SumUp Card Machine Review 2026: Fees, Reader Prices & Best for Sole Traders Quick answer
SumUp card machines are one of the cheapest ways to accept card payments in the UK, with readers from £39 (often discounted), no monthly fees, and transaction fees from 1.69%, making them perfect for sole traders, freelancers, and small businesses that want a simple, low-cost payment solution with no contract.
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Contents
SumUp Card Machine Fees (UK 2026)
Benefits of SumUp
Downsides of SumUp
What Does SumUp Offer?
Our Verdict on SumUp
How do we work?
Transparent, impartial, and data‑driven reviews made by a team of expert humans, never AI generated – here’s exactly how Compare Your Business Costs helps you find the best deals from trusted UK providers: click here
Authored by: Ally Cox (Business Technology & B2B Services Specialist 10+ Years’ Experience)
Reviewed by: James Ward (Telecoms Specialist, 12+ Years Experience)
Last Updated: May 2026
Key Takeaways
SumUp Air starts from £39 (often £29 on offer)
No monthly fees or contracts
Transaction fees from 1.69% per payment
Works with smartphones or as standalone devices
Fast setup, start taking payments in minutes
Best for sole traders and micro businesses
SumUp Card Machine Fees (UK 2026)
Payment Type Typical Fee
In-person payments
1.69%
Payment links/invoices
2.50%
Online payments
2.50%
Monthly fees
£0
Compare SumUp Card Machine Deals
✔ No contracts
✔ Low upfront cost
✔ Fast approval
✔ Free, no-obligation quotes
Benefits of SumUp Card Machines
No monthly fees so only pay per transaction
Simple setup via app, Bluetooth, or built-in connectivity
Transparent pricing: 1.69%–1.75% per in-person transaction
Accepts all major cards & digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay)
Flexible POS options and invoice tools
Free mobile app for sales tracking & reporting
Downsides of SumUp Card Machines
Fewer advanced features than competitors like Square
SumUp Air requires a smartphone to operate
Online and invoiced payments incur higher fees (2.5%)
Limited customer support (no live chat or 24/7 helpline)
No built-in cash drawer or inventory management system
SumUp vs Other Card Machine Providers
Provider Fees Best For Verdict
SumUp
1.69%
Sole traders
Cheapest & simplest
Square
1.75%
Small businesses
More features
PayPal POS
~1.75%
Mobile sellers
Strong ecosystem
Dojo
0.4%-1.5%
High volume
Lower long-term cost
Tyl
0.35%-1.5%
Growing businesses
Competitive contracts
What Does SumUp Offer
How Does Each SumUp Product Cater To Its Clients SumUp Air – from £39
(Often discounted to £29 during UK promotions)
Best for: freelancers, mobile traders, sole traders, side businesses
Pros
Very low upfront cost for card acceptance
Connects to a smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth
Lightweight and pocket-sized for on-the-go selling
Battery typically lasts a full trading day with moderate use
Cons
Requires a separate smartphone or tablet to operate
No built-in SIM, printer or screen
Relies on your phone’s Wi-Fi or mobile data connection
SumUp Solo – from £79
Best for : small to mid-volume businesses wanting a standalone card reader
Pros
Fully standalone device (no phone or tablet required)
Built-in SIM with free, unlimited mobile data included
Also supports Wi-Fi connectivity
Simple touchscreen with on-screen transaction history and digital receipts
Cons
No built-in receipt printer
Battery life is shorter than mobile readers (typically a working day, but varies by usage)
SumUp Solo + Printer – from £139
Best for: cafés, salons, clinics, retail counters needing printed receipts
Pros
Includes a compact docking station with receipt printer
Still benefits from free built-in mobile data
Ideal for semi-fixed or countertop use
Simple plug-and-play setup with SumUp software
Cons
Less portable than the Solo on its own
Highest upfront cost in the SumUp range
Limited hardware customisation compared with full POS systems
Remember,
Prices are correct for the UK as of 2025/early-2026, but SumUp frequently runs promotions, especially on SumUp Air.
All SumUp readers use pay-as-you-go pricing with no monthly fees (standard UK transaction fee typically 1.69% per card payment).
“Prices correct at time of writing; offers may vary.”
SumUp Commercial Video
How SumUp Card Machines Work
Connect your reader or use a standalone device
Enter the payment amount
Customer taps or inserts card
Payment is processed instantly
Funds arrive within 1-2 working days
👉 Start taking payments within minutes
Is SumUp the Cheapest Option? SumUp is:
✔ One of the cheapest to start
✔ Very simple
✔ Great for low-volume businesses
BUT
👉 contract providers are often cheaper long-term for high turnover, so compare deals to avoid overpaying
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How to Purc hase SumUp
You can access their website here .
You can find their machines on Amazon here .
You can find them on Curry’s here .
Our Verdict on SumUp We think that SumUp continues to be a top choice for micro businesses and startups, offering flexible, transparent, and affordable payment solutions. We love the simplicity of their plug-and-play card readers, combined with a well-designed mobile app, make it ideal for users who want to keep things simple and cost-effective.
However
✅ Choose SumUp if:
You’re a sole trader or side hustler
You want a no-fuss card reader with low fees
You need mobile or remote payment capability
❌ Look elsewhere if:
You need live phone support or 24/7 help
You want complex inventory, employee, or till systems
You process high-volume sales and require POS integrations
FAQS About SumUp Business Accounts Can I use my existing debit or credit card?
SumUp accepts Visa, Mastercard and American Express cards for free in-store and online use.You can link up your bank account for following-day payouts and keep track of your balance with this handy tool!
Plus, the card is free to use at ATMs as well!
Does SumUp charge a monthly fee?
No – SumUp operates on a pay-as-you-go model with no monthly cost.
What’s the standard transaction fee?
1.69% for in-person payments. 2.5% for payment links and invoices.
Can I use SumUp for online payments?
Yes, SumUp offers invoicing, an online store, and payment links.
Does SumUp support recurring payments?
Yes, you can schedule and manage recurring payments via the SumUp app.
How quickly do I get paid?
Payouts typically take 1–2 working days.
Does SumUp offer a business card or bank account?
Yes. You can link your business bank account for payouts or use the optional SumUp Business Account with free ATM withdrawals and expense tracking.
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Hi, I’m Ally Cox , a senior copywriter and blogger at CompareYourBusinessCosts.co.uk, the UK’s trusted platform for comparing business services.over a decade of experience in the B2B sector, I specialise in simplifying complex topics like leased lines, VoIP, business energy, HR and payroll solutions, accounting software, and EPOS systems .HR, copywriting, and business operations- from clocking-in systems to card machines and office technology .informed, confident decisions when choosing products and services that improve efficiency and save money.
