SumUp vs Tide Card Reader: Which Is Cheaper In 2026?

SumUp and Tide both sell cheap card readers to UK small businesses with no contract. The big difference is where they come from. SumUp started as a card reader company and added a business account. Tide started as a business bank account and added card readers. That shapes who each suits.

Here's how they compare on price, fees and features, using published figures checked October 2026.

At a glance

Fees

SumUp

SumUp keeps it simple. On pay as you go you pay 1.69% per card payment with no fixed fee. Payments Plus costs £19 a month and drops the rate to 0.99%, though Amex and premium cards stay at 1.69%. Online payments and payment links are 2.5%.

Tide

Tide's published rates are for domestic consumer debit cards. Other cards, like credit and business cards, cost more and are set out in Tide's terms. On pay as you go it's 1.5% plus 5p. The Essential plan, at £17.99 a month plus VAT, cuts that to 0.89% plus 3p. Premium is 0.69% plus 3p for £19.99 a month plus VAT on a 12 month contract. Tide has said its transaction and subscription fees will increase on 1 December 2026, so check its updated terms before you sign up.

Fee comparison on real numbers

For a business taking £3,000 a month at £20 a sale (150 sales), all on consumer debit:

At £8,000 a month and a £25 sale (320 sales):

We've added VAT to Tide's plans because most small businesses aren't VAT registered. SumUp's £19 is shown as published. On a small turnover the two are close. At higher volumes Tide Premium comes out cheapest, if you're happy with a 12 month contract and most of your customers pay by debit card. Try your own figures in our card fee calculator.

Small sales

Tide's fixed fee matters on small tickets. On a £3 coffee, SumUp takes 5p and Tide pay as you go takes 9.5p. If you sell lots of small items, SumUp is usually cheaper.

Hardware

Tide's reader prices drop on its subscription plans: on Premium the Card Reader is £29 and the Plus £49, both plus VAT.

Payouts

Both pay out the next day. SumUp says money arrives by 7am the next day when you use its business account. Tide lists next day settlement on its plans, though an older Tide help page mentions a £2.99 a month "next day settlement boost", so check what applies to your account.

Banking features

This is where they differ most.

• Tide is a full business current account with savings, invoicing, accounting tools and plans from free to £69.99 a month. The card reader is an add-on.
• SumUp has a free business account, but many users pay out to their existing bank instead.

If you want one app for banking and card payments, Tide is the more complete package. If you want to keep your current bank, SumUp is easier.

Pros and cons

SumUp

Pros - No fixed fee per transaction - Works with any bank account - Payments Plus is cheap above about £2,700 a month - Terminal with a printer available

Cons - Payment links cost 2.5% - Offline mode only for selected merchants

Tide

Pros - Banking and card payments together - Premium plan has the lowest rate here - Cheap readers on subscription plans

Cons - You need a Tide account - Fixed fees hurt on small sales - Published rates only cover consumer debit cards - Prices rising from 1 December 2026

Which suits your business?

• Café or food stall with small sales: SumUp, because there's no fixed fee on each payment.
• Hairdresser or beauty therapist with £30 to £80 bills: either works. Tide's subscription edges ahead if most clients pay by debit card.
• Tradesperson with big jobs: Tide Premium is cheapest on debit, but check the credit card rate, since bigger jobs often go on credit.
• Seasonal business: stick to pay as you go on either, so you're not paying a plan in quiet months.

Whichever you choose, check your statement after the first month and work out your real average rate. It's the quickest way to tell if the plan you picked is paying off.

Verdict

• Pick SumUp if you sell lots of small items, want to keep your current bank or need a printer.
• Pick Tide if you already bank with Tide, take more than about £2,900 a month on cards and mostly see debit cards.

Both are no contract on pay as you go, so you can try one and switch.

FAQs

Is SumUp or Tide cheaper?

On small sales and low volumes, SumUp is usually cheaper because it has no fixed fee. At higher volumes, Tide's subscription plans can be cheaper on debit cards.

Do I need a Tide bank account to use the Tide card reader?

Yes. Tide's card reader pays into your Tide business account.

Can I use SumUp with my own bank?

Yes. You can have SumUp payouts sent to any UK business bank account.

Does Tide charge more for credit cards?

Its published rates are for domestic consumer debit cards. Other card types are priced in Tide's terms and cost more.

Which has the better card reader?

SumUp has more choice, including a Terminal with a printer. Tide's readers have bigger touchscreens for the price.

Is there a contract with either?

Not on pay as you go. Tide's Premium plan has a 12 month contract. See our Tide review and SumUp review for more.