SumUp vs Square: Price, Features and Hardware Comparison 2026

the SumUp Air card machine on a table

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After testing both providers across five main areas of investigation, including software, ease of use, hardware and pricing, I found that Square is the stronger all-around platform, particularly for businesses with plans to grow.

It offers a broader hardware range, more advanced EPOS functionality, stronger reporting, and a more scalable ecommerce setup, making it especially well-suited to growing businesses.

That said, SumUp has clear advantages for smaller and newer businesses. It’s quicker to set up, simpler to use, and offers slightly cheaper in-person transaction fees. This positions it very well for sole traders, market sellers, and other microbusinesses that want to start taking payments with minimal fuss.

Ultimately, SumUp and Square are both modern zero-contract payment processing providers with similar price points that offer some of the best mobile card readers for small businesses.

Read on to learn more about how SumUp and Square compare, or use our free quote tool to receive bespoke quotes from our trusted providers.

Key Takeaways: How Do SumUp vs Square Compare?

  • Square is better overall: Our research found that Square offers stronger hardware options and EPOS features than SumUp, with a slightly lower learning curve.
  • SumUp is cheaper than Square: While Square’s entry-level card machine is cheaper than SumUp’s (£19 + VAT compared with £25 + VAT) SumUp generally offers lower upfront hardware costs and simple, flat transaction fees.
  • Square is better for growing businesses: The platform offers more detailed reporting, advanced staff management, and a wider range of integrations than SumUp.
  • SumUp is better for microbusinesses: SumUp’s low-cost card reader, minimal setup, and straightforward pricing structure make it the optimal choice for mobile traders, market sellers, and other microbusinesses.
  • SumUp and Square both offer free EPOS systems: However, Square’s free EPOS software is generally more feature-rich, while SumUp’s free system focuses on simplicity and ease-of-use.
Swipe right to see more
0 out of 0
Score
4.3
Score
4.6
Monthly fee

£0 or optional £19/month for lower transaction fees

Monthly fee

None

Hardware cost

From £25 + VAT

Hardware cost

From £19 + VAT

Transaction fee
  • 1.69% in-person OR 0.99% if paying monthly fee
  • 2.5% online, invoices, links
  • 2.95% + £0.25 virtual terminal
  • Zero fees for QR codes
Transaction fee
  • 1.75% in-person
  • 1.4% + £0.25 online
  • 2.5% keyed-in and invoices
Online payment gateway

£0/month (excluding processing fees)

Online payment gateway

£0/month (excluding processing fees)

Virtual terminal price

£0/month (excluding processing fees)

Virtual terminal price

£0/month (excluding processing fees)

Native EPOS system?
Native EPOS system?
Fund transfer time

Next working day

Fund transfer time

Next working day

Contract length

Zero contract

Contract length

Zero contract

Cost of staying compliant

None

Cost of staying compliant

None

Invoicing tool
Invoicing tool
Invoicing fee

£0-£19/month

Invoicing fee

£0-£20/month

Readers with mobile data
Readers with mobile data
Why Trust Us?

With over 10 years of experience evaluating POS systems, Expert Market uses a rigorous research methodology to compare prices, features, and real-world performance. Our impartial reviews are based on in-depth analysis, expert insights, and direct testing, helping you confidently choose the right solution for your business.

SumUp vs Square: Expert's Summary

From a finance perspective, Square makes more sense if you expect to grow into a multi-site or multi-channel operation. Its ecosystem of card machines, industry-specific POS plans and ecommerce tools means you are paying for a platform that can support more complex workflows and reporting over time.

SumUp’s slightly cheaper in-person rate and simple hardware are attractive, but the absolute savings per transaction are modest at lower volumes.

Where SumUp wins is speed and simplicity: low-cost terminals, quick signup and minimal configuration suit newer or seasonal businesses that mainly sell in person.

