SumUp Fee Calculator UK 2026: Compare Card Machine Rates Quick answer
SumUp can be a simple option for small businesses that want a card reader with straightforward transaction fees. However, if your monthly card turnover is growing, it is worth comparing SumUp fees against other card machine providers, merchant accounts and PDQ machine quotes.
Use our SumUp fee calculator below to estimate your monthly transaction costs, compare SumUp Standard against SumUp Payments Plus, and see whether another card machine rate could save you money.
SumUp Fee Calculator UK Estimate your SumUp transaction fees and compare them with another card machine or merchant account quote.
SumUp plan to compare
SumUp Standard SumUp Payments Plus Custom SumUp rate Use custom if you want to enter your own SumUp fee.
Comparison period
12 months 18 months 24 months 36 months Used to estimate longer-term difference.
Business type
Mobile trader / market stall Retail shop Restaurant / café / hospitality Salon / clinic Trades / services Online and in-person sales High-volume card taker Used for recommendation only.
Your estimated SumUp fees vs card machine rates
Estimated SumUp monthly fees
£0
Alternative monthly cost
£0
Estimated transactions/month
0
Difference over period
£0
Enter your card turnover to compare SumUp fees against another card machine rate.
Recommendation will appear here.
This calculator is an estimate only. SumUp fees and alternative provider rates can change. Actual card machine costs vary by provider, turnover, card mix, transaction type, hardware, monthly fees, authorisation fees, PCI fees, contract length and supplier terms.
Key takeaways
SumUp can be simple for small businesses because pricing is easy to understand.
Higher card turnover can make it worth comparing SumUp against merchant account rates.
A lower transaction fee is not always cheaper if the alternative provider has monthly fees.
The best way to compare card machine rates is to calculate total monthly cost.
Businesses taking thousands of pounds per month by card should compare more than one provider.
How does the SumUp fee calculator work? The calculator estimates your monthly SumUp fees by multiplying your monthly card turnover by the SumUp transaction fee you select. It then compares that with an alternative card machine quote using a transaction rate, authorisation fee and monthly fees.
This helps you see whether a simple card reader fee or a merchant account-style quote could be cheaper for your business.
SumUp fees vs card machine rates
Pricing type How it works Best for
Simple flat-rate card reader fee
You pay one percentage fee on card transactions
Small businesses, market traders, mobile traders and occasional card payments
Lower rate with monthly fee
You pay a lower transaction rate plus a monthly subscription or account fee
Businesses with enough card turnover to offset the monthly cost
Merchant account pricing
Rates may vary by card type, turnover, risk and contract terms
Growing businesses, shops, hospitality and higher-volume card takers
PDQ machine rental
You may pay terminal rental plus transaction fees and other charges
Businesses needing countertop, portable or integrated card terminals
When could SumUp be a good fit? SumUp may be a good fit if:
you want simple card reader pricing
you are a sole trader, market trader or mobile business
you do not want a long card machine contract
your card turnover is still relatively low
you do not need a complex merchant account setup
you want to start taking card payments quickly
When should you compare SumUp with other card machine providers? You should compare card machine rates if:
your monthly card turnover is growing
you take regular card payments in a shop, café, salon or restaurant
you want a countertop or portable PDQ machine
you want lower transaction fees
you are paying more than expected in fees
you need better reporting, support or integrations
you want to compare SumUp against Dojo, Worldpay, Square, Stripe, Tyl, Clover or other providers
Get free card machine quotes
Example: SumUp fee vs lower card machine rate A flat percentage fee can be very simple, but it may not always be the cheapest option once your turnover grows. For example, a business taking a small amount by card each month may prefer simplicity. A business taking higher monthly card payments may benefit from comparing lower transaction rates, even if another provider charges a monthly terminal or account fee.
