DNA Payments is a payment provider and processor, allowing small businesses to accept payments by card, digital wallet, and bank. In addition, with card machines, online payment gateway, subscriptions, and point of sale, it offers everything most businesses need to set up and take payments everywhere.
While DNA Payments has a lot to offer for small businesses in the UK, it also has a lot of competition. Looking at your options, reading reviews, and comparing them is the best way to save.
This review covers DNA Payments’ offerings, pricing structure, and features.
What Is DNA Payments?
DNA Payments is an omnichannel payment provider service. The company was founded in 2018 and has grown quickly to become one of the largest independent payment providers in the UK.
In addition, it’s part of the DNA Payments Group, which includes Card Cutters, Zash, and other small business solutions. The company also launched quickly by buying established UK payment solutions and incorporating them into a single payment solution.
However, unlike many of its competitors, DNA Payments does not provide transparent pricing. That puts the brand at a disadvantage on the market. Despite that, it’s still highly rated and reviewed and boasts an impressive client portfolio of over 65,000 businesses in the US and UK.
DNA Payments Features
DNA Payments is an omnichannel payment processor. This means you can accept payments online, via card, or mobile and link. Like alternatives like Handepay, it provides an all-in-one solution, including acquiring services and merchant account services.
Online Payment Gateway
DNA Payments’ online payment gateway offers the option to create white-label checkout pages for your own website, major eCommerce platforms, and many shopping carts. In addition, you can take payments through link, via mobile, and over the phone.
- Online payment gateway with native integrations for one-click installation into BigCommerce, WooCommerce, Magento, OpenCart, PrestaShop, and others.
- Virtual terminal to accept payments over the phone
- Recurring payments, ideal for subscriptions and SaaS solutions
- Charity-specific solutions to collect money for charities as part of sales
- Integration support for your own website
- Full white-labeling, so your checkout looks and feels like part of your brand
In short, you can fully accept online payments, even if you’re not a developer.
Card Terminals
DNA Payments offers multiple card terminals and readers, including mobile, tap-to-pay, self-checkout, and much more. While card reader selection is very good, DNA Payments does not offer transparent pricing. This means you’ll definitely want to compare quotes to make sure you’re getting a good rate.
- Terminals Pax A920 Pro, Pax Q25, Pax A35, Nexgo N86, SUNMI P2 Lite SE, and SUNMI P2 Pro
- Choose from Mobile, Portable, Countertop, and Self-checkout models
- Accept contactless payments from any Android phone
- Branded card terminals available
- Accepts all major UK and EU cards
- Shipped within 1-3 business days of setting up an account
With plenty of card terminal options and even self-checkout options available, DNA Payments stands out for small-to-mid-size businesses.
Extras
DNA Payments offers plenty of extras like point of sale and e-Point-of-Sale, custom branding, and even integrated fraud management. With DNA Payments, you get:
- All-in-one service
- Custom branding for online checkout and card machines
- Fraud management systems
- Short-term accounts for popups and temporary retail locations
- Self-checkout terminals with point of sale
Benefits Of DNA Payments For Small UK Businesses
DNA Payments is a fully independent omnichannel payment processor. That means it’s not affiliated with any UK banks.
In addition, it offers everything you need to accept payments across software (SaaS), eCommerce platforms, your own website, and face-to-face.
- White Label. Online checkout and card machines are fully brandable
- 8+ direct integrations into eCommerce platforms and shopping carts
- One of the only options with self-checkout terminals
- Short-term rentals and contracts available for popups and temporary stores
- Next-day settlement
Of course, DNA Payments has cons as well. For example, it does not offer transparent pricing. That’s against the norm for small business payment processors in the UK. It also means you’ll have to ask for a custom quote based on sales volume, card terminals needed, etc.
DNA Payments Pricing & Fees
DNA Payments doesn’t offer transparent pricing. Instead, you’ll have to contact DNA payments to receive a quote based on volume of sales, terminals needed, and online services needed.
Fees are variable. You might be quoted at lower or higher rates depending on what you’re getting. However, average rates include:
- Minimum monthly transaction fee: £10
- Authorisation fees: 3p
- Pay by Link: £5 per month
- 2 to 4-year standard contract
- 0.26%-0.29% fee on debit
- £159 early cancellation fee
- £7.99 per month for next-day settlement
- Average fees of £200 per year or £16.50 per month
Eventually, you’ll have to request a custom quote to see what you’re paying with DNA Payments. In addition, you can normally expect cheaper rates if you lock in for four years, but not everyone wants to do that, so be sure to check your quote terms as well.
