One of the biggest decisions you can make for your business is which card machine to choose. While there are certainly many names that make the first page, SumUp and Square appear right at the top. Both are big names in the no-contract payment arena and provide sleek hardware, flat-rate transaction fees, and POS (point-of-sale) software free of charge. But which one will be better suited for your business in 2026?
This comparison of SumUp vs. Square covers everything from hardware and transaction fees to POS software and customer support. From the new entrepreneur to those who are considering scaling, this brief will assist you in making a confident, informed decision.
What Is SumUp?
Founded in 2012, SumUp is a fintech company headquartered in Berlin. After entering the UK market in late 2012, it quickly became one of the most popular card payment providers for small businesses and sole traders in the country.
Its underlying principle is simplicity. SumUp allows you to start accepting payments fast with low setup costs, no monthly fees, and no long-term contracts. Its card readers are small, cheap, and aimed at mobile businesses, market stalls, food trucks, freelancers, and pop-up shops.
SumUp has added invoicing, a free online store, a business bank account, and even a loyalty programme in recent years, all designed to give micro-businesses a more broad-based solution.
What Is Square?
Square started in the US in 2009 and came to the UK in 2017. Its parent company, Block, Inc., is known as a card table, but that’s not all it is; it has developed into an end-to-end payment solution for many small and medium-sized businesses.
Where Square really shines is the breadth and depth of its ecosystem. In addition to its hardware line-up, Square provides industry-specific POS software for retail, restaurants, and appointment-based businesses, together with advanced reporting, inventory management, staff controls, an online shop builder, and a marketplace with more than 100 third-party integrations.
Square is especially ideal for growing businesses that require a platform capable of scaling alongside them, from one countertop terminal to a multi-location operation.
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SumUp Vs Square: A Side-By-Side Comparison
Here’s a brief look at the key comparison factors between SumUp and Square:
| Feature | SumUp | Square |
|---|---|---|
|
Monthly Fee |
£0 (or £19/month for SumUp one) |
£0 |
|
Entry-Level Hardware Cost |
£25 + VAT |
£19 + VAT |
|
Transaction Fee |
1.69% |
1.75% Flat |
|
Online Transaction Fee |
2.5% |
1.4% + £0.25 |
|
Phone-In Fee |
2.95% + £0.25 |
2.5% |
|
Chargeback Fee |
£10/chargeback |
Free |
|
Contract Length |
No Contract |
No Contract |
|
Free POS Software |
Yes |
Yes |
|
EPOS System |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Free Online Store |
Yes |
Yes |
|
4G Connectivity |
Yes |
No |
|
Offline Payments |
Limited (device-dependent) |
Yes (most devices) |
|
Trustpilot Score |
3.1 |
4.2 |
|
App Integrations |
Limited |
100+ Apps |
SumUp Vs Square: Hardware Comparison
Both SumUp and Square have different card machines available to suit various customer needs, from entry-level Bluetooth readers to standalone handheld terminals. Here is how each SumUp and Square device compares against the other:
Entry-Level Card Readers: SumUp Solo Lite Vs Square Reader
Both the SumUp Solo Lite and the Square Reader are small Bluetooth card readers that connect to a smartphone or tablet app. They represent each provider’s cheapest option.
The cost of the SumUp Solo Lite is £25 + VAT (currently, a promotional offer of around £19 + VAT is active). It has a built-in touchscreen PIN pad, so customers enter their PIN right on the device instead of on your phone, which makes it safer and more professional.
The Square Reader costs around £19 + VAT. It is a little less expensive, though customers do enter their PIN on the merchant’s smartphone instead of the device. On the upside, Square Reader supports offline payments, which can make it the better option for sellers in areas with unstable connectivity.
| Feature | SumUp Solo Lite | Square Reader |
|---|---|---|
|
Price |
£25 + VAT (£19 Promotional) |
£19 + VAT |
|
Pin Entry |
Built-in touchscreen |
On merchant’s phone |
|
Connectivity |
Bluetooth |
Bluetooth |
|
Offline Mode |
No |
Yes |
|
Types Of Cards |
Contactless, Chip and Pin, Apply Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay |
Chip and Pin, Contactless, Apply Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay |
Final Verdict: The dedicated pin pad makes the SumUp Solo Lite a better experience for the customer, but the offline capability and lower price of the Square Reader make it a better choice.
Mid-Range Terminals: SumUp Solo Vs Square Terminal
Standalone card terminals don’t have to be paired with the phone. They are exceptionally well-suited for either fixed-counter work or mobile operation.
The SumUp Solo costs £79 plus VAT, or £139 plus VAT if it includes a built-in receipt printer. It works with 4G and WiFi, which suits mobile sellers and pop-up traders. However, it only allows access to transaction reporting, not the whole SumUp EPOS system.
