Dojo vs Elavon: which saves you more?
Dojo is the clearer choice for most businesses: a predictable blended rate from 1.4%, next-day settlement against Elavon's typical 2-3 days, no setup fee and a free terminal on 12-month or rolling terms. Elavon's interchange++ pricing, from 0.3% plus scheme fees, can work out cheaper at very high card volumes if you have the finance resource to manage it.
Rates and contract terms checked July 2026 · Based on providers' published pricing
Dojo
- Rate from
- 1.4%
- Settlement
- Next day
- Terminal
- £0
Elavon
- Rate from
- 0.3%++
- Settlement
- 2-3 days
- Terminal
- Leased
Feature by feature
Dojo is a modern acquirer with straightforward commercial terms; Elavon is a long-established processor often sold through banks and partners, with interchange-based quotes that vary by card mix and risk. Compare what actually affects cash flow and admin time, not just the lowest percentage on a brochure.
| Feature | Dojo | Elavon |
|---|---|---|
| Card processing rate | From 1.4% transaction fee, negotiable | From 0.3% + scheme fees (interchange++, variable by card type) |
| Pricing model | Blended, simpler headline rate, easier to budget | Interchange++, complex; monthly cost can shift with card mix |
| Settlement speed | Next day as standard | Typically 2-3 business days |
| Setup fee | None | Setup fees apply |
| Terminal | Free terminal | Terminals typically leased |
| Contract | 12-month or rolling options | 12-48 months; early termination fees may apply |
| Support | UK-based dedicated support | Phone support, often longer wait times |
| Trustpilot (indicative) | 4.7 / 5 | 3.2 / 5 |
The takeaway: Elavon owns one row - the lowest headline rate, from 0.3% plus scheme fees. Dojo leads everywhere else: predictable pricing, next-day settlement against 2-3 days, no setup fee, a free terminal against leased hardware, shorter contracts, and a 4.7 / 5 Trustpilot score against 3.2 / 5.
Where Dojo wins
- Predictability - one blended rate you can budget and negotiate as volume grows
- Cash flow - next-day settlement against a typical 2-3 day cycle
- No upfront friction - no setup fee and a free terminal against leased kit
- Contract risk - 12-month or rolling terms against 12-48 months with exit fees
- Service - UK-based dedicated support, 4.7 / 5 Trustpilot against 3.2 / 5
Where Elavon wins
- Headline rate - interchange++ from 0.3% plus scheme fees can beat blended pricing at very high, stable volume
- Statement detail - the processor margin is separated out, useful if a finance team monitors card mix closely
- Bank relationships - widely sold through banks and partners if you want that route
How we calculated this
We take Dojo's and Elavon's published or typical advertised rates and apply them to example monthly card volumes. Total cost is worked out as transaction fees plus fixed monthly fees over 12 months. Rates change and individual pricing can often be negotiated, so treat these figures as a like-for-like guide rather than a quote. Always confirm current pricing with Dojo and Elavon before you commit.
Fees: simple vs lowest headline
Elavon's interchange++ model separates the processor margin from card scheme and interchange costs. In theory that can reduce total cost for businesses with very large, predictable throughput and finance teams who monitor statements closely. In practice, many SMEs find the statements hard to reconcile and the effective rate swings with whether customers use premium rewards cards, commercial cards, or international cards.
Dojo's negotiable blended rate from 1.4% trades some theoretical upside for predictability: you know what you are aiming for in a quote, you can negotiate as your volume grows, and you are not constantly re-forecasting around interchange tables. For most independent retailers, cafés, salons, and trades, that clarity, plus faster money in the bank, is worth more than a fraction of a percent on a spreadsheet.
Cash flow and commitment
Next-day settlement with Dojo tightens the gap between a sale and usable cash. Elavon's 2-3 day cycle is still common in traditional acquiring but means more working capital tied up over a month. Combined with no setup fee and a free terminal versus leased hardware and setup charges on many Elavon routes, Dojo often presents a lower-friction path to go live and scale.
Contract length is another split: Elavon may tie you to 12-48 months with early termination fees, while Dojo offers 12-month or rolling terms - useful if your business plan or location might change.
The verdict
Choose Dojo if
- You want a clear headline rate you can budget and negotiate
- Next-day settlement matters to your cash flow
- You want no setup fee and a free terminal
- You prefer a 12-month or rolling contract
- You value UK-based support that answers when tills are busy
Choose Elavon if
- You run very high, stable card volume where interchange++ can win
- You have in-house finance resource to reconcile complex statements
- You are comfortable with a 12-48 month term and setup fees
- You want acquiring through an existing bank relationship
Want this worked out at your exact numbers?
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