SumUp Card Reader Review UK 2026: Fees, Models and Verdict
Here's why SumUp's everywhere: you can buy a reader for about the cost of a takeaway, pay nothing a month and be taking cards by the weekend. The range has grown though, there's now a paid tier, and for some businesses there's a better option. We went through SumUp's UK site in October 2026 and checked every price below.
Overview
SumUp sells card readers outright and charges a percentage per transaction. There's no contract, no hire fee and no monthly minimum on the default pay as you go option. Your takings go into a free SumUp Business Account, which comes with a Mastercard, and you can move money to another bank if you prefer.
SumUp Payments Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 (register number 900700), according to SumUp's UK site.
Quick verdict: SumUp is the best all round choice for sole traders and small businesses taking up to around £10,000 a month on cards. If you take over £3,000 a month, the Payments Plus plan is worth switching on.
Card readers and hardware
SumUp sells three card readers plus Tap to Pay on your phone. Prices below are SumUp's UK list prices excluding VAT, checked October 2026.
| Device | Price (ex VAT) | Standalone? | Printer | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tap to Pay | Free (uses your phone) | Uses phone | No | Occasional contactless sales |
| Solo Lite | £25 (£30 inc VAT) | No, pairs with phone | No | Low volume, mobile sellers |
| Solo | £79 (£94.80 inc VAT) | Yes | Optional printer bundle | Shops, cafes, mobile trades |
| Terminal | £135 (£162 inc VAT) | Yes, WiFi plus free SIM | Built in | Hospitality, busy counters |
SumUp was running discounts on some bundles when we checked, including the Terminal, so the price you see may be lower. It also sells the SumUp Register, a dual sided countertop POS, listed at £399 ex VAT.
Hardware costs
All SumUp readers come with a one year warranty and a 30 day money back guarantee. SumUp says the Solo Lite handles about 1,000 transactions per charge, the Solo about 300 and the Terminal about 250 including receipt printing. Terminal orders over £90 can be spread over up to 12 months.
Fees and pricing
Transaction rates
| Plan | Monthly cost | In person rate | Online rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pay as you go | £0 | 1.69% for all cards, including Amex | Not shown on the pricing page when checked |
| Payments Plus | £19 a month or £189 a year | 0.99% domestic consumer cards; 1.69% premium, international, corporate and Amex | 2.50% |
| Tailored | Custom | Custom, for £10,000 or more a month | Custom |
Source: sumup.com/en-gb/pricing and SumUp card reader pages, checked October 2026.
Two extras worth knowing:
- 0% when customers pay with a SumUp card. SumUp charges 0% on in person payments made with a personal SumUp card.
- No charge for declined payments or cash. You only pay for successful card payments, and recording cash in the app is free.
When does Payments Plus pay off?
The break even point is simple to work out. On domestic consumer cards, Payments Plus saves 0.70% per payment. £19 divided by 0.70% is about £2,714, so if more than roughly £2,700 a month of your takings are on ordinary UK debit and credit cards, Payments Plus is cheaper. SumUp itself suggests it from £3,000 a month. If many customers use Amex or business cards, the break even point is higher.
| Monthly card takings | Pay as you go (1.69%) | Payments Plus (0.99% + £19) |
|---|---|---|
| £1,000 | £16.90 | £28.90 |
| £3,000 | £50.70 | £48.70 |
| £6,000 | £101.40 | £78.40 |
| £10,000 | £169.00 | £118.00 |
Assumes all payments are domestic consumer cards. Payments Plus has a 7 day free trial and you can cancel anytime.
Contract and setup
There's no contract. You sign up online, verify your identity and business, order a reader and download the SumUp app. Standard delivery is two to three business days. You can cancel Payments Plus at any time and drop back to pay as you go.
Payout speed
Money arrives in your SumUp Business Account by 7am the next day, every day of the year, including weekends and bank holidays. That is one of the fastest settlement promises in the UK for a no contract provider.
Customer support
Standard support is available through the app, email and phone. Payments Plus adds 24/7 priority support and free card reader replacements.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No contract, no monthly fee on pay as you go
- Low upfront hardware cost from £25 ex VAT
- 0.99% on domestic consumer cards with Payments Plus, among the lowest published UK rates
- Next day payouts by 7am, seven days a week
- Free business account and Mastercard
- Standalone Solo and Terminal work without a phone
Cons
- 1.69% isn't the cheapest rate for low volume if you mostly take premium cards
- Payments Plus discount doesn't cover Amex, premium or business cards
- No dedicated account manager unless you qualify for tailored pricing
- Funds go to the SumUp account first, so a separate bank needs a transfer step
Who it suits
SumUp suits sole traders, market traders, tradespeople, hairdressers, small cafes and seasonal businesses. It's less ideal for high volume restaurants that need deep EPOS integrations, where Dojo or a traditional acquirer may fit better.
