Zettle vs SumUp 2026: Fees and Features Compared
If you sell at markets, from a van or out of a small shop, it's probably Zettle or SumUp you're weighing up. Both cost under £30 to start and only charge when you sell. It usually comes down to two things: fees once you're busier, and whether you'd rather your money landed in PayPal or a SumUp account. We checked both UK pricing pages in October 2026.
Quick comparison table
| Zettle by PayPal (PayPal POS) | SumUp | |
|---|---|---|
| In person card fee | 1.75%, all major cards including Amex | 1.69%; 0.99% for domestic consumer cards with Payments Plus (£19 a month) |
| Monthly fee | £0 | £0, or £19 for Payments Plus |
| Entry reader | PayPal Reader £29 ex VAT (new users), extra readers £69 | Solo Lite £25 ex VAT |
| Standalone device | PayPal Terminal £149 ex VAT | Solo £79, Terminal £135 ex VAT |
| Payouts | PayPal Business account typically within minutes | SumUp Business Account by 7am next day, every day |
| Invoices and links | 2.5% (some products limited to older accounts) | Payment links and invoicing included; Invoices Plus £8 ex VAT |
| Contract | None | None |
Sources: zettle.com/gb/pricing and sumup.com/en-gb/pricing, checked October 2026.
Fees compared
Transaction fees
SumUp is cheaper at default rates (1.69% vs 1.75%). The gap is small at low volumes: £0.60 a month on £1,000.
| Monthly card takings | Zettle (1.75%) | SumUp PAYG (1.69%) | SumUp Payments Plus (0.99% + £19) |
|---|---|---|---|
| £1,000 | £17.50 | £16.90 | £28.90 |
| £3,000 | £52.50 | £50.70 | £48.70 |
| £5,000 | £87.50 | £84.50 | £68.50 |
| £10,000 | £175.00 | £169.00 | £118.00 |
Assumes UK domestic consumer cards. Amex is 1.75% on Zettle and 1.69% on SumUp on either plan.
Monthly costs
Neither charges a monthly fee on its basic plan. SumUp's optional plans are Payments Plus (£19), POS Plus (£39 ex VAT), Business Account Plus (£15 inc VAT) and Invoices Plus (£8 ex VAT). Zettle's POS app is included at no extra cost.
Hardware compared
Reader prices
SumUp's Solo Lite (£25 ex VAT) is slightly cheaper than the PayPal Reader (£29 ex VAT new user price), and SumUp's second reader costs the same as the first, whereas extra PayPal Readers cost £69 ex VAT. For a standalone device, SumUp Solo at £79 ex VAT undercuts the PayPal Terminal at £149, though the Terminal has a larger screen and built in POS app. SumUp's Terminal (£135 ex VAT) adds a printer and SIM.
Payouts and support
Settlement times
Zettle is fastest: funds typically land in PayPal within minutes, and transfers to your bank are free. SumUp pays into its Business Account by 7am the next day, including weekends.
Support
SumUp Payments Plus includes 24/7 priority support. Zettle support runs through PayPal's help channels.
Worked monthly cost examples
| Monthly card takings | Zettle (1.75%) | SumUp pay as you go (1.69%) | SumUp Payments Plus (0.99% + £19) |
|---|---|---|---|
| £2,000 | £35.00 | £33.80 | £38.80 |
| £10,000 | £175.00 | £169.00 | £118.00 |
| £30,000 | £525.00 | £507.00 | £316.00 |
Figures assume UK domestic consumer cards, checked October 2026.
At £2,000 a month, the difference between Zettle and SumUp pay as you go is £1.20 a month, so choose on features and payout preference.
At £10,000 a month, SumUp Payments Plus saves £57 a month (£684 a year) against Zettle.
At £30,000 a month, SumUp Payments Plus saves £209 a month (£2,508 a year) against Zettle on these assumptions. At this level, ask both for custom pricing: SumUp offers Tailored pricing from £10,000 a month, and PayPal says custom rates may be agreed at its discretion.
When Amex is common
Amex is 1.75% on Zettle and 1.69% on SumUp, including on Payments Plus. If a third of your takings are Amex, the Payments Plus saving shrinks by about a third.
Hardware over the first year
A single reader setup costs £29 ex VAT with Zettle (new users) and £25 ex VAT with SumUp. A three reader setup costs £29 + £69 + £69 = £167 ex VAT with Zettle, and three Solo Lites at £75 ex VAT with SumUp. For multi till shops, that gap matters.
Zettle vs SumUp for different businesses
Cafe
SumUp's Terminal with built in printer suits a counter. Zettle's Terminal pairs with a printer dock, sold separately. At typical cafe takings above £3,000 a month, SumUp Payments Plus is cheaper.
