Dojo vs SumUp – compare card readers

Offering quick and cost-effective card payment options, we compare 2 of the UK’s most competitive card machines.

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Emily Herring

&

Jason Loewenthal

Updated

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Card payment devices are becoming an ever growing necessity for businesses around the world and if there is one thing a global pandemic taught us, it is that we are definitely living in an increasingly cashless society. In this guide, we take a look at 2 of the most popular card reader providers in the UK.

SumUp vs Dojo: Provider overview

Both Dojo and SumUp are offering their customers cost-effective products with very different approaches.

SumUp is arguably one of the more well-known card reader retailers on the market and although Dojo has only been on the scene for a few years, it’s owned by payment giant PaymentSense and is slowly but surely making its way up.

In this guide, we are comparing SumUp Solo Lite and the Dojo Go Max.

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
Dojo
ProductsDojo Go Max, Dojo Pocket, Dojo Wired
Payment methodsContactless, Chip and Pin, Magnetic swipe
Alternative payment methodsPayment link
Apple PayYes
Google PayYes
ConnectivitySIM card,WiFi
Requires connection to a phone or tabletNo
Battery life10 hours

The SumUp Solo Lite vs the Dojo Go Max: Product overview

Although both card reader providers offer other machines, the SumUp Solo Lite and the Dojo Go Max are the most comparable for SMEs.

SumUp Solo Lite

SumUp Solo Lite

Dojo Go Max

Dojo Go Max

Compare 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.

Depending on your business’s needs, you may feel more connected to one product over the other when it comes to contracts. SumUp is offering a one-off fee for the SumUp Solo Lite, whereas for the Dojo Go Max, you can pay upfront or monthly.

In terms of transaction fees, SumUp has a pay-as-you-go plan, which has no monthly fee and a higher transaction fee. Its Payments Plus plan comes with a monthly fee and lower transaction fees, designed for businesses with higher turnover. Dojo comes with a monthly fee and its transaction fee is comparable to the SumUp Payments Plus plan in price.

When it comes to payout times, AKA when you’ll hear the cha-ching in your business’s bank account, SumUp has a current settlement period of 1–3 days, though this can be quicker if you also have a SumUp business account. Dojo states that it will pay out by 10am the next business day.

ProductSumUp Solo LiteDojo Go Max
Product NameSumUp Solo LiteDojo Go Max
ContractNo contract1 month minimum
Initial cost£25£0
Monthly cost£0£39.99
Transaction cost1.69%1%
Transaction cost (card not present)2.5%1.8% + 3p
Settlement 1-3 working days1 working day
Money-back guaranteeYesNo
Money-back guarantee details30-day money-back guarantee
Chargeback cost£10£0.50

Compare features

Card machines usually come with a range of features, some of these will be the selling point for you and your business, and others you could take or leave. Use our guide to learn some of the most common features card readers come with.

So, what features can you expect with the Dojo Go Max and SumUp Solo Lite? When considering what payment types these readers take, there isn’t much of a difference. However, quickly jumping back to the fees and costs, depending on the payment method e.g. if the card is an Amex or a business card, you can expect to pay a higher fee with the Dojo Go Max.

Another thing to consider is the size difference between these 2 machines. The SumUp Solo Lite products are iconically pocket-sized and lightweight, whereas the Dojo Go Max is a slightly larger and heavier device. Both are great options, but if you’ll be taking payments on-the-go or if the device will be in 1 location will be a deciding factor to which machine will work better for your business.

ProductSumUp Solo LiteDojo Go Max
Product NameSumUp Solo LiteDojo Go Max
Networksgoogle pay iconapple pay iconamerican express iconvisa iconmastercard icongoogle pay iconapple pay iconamerican express iconvisa iconmastercard icon
ConnectivityBluetoothSIM card, WiFi
Payment methodsContactless, Chip and PinContactless, Chip and Pin, Magnetic swipe
Alternative payment methodsQR code, Payment linkPayment link
Requires connection to phone or tablet
Battery life1000 sales on a full charge10 hours
Printer attached
Add ons
  • Dojo Go stand

Bottom line

So, bottom line, which payment machine comes out on top? As always, it really does depend on what you will be using the reader for and both SumUp and Dojo offer products on the different ends of the spectrum. To compare all the products in full, you can use our table below.

Compare the SumUp and Dojo range

7 of 7 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
Dojo Pocket image
Dojo Pocket
Subject to status
Subject to status
american express iconvisa iconmastercard icon
View details
Compare product selection
Dojo Go Max image
Dojo Go Max
£0
£39.99
1%
1 month minimum
google pay iconapple pay iconamerican express iconvisa iconmastercard icon
View details
Compare product selection
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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.
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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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