Tyl Review: High security, low fees and next-day payouts

tyl by natwest logo

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Tyl by Natwest is one of the few merchant account and card reader providers offered by a big, British bank.

With low, fixed transaction fees and affordable, highly usable hardware options for a variety of business cases, Tyl makes a strong claim to be one of the best contract-based merchant accounts on the market.

Wide customer service options and robust security credentials only strengthen that claim, though ultimately it does have a few shortcomings that may tempt you elsewhere. Read on for a full-length discussion of what Tyl by Natwest can offer your UK business compared to other merchant accounts on the market.

Tyl by NatWest Review: Summary

In short, Tyl by NatWest is an excellent merchant account provider for businesses that already bank with NatWest or are planning to switch over. In other words, you need a NatWest bank account for it to be operational as a merchant account.

But it’s more than just a safe choice for NatWest customers. It offers the cheapest fixed rates out of the contract-based merchant accounts we’ve researched, making it an affordable option for new or small businesses.

If you are in a rush, here’s a summary of the types of business we think it could suit.

tyl logo
Tyl by Natwest
4.5
Starting fee 1.39% +5p
Suitable for

Merchants who need next-day payouts

Businesses who need offline payments

Owners who want low transaction fees

Not suitable for

Merchants who don't want to bank with Natwest

Owners who want to schedule their payouts

Businesses that need extensive reporting

Pricing
Under 50k in yearly turnoverOver 50k in yearly turnover
Monthly fee £0 Monthly fee £0 to custom
Transaction fees From 1.39% +5p Transaction fees Custom
Card machines From £9.99/month Card machines From £9.99/month
Online payment gateway and virtual terminal From £14.95/month Online payment gateway and virtual terminal From £14.95/month

Tyl by NatWest Review: Pricing, Hidden Costs and Transaction Fees

Tyl by NatWest offers some of the cheapest ways to take card payments on the UK market. Here are its prices in short before we dive into the details.

Tyl's Pricing: Quick Summary

  • Card machine costs: Between £9.99 per month and £19.99 per month. Taking payment via a smartphone is a hardware-free option.
  • Transaction fees: 1.39% + 5p (UK/European personal cards; online or card-not-present); 1.99% + 5p fee (all other cards).
  • Custom transaction fees? Yes, for businesses taking over £50,000 in annual transaction turnover.
  • Online payment gateway fees: £14.95 + VAT per month.

Tyl by NatWest’s hardware costs

Tyl by NatWest is an affordable way to start taking card payments, with its cheapest card machine costing just £9.99 per month, much less than takepayments’ £25 per month and Worldpay’s £17.50. When you purchase, you’ll be tied into a minimum 12-month contract for leasing the equipment.

These ongoing fees can add up, however. So, while leasing equipment means consistent product updates and protection, you’ll also be spending more than purchasing a cheap card reader outright from low-cost providers such as Square (£19 + VAT).

On the brighter side, right now Tyl is offering three months free for all its hardware options for new Tyl customers. That means you’ll be paying for nine months instead of 12 out of the gate.

Tyl by NatWest’s transaction fees

It also has low fixed transaction fees, at just 1.39% + 5p for personal UK and European transactions. For most businesses, this is cheaper than SumUp’s 1.69% but pricier than Revolut’s 0.8% + 2p.

Unusually, these fees apply to both in-person and card-not-present transactions. Card-not-present fees at fixed rates are often over 2% with most merchant account providers, including SumUp, which charges 2.5%.

Did you know Tyl used to have 1.5% fees?

Until recently, Tyl’s transaction fees were set at 1.5% for all personal cards. This change to 1.39% + 5p is beneficial for merchants regularly processing transactions over £45.45, however, it would be cheaper for smaller businesses that deal with transactions less than this at the 1.5% rate.

Does Tyl by NatWest offer custom transaction fees?

As stated in the table above, Tyl by NatWest does offer custom fees to businesses with more than £50,000 in annual card transaction turnover. That’s a lower threshold than the likes of Worldpay, which sets this at £75,000, and Tyl doesn’t charge any monthly service fees like Worldpay either.