Alternatives
- Square: 1.75% in person with stronger free POS software. See our Square card reader review and SumUp vs Square.
- Zettle: 1.75% with funds into PayPal within minutes. See our Zettle card reader review.
- Dojo: 1.2% blended rate under £100,000 a year, built for hospitality. See our Dojo card machine review.
- Tide: a card reader linked to a Tide business account. See our Tide card reader review.
- Lopay: a budget focused UK reader. See our Lopay card reader review.
For the full shortlist, read our guide to the best card machines in the UK.
Worked monthly cost examples
Here is what SumUp costs in a typical month at three turnover levels, using the published rates checked in October 2026 and assuming all payments are UK domestic consumer cards. Hardware is a one off cost and not included.
| Monthly card takings | Pay as you go (1.69%) | Payments Plus (0.99% + £19) | Saving with Payments Plus |
|---|---|---|---|
| £2,000 | £33.80 | £38.80 | Costs £5.00 more |
| £10,000 | £169.00 | £118.00 | Saves £51.00 |
| £30,000 | £507.00 | £316.00 | Saves £191.00 |
At £30,000 a month (£360,000 a year) you're well above the £10,000 a month level where SumUp offers Tailored pricing, so ask for a quote before settling on Payments Plus. If a quarter of your takings are Amex or business cards, those stay at 1.69% on Payments Plus, which narrows the saving.
SumUp for different businesses
Cafe
A small cafe taking £8,000 a month, mostly contactless on everyday debit cards, would pay about £135 a month on pay as you go and about £98 on Payments Plus. The Terminal (£135 ex VAT) with its built in printer and SIM works well at the counter and for outdoor seating. Busy cafes with table service may prefer Dojo's hospitality tools.
Market stall
Trading only at weekends or seasonally, a stallholder taking £1,500 a month pays about £25 a month on pay as you go and nothing in quiet months. The Solo Lite (£25 ex VAT) paired with your phone, or the standalone Solo if your phone signal is unreliable, is the natural choice.
Hairdresser or barber
A one chair salon taking £4,000 a month would pay £67.60 on pay as you go or £58.60 on Payments Plus. The Solo sits neatly on a station, and SumUp's invoicing and payment links help with deposits for bookings.
Trades
Plumbers, electricians and builders often take larger, less frequent payments. A Solo with its own data connection lets you take payment on site. For big jobs, a payment link sent before you arrive can secure a deposit.
Taxi
Drivers need a standalone reader with long battery life and mobile data. The Solo handles this without draining your phone. See our guide to card readers for taxi drivers.
Setup and contract tips
- Start on pay as you go. Track a full month of takings before switching to Payments Plus, and use the 7 day free trial.
- Choose annual billing only if you're sure. £189 a year saves 17% against monthly billing but removes flexibility.
- Decide where payouts go. Funds land in the SumUp Business Account first; set up transfers to your main bank if your accountant prefers one account.
- Check card mix. If many customers pay with premium or business cards, the Payments Plus saving will be smaller than the headline suggests.
- Use the 30 day money back guarantee. If a reader doesn't suit your setting, return it.
Verdict
SumUp gets the basics right: low hardware cost, no tie in and money in your account by breakfast. The Payments Plus plan turns it from a beginner's reader into a genuinely cheap option for growing businesses, as long as most customers pay with ordinary UK cards. We rate SumUp 4.5 out of 5.
FAQs
How much does SumUp charge per transaction?
On pay as you go, SumUp charges 1.69% per in person card payment, including Amex. With Payments Plus (£19 a month), domestic consumer cards are 0.99% and premium, international, corporate and Amex cards stay at 1.69%. Checked October 2026.
Does SumUp have a monthly fee?
No, not on pay as you go. Payments Plus costs £19 a month or £189 a year, and you can cancel anytime.
How long does SumUp take to pay out?
Takings reach your SumUp Business Account by 7am the next day, including weekends and bank holidays.
Which SumUp card reader should I buy?
Choose Solo Lite (£25 ex VAT) if you're happy to use your phone, Solo (£79 ex VAT) for a standalone reader, or Terminal (£135 ex VAT) if you want a built in printer and SIM.
Is SumUp safe?
SumUp is authorised by the FCA as an electronic money institution (register number 900700), and its readers support chip and PIN and contactless with encryption.
Can I use SumUp without a smartphone?
Yes. The Solo and Terminal work as standalone devices with their own connectivity. The Solo Lite needs a phone.
Does SumUp charge more for Amex?
No. Amex is 1.69% on pay as you go and stays at 1.69% on Payments Plus.
Is SumUp good for a cafe?
Yes for small and medium cafes. Very busy venues needing deep table service tools may prefer Dojo or Teya.