Cleard

Cleard: card payment services for established small businesses

Cleard is a UK-based provider of card payment solutions aimed at established small businesses that already accept card payments. Its proposition centres on transparent pricing, reliable payouts and advice that is not driven by commission, with the stated aim of helping businesses keep more of what they earn. The company positions itself for businesses handling at least £1,250 per month in card transactions; below that threshold, it acknowledges that an off-the-shelf solution with a one-off terminal cost may offer better value.

Who the service is designed for

Cleard describes its ideal customers as established small businesses already taking card payments. It lists several profiles among its target users:

• Local businesses taking regular card payments.
• Trades and service businesses that need reliable payouts.
• Retail and hospitality businesses with card-present payments.
• Online or mixed businesses taking card-not-present payments.

The company states that businesses processing less than £1,250 per month in card payments fall outside its preferred range and that it will point them toward a more suitable alternative.

Payment solutions offered

The service portfolio covers the main ways a small business collects card payments:

• Card machines: terminals for in-store and on-the-go payments, configured with pricing that reflects how the business actually trades.
• Online payments: secure payment acceptance for websites, invoices and remote transactions.
• Virtual terminal: card payments taken over the phone or by email, aimed at service-based businesses.
• Pay by link and invoicing: payment links or invoices sent directly to customers to speed up collection without complex setup.

Cleard states that it recommends only the services a business needs and does not add unnecessary extras.

How the onboarding process works

The company outlines a three-step setup. It begins with a quote request or a short call to understand how the business takes payments and which configuration fits. Cleard then prepares a pricing proposal based on the business's actual trading pattern, with the terms explained upfront. Finally, it handles the setup and supports the business through switching providers, which the company describes as usually easier than expected.

Pricing, contracts and payouts

Cleard does not publish fixed prices. It states that pricing depends on how a business takes payments, its monthly turnover and whether transactions are in-person or online, and that costs are explained clearly before any commitment, without hidden fees. On contract terms, the company says it will be upfront from the start and that flexible options are often available depending on the setup. Payouts are described as next-day, with funds typically reaching the bank by around 10am the following morning; exact timings are confirmed during setup.

Service approach

Cleard presents its approach as an alternative to commission-led sales. It states that it does not add products or services a business does not need, will say so if something is not right for a customer even at the cost of commission, and does not make pushy upsell calls after a business goes live. The company says it was built by people with direct business experience, with an understanding that turnover is not profit, that cashflow matters and that fees accumulate quickly. It also indicates that support is UK-based and that it works with FCA-regulated partners.