How to Cancel Zettle by PayPal (UK 2026)
Zettle has no contracts or exit fees. Learn how to close your account while keeping PayPal access, and discover providers with lower rates.
Close your Zettle account in 60 seconds
There is no contract to cancel, no notice period and no exit fee. Stop using Zettle today and it costs you nothing; the account simply goes inactive. To permanently delete it, contact Zettle support on 020 3984 8464 (weekdays 9am to 5pm) or via chat or email in the Zettle help centre. If your Zettle runs on a PayPal Business account, PayPal support handles closure instead. Closing Zettle does not touch your PayPal account.
Still taking cards? Compare cheaper readers first
Zettle Account Terms
Zettle by PayPal operates on a pay-as-you-go basis with no binding contracts:
Key Facts
- Contract: None
- Cancellation Fee: £0
- Notice Period: None
- Transaction Fee: 1.75%
- Monthly Fee: £0
- Equipment: You own it (£29-£169 purchase)
- PayPal Integration: Separate - closing Zettle doesn't affect PayPal
Why People Leave Zettle
- High Fees for Volume - 1.75% becomes expensive for £30k+ monthly turnover
- PayPal Issues - Account holds or disputes affecting Zettle payments
- Better Rates Available - Dojo's Fix plan (£39.99/month + 1% above £4,000/month, under £100k/year) works out around 1% effective at volume, and custom quotes above the threshold go lower (as low as 0.29% seen)
- Limited Hardware - Basic readers vs. full POS systems
- Support Hours - Phone, chat and email support run weekdays 9am to 5pm only, with no weekend cover
Cost Comparison
Processing £40,000/month:
- Zettle (1.75%): £700/month
- Dojo (custom quote at this volume; we have seen 0.29%, so at an illustrative 0.5%): £200/month - Save £500/month!
- SumUp (1.69%): £676/month - Save £24/month
Important: Zettle vs PayPal
Zettle is separate from your PayPal account, but they're linked:
- Closing Zettle - Does NOT close your PayPal account
- PayPal Access - You keep full access to regular PayPal
- Transaction History - PayPal retains Zettle transaction records
- Payouts - Zettle payments go to your PayPal balance (then bank)
Before Closing Your Zettle Account
1. Export Transaction Data
Download your Zettle records while you still have access:
- Log into Zettle app or web dashboard
- Go to "Reports" or "Sales"
- Export last 12+ months of transactions
- Download as CSV or PDF
- Save securely (HMRC requires 6 years)
Alternative: Your transactions also appear in PayPal, so you'll always have access there.
2. Wait for Pending Payments
Zettle processes payments to your PayPal account within 1-2 business days:
- Check PayPal balance for all Zettle payments
- Resolve any disputes or chargebacks
- Wait for pending transactions to clear
3. Your Zettle Reader
You own the Zettle hardware (purchased for £29-£169). You can:
- Keep it - Reactivate Zettle anytime
- Sell it - £20-£100 on eBay depending on model
- Recycle it - Electronics recycling
How to Close Your Zettle Account
Zettle does not offer a self-serve close button in the app or web dashboard. If you simply stop using Zettle, the account goes inactive and costs you nothing. To permanently delete it, contact Zettle support and ask for closure. Zettle pays any remaining balance to your bank or PayPal before the account is deleted. If your Zettle runs on a PayPal Business account, contact PayPal support instead.
Phone (fastest)
020 3984 8464
Weekdays: 9am to 5pm
Say "Close my account"
Quickest route to closure
Chat or email
zettle.com/gb/help/contact
Chat widget for quick queries
Email form for one-to-one help
Weekdays: 9am to 5pm
Message Template
Use this in the chat widget or the email form in the Zettle help centre:
Subject: Close My Zettle Account Hello, I would like to close my Zettle by PayPal account. Account Email: [your@email.com] Business Name: [Your Business] I confirm: ✓ All payments have been received ✓ No outstanding disputes ✓ I have exported transaction data Please confirm closure and that my PayPal account will remain active. Thank you, [Your Name]
What Zettle Will Ask
- Reason for closing - Helps them improve service
- Outstanding balance - Any pending payments?
- PayPal confirmation - Confirm you want to keep PayPal active
- Data export - Have you downloaded records?
Retention Offer
Zettle may offer incentives to stay (free reader upgrades, promotional rates). However, their standard 1.75% rate is fixed - compare against competitors before accepting any offers.
Closing Zettle but still taking card payments?
Free Dojo terminal (no rental) through MerchantSwitch, with custom Dojo quotes at volume (as low as 0.29 percent seen). We respond in under 5 minutes.
Closure Timeline
| Step | Time |
|---|---|
| Stop taking payments | Day 1 |
| Export transaction data | Day 1 |
| Wait for final PayPal payout | Day 2-3 |
| Request closure via phone, chat or email | Day 3 |
| Receive confirmation | Day 3-5 |
| Account fully closed | Day 5-7 |
What Happens to Your Data
- Zettle App: You lose access after closure
- PayPal: Transaction history remains visible in PayPal account
- Tax Records: Accessible via PayPal for 7+ years
- Card Reader: Yours to keep but won't work without active account
Better Alternatives to Zettle
| Provider | Rate | Monthly Fee | PayPal Integration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dojo | Fix plan £39.99/mo under £100k/yr; custom quotes above (as low as 0.29% seen) | Included in Fix plan | No (but huge savings) |
| SumUp | 1.69% | £0 | No |
| Square | 1.75% | £0 | No |
| Paymentsense | From 0.79% | £0-£25 | No |
Save Big by Leaving Zettle
Most Zettle users processing £25k+/month save £200-£450/month by switching to volume-based providers. That's £2,400-£5,400 per year!
Common Questions
Will closing Zettle close my PayPal account?
No. Zettle and PayPal are separate services since the 2018 acquisition. Closing Zettle does not affect your main PayPal Business account.
Can I still take PayPal payments without Zettle?
Yes. You can accept PayPal online payments and send PayPal invoices without an active Zettle account. The two services are billed and managed separately.
What happens to my Zettle card reader after closure?
The reader stops working without an active Zettle account. You can keep it in case you reactivate later, sell it second-hand, or recycle the electronics.
Can I reopen my Zettle account later?
Yes, but you sign up as a new customer. You can reuse the same reader hardware if it is still in working condition.
How long does Zettle keep my transaction data?
Zettle retains data for regulatory compliance for six to seven years. You lose dashboard access, but the transactions remain visible in your PayPal history.
Is VAT included in Zettle’s 1.75 percent fee?
Yes. The Zettle in-person card fee is VAT-inclusive and shown that way on your PayPal statements.
Tax Implications
HMRC Requirement
Keep records for at least 6 years:
- Export from Zettle before closing
- Access anytime via PayPal transaction history
- Download annual reports from PayPal
- Keep for tax returns, VAT returns, audits
Cancelling a different provider?
Step-by-step guides covering notice periods, exit fees, and how to switch without downtime.