Square becomes more compelling once you factor in the cost of separate software for inventory, staff and online sales that you might otherwise need to buy.

A sensible approach is to model 12 months of expected card turnover through both providers, then decide whether you value a richer platform more than a small saving per transaction.

Faheem Naseer
Faheem Naseer Small business payments and finance consultant

SumUp vs Square: Which Has Better Card Machines?

Verdict: Square (but it’s close)

When it comes to card machines, Square has a slight edge over SumUp, since it offers two card machines that give you complete access to its EPOS software, while SumUp only offers one with this function. That said, SumUp offers card machines with 4G connectivity, while Square doesn’t.

Both providers offer two card machines, simple readers that need to be paired with each respective provider’s apps, and advanced card machines that work as standalone devices. We’ll compare the simple readers first.

SumUp Solo Lite vs Square Reader: Which is the best PIN card reader?

  • Verdict: Too close to call

Both SumUp and Square offer low-cost chip and PIN card readers that need to be paired with their respective apps to operate. The main difference is that SumUp now offers the Solo Lite, a modern card reader with a touchscreen PIN pad, whereas the Square Reader still requires customers to enter their PIN on the merchant’s phone.

Here’s a look at the other similarities and differences:

SumUp Solo LiteSquare Reader
ReaderSumUp Solo LiteSquare card reader
Price£25 (£19 with SumUp’s current deal) + VAT£19 + VAT
FeaturesTouchscreen PIN pad readerPIN pad on seller’s smartphone
PIN EntryBuilt-in touchscreen PIN padEntered on merchant’s phone
Payments AcceptedContactless and chip cards (Visa, Visa Electron, V Pay, Mastercard, Maestro, AmEx, UnionPay, Diners, Discover) + Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung PayContactless and chip cards (Visa, Visa Electron, V Pay, Mastercard, Maestro, AmEx) + Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay
ConnectivityBluetoothBluetooth
Offline PaymentsNoYes
  • Both readers are compact: Both these card readers are compact and designed for taking payments on the go — although, both can be used as part of an EPOS kit as well.
  • SumUp Solo Lite relies less on smartphone use: When it comes to their suitability for on-the-go payments, SumUp Solo Lite is slightly better as it lets customers enter their PIN without using a smartphone.
  • Square Reader works better as part of a wider EPOS setup: SumUp Solo Lite only comes with a charging case for countertops, whereas the Square reader can easily be connected to a terminal, and it sells an iPad case with a slot for the reader, making it perfect for taking payments at a table or on the shop floor.
  • Square Reader is better for low-connectivity environments: SumUp Air won’t work offline, which means that you’ll be in trouble if your phone loses connectivity (whether to Wi-Fi or 3G/4G). This makes Square’s Reader the better choice for sellers with poor connectivity, such as merchants in rural locations.
the SumUp Air card machine on a table
The SumUp Air was a compact and lightweight model that has now been replaced by the SumUp Solo Lite (which is very similar but has a touchscreen glass panel). Source: Expert Market
Unsure how you'd even use a Square Reader if you got your hands on it?

Read our easy guide on how to operate a Square card reader.

SumUp Solo vs Square Terminal: Which is the best PIN card reader?

  • Verdict: The Square Terminal

The SumUp Solo and Square Terminal are both standalone card machines, which means they don’t need to be paired with an app to operate. I think the Square Terminal is a better choice, since it gives you full access to Square’s EPOS system, while the SumUp Solo only gives you access to transaction reporting.

