Stripe vs Square vs Dojo 2026 UK | Which Card Machine Is Best? Quick answer
Square is best for small businesses and startups thanks to simple pricing and no contracts
Stripe is best for online-first or tech-driven businesses needing integrations
Dojo is best for hospitality, retail, and growing SMEs that want fast payouts and better long-term rates
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This quote service is best for UK businesses that want to take card payments in person using a card reader, countertop terminal, portable PDQ machine or merchant account.
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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
Stripe vs Square vs Dojo: Fees Comparison
Best Provider by Business Type
Square Card Machines
Stripe Card Machines
Dojo Card Machines
Stripe vs Square vs Dojo: Feature 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
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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 = simplest, no contract, easiest setup
Stripe = most flexible, best for online + integration
Dojo = fastest payouts, best for in-person businesses
Flat-rate vs custom pricing is the biggest difference
Dojo suits established businesses, Square suits beginners
Need a card machine for your business?
This quote service is best for UK businesses that want to take card payments in person using a card reader, countertop terminal, portable PDQ machine or merchant account.
Compare Business Card Machine Quotes
Compare card machine rates from leading UK providers and see whether your business could save up to 40%.
Stripe vs Square vs Dojo: Fees Comparison
Provider Pricing Type Transaction Fees Monthly Fees Contract
Stripe
Flat-rate
~1.5%–2.5%
£0
No contract
Square
Flat-rate
1.75%
£0
No contract
Dojo Custom pricing
Bespoke (lower at scale)
~£20+
Rolling/short-term
👉 Square and Stripe are simpler but Dojo can be cheaper long-term
Best Provider by Business Type
Business Type Best Choice Why
Sole traders
Square
Easiest setup, no monthly fees
Startups
Square
Low commitment, simple pricing
eCommerce businesses
Stripe
Best integrations and flexibility
Restaurants & cafés
Dojo
Fast payouts + hospitality features
Retail shops
Dojo
Better rates at higher volume
Scaling businesses
Dojo
More cost-effective long-term
Square Card Machines Best For:
Pros
No monthly fees
Simple flat-rate pricing (1.75%)
Quick setup (start same day)
Tap to Pay on iPhone available
Great all-in-one POS ecosystem
Cons
Can be expensive at higher volumes
Limited support for complex businesses
Account holds occasionally reported
👉 Best for simplicity and low commitment
Stripe Card Machines 👍 Best for: Online & Tech-Focused Businesses
Pros
Powerful integrations and APIs
Supports online + in-person payments
Scalable for growing businesses
Strong for subscriptions and invoicing
Cons
More complex setup
Requires technical knowledge
Not designed primarily for in-person retail
👉 Best for businesses already using Stripe online
Dojo Card Machines 👍 Best fo r: Hospitality, Retail & SMEs
Pros
Next-day payouts (including weekends)
Lower fees for higher turnover
Modern terminals with built-in SIM
Monthly rolling contracts available
Strong hospitality features (tipping, table service)
Cons
Monthly fees apply
Pricing not fully transparent
Less suited to micro businesses
👉 Best for businesses processing regular payments
Stripe vs Square vs Dojo – Feature Comparison
Feature Square Stripe Dojo
Ease of use
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Setup speed
Instant
Moderate
Moderate
Pricing simplicity
Very high
High
Medium
In-person payments
Strong
Good
Excellent
Online payments
Good
Excellent
Good
Payout speed
1–2 days
2–3 days
Next day
Best for scaling
Medium
High
High
Best Countertop Card Machine Providers UK
Provider Best For Benefits
Dojo Hospitality & retail
Fast payouts, modern terminals
Worldpay Established businesses
Reliable & scalable
Barclaycard Retail
Strong banking integration
Elavon SMEs
Competitive bespoke pricing
Square Small businesses
No contract option
SumUp Micro businesses
Simple, low-cost setup
Why Compare With Us?
1,000+ UK businesses helped
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Independent comparison
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Save up to 40%
Which One Should You Choose? Choose Square if:
You want no monthly fees
You’re just starting out
You want simple pricing and quick setup
Choose Stripe if:
You sell online
You need custom integrations
You want full control over payments
Choose Dojo if:
You run a restaurant, café or shop
You process regular card payments
You want faster payouts and better long-term rates
Which Is Cheapest?
Lowest upfront cost: Square
Best long-term rates: Dojo (for higher volume)
Most flexible pricing: Stripe
👉 The cheapest option depends on your transaction volume
👉 Compare deals in 30 seconds
FAQs – Stripe vs Square vs Dojo Which is best for small businesses?
Square is usually best due to its simplicity and no monthly fees.
Which is best for restaurants?
Dojo is typically the best option due to fast payouts and hospitality features.
Is Stripe better than Square?
Stripe is better for online businesses, while Square is better for in-person simplicity.
Which has the lowest fees?
Dojo can offer lower fees at higher volumes, while Square and Stripe are simpler but often more expensive long-term.
Do all three support contactless payments?
Yes, all support contactless, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
Which is easiest to set up?
Square is the fastest and easiest to start using.
Can I switch providers later?
Yes , but contract providers like Dojo may include terms or fees.
Need a card machine for your business?
This quote service is best for UK businesses that want to take card payments in person using a card reader, countertop terminal, portable PDQ machine or merchant account.
Compare Business Card Machine Quotes
Compare card machine rates from leading UK providers and see whether your business could save up to 40%.
👉 Not sure which card machine is right for your business? Compare quotes in 30 seconds and save up to 40%
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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.
