Barclaycard vs SumUp – compare card readers

SumUp vs Barclaycard, how do these 2 payment giants compare against each other when you put their best products head to head?

Emily Herring's headshot

By

Emily Herring

Updated

Fact checked
Compare SumUp and Barclaycard Compare providers
Compare the full range Compare products

Cash is being used less and less every year, so to keep your business in the now, it is becoming more important to invest in a card payment device.

In this guide, we compare 2 of the major players in the card reader market: SumUp and Barclaycard. However, you can compare a full range of devices from different providers here.

SumUp vs Barclaycard: Provider overview

SumUp and Barclaycard are both offering highly popular card readers. SumUp offers a range of cost-effective products for a variety of business sizes, while Barclaycard has 2 products that pack a powerful punch and flexible payment plans.

In this guide, we are comparing their 2 most popular “on-the-go” machines, the SumUp Solo Lite and the Barclaycard Smartpay Anywhere.

SumUp
ProductsSumUp Solo Lite, SumUp Solo, SumUp Terminal, SumUp Tap to Pay
Payment methodsContactless, Chip and Pin
Alternative payment methodsQR code,Payment link
Apple PayYes
Google PayYes
ConnectivityBluetooth
Requires connection to a phone or tabletYes
Battery life1000 sales on a full charge
Warranty period12
Barclaycard
ProductsBarclaycard portable, Barclaycard countertop, Smartpay Touch, Smartpay Anywhere
Payment methodsContactless, Chip and Pin, Magnetic swipe
Apple PayYes
Google PayYes
ConnectivitySIM card,Bluetooth,WiFi
Requires connection to a phone or tabletYes
Battery lifeDesigned to last all day
Warranty period12 months

The SumUp Solo Lite vs the Barclaycard Smartpay Anywhere: Product overview

Although both card reader providers offer other machines, the SumUp Solo Lite and the Barclaycard Smartpay Anywhere continue to be the “go-to” products in their range.

SumUp Solo Lite

SumUp Solo Lite

Barclaycard Smartpay Anywhere

Barclaycard Smartpay Anywhere

Compare rates and fees

When choosing the right card machine for your business, some of the most important things to consider are the rates and fees. Card machines feature a range of fees, use our guide for further explanations of the different charges you might come across in your research.

SumUp is known for having some of the most competitive rates on the card machine market, but at a glance, the Barclaycard product does seem to be beating the competition in terms of transaction cost and settlement periods. However, Barclaycard is a little more modest when promoting fees like transaction costs when cards are not present or chargeback costs. So, the transparency of SumUp definitely helps give a better idea of what product might work out at a lower cost in the long run.

Both card readers are on a pay-as-you-go contract and are currently retailing at the same price.

ProductSumUp Solo LiteBarclaycard Smartpay Anywhere
Product NameSumUp Solo LiteBarclaycard Smartpay Anywhere
ContractNo contractNo contract
Initial cost£25£29
Monthly cost£0£0
Transaction cost1.69%Subject to status
Transaction cost (card not present)2.5%A fixed 0.25% on all CNP transactions
Settlement 1-3 working days1-2 working days
Money-back guaranteeYes
Money-back guarantee details30-day money-back guarantee
Chargeback cost£10

Compare features

Round 2, features. If you would like to learn about all the different features you should look out for when comparing card readers, you can use our helpful guide.

Both the SumUp Solo Lite and the Barclaycard Smartpay Anywhere have very similar features when it comes to connectivity and payment methods. The Barclaycard Smartpay Anywhere offers the additional magnetic swipe method, but the SumUp Solo Lite offers the alternative methods of payment links and QR codes. Neither of these products have printers attached and you cannot add any on. Although, the SumUp Solo Lite does have the option to add a charging cradle at a bundle price.

So, there is a rather large blue elephant in the room – Amex. Yes, that’s right, the Barclaycard Smartpay Anywhere is one of the only card readers that does not accept Amex payments, albeit that others do but just charge a few bob more. But will this be the deciding factor if you should buy a SumUp or Barclaycard card reader? You need to decide.

ProductSumUp Solo LiteBarclaycard Smartpay Anywhere
Product NameSumUp Solo LiteBarclaycard Smartpay Anywhere
Networksgoogle pay iconapple pay iconamerican express iconvisa iconmastercard icongoogle pay iconapple pay iconvisa iconmastercard icon
ConnectivityBluetoothSIM card, Bluetooth, WiFi
Payment methodsContactless, Chip and PinContactless, Chip and Pin, Magnetic swipe
Alternative payment methodsQR code, Payment link
Requires connection to phone or tablet
Battery life1000 sales on a full chargeDesigned to last all day
Printer attached
Add ons
  • Base station that acts as a charging and communications dock.

Bottom line

So, the bottom line is that they are both great options, offering competitive rates and portable products perfect for SMEs or businesses on-the-go. However, one of the main drawbacks of the Barclaycard Smartpay Anywhere could impact a few of your sales, not accepting Amex. But ultimately, the decision is yours and if you could like without taking payments from Amex, they are both brilliant options.

Compare the SumUp and Barclaycard range

8 of 8 results
Updated regularly
Initial cost Monthly cost Transaction cost Contract Networks Key benefits
SumUp Virtual Terminal image
SumUp Virtual Terminal
Subject to status
£0
visa iconmastercard icon
Go to site View details
Compare product selection
SumUp Solo image
SumUp Solo
£79
£0
1.69%
google pay iconapple pay iconamerican express iconvisa iconmastercard icon
Go to site View details
Compare product selection
SumUp Terminal image
SumUp Terminal
£135
£0
1.69%
google pay iconapple pay iconamerican express iconvisa iconmastercard icon
Go to site View details
Compare product selection
SumUp Solo Lite image
SumUp Solo Lite
£25
£0
1.69%
google pay iconapple pay iconamerican express iconvisa iconmastercard icon
Go to site View details
Compare product selection
SumUp Tap to Pay image
SumUp Tap to Pay
£0
£0
1.69%
google pay iconapple pay iconamerican express iconvisa iconmastercard icon
Go to site View details
Compare product selection
Barclaycard Payments Flex Mobile image
Barclaycard Payments Flex Mobile
£0
£15 + VAT*
Subject to status
18 months
google pay iconapple pay iconamerican express iconvisa iconmastercard icon
View details
Compare product selection
Barclaycard Smartpay Anywhere image
Barclaycard Smartpay Anywhere
£29
£0
Subject to status
google pay iconapple pay iconvisa iconmastercard icon
View details
Compare product selection
Barclaycard Payments Smartpay Touch image
Barclaycard Payments Smartpay Touch
£0
£29 + VAT*
Subject to status
12 months
google pay iconapple pay iconamerican express iconvisa iconmastercard icon
View details
Compare product selection
loading
Showing 8 of 8 results
Table: sorted by transaction cost, promoted deals first
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.
Emily Herring's headshot
Written by

Publisher
Add to Preferred Sources

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
More resources on Finder

More guides on Finder

Go to site