Tyl by NatWest’s online payment gateway costs

With Tyl, you’ll need to pay an extra £14.95 + VAT per month fee for its online payment gateway. With some other merchant account providers, like SumUp, you’ll get an online payment gateway for free. That said, Tyl currently waives this fee for the first 12 months on all its plans.

Does Tyl by NatWest have any hidden fees?

Tyl processes Amex cards but charges a variable custom transaction fee on both of its plans to do so. If your business accepts them, you should watch out for the transaction fee Tyl quotes you.

Tyl also charges custom authorisation fees on its ‘Over £50K’ plan, which is due every time a transaction gets approved or declined. It also charges an extra PCI compliance fee on this plan: it costs £4 + VAT per month, per physical or online store. However, Tyl doesn’t charge you when processing refunds on either of its plans.

For clarity, there are no additional charges for the following items:

  • Card-not-present payments (such as sales over the phone)
  • Payments made online or via a payment link
  • Cancelling your contract
  • International card payments
  • Refunds

Tyl by NatWest Review: Hardware

In terms of hardware, Tyl provides three card machines and four options for taking payments overall. Let’s go through the features and usability of each so you can best understand what options you would have as a Tyl by NatWest customer.

Tyl’s Hardware: Quick Summary

The array of card machines offered by Tyl is appealing, with three on offer between £9.99 and £19.99 per month. That selection covers all the connectivity options you could need, from WiFi and mobile data to Bluetooth and ethernet, in different sizes and shapes suitable for most industries. Overall, we found their hardware to be of excellent quality – especially its most advanced Clover Flex which is highly usable according to our testing.

However, Tyl doesn’t offer any purpose-built countertop devices, nor a super-small mobile reader like the options by SumUp or Square. Still, you can take payment via a smartphone for free instead, while its ‘Pocket’ sized PAX A50 device is small and lightweight enough to use on the move too.

1. Clover Flex: All-in-one POS

Price: £16.99 per month

Clover Flex handheld POS pictured on desk
We like the Clover Flex a lot. It wasn't too heavy to hold, and we could access the full software dashboard directly from it - Source: Expert Market

Built by Clover, a merchant account provider that is regularly at the top of our lists for its outstanding hardware, Tyl by NatWest’s ‘All-in-one POS’ device is its most feature-rich, and as the name suggests, is the only option with a built-in POS system to order your inventory. Here are its highlights before we dive into our thoughts.

Clover Flex key features

  • Integrated touchscreen display: Responsive and user-friendly interface for quick navigation that is 6in in size
  • Built-in receipt printer: Prints receipts instantly after transactions
  • Multiple payment methods: Accepts chip & PIN, contactless, and mobile wallet payments
  • Business management tools: Software for sales tracking, inventory management, and customer data
  • Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi and 4G connections (SIM-card included)
  • Weight: 550g

What do we think about the Clover Flex?

In our usability testing of the Clover Flex, we enjoyed using its large 6in glass screen both physically and due to its overall functionality. Users considered it among the most usable with many commenting on the reassuring visual and audio feedback when paying on the device, and the comparative ease of processing a refund compared to providers like Tide.

We also loved its ability to print receipts directly from the device (or send them as emails or texts) and get end-of-day reporting directly on the device (as well as the Tyl portal).

It’s great that it offers both 4G and Wi-Fi connectivity depending on the availability of an internet connection, although it lacks ethernet connectivity. In that sense, you may find better tabletop options on the market.

Users also weren’t overly impressed with the experience of chip and pin payment. When inserting a card to pay, multiple users commented on how it felt as if their card could snap on the way in. Still, no cards were broken in our testing period even if less friction wouldn’t go amiss.

Battery life wasn’t the longest we had tested either, though 8 hours from one charge and lightning charging when on its base should still be strong enough for most business cases.

