Best Square Alternatives UK (2026)
Square is a brilliant place to start. The free point of sale is packed with features, the hardware looks good and there's no contract. But as a business grows, a few things start to grate. A flat 1.75% feels expensive once you're taking real money. Free payouts take one to two working days. And some sectors need tools Square doesn't focus on.
If you're weighing up a move, here are the strongest Square alternatives in the UK, with prices from each provider's official website, checked October 2026.
Why people leave Square
- Fees at higher volumes. 1.75% on UK cards in person never drops unless you qualify for custom pricing, which Square offers to businesses processing over £200,000 a year.
- Payout speed. Free transfers arrive in one to two working days. Instant transfers cost extra.
- Hospitality needs. Busy restaurants and pubs often want specialist providers with on site support.
- Wanting a monthly plan. Some businesses prefer a fixed monthly fee in exchange for a lower rate.
Quick comparison table
| Provider | In person fee | Monthly cost | Hardware (ex VAT) | Payouts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Square (for reference) | 1.75% on UK cards | £0, Plus plans from £29 | Reader £19, Terminal £149 | Free in 1 to 2 working days |
| SumUp | 1.69%, or 0.99% with Payments Plus | £0 or £19 | Solo £79, Terminal £135 | 7am next day, every day |
| Dojo | 1.2% blended under £100,000 a year | Plans vary | Pocket £149, Wired £239 | Next day |
| Teya | Quoted | Quoted | Teya terminals | Next day, including weekends |
| Viva | 1.69% on UK consumer cards | £0 to £15.99 | Tap to Pay or Viva terminals | Real time |
| Lopay | 0.79% to 1.79% by payout plan | £0 | £35 plus P&P in app | Thursday, next day or instant |
| Revolut | 0.8% + 2p on UK consumer cards | Business plan from £10 | Revolut Reader | Into your Revolut account |
| Zettle by PayPal | 1.75% on all major cards | £0 | Terminal £149 | To PayPal balance, usually within minutes |
| Elavon | 0.99% on personal Visa and Mastercard (Desk) | £15 a month | Included in plan | Check plan terms |
Fees compared
A café taking £8,000 a month, all on UK consumer cards:
| Provider | Monthly cost | Saving against Square |
|---|---|---|
| Square (1.75%) | £140.00 | |
| SumUp Payments Plus (0.99% + £19) | £98.20 | £41.80 |
| Dojo (1.2%) | £96.00 | £44.00 |
| Elavon Desk (0.99% + £15) | £94.20 | £45.80 |
| Lopay Standard (0.99%) | £79.20 | £60.80 |
| Viva (1.69%, before any plan fee) | £135.20 | £4.80 |
Across a year, the cheaper options save around £500 to £730 over Square at this level. Amex, business and overseas cards will change the picture, and Elavon's Desk plan has a 12 month contract.
Monthly costs
Calculator. Enter your numbers to compare fees. If it does not load, use the table below.
Square's free plan is genuinely free, and that's its strongest point. The alternatives fall into three groups:
- Also free to run: SumUp pay as you go, Lopay, Zettle.
- Small monthly fee for a lower rate: SumUp Payments Plus at £19, Elavon Desk at £15, Revolut Business from £10, Viva up to £15.99.
- Quoted plans: Dojo above £100,000 a year, and Teya.
Hardware compared
Square's hardware is some of the best looking around, and cheap too, with the Reader at £19 and the Terminal at £149. Alternatives:
- SumUp Terminal, £135, a standalone handheld with built in printer.
- Dojo Pocket, £149, a handheld that takes orders and payments.
- Dojo Wired, £239, for counters and kiosks.
- PayPal Terminal, £149.
- Lopay Reader, £35 plus P&P in the app.
All of them lock to their own provider, so your Square kit can't come with you.
Payouts and support
Payout speed is the most common reason to move after fees.
| Provider | When the money arrives |
|---|---|
| Viva | Real time |
| Zettle | PayPal balance, usually within minutes |
| Lopay Instant | 24/7, at 1.79% |
| SumUp | 7am next day, including weekends |
| Teya | Next day, including weekends |
| Dojo | Next day |
| Square | 1 to 2 working days free |
For support, Dojo and Teya are known for hospitality focused service. SumUp includes 24/7 priority support on Payments Plus.
The alternatives in brief
SumUp: closest like for like swap
Similar no contract model, slightly lower pay as you go rate and much faster payouts. POS Plus at £39 a month adds advanced tools.
