Teya vs Square: Card Machine Comparison For 2026

Teya and Square both target small businesses, especially in hospitality and retail, but they sell very differently. Square publishes one flat rate and lets you sign up in minutes. Teya gives you a quote, signs you up through a sales team and promises fast payouts, including at weekends.

So which should you pick? It mostly comes down to how much you take on cards, whether you're happy to negotiate, and how much you care about getting paid on a Sunday. Here's the comparison, checked October 2026.

At a glance

Pricing

Square

Square is simple. Every in person card payment costs 1.75%, whatever the card type, with an extra 1.5% on cards issued outside the UK. There's no monthly fee for the basic point of sale and no contract. You know exactly what you'll pay before you sign up.

Teya

Teya doesn't publish standard rates on its UK site. You get a quote based on your business, turnover and card mix. Teya pays you out next day if you use its business account. If you'd rather your money went to another bank, Teya says that costs an extra 0.10%.

Because there's no public price, we can't say Teya is cheaper or dearer. What we can say is how to compare:

1. Get a written quote showing every rate by card type, and any monthly fees.
2. Ask about contract length, cancellation terms and any terminal fees.
3. Take your last month's card statement and work out what each provider would have charged.
4. Put the numbers into our card fee calculator as a custom provider.

As a rule of thumb, quote based providers tend to get competitive as turnover grows. If you take a few thousand pounds a month, Square's 1.75% is hard to argue with because there's nothing to negotiate. If you take tens of thousands, a quote is worth getting.

Payouts

Teya says it pays out the next day, including weekends, when you use the Teya Business Account. That's a genuine plus for pubs, restaurants and cafés, whose busiest days are Friday to Sunday and who would otherwise wait until Monday or Tuesday for weekend takings.

Square says free transfers reach your bank in one to two working days, so weekend takings usually land early in the week. You can pay a fee for an instant transfer, up to £3,500 a day.

Hardware

Square sells its hardware outright, from the Square Reader to the Square Terminal at £149 and Square Register for counters. You own it, and there's nothing to return.

Teya provides terminals as part of its package. Ask how they're charged and what happens to them if you leave.

Software

Square's free point of sale is the main reason many small businesses choose it. It covers items, stock, staff, customers and reports, and there are paid versions for restaurants, retail and appointments. Square Appointments, for example, has a free plan, with Plus at £29 a month and Premium at £69.

Teya has its own point of sale and says it connects with more than 200 EPOS systems. That makes it a good fit if you already use a till system you like and just want card payments to slot in.

Funding

Teya says its cash advances go up to £500,000, repaid from your card takings. Square says sellers who process with it can become eligible for a loan of up to £200,000, repaid within 18 months. With any advance based on card sales, check the total cost before you accept, because it's often higher than a bank loan.

A worked comparison

Say your café takes £12,000 a month on cards. At Square's 1.75%, that's £210 a month, or £2,520 a year. For Teya to save you money, its quote would need to come in below that once every fee is added up, including any terminal charge and the extra 0.10% if you keep your own bank.

If Teya quoted, for example, an all in cost of 1.4%, you'd pay £168 a month and save £42. That's £504 a year, but only if the quote holds and there are no extra monthly fees. Ask for the quote to show every charge, then do this sum yourself. These figures are illustrations, not Teya's prices.

Switching between them

Moving from Square to Teya is mostly paperwork: sign up, receive a terminal and keep your Square hardware as a backup if you like. Moving from Teya to Square depends on your contract terms, so check the notice period and whether you need to return the terminal. Our guide to switching has a checklist.

Pros and cons

Teya

Pros - Weekend payouts with its business account - Works with over 200 EPOS systems - Pricing can be negotiated as you grow - Large cash advances available

Cons - No published prices - Sales led sign up - Extra 0.10% if you pay out to another bank - You need to check contract and terminal terms carefully

Square

Pros - One published flat rate - Sign up online in minutes - Free, powerful point of sale software - Own your hardware, no contract

Cons - 1.75% can be beaten at higher volumes - Free transfers take one to two working days - Overseas cards cost 1.5% extra

Who each suits

• New and small businesses: Square. Clear pricing and no commitment.
• Busy pubs and restaurants with big weekend trade: Teya is worth a quote for the weekend payouts.
• Businesses with an existing EPOS: Teya, if your system is on its integration list.
• Anyone who hates sales calls: Square.

Verdict

Square wins on clarity, software and ease. Teya wins on payout speed and can win on price for busier venues, but you'll only know once you get a quote. Our advice is to start with Square's 1.75% as your benchmark and ask Teya to beat it in writing. For more, read our Teya review, our Square review and our Dojo vs Teya comparison.

FAQs

Is Teya cheaper than Square?

It depends on your quote. Teya doesn't publish rates. Square charges 1.75% for in person payments. Get a written quote from Teya and compare it with your real card mix.

Does Teya pay out at weekends?

Teya says it pays out next day including weekends when you use the Teya Business Account.

Do I need a Teya bank account?

No, but Teya charges an extra 0.10% if you choose to be paid into another bank.

Is there a contract with Square?

No. You buy the hardware and pay 1.75% per in person payment.

Can Teya work with my existing till?

Teya says it integrates with more than 200 EPOS systems. Check yours is on the list.

Which is better for restaurants?

Both have restaurant tools. Teya's weekend payouts help venues with busy weekends, while Square for Restaurants is strong on software.