Monthly card turnover What to check Likely best next step
Under £2,000
Reader cost, simplicity and no monthly fee
Compare simple card readers
£2,000-£7,500
Flat fee vs lower rate with monthly fee
Use a calculator and compare quotes
£7,500-£20,000
Transaction rate, terminal rental and authorisation fees
Compare card machine providers
£20,000+
Custom merchant account rates and card mix
Compare merchant account quotes
SumUp vs other card machine providers
Provider type Why compare? What to check
SumUp
Simple card reader pricing and easy setup
Transaction fee, device cost, payout speed and monthly plan options
Square Simple pricing and POS features
Transaction fees, POS tools, hardware and online payment costs
Dojo Popular for businesses wanting card terminals and fast payouts
Monthly fees, transaction rates, contract terms and support
Worldpay Established merchant services provider
Custom rates, terminal options, contract length and fees
Stripe
Useful for online and in-person payment setups
Online fees, terminal options, integrations and reporting
Clover Useful for POS and card machine packages
Software fees, hardware, processing costs and contract terms
How to reduce card machine fees
Compare rates once your monthly card turnover increases.
Look at total monthly cost, not just the headline transaction percentage.
Check whether a lower rate is worth paying a monthly fee for.
Compare terminal rental, authorisation fees and PCI fees.
Review card mix if you take lots of credit, corporate or international cards.
Avoid paying for complex POS features if you only need a simple card reader.
Compare quotes before committing to a long contract.
What to check before choosing a card machine provider
What is the transaction fee?
Is there a monthly fee?
Is there a card reader or terminal cost?
Are authorisation fees charged?
Are PCI or compliance fees charged?
How quickly are funds paid out?
Does the provider support your business type?
Can you take contactless, chip and PIN, Apple Pay and Google Pay?
Does the provider support online payments?
Is there a contract?
Are there exit fees?
Is customer support included?
Why compare card machine rates? Card machine rates can look small, but the difference between two transaction fees can become significant as card turnover grows. A business taking £1,000 per month by card may care most about simplicity. A business taking £10,000, £20,000 or £50,000 per month should usually compare providers more carefully.
Comparing rates helps you understand whether SumUp-style pricing, a PDQ machine, a merchant account or a custom card machine quote is likely to be best value.
Why compare with Compare Your Business Costs? Compare Your Business Costs helps UK businesses compare card machine quotes based on turnover, business type, transaction volume and provider needs.
You can compare:
SumUp alternatives
card machine rates
PDQ machine quotes
merchant account fees
portable card machines
countertop card machines
card readers for small businesses
card machines for shops
card machines for restaurants
card machines for sole traders
Get free card machine quotes
Verdict: should you use SumUp or compare card machine rates? SumUp will be good for your small businesses that want simple card reader pricing and low commitment. But if your card turnover is growing, another card machine provider or merchant account quote could be cheaper overall.
Final recommendation: use our SumUp fee calculator above to estimate your monthly fees, then compare card machine rates based on total monthly cost, not just the transaction percentage.
FAQs: SumUp fee calculator How do I calculate SumUp fees?
Multiply your monthly card turnover by the SumUp transaction fee, then add any monthly plan fee or hardware cost if relevant.
What is a SumUp fee calculator?
A SumUp fee calculator estimates how much you may pay in transaction fees based on your card turnover, transaction rate and monthly fees.
Is SumUp cheaper than a card machine contract?
It depends on your turnover and the alternative quote. SumUp may be cheaper for low turnover, while a merchant account or PDQ machine quote may be cheaper for higher monthly card sales.
When should I compare card machine rates?
You should compare card machine rates if you take regular card payments, have growing turnover, need a fixed terminal or want to reduce transaction fees.
Does a lower transaction fee always mean cheaper card payments?
No. A lower transaction fee may come with monthly rental, authorisation fees, PCI fees or contract terms. Always compare total monthly cost.
Is SumUp good for small businesses?
SumUp can suit small businesses, sole traders, pop-ups and mobile traders that want simple pricing and a low-commitment card reader.
What is the break-even point for card machine fees?
The break-even point is the turnover level where a lower transaction rate with monthly fees becomes cheaper than a higher transaction rate with no monthly fee.
Can I compare SumUp with Dojo, Square or Worldpay?
Yes. You can compare SumUp against other providers by entering their transaction rate, authorisation fee and monthly fee into the calculator.
What is the best alternative to SumUp?
The best alternative depends on your turnover, business type, terminal needs, contract preference and whether you need POS features, online payments or merchant account pricing.
Can I compare card machine quotes for free?
Yes. You can compare card machine quotes based on your business type, card turnover and payment needs.
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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.