2. PAX A50: Pocket POS

Price: £9.99 per month

PAX A50 card machine on a white background
The PAX A50 card machine is an easy-use option for any on-the-go business operations - Source: Expert Market

Dubbed the ‘Pocket POS’ by Tyl, the PAX A50 is a smaller and lighter-weight piece of hardware offered by Tyl. It is generally more lightweight on the features front too, though it is the only Tyl hardware to have Wi-Fi, 4G and Bluetooth connectivity options. Overall, we reckon it’s the best choice of Tyl’s hardware for on-the-go business operations. Here are its key features before we detail exactly what we like about the PAX A50.

PAX A50 key features

  • Compact design: Small and portable, ideal for on-the-go transactions
  • Connectivity: 4G (SIM-included) and Wi-Fi connectivity for payments. Also pairs with your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth
  • Versatile payments: Accepts chip & PIN and contactless payments
  • Long battery life: Designed for extended use without frequent charging
  • Weight: 161g

What do we think of the PAX A50?

The PAX A50 is the best Tyl device for on-the-go payments. That’s because it offers Wi-Fi, 4G and Bluetooth connectivity all in a small and lightweight model reminiscent of a smartphone. It’s still a decent size too, with a 4.5in full-colour display that has a sleek, modern interface – albeit the likes of Square and SumUp offer even smaller screenless models if you prefer.

Still, it does have fewer features than the Clover Flex, lacking the ability to add tips, cashback, print/text receipts, on-device reporting or any inventory/employee management. Customers can get receipts via email instead, but that could be an unnecessary step for certain businesses in terms of usability.

3. Ingenico Move 3500: Portable POS

Price: £19.99 per month

ingenico move 3500 card machine on a table, aerial view
The Ingenico Move 3500 is a card machine that you'll find at plenty of businesses due to its longevity - Source: takepayments

Tyl also offers the Ingenico Move 3500, which it dubs its ‘Portable’ option. It sits in between the PAX A50 and the Clover Flex in terms of weight and features. Here’s what it could offer your business.

Ingenico Move 3500 key features:

  • Wireless connectivity: Operates via Wi-Fi only
  • Payment flexibility: Accepts both chip & PIN and contactless payments
  • Mobility: Designed to be carried around your premises for tableside payments
  • Durable build: Robust design suitable for busy environments
  • Weight: 320g

What do we think about the Ingenico Move 3500?

The Ingenico Move 3500 is in the style of traditional card machines, with a dimmer screen than Tyl’s other options but offering an embossed pin pad that the others don’t provide. We believe this can appeal to older customers, in particular, who prefer the haptics of buttons rather than touch-screen devices. It’s also a comfortable weight to carry around but with enough oomph to instil confidence that this is a durable machine to stand the test of time.

In terms of features, it’s something of a mixed bag. You’ll get many of the same payment features as the Clover Flex, such as pre-authorisation, phone payments, gratuity options and cash back (unlike the PAX A50), as well as receipt printing built-in. You also have on-machine, end-of-day reporting, too.

However, you won’t have virtual receipt sending or any business tools on the device itself for inventory/employee management. You’ll need to use the Tyl portal for that, like the PAX A50. It also only has Wi-Fi connectivity, which won’t be ideal for mobile businesses – the PAX A50 is better in this regard. And all of this costs more money than any other Tyl device at £19.99 per month – a significant spend of £240 per annum.

Use your smartphone to take payments via Tyl for free

As stated above, Tyl via Natwest also offers Tap to Pay via an NFC-enabled smartphone (Android or iPhone). While not explicitly hardware, it’s worth mentioning since this option has no monthly hardware leasing costs to consider, unlike the other payment-taking options from Tyl. In other words, it is free.

You’ll only be able to accept contactless cards and mobile wallets via the Tyl app, but this could be appealing to small businesses or on-the-go businesses that don’t want to carry any hardware around with them.

tyl hardware options screenshot from Natwest webpage
Tyl has a solid range of hardware options overall, though it no longer has a table top card reader on sale - Source: NatWest

Tyl by NatWest Review: Software Features

Now we’ve covered the hardware you can use to take payments with Tyl by NatWest, it’s worth turning our attention to the features of a Tyl merchant account. Let’s go through a few broad categories so that you can understand exactly what you are getting with a Tyl account.

