Best for Very Low Volumes

SumUp Card Readers Review 2026

Budget-friendly option for very small businesses. Low upfront cost (£19), simple flat rate of 1.69%, no monthly fees. Perfect for occasional card payments.

Compare: 0333 041 3933

Quick Summary

Editorial Rating
4.0/5
Transaction Fee
1.69%
Monthly Fee
£0
Reader Cost
£19

SumUp Pricing

SumUp Air (Card Reader)

1.69%per transaction
£19 one-time cost for card reader
£0 monthly fee
Bluetooth connection to phone
Chip, PIN & contactless up to £100
2-3 day settlement

Reality Check: SumUp Gets Expensive Quickly

Monthly TurnoverSumUp (1.69%)Dojo (1.2% blended, free terminal through MerchantSwitch)Difference
£2,000£33.80£24.00SumUp loses by £9.80
£3,000£50.70£36.00SumUp loses by £14.70
£5,000£84.50£60.00SumUp loses by £24.50
£8,000£135.20£96.00SumUp loses by £39.20

With the free terminal, Dojo's 1.2% beats SumUp at every volume up to £8,300/month (above it, Dojo quotes custom). Rent a Dojo terminal direct and SumUp still wins below ~£3,060/month card turnover (1.2% + Wired £15/month vs SumUp 1.69%) or ~£5,100/month card turnover (1.2% + Go Max £25/month vs SumUp 1.69%)

SumUp Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Very Low Upfront Cost
    Just £19 to start taking cards
  • No Monthly Fees
    Perfect if you take few payments
  • No Contracts
    Stop using it anytime
  • Simple Setup
    Works in minutes

Cons

  • Expensive Over £4k/Month
    1.69% becomes costly quickly
  • Slow Settlement
    2-3 days vs Dojo's next-day
  • Basic Features
    No advanced reporting or integrations
  • Limited Support
    Email-only, no phone support
  • Depends on Your Phone
    Battery dies = can't take payments

Our Verdict on SumUp

SumUp is a good starter option if you're just beginning to take card payments and process less than £3,000/month. The £19 upfront cost and zero monthly fees make it very accessible.

However, if your business grows beyond £4,000/month, you'll overpay significantly. At that point, Dojo becomes much cheaper and offers better features, faster settlement, and proper UK support.

Smart Strategy:

  • Start with SumUp if you're brand new to card payments
  • Switch to Dojo once you hit £4,000-5,000/month turnover
  • You'll save £294 to £470/year at £5,000 to £8,000/month by making the switch

Want to know if SumUp or Dojo is right for your volume?

Get Free Advice: 0333 041 3933

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