Here’s a side-by-side comparison:

ReaderSumUp Solo

SumUp Solo and Printer card reader

Square Terminal

square terminal

Price£79 or £139 with built-in printer (or £59 0r £75 with built in printer with SumUp’s current deal) + VAT£149 + VAT
FeaturesTouchscreen, available with or without a built-in printerTouchscreen, with built-in printer
Payments acceptedContactless, and chip and PIN with Visa, Visa Electron, V Pay, Mastercard, Maestro, American Express, Union Pay, Diners Club, Discover, + Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung PayContactless, and chip and PIN with Visa, Visa Electron, V Pay, Mastercard, Maestro, American Express, + Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay
ConnectivityWi-Fi, 4GWi-Fi, Ethernet
  • The Square Terminal is more expensive than the SumUp Solo: It’s £149 versus £79 for the SumUp Solo. Add a printer to the Solo, and it’s £139 — just £10 less.
  • The Square Terminal is stronger overall: For £10 more, you’re basically getting an all-in-one solution for taking payments and running your business with the Square Terminal, making it ideal for small businesses wanting a complete setup.
  • Square Terminal is better suited to fixed countertop use: With a larger screen and built-in printer, Square Terminal is ideal for fixed setups. The smaller, lighter Solo is better for mobile sellers.
  • SumUp Solo has stronger mobile connectivity: It supports both 4G and Wi-Fi, making it better suited for selling on the go or in locations with unreliable internet, while the Square Terminal relies on Wi-Fi and Ethernet, which can limit portability.
Close up of Square Terminal on wooden desk
We tested the Square Terminal, Square's handheld POS device. Although it was easy to use, it was a little wide, making it difficult to hold in one hand. Source: Expert Market
I tested the Square Terminal: Here are my thoughts

I found the Square Terminal extremely intuitive to use, and didn’t have any trouble completing basic functions, like processing a transaction, issuing a refund, or viewing a sales report. I especially liked that you could log reasons for a refund when issuing one, as it can help you spot patterns and fix issues.

I found the design quite appealing. Like SumUp, Square opts for a black and white colour scheme, but it adds touches of colour here and there to highlight functions.

This card machine is better suited to countertop use, since it is quite wide, and I found it a little awkward to hold. This might not be an issue for most men, but female employees and merchants might find its width annoying. Printing receipts was also awful. Square’s receipt paper is way too thick for a machine with no teeth.

Tatiana Lebreton, Staff Writer

SumUp Terminal vs Square Handheld: Which is the better handheld card reader?

  • Verdict: The SumUp Terminal

Both Square and SumUp released new handheld EPOS devices in 2025, the £135 + VAT SumUp Terminal and the £169 + VAT Square Handheld. While for SumUp the Terminal is its first-ever card machine with direct access to its EPOS software, for Square this is the second of this variety, with the Square Handheld essentially a slimmed-down version of the Square Terminal.

Here’s a side-by-side comparison:

ReaderSumUp Terminal

SumUp Terminal

Square Handheld

Square Handheld

Price£135 (£99 with SumUp’s current deal) + VAT£169 (£143.65 with Square’s current deal)
+ VAT
FeaturesTouchscreen with built-in printer and cameraTouchscreen with barcode scanner (no built-in printer)
Payments acceptedContactless and chip and PIN with Visa, Visa Electron, V Pay, Mastercard, Maestro, American Express, Union Pay, Diners Club, Discover, + Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung PayContactless, and chip and PIN with Visa, Visa Electron, V Pay, Mastercard, Maestro, American Express, + Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay
ConnectivityWi-Fi, 4GWi-Fi
  • SumUp Terminal includes more built-in features: It comes with 4G and a built-in receipt printer, making it more versatile for table service and mobile selling. The Square Handheld lacks both.
  • Square Handheld has an offline mode but no printer: It can log payments without internet, but you’ll need a separate printer for physical receipts.
  • Square Handheld is lighter and slimmer: Without a printer or 4G, it’s thinner and easier to carry. This will be ideal if portability is your priority.
I tested the SumUp Terminal: Here are my thoughts

I found the SumUp Terminal generally very easy to use. It shares the same simple interface as the SumUp app used to operate the SumUp Air. I was able to complete most tasks without too much difficulty, and I especially liked that there was a search function for quickly finding catalogued items.

