SumUp vs Square – compare card readers

SumUp and Square both offer cost-effective card readers for a range of business types, but which one is better? We compare both card machine providers in this guide.

Emily Herring's headshot
Jason Loewenthal's headshot

By

Emily Herring

&

Jason Loewenthal

Updated

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

When investing in card readers for your business, you have to choose something that will work for you and your business’s needs. SumUp and Square are 2 of the most popular card reader providers. In this guide, we compare their most sought-after products – the SumUp Solo Lite and the Square Reader.

SumUp vs Square: Provider overview

So, what are the main differences between Square and SumUp? Both providers have a wide range of card readers. This means you have plenty of choice from both, so you should consider if there are additional features that you might not have considered before.

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
Square
ProductsSquare Reader, Square Terminal
Payment methodsContactless, Chip and Pin
Alternative payment methodsPayment link,Over the phone
Apple PayYes
Google PayYes
ConnectivityBluetooth
Requires connection to a phone or tabletYes
Battery lifeDesigned to last all day
Warranty period24 months

The SumUp Solo Lite vs the Square Reader: Product overview

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

SumUp Solo Lite

SumUp Solo Lite

Square Reader

Square Reader

Compare rates and fees

When comparing card readers, it is a good idea to compare the rates and fees that the provider charges. For further explanations of the different charges you might come across in your research, use our handy guide.

The SumUp and Square card readers have some of the lower fees for card machines on the market, but there are still some large differences to consider. For example, the Square Reader charges a slightyly higher transaction fee compared to the SumUp Solo Lite. However, the SumUp Solo Lite charges a £10 chargeback fee, where Square doesn’t charge anything for this. SumUp also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

ProductSumUp Solo LiteSquare Reader
Product NameSumUp Solo LiteSquare Reader
ContractNo contractNo contract
Initial cost£25£19
Monthly cost£0£0
Transaction cost1.69%1.75%
Transaction cost (card not present)2.5%2.5%
Settlement 1-3 working days1 working day
Money-back guaranteeYesNo
Money-back guarantee details30-day money-back guarantee
Chargeback cost£10£0

Compare features

Each of SumUp and Square’s card readers have unique features for the different machines they offer.

For example, with the Square Reader, you can accept chip & pin payments but the buyer will have to use your separate device to enter their pin, whereas the Square Terminal has a built-in screen.

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.

ProductSumUp Solo LiteSquare Reader
Product NameSumUp Solo LiteSquare Reader
Networksgoogle pay iconapple pay iconamerican express iconvisa iconmastercard icongoogle pay iconapple pay iconamerican express iconvisa iconmastercard icon
ConnectivityBluetoothBluetooth
Payment methodsContactless, Chip and PinContactless, Chip and Pin
Alternative payment methodsQR code, Payment linkPayment link, Over the phone
Requires connection to phone or tablet
Battery life1000 sales on a full chargeDesigned to last all day
Printer attached
Add ons
  • Dock

  • Phone mount

  • Compatible with a range of third-party receipt printers and barcode scanners

Bottom line

If you’re looking for a card reader provider that is convenient and you know what you’re getting, you can’t fault fan-favourite SumUp. With its large range of products, you can choose the perfect one for your business. But, if you’re looking for a card provider that doesn’t sting you with a chargeback fee or a longer warranty period, there are other options out there.

However, if you’re looking for something on-the-go, the Square Reader is another great choice for SMEs, particularly with its low transaction fees. With the added feature of a phone mount, you won’t need to worry about wires or juggling machines. But the downside of this is that you need a connection to an additional device such as a smartphone or tablet. And if you opt for the Square Reader’s big sister, you will need to have a Wi-Fi connection, which limits how far you can take your machine.

So, Square or SumUp? The decision ultimately depends on what you want for your business. You can compare the SumUp and Square range below:

Compare the SumUp and Square range

10 of 13 results
Updated regularly
Initial cost Monthly cost Transaction cost Contract Networks Key benefits
Subject to status
£20
1.4%
google pay iconapple pay icon
Go to site View details
Compare product selection
SumUp Virtual Terminal image
SumUp Virtual Terminal
Subject to status
£0
visa iconmastercard icon
Go to site View details
Compare product selection
Square Online Free image
Square Online Free
Subject to status
£0
1.4%
google pay iconapple pay icon
Go to site View details
Compare product selection
Square Virtual Terminal image
Square Virtual Terminal
Subject to status
£0
1.4%
american express iconvisa 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
Square Online Plus image
Square Online Plus
Subject to status
£20
1.75%
google pay iconapple pay icon
Go to site View details
Compare product selection
Square Terminal image
Square Terminal
£99.83
£0
1.75%
google pay iconapple pay iconamerican express iconvisa iconmastercard icon
Go to site View details
Compare product selection
loading
Showing 10 of 13 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
Jason Loewenthal's headshot
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

More resources on Finder

More guides on Finder

Go to site