DNA Payments vs Competitors
DNA Payments has a lot of competitors. In addition, most are more transparent about pricing and fees, which make them a better fit for small business. However, DNA does have a lot to offer.
Here’s how DNA Payments compares vs top competitors like Handepay, EVO Payments, Stripe, Tyl by NatWest, and Square.
| Provider | DNA Payments | Handepay | EVO Payments | Stripe | Adyen | Tyl by NatWest | Square | WorldPay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transaction Cost | 0.26%+3p+ (Rates negotiated per customer) | 0.5%-3%, included for first 400 online transactions | Included in fee (Rates work out to an average of 2.2%-1%) | 2.5% + 25p for UK cards, 1.5% + 25p for EU cards | 11p + provider cost (typically 3%) | 1.39% + 5p or 1.99% + 5p | 1.4%+ 25p or 2.5% + 25p | 1.4%-3.95% + fixed rate |
| Card Reader | Custom monthly fee | £10-£30 | £33-£94 | £19.99+ | NA | £9.99+ | £59 one-time fee | Custom |
| Online Payment Gateway | Custom monthly fee | £19.99 | £33-£94 | £0 | £0 | £14.95 | £0- £29+ | £2.95-£25+ |
| Native Checkout | 8+ | 28+ | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Ease of Integration | High | High | High | Medium | High | Low | High | Low |
As you can see, the big difference between DNA Payments and its closest competitors is that most offer transparent pricing.
DNA Payments is also extremely similar to Handepay, with many of the same service offerings. However, DNA Payments is one of the only options to offer self-service terminals.
DNA Payments Reviews & Ratings
DNA Payments is well reviewed, with an average of a 4 star rating across the internet. However, about 10% of those reviews are 1-star, meaning that the percentage of customers with a negative experience is quite high. Still, customers are extremely happy with DNA Payments on most fronts.
- Fast Customer Service – Customers quote fast customer service, including speedy fixes, speedy integration, and fast help with questions about terminals and manuals.
- Wide Range of Options – Customers quote being happy with the fact that they can source everything through one company, including online payments and card terminals.
- Onboarding Help – DNA Payments offers extensive onboarding support, including guides per terminal and shopping cart integration.
Not all customers are happy, some have complaints, including:
- Long Contracts – Some DNA Payments customers share that a door-to-door salesman signed them up for a four-year contract when they were promised one. This means it’s important to review contract terms before signing.
- Termination Fees – Terminating a DNA Payments contract early means buying out the contract plus a £150 fee.
- Unexpected Fees – About 2% of customers quote unexpected fees
- Slow Replacements – Some customers share that replacing terminals takes too long once you already have a contract
Eventually, DNA Payments might save you money. However, it will be important to compare your options, to read the quote in full, and to make sure you fully understand the fee schedule before signing.
Who Should Use DNA Payments?
DNA Payments is a large omnichannel payment processor offering support for online, face-to-face, and pay by phone. In addition, with a larger number of card reader options, it’s ideal for larger businesses.
Lack of fee transparency and the potential of unexpected monthly charges mean this option isn’t a great fit for startups and microbusinesses.
However, low average rates and an all-in-one service make this a very good fit for mid-size businesses like chain restaurants, hotels, busy retail, and multi-location or omnichannel sales.
Plus, with extras like self-service terminals, DNA Payments stands out as a great option for retail and service industry businesses.
Is DNA Payments Right For Your Small Business?
DNA Payments is one option of multiple payment processors. With merchant account, payment processing, and acquiring included, it’s a great all-in-one service. In addition, DNA Payments promises highly competitive fees and everything you need with one contract. Plus, branding and white label options mean you can showcase your business on your card terminals and checkout pages. However, with no transparent fees, contracts that last up to 4 years, DNA Payments isn’t for everyone.
That means your best option is to get quotes, compare what you’re getting, and to look at what you’re getting for the full duration of the contract. Use the form below and we’ll contact DNA Payments and its top competitors to request quotes and send you the best options, so you don’t have to.