That said, I had a little trouble locating sales reports, since the use of the term “Insights” for the reports tab felt unnecessarily vague. I also had to scroll down the menu quite a bit to find this tab.

In terms of physical characteristics, I found the SumUp Terminal easy to hold and quite light despite its size. My one criticism is that it’s quite top-heavy because of the built-in printer, an issue that’s less pronounced in other card machines with a similar design that I’ve tested, such as the takepaymentsplus.

Tatiana Lebreton, Staff Writer

SumUp Terminal pictured on desk
We liked the modern design of the SumUp Terminal, and found its screen bright and easy to read. Source: Expert Market

SumUp vs Square: Which Has Cheaper Processing Fees?

Verdict: SumUp is cheaper for selling in person, while Square is cheaper for selling online

SumUp and Square have pretty similar card processing fees overall, so which provider is best comes down to differences in how you sell.

Here are the key differences:

Cost forSumUpSquare
In-person transactions
  • 1.69% as standard
  • 0.99% if you pay £19/month for Payments Plus (also called SumUp One) subscription
  • 1.75%
Online transactions
  • 2.5%
  • 0.99% if you pay £19/month for SumUp One
  • 1.4% + £0.25 for UK cards (1.4% + £0.15 if you pay £64/month for Square Premium)
  • 2.5% + £0.25 for non-UK cards (2.5% + £0.15 if you pay £64/month for Square Premium)
Invoices
  • 2.5%
  • 0.99% if you pay £19/month for Payments Plus
  • 2.5%
Over the phone transactions
  • 2.95% + £0.25
  • 2.5%
Refunds
  • Free, transaction fee not refunded if amount has already been paid out
  • Free, transaction fee not refunded
Chargebacks
  • £10
  • Free
  • SumUp is the cheaper option when it comes to selling in person: Its standard fee is 1.69%, which can easily be reduced to 0.99% by signing up to Payments Plus, although this incurs a monthly fee of £19. Square’s in-person fee, however, stays at 1.75% no matter what. SumUp’s Payments Plus subscription is an option worth considering if you have a high sales volume or sell expensive items, as transaction fees can eat into your profits.
  • Square offers cheaper fees for selling online and over the phone: It charges through a virtual terminal at 1.4% + £0.25 for online, and 2.5% for over the phone. Square’s online transaction fee is particularly cheap compared with most competitors, so it’s worth considering if you sell primarily online. SumUp, on the other hand, charges 2.5% for online payments (unless you have Payments Plus), and 2.95% + £0.25 for over the phone.
  • Square is better for chargebacks: Both providers have the same refund policy, keeping their transaction fee charge for refunds. However, Square is better for chargebacks, since it charges nothing for them, whereas SumUp takes £10. Square’s an option worth considering if you’re in an industry that’s more at risk of chargebacks, such as travel or any subscription-based industry.

▶ Read more: Find out more about chargebacks, who they affect most, and how to avoid them in our Chargeback Statistics guide.

SumUp vs Square: Which EPOS System Is Better?

Verdict: Square’s EPOS system offers better functionality

Square’s EPOS system is a league above SumUp’s, on several levels, and holds the top spot in our ranking of the best EPOS systems. This doesn’t mean that SumUp’s EPOS software is without merit, though. Here’s a quick summary of what each system offers:

  • Square offers a wider array of EPOS functions: For example, on Square’s free restaurant EPOS plan, you get access to basic features like table management and scheduled changes to menus and discounts, which are noticeably absent from SumUp’s free EPOS plan.
  • Square also has a more extensive hardware offering than SumUp: This allows businesses to choose the equipment that suits them. For example, Square sells iPad stands, full-sized terminals, customer display screens, and a variety of countertop kits, not to mention accessories. SumUp, on the other hand, only offers two card machines and one type of terminal (with no customer screens), and offers only one kit.
  • Square also has EPOS systems for three types of businesses: It offers hospitality, retail and appointment-based software, whereas SumUp only caters to hospitality and retail.
  • Square offers a stronger ecommerce platform: Both providers include a free online store builder, but Square’s ecommerce offering is more scalable. Alongside its free plan, Square offers a Plus (£20 per month) and Premium (£64 per month) plan. It also supports bookings and reservations websites, something SumUp doesn’t offer.
  • SumUp’s EPOS system is specially designed for takeaways: It’s complete with a kiosk, and businesses can display allergens on their menu, a feature missing from Square. This earned it a spot on our best EPOS systems for takeaways ranking.

