Compare SumUp card readers

In need of a card reader for your business and not sure where to start? Check out our review on the SumUp card machines.

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SumUp

The SumUp range

5 of 5 results
Updated regularly
Initial cost Monthly cost Transaction cost Contract Networks Key benefits
SumUp Virtual Terminal image
SumUp Virtual Terminal
Subject to status
£0
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SumUp Solo image
SumUp Solo
£79
£0
1.69%
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SumUp Terminal image
SumUp Terminal
£135
£0
1.69%
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SumUp Solo Lite image
SumUp Solo Lite
£25
£0
1.69%
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SumUp Tap to Pay image
SumUp Tap to Pay
£0
£0
1.69%
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Compare other card readers

5 of 46 results
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Initial cost Monthly cost Transaction cost Contract Networks Key benefits
Subject to status
£12.99
0.79% + 9p
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£99.83
£0
1.75%
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Barclaycard Payments Flex Mobile
£0
£15 + VAT*
Subject to status
18 months
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Worldpay Mobile image
Worldpay Mobile
£0
£22.50
1.5%
18 months
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New customers only: £1 monthly terminal rental for the first 12 months. T&Cs apply.
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takepaymentsplus
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Subject to status
Subject to status
12 month
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Card readers, sometimes referred to as “card machines” or “card terminals”, offer a quick and easy way for customers to use their payment cards.

SumUp (launched in 2012) is a popular card machine brand used by over 4 million businesses globally.

When considering what card reader would work best for your business, it is important to look at all the features available. Is there a contactless function? As of December 2025, contactless payments accounted for 67% of all credit card and 76% of all debit card transactions. It is wise to look at card machines that offer this function so you don’t miss out on any key sales. Use our handy table to compare SumUp’s card readers.

More about SumUp card readers

Below are the key features for each of the SumUp card readers:

SumUp Solo Lite

  • Upfront cost of £25 plus VAT
  • No fixed contract
  • Makes up to 1,000 sales a day on a full charge
  • Light and travel-friendly, perfect for on-the-go sales
  • 1.69% transaction fee (2.5% if card is not present)
  • Needs to connect to a phone or tablet
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

SumUp Solo

  • Upfront cost of £79 plus VAT
  • No fixed contract
  • Makes up to 100 sales on a full charge
  • 1.69% transaction fee (2.5% if card is not present)
  • Needs to connect to a phone or tablet
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

SumUp Tap to Pay

  • No upfront cost
  • No fixed contract
  • No monthly cost
  • 1.69% transaction fee
  • No card reader needed, just your iPhone

SumUp Terminal

  • Upfront cost of £135 plus VAT
  • No fixed contract
  • Battery lasts all day
  • 1.69% transaction fee (2.5% if card is not present)
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

    • Pricing and contracts

    SumUp offers 2 different pricing options for its fees:

    Pay-as-you-goPayments Plus
    Monthly subscription£0 – No monthly charges or contracts are included.£19 – Discounts on fees and hardware are available, and the subscription can be cancelled at any time.
    In-person payments1.69% transaction fee0.99% transaction fee
    Digital payments2.5% transaction fee2.5% transaction fee

    How to order a SumUp card machine

    After you have researched and chosen the best card reader for you or your business, you can start the application process.

    To apply for a SumUp card reader, head over to SumUp's online application, which takes 10-15 minutes to complete. Once your application is accepted, your card reader will be couriered to you.

    Pros and cons of SumUp card readers

    Pros

    • Accepts a wide range of networks
    • Machines can be docked or used on the go
    • Ability to print receipts on some devices
    • Works in conjunction with the free SumUp app
    • No contracts
    • 30-day money-back guarantee
    • 12-month warranty period

    Cons

    • Transaction fees apply
    • Longer settlement period of payments compared to rivals
    • Tap to Pay is only compatible with iPhones

    Our verdict

    The SumUp card readers are a popular option among merchants and we can see why. With a few machines to choose from, ranging in price, you can use the SumUp card readers on the go or docked into your professional set-up, ideal for a variety of businesses.

    On the whole, SumUp customers rave about the quick and simple set-up and use of the machines, but there are some who have also raised concerns about the reliability of the app software.

    When comparing SumUp to rivals, the SumUp card readers tend to have lower transaction costs and sit in the middle of the price spectrum. However, they do have a longer settlement period of payments than most, who seem to pay out within 1–2 working days. That can be reduced to the next day if you also have a SumUp business bank account.

    Overall, SumUp offers a great variety of card readers for small-medium businesses. Which machine you choose to go for really depends on your business’s needs. You can use our handy guide to compare a range of card machines and make an informed decision.

    SumUp customer reviews

    SumUp has good reviews from customers, according to customer review sites like Trustpilot, the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.

    It currently has a TrustPilot rating of 4.2 out of 5, based on over 60,000 reviews. On the Apple App Store, SumUp has a rating of 4.6 out of 5, based on around 14,000 ratings. Over on the Google Play Store, it scores 4.8 out of 5 from 145,000 reviews. These are all correct as of October 2026.

    Frequently asked questions

    Our “Best for” picks highlight top options in specific categories based on our independent evaluation (see our full methodology), while “Promoted” tags indicate sponsored placements. Selected products may not suit everyone. We track selected market offers, which may not cover every product. Products are listed in no particular order unless specified, and inclusion or ordering may be influenced by popularity or commercial agreements. Most comparison table data is provided by Defaqto or sourced directly from providers. Always evaluate your own circumstances and consider independent advice before making major financial decisions.
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Emily Herring is a Publisher at Finder specialising in credit-based products including credit cards and business and personal loans. Emily has recently joined the Investments team. She has a Masters in Creative Writing & Publishing and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication & Media. See full bio

Emily's expertise
Emily has written 83 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Loans & credit cards
  • Building credit
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Co-written by

Senior writer

Jason is a writer and editor. He worked as a senior subeditor for Finder for 5 years and in that time became familiar with a wide range of financial products and services. Before that, he worked for Australian Associated Press. He has a BA from Macquarie University in Australia. Jason loves to help other people find new ways to save money. See full bio

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