If you’re a UK small business owner wondering whether to go for SumUp vs iZettle (now officially branded as Zettle by PayPal), you are not in the minority. These two card readers are among the most popular options chosen by businesses that want a straightforward, low-cost way to take payments, with no long-term contracts or complicated contracts.
Both provide pay-as-you-go pricing, free POS software, and compact card readers that plug into a smartphone or tablet. However, there are notable differences that may make one a better fit for your business than the other.
In this guide, we’ve compared SumUp vs iZettle (Zettle) on pricing, hardware, features, ease of use, payment methods, customer support, and lots more so you can feel confident in your choice for your business.
Key takeaways
1. SumUp Wins Overall: It has a lower transaction fee (1.69% vs 1.75%), a wider hardware range, and better scalability for growing businesses.
2. Both Work On Pay-As-You-Go Model: There are no monthly contracts on either base plan, making both ideal for new and seasonal businesses.
3. Zettle Is The Easier Option: Its clean, minimal interface makes it the best choice for pop-ups, food trucks, and first-time card-reader users.
4. SumUp Suits Growing Businesses: Its Payments Plus (£19/month) and POS Pro (£49/month) plans unlock advanced features for retail and hospitality.
5. iZettle Is Rebranded as Zettle by PayPal: After PayPal’s acquisition in 2018, iZettle was renamed to Zettle, but the core product remained largely the same.
6. Zettle’s PayPal Integration Is A Standout Advantage: Sellers already using PayPal can receive payments into their balance almost instantly.
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SumUp Vs iZettle: A Quick Side-By-Side Comparison
Below is a broad overview of how SumUp and iZettle (Zettle) stack up against each other in all the critical areas:
| Feature | SumUp | Zettle |
|---|---|---|
|
Transaction Fee |
1.69% |
1.75% |
|
Entry-Level Card Reader |
£22.50 + VAT |
£29 + VAT |
|
Monthly Fee |
None |
None |
|
Contract |
No Contract |
No Contract |
|
Payout Time |
1 to 3 Business Days |
1 to 2 Business Days |
|
Free Plan |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Standalone Terminal Option |
Yes (SumUp Solo, SumUp Terminal) |
Yes (PayPal Terminal) |
|
Advanced PoS Features |
Yes (paid upgrade) |
Limited |
|
Accounting Integrations |
Xero, QuickBooks and Sage |
Xero and Quickbooks |
|
Commerce Integration Fee |
Free online store with limited features |
Shopify, WooCommerce and BigCommerce |
|
Works Abroad |
Yes (with support) |
UK only |
|
Best For |
Growing businesses, retail and cafes |
Pop-ups, mobile traders and startups |
Want to learn more about the best card machines in the UK? Then see our guide: Best Card Machine Providers UK
SumUp Vs iZettle: Price and Fee Comparison
It’s no surprise that pricing is usually the first thing business owners check out when comparing card reader providers. Even the smallest difference in transaction fees compounds significantly over a long period of time.
Transaction Fees
On its free pay-as-you-go plan, SumUp charges 1.69% of every in-person transaction. Zettle charges 1.75% per transaction. Though the difference seems slight, it can accumulate to significance at larger volumes. On £10,000 of monthly card sales, for instance, SumUp would cost you £169 in fees compared with Zettle, resulting in a saving of £6 a month or £72 a year.
SumUp also has a Payments Plus plan available at £19/month, reducing the transaction fee to just 0.99%, a major saving for businesses taking on higher volumes.
Hardware Costs
With its entry-level SumUp Air card reader priced at just over £22.50 + VAT (plus discount options), it’s one of the cheapest card readers available on the market. The equivalent device from Zettle, the PayPal Reader (previously Zettle Reader 2), is priced at around £29 + VAT.
Both providers have new options for advanced terminals. If you want more choice, SumUp’s Solo (£71 + VAT), Solo and Printer (£98 + VAT) and Terminal (£121.50 + VAT) are also options. The PayPal Terminal from Zettle is pricier and starts at £149 + VAT, but comes with a SIM card for mobile connectivity.
Monthly Fees And Contracts
SumUp and Zettle don’t require monthly contracts on their low-level plans. They are both true pay-as-you-go, making them great for seasonal businesses, markets stallholders, and start-ups. SumUp has paid tiers (Payments Plus and POS Pro) for businesses that need more complexity, while Zettle sticks to one simple free software tier.
Final Verdict: SumUp: lowest transaction fee, more affordable entry-level hardware and optional low-cost plans for growth.
Want to learn more about the cost of card machines in the UK? Then see our guide: How Much Does Card Machine Cost? Rates & Fees Explained (2026 Guide)
SumUp Vs iZettle: Card Readers and Hardware Comparison
Here is the breakdown of the hardware range of both SumUp and Zettel:
SumUp Hardware Range
SumUp has quickly expanded its original suite of hardware options over the past few years, giving businesses a more comprehensive choice:
- SumUp Air: A small and light Bluetooth card reader that connects to any smartphone or tablet. Ideal for mobile use.