Payment options

Tyl by NatWest supports all credit and debit card payments from Mastercard, Visa and American Express. You’ll also be able to take contactless payments such as Apple Pay and Google Pay, too. And that’s across all its hardware devices.

Even better, you have Tap to Pay support for both Android and iPhone when using a smartphone device to take payment to avoid purchasing additional hardware. Simply put, very few other providers can offer all of this, with only Square and Zettle matching this on the UK market according to our research.

Payout timeframe

You’ll get payments into your account the “next business day”, according to Tyl. This means no weekend payouts, and you’ll have no customisable deposit schedules either, but the next business day is speedy in our books. Most other providers take between one and three business days to process and payout your business income.

Reporting

You get decent reporting tools with Tyl, too – although we’ve seen more detailed and extensive options elsewhere.

We found you can use its free Tyl portal to access reports. Here you can filter by card type and create specific item reports, too. However, you won’t be able to look at discount reports or employee-specific reports, unfortunately.

tyl portal website showing a graphic of transactions over time
Using the Tyl Portal, you can have a clearer view at your transactions and revenue over specific time frames - Source: NatWest

For more advanced reporting tools that cover those latter two options and more, we recommend the likes of Worldpay, EPOS Now, SumUp, Barclaycard and Tide.

POS integration

Unfortunately, Tyl doesn’t offer a native POS platform. If you want any inventory control, you have to use the Clover Flex device, which it offers for £16.99 per month. This allows you to control inventory on the device itself as well as via the Clover Flex Inventory and Register apps.

With any of its other hardware, you’ll only be able to input a price for payment rather than have inventory to click on. You won’t be able to integrate with any other POS systems either.

If you want native POS platform functionality, there are plenty of options. Top-rated options such as Square, Zettle, Clover, Worldpay, EPOS Now and takepayments are good places to start.

Offline functionality

Handily, Tyl’s software can work offline via its hardware options should you lose connectivity. You can enable or disable this feature on each device you use, with devices able to take offline payments for up to seven days at a time. You can also set payment limitations for when you are in offline mode if that’s preferable.

Tyl mobile app

With an application working across iOS and Android, Tyl offers solid functionality for on-the-go merchants.

how to use tap to pay on iphone for Tyl by NatWest
Using Tap to Pay via Tyl's iPhone (or Android) app is pretty intuitive - Source: NatWest

The NatWest Tap to Pay app can be used to take payment using your smartphone directly. You’ll have an inbuilt analytics platform that summarises all transactions by day, week or month, as well as a section to view all transactions completed via Tap to Pay.

You can also link your existing Tyl card machines to the Tap to Pay app to use them hand-in-hand. You’ll need to call NatWest to set this up and have your merchant account number to hand when doing so.

Security

Tyl, supported by UK banking giant NatWest, is one of the most secure merchant accounts on the UK market It is PCI compliant and has an ISO 27001 certification, meaning it has implemented an information security management system (ISMS) that meets international best practices.

We found that, when a transaction is successfully authenticated by its 3D Secure security system, any liability to pay a related chargeback request passes to the cardholder’s bank (or similar). In other words, you’ll be protected against these sorts of claims.

How Does Tyl by NatWest Compare to its Competitors?

While we’ve offered comparisons between providers throughout this review, sometimes it’s easier to compare each merchant account provider side-by-side. Here’s a quick table comparing our top-rated merchant accounts on the UK market.

