Square vs SumUp: which card reader is better for your business?
SumUp is slightly cheaper to run: 1.69% per transaction against Square's 1.75%, about £72 a year at £10,000 a month in card sales. Square costs less upfront (£19 reader vs £29 to £39) and its software is stronger, so the choice comes down to the lowest fees against the richer features.
Rates and contract terms checked July 2026 · Based on providers' published pricing
SumUp
- Transaction
- 1.69%
- Monthly
- £0
- Reader
- £29-£39
Square
- Transaction
- 1.75%
- Monthly
- £0
- Reader
- £19
Total monthly cost at your card volume
Transaction fees only, worked from each provider's published rate. Neither charges a monthly fee. Check the maths yourself.
| Monthly turnover | SumUp | Square | SumUp saves |
|---|---|---|---|
| £5,000 | £84.50/mo | £87.50/mo | £36/year |
| £10,000 | £169/mo | £175/mo | £72/year |
| £15,000 | £253.50/mo | £262.50/mo | £108/year |
| £20,000 | £338/mo | £350/mo | £144/year |
The takeaway:SumUp is cheaper at every volume in the table, but only by £36 to £144 a year. Square's £19 reader claws back £10 to £20 of that upfront, so for most businesses the deciding factor is features, not fees.
Feature by feature
| Feature | Square | SumUp |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware cost | £19 + VAT | £29-£39 + VAT |
| Transaction fee | 1.75% | 1.69% |
| Monthly fee | £0 | £0 |
| Contract | None | None |
| Settlement | Next working day | Next working day |
| App features | Excellent (inventory, invoices) | Good (basic reporting) |
| International use | UK only | 30+ countries |
Where SumUp wins
- Lower transaction fee - 1.69% vs 1.75%
- International use - works in 30+ countries, Square is UK only
- Simplicity - faster transactions, suits quick-service and takeaways
Where Square wins
- Cheapest hardware - £19 + VAT vs £29 to £39 + VAT
- Stronger software - inventory, invoicing and team management
- Full-service restaurants - table management, course firing, modifiers
How we calculated this
We take Square's and SumUp's published or typical advertised rates and apply them to example monthly card volumes (£5,000 to £20,000 a month). 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 Square and SumUp before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper: Square or SumUp?
SumUp is slightly cheaper: 1.69% vs Square's 1.75% transaction fee. Hardware: Square £19, SumUp £29-£39. Over 3 years with £10k/month sales: SumUp saves £216. But difference is minimal - choose based on features you need.
Which has better features?
Square has better software: more advanced app, better inventory management, integrated invoicing, team management. SumUp is simpler but works in 30+ countries. Square UK-only. For feature-rich solution: Square. For international use: SumUp.
Can I use both Square and SumUp?
Yes - some businesses use both. Square for main point-of-sale (better features) and SumUp as backup or for international events. No conflict having multiple providers.
Which settles funds faster?
Both offer next working day settlement as standard. Money in your account next business day after transaction. Weekends/bank holidays delay by 1-2 days for both.
Which is better for restaurants?
Square is better for full-service restaurants - table management, course firing, modifier options. SumUp better for quick-service/takeaways - simpler interface, faster transactions.
The verdict
Choose SumUp if
- You want the lowest transaction fee (1.69%)
- You trade internationally, in 30+ countries
- You prefer simplicity over advanced features
- You attend European events or markets
Choose Square if
- You want advanced inventory management
- You need team management features
- You only trade in the UK
- You want the lowest hardware cost (£19)
Want this worked out at your exact numbers?
Tell us your monthly card takings and we'll run Square, SumUp and 13 other UK providers at your volume. Free, no obligation.
See also the full UK card machine rates table, all 15 providers in one place.