If you’re an ambitious ecommerce business that’s focused on growth, my recommendation would be Shopify. It’s the best ecommerce platform for small businesses, according to our independent research and testing.

screenshot of Square EPOS actions menu
Here are the options we were presented with when editing orders on Square. As you can see, there's a fair bit of choice. Source: Expert Market

Expert Opinion: Square's a stronger option for accounting features

Initially, SumUp and Square both seem like low-cost, low-commitment ways to start taking card payments.

However, from a cashflow and accounting perspective, Square offers stronger reporting, faster data access and better integration with bookkeeping systems, like Xero and QuickBooks.

Although SumUp’s reporting is improving, it still requires manual work when business moves from casual trading into formal monthly reports. My advice is to treat SumUp as a strong entry point and later shift to Square as you scale.

Azimul Hoque ACCA-qualified accountant for ecommerce businesses

What Are the Best Alternatives to SumUp and Square?

If you’re interested in alternatives to SumUp and Square that are also zero-contract and come with no monthly fees, here are the main competitors:

Swipe right to see more
0 out of 0

Square

Score
4.2
Score
4.6
Score
4.5
Score
4.4
Score
4.3
Score
4.2
Type of mobile payment solution

Tap to Pay app

Type of mobile payment solution

Tap to Pay app AND mobile card reader

Type of mobile payment solution

Tap to Pay app

Type of mobile payment solution

Tap to Pay app AND mobile card reader

Type of mobile payment solution

Tap to Pay app AND mobile card reader

Type of mobile payment solution

Tap to Pay app AND mobile card reader

Monthly fee

£0 – £24.99

Monthly fee

None

Monthly fee

None

Monthly fee

None

Monthly fee

None

Monthly fee

None

Hardware cost
Hardware cost
Hardware cost

From £13.99/month

Hardware cost

From £49 + VAT

Hardware cost

From £25 + VAT

Hardware cost

From £29 + VAT

Transaction fee

Use code TIDEZERO for 0% fees on £10+ card payments for 3 months, plus £200 cashback when you process £1,000

Transaction fee
  • Online fees: 1.4% + 25p to 2.5% + 25p
  • In-person fees: 1.75% to 3.25%
Transaction fee

1.39% + £0.05 – 1.99%+£0.05 or custom rates

Transaction fee

1.5% + £0.20 online (UK card)
1.4% + £0.10 in-person (UK card)
1.5% + £0.20 for payment links (UK card)

Transaction fee
  • Online: 2.5% or 0.99% with £19/month subscription
  • In-person: 1.69% or 0.99% with £19/month subscription
Transaction fee
  • 1.75% in-person
  • 2.5% payment links and invoicing
Fund transfer time