Market stall
Both are excellent. Zettle's fast access to funds in PayPal helps restocking; SumUp's next day payouts by 7am, even on Sundays, also suit weekend traders.
Hairdresser
Both handle card payments well. Neither includes full appointment booking in its basic plan, so salons may want a separate booking tool.
Trades
SumUp's standalone Solo is handy on site without a phone. Zettle's Reader needs a phone or tablet.
Taxi
Standalone devices are best, which favours SumUp Solo or Terminal, or the PayPal Terminal. See our guide to card readers for taxi drivers.
Setup and contract tips
- Use Tap to Pay while you wait. Both let you take contactless on your phone while your reader is in the post.
- Think about where your money goes. Zettle pays into PayPal, SumUp into its own Business Account. Pick the one that fits your bookkeeping.
- Review your volume quarterly. Once you pass about £3,000 a month, SumUp Payments Plus becomes cheaper than both pay as you go options.
- Check the PayPal rename. Zettle is becoming PayPal Point of Sale, so app names and statements may change.
Feature by feature
| Feature | Zettle (PayPal POS) | SumUp |
|---|---|---|
| Tap to Pay on phone | Yes, via PayPal POS app | Yes, via SumUp Business app |
| Free POS app | Yes: products, inventory, gift cards, staff tracking, real time reports | Yes, with POS Plus (£39 ex VAT a month) for advanced hospitality and retail tools |
| Business account | PayPal Business account | SumUp Business Account with Mastercard |
| Receipts printer | Printer dock for Terminal sold separately | Built into Terminal; printer bundles for Solo |
| Warranty and returns | Hardware terms apply | One year warranty, 30 day money back guarantee |
| Spread hardware cost | Not shown on pricing page | Terminal orders over £90 over up to 12 months |
| 0% fee option | No | 0% when customers pay with a SumUp personal card |
| Lower rate plan | Custom at PayPal's discretion | Payments Plus 0.99%; Tailored from £10,000 a month |
Sources: zettle.com/gb/pricing, sumup.com/en-gb/pricing and SumUp product pages, checked October 2026.
Day to day use
For most sellers, the biggest day to day difference is where your money sits. PayPal sellers like having online and in person takings in one balance that's available almost immediately. SumUp users get a predictable 7am next day payout into an account with its own Mastercard, which suits people who like to see yesterday's takings first thing.
Reporting and bookkeeping
Both apps show real time sales and let you export reports. If your accountant already reconciles PayPal for your online shop, Zettle keeps everything in one feed. If you keep a separate business bank account, both need a transfer step, but each offers free transfers to your bank.
Switching between them
Because neither has a contract, switching is simply a matter of buying the other provider's hardware, setting up your product list again and changing where payouts go. Run both side by side for a week if you can, so staff can get used to the new device before you stop using the old one. Remember that any refunds for past sales must be processed through the provider that took the original payment.
Which should you choose?
Choose Zettle if you already sell with PayPal, want instant access to takings, or want a capable free POS app with inventory and gift cards.
Choose SumUp if you want the lowest fees, plan to grow past about £3,000 a month, or need affordable standalone readers.
Read our full Zettle card reader review, SumUp card reader review and SumUp vs Square. For the full shortlist see the best card machines UK. Square users can compare with our Square card reader review.
FAQs
Is SumUp cheaper than Zettle?
Yes. SumUp charges 1.69% against Zettle's 1.75%, and 0.99% for domestic consumer cards on Payments Plus. Checked October 2026.
Which is faster, Zettle or SumUp?
Zettle pays into PayPal typically within minutes. SumUp pays by 7am the next day.
Do Zettle and SumUp have contracts?
No. Both work without contracts or monthly fees on their basic plans.
Is Zettle still available?
Yes. PayPal is renaming Zettle to PayPal Point of Sale, but the service and pricing continue.
Which has the cheaper card reader?
SumUp Solo Lite is £25 ex VAT; the PayPal Reader is £29 ex VAT for new users and £69 for extra readers.
Can I switch from Zettle to SumUp?
Yes. Neither has a contract, though you'll need SumUp hardware.
Which is better for multiple tills?
SumUp is cheaper for several readers, as extra PayPal Readers cost £69 ex VAT each.
Which is better for a market stall?
Both suit stalls. Choose Zettle for instant PayPal access, or SumUp for slightly lower fees.
Does Zettle or SumUp take Amex?
Both accept Amex. Zettle charges 1.75% and SumUp 1.69%, on any plan.
Do I need a phone for Zettle or SumUp?
Not if you choose a standalone device: the PayPal Terminal, SumUp Solo or SumUp Terminal. The PayPal Reader and SumUp Solo Lite pair with a phone.
Which pays out at weekends?
Both. Zettle funds reach PayPal typically within minutes, any day. SumUp pays by 7am the next day, including weekends and bank holidays.