- SumUp Solo: A standalone terminal with a touchscreen that connects via WiFi or a built-in SIM card; no phone required.
- SumUp Solo and Printer: The Solo and a printing and charging cradle. Low-cost receipt-printing terminals.
- SumUp Terminal: SumUp’s full-featured smart POS terminal with a large touchscreen, built-in receipt printer, and a comprehensive POS app.
- SumUp POS Lite: A 13-inch HD countertop display along with a card reader; the system is good for fixed retail or hospitality environments.
Zettle Hardware Range
Zettle’s hardware offering is more specialised:
- PayPal Reader (formerly Zettle Reader 2): A pocket-size card reader that pairs with an iPhone, iPad, or Android device via Bluetooth.
- PayPal Terminal: A smartphone-sized stand-alone POS terminal with a large touchscreen, built-in SIM card and receipt printer dock (optional). With an integrated barcode scanner available.
One of the things that Zettle has going for it is its iPad-based POS setup; the app can be used on something like an iPad Pro or Air as a countertop till.
Both providers have their accessories, such as receipt printers, cash drawers, and barcode scanners. This is where SumUp has a small advantage with more third-party integrations.
Final Verdict: SumUp has more terminals to fit all sorts of businesses and budgets.
ComparedBusiness UK can help you compare a wide hardware range of SumUp and Zettle side-by-side to help you choose the best card machine provider.
SumUp Vs iZettle: Software And Features Comparison
Now let’s take a look at the features that both SumUp and Zettle offer:
Free Plan Features (Both)
On their free plans, both have a strong set of features included:
- Product library and catalogue management.
- Sales reports and transaction history.
- Digital invoicing.
- Gift card creation and acceptance.
- Tap to Pay on iPhone and Android.
- Customer discounts.
SumUp’s Advanced Features
SumUp’s paid plans, such as the Payments Plus (£19/month) and POS Pro (£49/month), open up a far richer set of tools:
- Table organisation and floor plan customisation.
- Real-time cash flow overview.
- Kitchen display system (KDS) support.
- Sophisticated employee management and staff logins.
- Stock alerts and ingredient tracking for inventory management.
- Multi-store support.
- QR code and mobile ordering.
- SumUp Bookings: customer notes and auto-confirmations for appointment scheduling.
- Built-in email marketing.
- Customisable loyalty programme.
Zettle’s Software Features
Zettle’s software is free, well-designed, and truly user-friendly. It provides the essential features such as:
- Clean, simple POS interface, which is speedy and easy to navigate.
- Inventory tracking with barcode scanning.
- Fast addition of products and application of discounts.
- Gift card creation (physical and digital).
- Customer loyalty programme (free add-on).
- Basic sales analytics.
The only area where Zettle is lacking is in its advanced tools. It does not have an internal floor plan for restaurant settings, offers very little in terms of cost versus profit management, has no kitchen display system, and supports zero multi-store functionality. Since its acquisition by PayPal, Zettle has released fewer new features than SumUp.
Integrations
- SumUp offers Xero, QuickBooks, and Sage integrations for accounting.
- Zettle natively integrates with Xero and QuickBooks, and through the PayPal ecosystem, it connects with Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce for e-commerce.
Final Verdict: SumUp offers much more in its plans, particularly for growing retail and hospitality businesses.
SumUp Vs iZettle: Payment Methods Accepted
Both SumUp and Zettle support a long list of payment types: all major credit and debit cards, as well as popular digital wallets.
- Visa, Visa Electron, V Pay
- Mastercard, Maestro
- American Express
- UnionPay, Diners Club, JCB, Discover
- Apple Pay and Google Pay
The only difference is that Zettle’s PayPal Reader also supports Samsung Pay, while SumUp does not.
When it comes to remote payments, SumUp is the best option. Its services include a virtual terminal (for payments made over the phone), payments via links, QR code payments, and a basic online store, all managed from the SumUp app.
The Zettle rebranding has made it more difficult for merchants to accept payments remotely, as invoicing and QR codes are now only available through PayPal’s app instead of having direct access from Zettle.
Final Verdict: It is a draw for in-person payments. But, when it comes to versatility in remote and online payments, SumUp takes the win.
SumUp Vs iZettle: Payout And Settlement Time Comparison
Getting paid fast is critical, particularly for small businesses with restricted cash flow. Here’s how the two compare:
SumUp: The funds are transferred to your business account in 1 to 3 working days. Sign up for free for a SumUp business account and get access to next-day payouts, even on the weekend. SumUp will also issue you with a prepaid Mastercard debit card attached to your SumUp account, which is available for use soon after a transaction has settled.
Zettle: Payouts typically take 1 to 2 working days, which is about a day faster than SumUp’s standard time. For a PayPal user, receiving transactions in their PayPal balance can be quite instant, which is especially useful for users already locked into the ecosystem.
Final Verdict: Zettle wins for its instant payout to the bank account. Use SumUp if you need weekend payouts through the SumUp Business Account.