1-3 business days

Fund transfer time

By the next working day

Fund transfer time

Up to 3 working days

Fund transfer time

Up to 3 working days

Fund transfer time

Next working days

Fund transfer time

1-2 working days

Contract length

Zero contract

Contract length

Zero contract

Contract length

Zero contract and 12-month options

Contract length

Zero contract

Contract length

Zero contract

Contract length

Zero contract

See Pricing Visit Square Compare Quotes Compare Quotes Compare Quotes Compare Quotes
  • Zettle by PayPal, for cost-conscious businesses: It’s zero-contract, has no monthly fees, and offers a native EPOS system. The only thing it doesn’t have is an online store builder, but it does integrate with popular online store builders like BigCommerce and Shopify.
  • Tide, for businesses after seamless bank integrations: Like SumUp, Tide can provide businesses with a business bank account, which is useful if you want to limit the number of providers you use. It’s also zero-contract, with no monthly fees, but it doesn’t integrate with online stores, making it less suitable for omnichannel sellers.
  • Clover, for established businesses with high sales volumes: Its card processing services come with no monthly fee, and while it charges for its EPOS system, it offers custom and competitive transaction fees. This, combined with its strong hardware options, makes it ideal for larger sellers.
Clover terminal, receipt printer, and Clover Flex card machine on desk
Clover's Station Solo hardware allows you to get to business with an all-in-one, easy-to-setup POS system. Source: Expert Market

Which Types of Businesses Are SumUp and Square Best For?

SumUp and Square’s offerings overlap in a lot of ways. They both boast a simple interface and transparent, flat-rate fees, offering a low barrier to entry for smaller businesses.

However, the two systems also differ in their depth of features, hardware range, and scalability, so to help guide your decision, we’ve broken down which system is better for different types of businesses, and why.

Who should choose SumUp?

  • New businesses – SumUp’s simple set-up, fast approval, and flexible contracts make it ideal for first-time business owners who want to start taking card payments quickly.
  • Microbusinesses – Retailers with smaller monthly turnovers would benefit the most from SumUp’s straightforward transaction rates (1.69% in-person as standard) and basic feature offering, especially if they are able to make do without advanced POS functionality like advanced reporting and multi-location inventory.
  • Portable sellers – SumUp’s 4G-enabled card terminals, low in-person transaction rates, simple setup, and straightforward interface make it a great option for on-the-go sellers like market traders and pop-up merchants.
  • Seasonal businesses – SumUp doesn’t require a monthly commitment and it’s easy to pause and resume usage of the POS. This, combined with its low hardware costs, makes it better than Square for seasonal businesses like Christmas stalls or summer kiosks.

Who should choose Square?

  • Growing businesses – Unlike SumUp, which is simpler and geared toward single-location or smaller operations, Square offers advanced reporting, inventory management, and staff controls that grow with your business.
  • Table service restaurants – Full service restaurants that rely on table management, split bills, modifiers, and staff tracking will benefit from Square’s industry-specific Restaurant plan, rather than SumUp.
  • Multi-location retailers – Square’s multi-location management features let businesses manage up to 300 locations from a single dashboard, making it a better choice than SumUp for businesses operating across sites.
  • Businesses selling online as well as in-person – Square offers lower transaction rates than SumUp (1.4% + £0.25 versus 2.5%), specifically for higher value online orders, making Square a more cost-effective option for omnichannel retailers that also rely on online sales.

Methodology: How Did We Compare SumUp and Square?

To bring you our reviews, we tested and researched 18 payment services providers, assessing them across five main areas of investigation and 23 subcategories. These included ease of use, the quality and feel of hardware, and the price of products and services.

Here’s what we looked at:

  • Hardware: We looked at the size, weight and portability of the card machines they offer, and assessed their connectivity, interface, receipt printing and battery life.
  • Software: We tallied up how many payment types and methods each provider accepts, looked at payout times, reporting and security features, EPOS functionality, and what systems they integrate with.
  • Pricing: We compared monthly fees, card machine costs, transaction fees and contract lengths against the features of each payment services provider, to determine the value for money of each.
  • Ease of use: We had several different average users test each card machine and payment processing system to see how intuitive each one was to use, and how quickly everyday tasks could be completed.
  • Help and support: We assessed providers based on how many different channels of support they offered, and how available and responsive the support team was.

We then gave each provider an overall score based on how well they fared in the above assessment categories.

SumUp and Square both also offer EPOS systems and online store builders, and we use a slightly different testing methodology for those services. If you want to know more, head to the methodology section in our best EPOS systems page and the methodology section in our best ecommerce platforms page.