Swipe right to see more
0 out of 0

Revolut

Zettle

Tyl

SumUp

Stripe

Score
3.8
Score
4.2
Score
4.6
Score
4.5
Score
4.3
Score
4.4
Best For

Cheap transaction fees

Best For

Convenience

Best For

zero-contract fast payouts

Best For

Low-cost hardware

Best For

3G connectivity

Best For

Reporting

Transaction fee
  • 0.8% + 2p in-person UK cards
  • 2.6% + 2p in-person non-UK cards
  • 1% + 2p online UK cards
  • 2.8% + 2p online non-UK cards
Transaction fee
  • 1.75% in-person
  • 2.5% payment links and invoicing
Transaction fee

1.4% +25p online
1.75% in-person

Transaction fee

1.39% +5p -1.99% +5p or custom rates

Transaction fee

2.5% online
1.69% in-person

Transaction fee
  • 1.4% + 10p in-person
  • 1.5%+ 20p online
Key Features
  • Over 21 integrations
  • 25 currencies
  • Free EPOS app
Key Features
  • Certified to PCI PTS 4.1 and PCI DSS
  • Integrates with 36 third-party providers
  • Free cover <£250 chargebacks per month
  • Free refunds
Key Features
  • Countless integrations
  • Next working day transfers
Key Features
  • 4G connected readers
  • Customer support via phone and live chat
  • No credit checks
Key Features
  • Built-in 3G SIM card
  • Unlimited mobile data
  • Highly compliant
Key Features
  • Real time reporting on charges, fees, refunds, transfers
  • Low invoicing fees (0.4%)
What are the top alternatives to Tyl?

Our market research found the best-in-class merchant services for UK businesses are:

  1. takepayments
  2. Retail Merchant Services
  3. Worldpay

Our Methodology: How We Test Merchant Accounts Like Tyl by NatWest

To give a fair assessment of Tyl and the 17 other merchant account providers we researched, we assessed providers across five main areas of investigation and 23 subcategories.

Here’s what we looked at:

  • Hardware: We looked at each card machine’s size, weight, and portability, and assessed its connectivity, its interface, receipt printing, and battery life.
  • Software: We tallied up how many payment types each card machine accepted, looked at payout times, reporting and security features, EPOS functionality, and what systems it integrated with.
  • Pricing: We compared monthly fees, card machine costs, transaction fees and contract lengths against the features of each card reader, to determine the value for money of each.
  • Ease of use: We had several different average users test each card machine to see how intuitive each one was to use, and how quickly everyday tasks could be completed.
  • Help and support: We assessed card machine providers based on how many different support types they offered, and how available and responsive the support team was.

We then gave each card machine an overall score based on how well they fared in the above assessment categories.

Should Your Business Get a Tyl by Natwest Merchant Account?

Tyl is a great choice for medium-sized businesses that can enjoy its low transaction fees of 1.39% + 5p while keeping up with its fixed costs. It provides speedy next day business payouts so you can access business funds almost instantly, and you’ll have offline payment functionality for a week at a time using any of its hardware options.

Mobile businesses are bound to benefit from its plentiful card reader options with mobile data. Small businesses should find Tyl’s hardware-free option (that costs nothing) for taking payments via smartphone appealing, too.

To get a Tyl by Natwest merchant account, you need a Natwest business bank account, so if that’s not for you then the likes of Clover let you pick a business bank account of your choosing.

Tyl by Natwest’s reporting tools are also a little lacking, limited to end-of-day reports. We recommend takepayments or Worldpay if that’s an important part of your user experience.

If you’re still unsure if Tyl is the right merchant account for you, use our quick and free comparison tool. We’ll match you with the providers most suited to your needs, and they’ll be in touch with tailored obligation-free quotes!

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Written by:
Matt Reed is a Senior Writer at Expert Market. Adept at evaluating products, he focuses mainly on assessing fleet management and business communication software. Matt began his career in technology publishing with Expert Reviews, where he spent several years putting the latest audio-related products and releases through their paces, revealing his findings in transparent, in-depth articles and guides. Holding a Master’s degree in Journalism from City, University of London, Matt is no stranger to diving into challenging topics and summarising them into practical, helpful information.
Reviewed by:
Ruairi uses his 3+ years of research experience to uncover insights which can help Expert Market provide the best business solutions for their users. He has done this by meeting with business owners to find out what is important to them and what challenges they face on a daily basis. Ruairi specialises in tools that can be used to grow your business and has done research for a wide range of categories on Expert Market, such as EPOS, Website Builders, and Merchant Accounts.