Dojo: best for hospitality and growing businesses
A simple 1.2% blended rate under £100,000 a year and next day payouts, with handhelds built for table service.
Teya: hospitality focus with weekend payouts
Teya pays next day including weekends, and bundles a business account. Pricing is quoted. See our Teya card machine review.
Viva: real time settlement
1.69% on UK consumer cards and money in real time. See our Viva Wallet review.
Lopay: lowest rates without a contract
0.79% to 1.79% depending on how fast you want paying.
Revolut: cheapest if you already bank there
0.8% + 2p on UK consumer cards, plus your Business plan fee.
Zettle by PayPal: single rate on all cards
1.75%, the same as Square on UK cards, but also on Amex and overseas cards.
Elavon: low rate on a contract
The Desk plan is £15 a month for 0.99% on personal Visa and Mastercard, on a 12 month contract.
Which should you choose?
- Small business wanting faster payouts: SumUp.
- Restaurant, pub or busy café: Dojo or Teya.
- Cash flow is everything: Viva.
- Lowest rate with no contract: Lopay.
- You bank with Revolut: Revolut.
- Lots of tourists and Amex: Zettle.
- Steady takings and happy to commit: Elavon.
If you rely on Square's online store, appointments or invoices, weigh up what you'd lose. Some businesses keep Square for online sales and use a cheaper provider in person.
What you'd give up
Square's free tools are its secret weapon, so list what you actually use before switching:
| Square feature | Can you replace it? |
|---|---|
| Free online store | SumUp and Zettle offer online tools; specialist ecommerce platforms are another option |
| Invoices | SumUp has invoices with a paid Invoices Plus tier; accounting software often includes invoicing |
| Square Appointments | SumUp Bookings, or a separate booking app |
| Virtual terminal | Dojo includes one with its card machines |
| Payment links | SumUp and Stripe offer links, and Dojo does on some plans |
| Stock and item library | Most POS apps, though check variants and barcode support |
If you use three or more of these heavily, the true cost of leaving is higher than the fee difference suggests.
How to switch from Square
- Pick your new provider and complete sign up and checks first.
- Export your item library and customer list from your Square Dashboard.
- Import products into the new system and check prices and VAT rates.
- Test the new hardware with a few payments before your busy day.
- Update your online links, QR codes and booking pages.
- Download your Square reports for the year so far, for your accountant.
- Keep Square open for refunds on recent sales, at least for a few weeks. There's no monthly fee on the free plan, so it costs nothing to keep.
A quick sense check
Before switching, ask: "How much would I really save each month?" Multiply your monthly card takings by the difference in rates, then subtract any new monthly fees. If the answer is under £20 a month, the time and hassle of switching may not be worth it. If it's £50 or more, it usually is. And remember that hardware is a one off cost, while fee savings keep coming every month, so even a £149 terminal usually pays for itself within a few months at that level.
Pros and cons of leaving Square
Pros
- Lower fees once you're taking several thousand pounds a month
- Faster payouts
- Specialist sector support
Cons
- You lose Square's joined up POS, online store and bookings
- New hardware to buy
- Some alternatives have contracts or monthly fees
FAQs
What's the best alternative to Square in the UK?
For most small businesses, SumUp, thanks to similar no contract terms, a slightly lower rate and faster payouts. For hospitality, Dojo or Teya.
Is there anything cheaper than Square?
Yes. On UK consumer cards, Lopay, Revolut, Dojo and SumUp's Payments Plus all have lower rates than Square's 1.75%.
Can I use my Square hardware with another provider?
No. Square hardware only works with Square.
Does Square offer lower rates for bigger businesses?
Square's Premium option offers custom pricing for businesses processing over £200,000 a year, subject to eligibility. Ask before you switch.
Which Square alternative pays out fastest?
Viva, with real time settlement. Zettle pays into your PayPal balance usually within minutes.
Can I use Square online and another provider in person?
Yes. There's nothing stopping you using different providers for different channels, though your reports will be split.
Is Square or SumUp better for a small shop?
Square has the stronger free retail tools, including stock and an online store. SumUp has slightly lower fees and next day payouts. Our card machines for retail shops guide compares both.
Will switching from Square affect my customers?
Barely. They'll still tap, insert or pay by phone in the same way. The main things they'll notice are a different name on their bank statement and possibly a different receipt style, so it's worth a quick heads up for regulars who pay by link or invoice.
Do I need to tell Square I'm leaving?
There's no contract on Square's free plan, so you can simply stop using it. If you're on a paid Plus plan, cancel it in your Dashboard to stop the monthly fee.