Verdict: Square is Stronger Overall, But It's a Close Call

While both providers offer solid payment solutions, Square outperformed SumUp in our research and testing due to its extensive hardware options, scalable EPOS features, and advanced reporting tools.

Square’s versatility and wider EPOS ecosystem make it particularly well-suited to growing businesses, multi-location retailers, and full-service restaurants.

That being said, SumUp has cheaper transaction fees than Square for in-person payments, and it’s a better option for new businesses, since it can provide you with a business bank account. This makes it a quicker and easier way to start taking payments than Square.

If you’re still unsure about what merchant services provider is right for your business, use our quick and free quotes tool. We’ll match you with the providers most suited to your needs, and they’ll be in touch with tailored, obligation-free quotes!

Our site is reader-supported. Some featured providers are our partners, so we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through our site. This is at no extra cost to our readers, and this doesn’t affect the independence of our reviews. Whether or not we have a partnership with a company does not affect our rating and review of the service.

Meet our Expert authors

Faheem Naseer
Faheem Naseer

Faheem Naseer is a small business payments and finance consultant who helps UK entrepreneurs choose merchant services, POS systems, and funding tools that protect margins and cash flow. Drawing on hands-on experience comparing providers across sectors, he focuses on total cost of ownership, risk and operational simplicity, rather than headline rates alone. He specialises in translating complex fee structures and contract terms into clear, practical decisions for owners and managers.

Azimul Hoque

Azimul Hoque is an ACCA-qualified accountant and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with over eight years of experience in the financial services industry. Hoque has managed accounting and reporting for hospitality, retail and ecommerce businesses, ensuring VAT compliance, accurate bookkeeping and monthly insights that drive smarter decisions.

FAQs

Which is cheaper for taking payments in person, SumUp or Square?
SumUp is generally slightly cheaper than Square for in-person payments, but there isn’t much in it. In the UK, SumUp charges a flat 1.69 % fee for contactless, chip and PIN sales, whereas Square’s standard in‑person fee is about 1.75 %. That means for every £1,000 in card‑present sales, SumUp would take about £1.60 in fees, and Square would take about £1.75 — representing a modest saving with SumUp.
Can I still take card payments with SumUp and Square if my internet goes down?

Yes, both SumUp and Square let you take card payments even if your internet connection goes down, but how they handle offline sales is a little different and depends on the specific device you’re using.

With Square, nearly all of its card machines (including the Square Reader and Square Terminal) support offline mode. That means if you lose Wi‑Fi or mobile data, you can still tap, insert, or swipe cards.

SumUp, on the other hand, also supports offline payments, but this feature is more limited. Some SumUp devices (like the dedicated terminals with 4G connectivity) can continue processing transactions without Wi‑Fi because they use mobile networks. However, if you’re using a Bluetooth‑only reader paired to a phone or tablet, it typically needs a connection to operate and offline transactions may not be possible.

Is SumUp or Square better for a business that also sells online?
If your business sells both in-person and online, Square will generally be more cost-effective than SumUp because it offers lower online transaction fees and more advanced omnichannel reporting. Specifically, Square’s online rate is 1.4% + £0.25 for UK cards, which tends to be cheaper than SumUp’s standard rate of 2.5% for payment links, online checkouts and web stores.
Written by:
Headshot of Expert Market Senior Writer Tatiana Lebtreton
Tatiana is Expert Market's resident payments and online growth expert, specialising in (E)POS and merchant accounts, as well as website builders.
Reviewed by:
Oliver Simpson - senior researcher - headshot
After three years in operational B2B data analysis, Oliver became a business insight specialist in 2022 and now focuses full-time on understanding small business preferences and needs. He blends his quantitative skills, forged by his experience working as a law enforcement researcher, with qualitative exploration, to ensure robust and nuanced results.