Dojo vs Square 2026 UK | Fees, Costs & Which Is Best? Quick answer
Square is best for small businesses, sole traders, and startups thanks to no monthly fees and simple pricing
Dojo is best for restaurants, retail, and growing SMEs with higher transaction volumes
👉 Square = simple & flexible
👉 Dojo = faster payouts & better long-term rates
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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: July 2026
Contents
Dojo vs Square Fee Comparison
Best Choice by Business Type
Dojo vs Square: Feature Comparison
Payout Speed Comparison
Card Machine Fees Calculator UK Estimate your monthly and annual card processing costs in seconds. Adjust the fields below to see how much your current setup could be costing you.
Pricing model Flat rate Custom / Merchant account
Your Estimated Costs
Estimated monthly fees
£0.00
Estimated annual fees
£0.00
Estimated monthly transactions
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Potential monthly saving
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You could save money by switching to a lower-fee provider.
This calculator is an estimate only. Actual card machine costs vary by provider, pricing structure, card mix, sector and contract terms.
Key Takeaways
Square has no monthly fees or contracts
Dojo offers next-day payouts (even weekends)
Square uses flat-rate pricing (1.75%)
Dojo offers custom rates (cheaper at scale)
Dojo is stronger for hospitality + retail businesses
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Dojo vs Square Fee Comparison
Feature Square Dojo
Transaction fees
1.75% flat rate
Bespoke (lower for higher volume)
Monthly fee
£0
~£20+
Setup fee
£0
£0-£150 (varies)
Contract
No contract
Rolling or short-term
Payout speed
1-2 days
Next day (incl. weekends)
Square is cheaper upfront but Dojo is often cheaper long-term
Best Choice by Business Type
Business Type Best Option Why
Sole traders
Square
No commitment, easy setup
Startups
Square
No monthly fees
Cafés & restaurants
Dojo
Fast payouts + tipping features
Retail shops
Dojo
Better rates at scale
Growing SMEs
Dojo
Lower long-term costs
Low-volume businesses
Square
Pay-as-you-go model
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Compare Card Machine Deals ✔ Compare Square, Dojo & more
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Square Card Machines 👍 Best for: Simplicity & startups
Pros
No monthly fees
Flat-rate pricing (1.75%)
Fast setup (start taking payments same day)
Tap to Pay on iPhone available in the UK
Free POS software included
Cons
Fees can become expensive at higher volumes
Limited support for complex setups
Occasional account holds reported
👉 Best for low-risk, low-volume businesses
Dojo Card Machines 👍 Best for : Growing Businesses & Hospitality
Pros
Next-day payouts (including weekends)
Lower fees for higher turnover
Built-in SIM and reliable connectivity
Monthly rolling contracts available
Designed for hospitality (tipping, table service)
Cons
Monthly fees apply
Pricing is quote-based (less transparent)
May not suit very small businesses
👉 Best for consistent, higher-volume sales
Dojo vs Square: Feature Comparison
Feature Square Dojo
Ease of setup
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pricing simplicity
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐
In-person payments
⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
POS features
⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Payout speed
⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Best for scaling
⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Payout Speed Comparison
Provider Standard Payout
Square
1-2 working days
Dojo
Next day (including weekends)
👉 Dojo wins clearly for cash flow
Which Is Cheaper? Square is cheaper if:
You take low transaction volumes
You want no fixed monthly costs
Dojo is cheaper if:
You process regular/high card payments
You want lower negotiated transaction fees
👉 Our insight: Square = predictable, Dojo = scalable savings
Which Should You Choose? Choose Square if:
You’re a sole trader or startup
You want simple, transparent pricing
You don’t want a contract
Choose Dojo if:
You run a restaurant, café or retail shop
You process consistent card payments
You want faster payouts and better rates
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FAQs – Dojo vs Square Is Dojo better than Square?
Dojo is better for established businesses with higher turnover, while Square is better for startups and low-volume sellers.
Which is cheaper, Dojo or Square?
Square is cheaper upfront, but Dojo can be cheaper long-term if you process a high volume of payments.
Does Dojo require a contract?
Dojo often offers rolling monthly contracts, but terms can vary depending on your agreement.
Does Square charge monthly fees?
No, Square operates on a pay-as-you-go model with no monthly fees.
Which pays out faster?
Dojo offers next-day payouts (including weekends), while Square typically takes 1–2 working days.
Can both accept contactless payments?
Yes, both support contactless, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
Which is best for restaurants?
Dojo is typically better due to tipping features, speed, and reliability.
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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.