Square Terminal has a standard in-built printer and costs £149 + VAT. Importantly, it provides full access to Square’s POS software, which means it works as a fully featured all-in-one business tool. It connects over Wifi or Ethernet but lacks 4G.
| Feature | SumUp Solo | Square Terminal |
|---|---|---|
|
Price |
£79 + VAT (£139 with printer) |
£149 + VAT |
|
Built-In Printer |
Optional |
Yes |
|
Connectivity |
Wi-Fi and 4G |
Wi-Fi and Ethernet |
|
Complete Access EPOS |
No (transaction reports only) |
Yes |
Final Verdict: The Square Terminal has a better overall value proposition for most businesses, thanks to full EPOS access and an inbuilt printer. SumUp Solo is more suited for those who require 4G connectivity on the go.
Mobile EPOS Models: SumUp Terminal and Square Handheld
In 2025, both providers revealed new handheld EPOS devices. These are full-blown business terminals that integrate card payment processing with point-of-sale software in a package you can move around.
The SumUp Terminal costs £135 + VAT (currently £99 + VAT as a special offer). These include 4G connectivity, a built-in receipt printer, and a camera, making the device highly versatile for table service, mobile selling, and delivery operations.
Square Handheld will cost you £169 + VAT (currently £143.65 + VAT due to a promotion). Features include a barcode scanner and offline mode, but no built-in printer or 4G.
| Feature | SumUp Terminal | Square Handheld |
|---|---|---|
|
Price |
£135 + VAT (£99 promotional) |
£169 + VAT (£143.65 promotional) |
|
4G Connectivity |
Yes |
No (WiFi only) |
|
Built-In Printer |
Yes |
No |
|
Barcode Scanner |
No |
Yes |
|
Offline Mode |
No |
Yes |
Final Verdict: If you need 4G and on-device receipt printing, the SumUp Terminal wins. The Square Handheld is aimed at retailers who depend heavily on barcode scanning and can forgo a built-in printer.
SumUp Vs Square: Pricing And Transaction Fees
Pricing is one of the key points of comparison between SumUp and Square. Both operate on a flat-rate fee structure with no monthly contracts, but the rates vary based on your selling method.
In-Person Transaction Fees
SumUp’s transactions are charged at a flat 1.69% for in-person payments. If you join SumUp One (£19/month), the transaction fee comes down to 0.99%, which can be a huge saving for high-volume businesses.
Square charges a flat 1.75%/in-person transaction, regardless of which plan you’re on. Although the difference is slight, SumUp comes out on top here, especially if you are processing many face-to-face payments.
Online and Remote Payment Fees
Square is the clear winner for online payments. It also undercuts SumUp’s relatively pricey rate for UK card purchases via its website or payment links (1.4% + £0.25), the industry average being 2.5%.
If you’re using either for phone or keyed-in payments, Square charges 2.5%, and SumUp takes 2.95% + £0.25, which makes it the least attractive option for those payment methods as well when compared to Square.
Monthly Fees and Subscription Plans
SumUp is free to use, by default. The SumUp One subscription costs £19 per month and reduces both in-person and online transaction fees to 0.99%. This makes it more economical for businesses who process more than about £22,000 a month card payments.
Square also has a free tier. Paid plans are £20/month for Square for Retail Plus or Square for Restaurants Plus and up to £64/month for the Premium tier, which also reduces online transaction fees.
Chargeback and Refund Fees
And this is where Square has a distinct edge. Square doesn’t impose fees for chargebacks, which is a huge saving in industries that are more susceptible to payment disputes, such as travel, hospitality, or subscriptions. In contrast, SumUp charges £10 per chargeback.
Both retain the original transaction fee when refunding, which is considered the industry standard.
Overall Price Point Verdict: SumUp is cheaper for in-person selling, while if you’re selling online and if chargebacks are an issue for your business, then Square is less expensive and a better deal.
Want to learn more about the cost of card machines? Then see our guide: How Much Does Card Machine Cost? Rates & Fees Explained (2026 Guide)
SumUp Vs Square: POS Software and EPOS Features
While SumUp does provide free POS software to accompany its hardware, it’s not that great as compared to that of Square.
Free POS App and Software
SumUp’s free POS app is neat and simple. It covers the fundamentals, such as product catalogues, sales logging, and basic reporting. This software solution is best for businesses that do not require much complex functionality.
Square’s free POS app includes a much more extensive feature list, from detailed inventory and customer profiles to staff permissions and multi-location support, all within the free plan.
Inventory and Reporting
Square’s inventory handling is much more granular than that of SumUp. You can set low-stock alerts, manage variants, and track inventory across multiple locations. Its reporting dashboard is also impressive, providing sales breakdowns by product, employee, and time period.
Reporting with SumUp has become increasingly better in the last few years, but it is still relatively basic and focuses largely on sales totals, transaction history, and easy-to-understand product insights.
Industry-Specific EPOS Plans
Square has the following three dedicated EPOS systems: Square for Retail, Square for Restaurants, and Square Appointments. All are packed with industry-specific features. Square for Restaurants, for example, includes table management, modifiers, split billing, and kitchen display system support, all in the free tier.
SumUp supports retail and hospitality use cases, but no appointments-based EPOS. However, it is exceptionally beneficial for takeaway businesses with a dedicated kiosk mode and allergen display functionality that Square currently lacks.