SumUp Vs iZettle: Customer Support Comparison
Almost all of the troubleshooting steps can be done without ever having to contact customer service, but if something does go wrong with your card reader, you want and need dependable support quickly. Here’s what both providers offer:
SumUp Support: In-app support, phone, email, live chat, and an online knowledge base. SumUp also has a training mode, so you can demo the system and on-board new team members without processing any live transactions, a genuinely useful feature for businesses that experience high staff turnover.
Zettle Support: By phone, email, live chat, in-app support (supported by video tutorials) and social media. Social media channels also help users reach Zettle for short informal enquiries.
Both providers have strong help centres. In independent testing, SumUp’s knowledge base was a little more comprehensive and user-friendly, while Zettle’s human-led live chat was faster.
Final Verdict: SumUp has a slight edge due to its training mode and depth of knowledge base, while Zettle’s human live chat and social media support are real highlights.
Which Is Better For Your Business: SumUp Vs Zettle
Confused about which one is suitable for you? This table can help you find the best fit for your line of business:
| Business Type | Recommendation Choice | Reason |
|---|---|---|
|
Mobile Market Trader |
SumUp Air or Zettle Portable |
They are affordable and offer no contract |
|
Pop-Up Shops Or Event Stalls |
Zettle |
Helps you create a quick, iPad-optimised setup with no monthly commitment |
|
Small Retail Store |
SumUp |
Improved inventory tools and scalability |
|
Cafe or Coffee Shop |
SumUp |
Offers great table management and staff features |
|
Restaurant |
SumUp |
It offers advanced floor plan, employee management, and kitchen display features |
|
Food Truck |
Zettle |
Easy, portable use |
|
Growing Multi-Location Business |
SumUp |
It has multi-store advanced features |
|
Budget-Friendly Startups |
Zettle |
Free tier, low starting hardware cost |
SumUp Vs iZettle: Pros and Cons
Now let’s take a look at the pros and cons of both SumUp and Zettle.
SumUp Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
Reduced transaction fee (1.69% instead of 1.75%) |
The POS Pro plan is pricey, starting at £49/month |
|
Broader choice of hardware to fit any type of business |
Advanced features come at an additional charge over the monthly plan |
|
Robust paid tiers (Payment Plus and POS Pro) |
The back-office dashboard can take time to load at times |
|
Instant deposits to your SumUp Business Account |
Current plans on POS lack bill-splitting features |
|
Functions across Europe: excellent for companies that operate internationally |
|
|
Offers remote payment (virtual terminal, pay link, and online store) |
|
|
Staff training mode for seamless onboarding |
|
|
Connects to Xero, QuickBooks, and Sage |
|
Zettle Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
The design is clean and simple, making it very intuitive and easy to use |
Slightly higher transaction fee (1.75%) |
|
No paywall, fully free POS software |
Offers no restaurant features, such as floor plans or table management |
|
Human-staffed live chat support |
No kitchen display screen support |
|
Integrates with Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce through PayPal |
No advanced inventory and cost management tools |
|
Creation and acceptance of physical gift cards |
The PayPal acquisition has slowed feature development |
|
PayPal integration allows instant payouts |
Reduced number of remote payment options after rebranding |
|
Social media customer support |
Only valid in the UK, not usable abroad |
|
Disputes under £250/month qualify for chargeback protection |
No multi-store support |
Which One Is Better: SumUp Vs iZettle: Our Verdict
Based on the overall comparisons made between SumUp vs iZettle (Zettle) in each category, we can ultimately determine that SumUp is a better option for the majority of businesses across England in 2026.
SumUp wins on transaction fees, hardware choices, software depth, scalability, and remote payments. If you act as a retail shop, cafe, restaurant, or even any growing business that wants to grow, SumUp gives you more space to grow without switching providers.
That said, Zettle is not a flimsy option; it’s absolutely excellent for what it does. If you’re just starting out, operating a pop-up or looking to keep your setup as simple as possible without any technical learning curve whatsoever, Zettle’s intuitive interface and free software are impossible to overlook. PayPal integration is also a winner for sellers that are already familiar with its ecosystem.
Choose SumUp If: You are looking for lower fees, a greater choice of hardware, advanced POS features and room to grow.
Choose Zettle (iiZettle) If: You prefer the easiest setup, free software and a lightweight solution for mobile or temporary businesses.
If you are keen to learn more about how SumUp compares with Square, then see our guide: SumUp vs Square: Price, Features and Hardware Comparison 2026
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FAQs
Yes. PayPal purchased iZettle in 2018 and rebranded it to Zettle. The product is not different; Zettle is just the new name. People and searchers still refer to it as iZettle, so you will often see both used interchangeably.
Yes, slightly. SumUp’s fee per in-person transaction is 1.69%, whereas Zettle charges 1.75%. The SumUp entry-level card reader is also less expensive. For larger volumes of transactions, SumUp’s Payments Plus plan (£19/month) reduces the fee further to just 0.99%.
Yes. Because Zettle is a PayPal-owned product, it connects directly to your PayPal business account. You’ll be able to receive payments into your PayPal balance nearly instantly and manage transactions for both platforms.
