SumUp vs PayPal POS – which is the better card reader?

SumUp and Paypal Point of Sale (formerly known as Zettle) both launched with the same intention of offering cheaper and more accessible card payment options for SMEs, but that is essentially where their similarities lie. We compare what their best products have to offer.

SumUp vs PayPal Point of Sale: Provider overview

SumUp aims to offer simple and quick payments for its customers and with 3 very different products, it is ticking a lot of boxes. While PayPal Point of Sale currently has 2 products on the market, 1 offering quick card and contactless payments for in-store and on-the-go sales and the other a payment terminal aimed at larger merchants.

Products	SumUp Solo Lite, SumUp Solo, SumUp Terminal, SumUp Tap to Pay
Payment methods	Contactless, Chip and Pin
Alternative payment methods	QR code,Payment link
Apple Pay	Yes
Google Pay	Yes
Connectivity	Bluetooth
Requires connection to a phone or tablet	Yes
Battery life	1000 sales on a full charge
Warranty period	12

Products	PayPal Card Reader, PayPal Terminal, PayPal POS
Payment methods	Contactless, Chip and Pin
Alternative payment methods	QR code,Payment link
Apple Pay	Yes
Google Pay	Yes
Connectivity	Bluetooth,WiFi
Requires connection to a phone or tablet	Yes
Battery life	100 sales
Warranty period	12 months

The SumUp Solo Lite vs the PayPal Reader: Product overview

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

SumUp Solo Lite

PayPal Reader

Compare rates and fees

When comparing card readers, rates and fees are some of the most important factors in deciding what machine will work best for your business. 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 cheapest rates on the market and when compared to the PayPal’s 1.75% transaction fee, the SumUp product is a clear win. However, transaction costs are not the only rate you will need to be wary of. SumUp charges a fee of £10 per chargeback, compared to the free cover for chargebacks under £250 a month PayPal charges. Compare the full rates below.

Product
Product Name	SumUp Solo Lite	PayPal Card Reader
Contract	No contract	No contract
Initial cost	£25	£49
Monthly cost	£0	£0
Transaction cost	1.69%	1.75%
Transaction cost (card not present)	2.5%	2.5%
Settlement	1-3 working days	1-2 working days
Money-back guarantee	Yes	No
Money-back guarantee details	30-day money-back guarantee
Chargeback cost	£10	£0

Compare features

Each of SumUp and PayPal’s card readers have unique features for the different machines they offer. The SumUp Solo Liote and the PayPal Reader are both of these providers’ on-the-go machines, perfect for smaller merchants or those looking for a mobile payment device.

When comparing features of card readers, you will need to search for those little nuggets of gold that will make for a positive experience for your business’s needs. This can be battery life, connectivity or even what type of cards the machine accepts.

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.

At a glance, although both of these machines come with options to add a cradle (or docking station) to help with battery life, on 1 full battery the SumUp Solo Lite does outcompete the PayPal Reader. However, if battery life isn’t your buying point and you’re looking for a machine that offers multiple connectivity options, the PayPal Reader is the clear winner.

Compare the features of both card readers below.

Product
Product Name	SumUp Solo Lite	PayPal Card Reader
Networks
Connectivity	Bluetooth	Bluetooth, WiFi
Payment methods	Contactless, Chip and Pin	Contactless, Chip and Pin
Alternative payment methods	QR code, Payment link	QR code, Payment link
Requires connection to phone or tablet
Battery life	1000 sales on a full charge	100 sales
Printer attached
Add ons		Charging dock for £39 Zettle Reader 2 (additional reader) for £59

Bottom line

Both SumUp and Paypal Point of Sale are offering great, cost-effective machines with the aim of making the payment process simpler and faster.

The SumUp Solo Lite is a popular product among SMEs, with its competitive transaction fees and integrated app, this pocket-sized device packs a powerful punch. But, if you’re a merchant with a high volume of transactions and a professional countertop set-up, one of SumUp’s other machines might suit you better.

Whil the PayPal Reader offers a similar promise to SMEs, you have to watch out for its transaction fees. PayPal’s transaction charges are on the higher end of the card reader spectrum, but it does offer one of the cheaper products on the market.

A drawback to both the SumUp Solo Lite and the PayPal Reader is that they require a connection to an additional device (e.g. a phone or a tablet), which could cause a bit of a faff if you’re a merchant that has limited space or you’re out and about.

Ultimately, the winner of this battle of the card readers really depends on you and your business’s needs. And while the SumUp Solo Lite and the PayPal Reader both offer great machines, you can see that the areas where one fails, the other succeeds.

Compare the SumUp and PayPal Point of Sale range

7 of 7 results

Initial cost	Monthly cost	Transaction cost	Contract
SumUp Virtual Terminal	Subject to status	£0		Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
SumUp Solo	£79	£0	1.69%	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
SumUp Terminal	£135	£0	1.69%	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
SumUp Solo Lite	£25	£0	1.69%	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
SumUp Tap to Pay	£0	£0	1.69%	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
PayPal Card Reader	£49	£0	1.75%	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
PayPal Terminal	£149	£0	1.75%	View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading

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Showing 7 of 7 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.

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Written by

Emily Herring

Publisher

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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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SumUp vs PayPal Point of Sale: Provider overview