Integrations
Square’s app marketplace connects with more than 100 third-party applications, including Xero, QuickBooks, Shopify, WooCommerce, and others. That makes it simple to quickly build a connected business tech stack.
SumUp’s integrations are more limited, which is less than ideal for businesses looking to connect their payment system with accounting software or e-commerce platforms.
EPOS Verdict: Square steals the show for POS software. SumUp is better for businesses that want something straightforward to get up and running and use without any hassle.
SumUp vs Square: Customer Support Comparison
| Support Channel | SumUp | Square |
|---|---|---|
|
Phone Support |
Yes (pay-per-use) |
Yes (priority for paid plans) |
|
Email Support |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Live Chat |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Help Centre |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Trustpilot Score |
3.1 |
4.2 |
SumUp and Square both offer multi-channel customer support via telephone, email, and live chat. However, we found Square performed markedly better on Trustpilot, 4.2 (Square) over 3.1 (SumUp), indicating that customers are generally more satisfied about the quality and responsiveness of the support team at Square than they are for SumUp.
Square also provides paid plans and advanced hardware like the Square Terminal or Square Register with dedicated 24/7 priority support.
Support Verdict: Square has an edge when it comes to customer satisfaction. While both provide decent support for most businesses, Square has the edge with its higher Trustpilot score.
Who Should Choose SumUp?
If your business falls within one of these profiles, we believe SumUp is the right choice:
1. Sole Traders and Micro-Businesses: SumUp’s low hardware cost, easy setup, and helpful pricing are perfect if you’re starting up or running a very small business.
2. Mobile and Outdoor Sellers: SumUp is ideal for market traders, pop-up shops, food trucks, and anyone who sells on the go with 4G-enabled terminals.
3. Seasonal Businesses: Because there’s no monthly commitment, you can pick up and set down the service as required, which is perfect for Christmas markets, summer outings, or kiosks that are seasonal.
4. High In-Person Sales Volume Businesses: If you run a business with many face-to-face transactions, SumUp One’s 0.99% rate can go significant lengths to saving your time and money over the long term.
5. Restaurants (takeaway): With its kiosk mode and allergen display, SumUp has diversified itself strongly for takeaway and fast-food operators.
Who Should Choose Square?
Square is a better choice if your business requires more from its payment platform.
1. Growing Businesses: Square’s advanced functions, such as multi-location management, robust reporting, and staff controls, let you grow with your business as it scales.
2. Full-Service Restaurants: Table management and split billing, plus support for modifiers and kitchen display systems, make Square for Restaurants a must-have tool for sit-down dining.
3. Multi-Location Retailers: Efficiently handle hundreds of locations from one Square dashboard; this capability is something SumUp simply cannot match.
4. Omnichannel sellers: If you sell both in person and online, Square’s lower online fees (1.4% + 0.25) and more sophisticated e-commerce tools help it win in this aspect.
5. Businesses Likely To Receive Chargebacks: With Square, you pay nothing when a chargeback happens for you. This approach can be a particularly effective way to save your bottom line from becoming depleted in industries where disputes run rampant.
SumUp vs Square: Which One Is Better? Our Verdict
Here’s our verdict after comparing SumUp vs. Square across four essentials: hardware, pricing, software, and support.
So overall, Square wins. It provides a more capable and future-friendly platform with the best EPOS features, leading online payment rates, greater integrations, and higher customer satisfaction scores. If your business is scalable or if you need a full-scale toolkit, Square is indeed the smarter long-term investment.
SumUp is the clear front-runner for simplicity and in-person savings. Its lower in-person transaction fees, 4G-enabled hardware, and no-fuss set-up make it the best choice for sole traders, micro-businesses, mobile sellers, or anyone who wants to take payments as soon as possible with minimal complication.
In short: If you’re a small or new business selling mostly face-to-face, SumUp is difficult to beat. If you are scaling, selling on multiple channels, or demand robust software features, go for Square.
If you want to learn more about card machine options, then see our guide: Best Card Machine Providers UK
Find The Best Card Machine Providers With ComparedBusiness UK
Unsure if SumUp or Square would work for your business? Use ComparedBusiness UK to conveniently compare the top card machine providers in the UK side by side and find your best deal without any guesswork.
We partner with top payment providers across the UK to deliver you free, bespoke quotes that suit your unique business requirements. So whether you process ten transactions a week or ten thousand, we can help you find a more cost-effective solution that prevents any bumps in the payment road.
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FAQs
It depends on your needs. SumUp is really for very small businesses, sole traders, and mobile sellers who want a low-cost, straightforward solution. If you own a growing small business that requires more advanced features, such as sophisticated reporting, inventory management, or industry-specific POS tools, then Square is a better fit.
Square accepts offline payments on most of its hardware, including both Square Reader and Square Terminal. SumUp is more limited when it comes to offline capabilities; its stand-alone terminals equipped with 4G can continue processing, while Bluetooth-only readers usually become useless without an internet connection.
For full-service restaurants, Square has features like invoices for table management, split billing, modifiers, and kitchen display system support on its free plan. SumUp, however, has advantages for takeaways with a kiosk mode and allergen display functionality that Square doesn’t currently have.
