
- 4G LTE, 3G, 2G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- 1 Sim
- 0.3mp camera
- 8-hour battery / 2,000mAh
S1 MINI
The S1 MINI is a small and lightweight card terminal ideal for small businesses. This desktop terminal does come with a battery, however at 1,600 mAh, you’ll want to return it to the charging cradle during the day.
However, it’s also smaller than a smartphone, making it easy to transport, put in a pocket, or keep out of the way while you work.
- PCI PTS 6.x
- 3.97” colour touchscreen
- Comes with stylus
- 2Mp integrated camera
- 6-8 hour battery
- Smart Card, Contactless, Sim/SAM
- Android 10
Other Models
With 20+ card terminals on offer, you’ll have plenty to choose from with Castles. Here’s a quick overview of all Castle’s card terminals and payment machines.
| Terminal | Screen | Use | Battery | Printer | Camera | Payments | OS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1F4 Pro | 6.7” | Countertop/Portable | 3,350 mAh | Yes | Yes | MagStripe, Contactless, SmartCard | Android 13 |
| S1US-M4 | 4” | Unattended | No | No | Yes | MagStripe, Contactless, SmartCard | Android 13 |
| S1P2 | 4” | Countertop | No | No | Yes | MagStripe, Contactless, SmartCard | Android 13 |
| V1M | 3.5” | Mobile | 3,100mAh | Yes | Yes | MagStripe, Contactless, SmartCard | Linux |
| S1F3 | 5.5” | Countertop | No | Yes | Dual | MagStripe, Contactless, SmartCard | Android 12 |
| S1F2 | 5.5” | Countertop/Portable | 6,000 mAh | Yes | Dual | MagStripe, Contactless, SmartCard | Android 13 |
| S1E2 | 5” | Portable | 3,000 mAh | No | Yes | MagStripe, Contactless, SmartCard | Android 10 |
| S1U2 | 5” | Unattended | No | No | Yes | MagStripe, Contactless, SmartCard | Android 10 |
| S1 Mini2 | 4” | Mobile | 2,000 mAh | No | Yes | Contactless, Smart Card | Android 13 |
| S1 Mini | 3.97” | Countertop | 1,600 mAh | No | Yes | Contactless, SmartCard | Android 10 |
| S1 L2 | 5” | Countertop | NA | No | Yes | MagStripe, Contactless, SmartCard | Android 10 |
| S1F3 Magic Box | 5.5” | Portable | 2,600 mAh | Yes | Dual | MagStripe, Contactless, SmartCard | Android 12 |
| S1P | 4” | Countertop/Portable | Yes | No | Yes | MagStripe, Contactless, SmartCard | Android 10 |
| S2L | 8” | Countertop | No | No | Yes | MagStripe, Contactless, SmartCard | Android 10 |
| V3CT3 | 3.5” | Portable | Yes | Yes | No | MagStripe, Contactless, SmartCard | Linux |
| V3M2 | 3.5” | Portable | 2,100 mAh | Yes | No | MagStripe, Contactless, SmartCard | Linux |
| V3P3 | 3.5” | Countertop | No | No | No | MagStripe, Contactless, SmartCard | Linux |
| U1F | 3.5” | Unattended | No | No | No | MagStripe, Contactless, SmartCard | Linux |
| U1C | 3.5” | Unattended | No | No | Yes | Contactless | Linux |
| U1B | 2.8” | Unattended | No | No | Optional | MagStripe, Contactless, SmartCard | Linux |
Benefits Of Castles Card Machines
Castles Technology offers modern, feature-rich, and sleek card machines. You’re not getting a card reader that looks the same as the 1990s; you’re getting a modern device with apps, a marketplace, and it fits in your pocket.
- 20 different card terminals
- Unattended card terminals
- Android or Linux options
- Available through many major merchant account services
- Modern look and design
- High range of compatibility with other software and technology
- Repair services available
However, Castles also has some downsides. For example, you can’t rent your card machine directly. Instead, you’ll have to hire a card reader as part of your merchant account services contract with another provider – or buy one from a third-party seller.
Who Should Use Castles Card Machines?
Castles Card Machines is a relative newcomer to the market. However, it offers industry-disrupting technology, with Android and Linux native card machines. In fact, with 20 models offering apps, a marketplace, and touchscreen updates, Castles makes modern digital card readers accessible to everyone.
In addition, it offers models suitable for everything from vending machines to high-volume sales. This card reader is ideal anywhere you need to accept payments.
However, you can’t buy direct. In addition, Castles won’t offer payment processing. Therefore, you’ll have to set up your merchant account service. If you want a Castles card reader, the best option is to choose one of the many merchant account providers that use Castles.
Choosing The Best Card Reader For Your UK Small Business
The right card reader will make a massive difference for your business. You have to consider factors like weight, functionality, and daily use. Your card reader needs to be durable, user-friendly enough to update on your own, and secure. Castles is just one of dozens of different card terminal manufacturers in the UK.
At the end of the day, the deal-breaker for your card reader should be whether or not your chosen merchant account offers it. However, if you really want to make sure you get the best card terminal for your needs, use the form below and we’ll help you compare options and get the best deal.