SumUp vs PayPal POS 2026 UK | Fees, Costs & Which Is Best? Quick answer
SumUp is best for sole traders and small businesses wanting the cheapest, simplest card reader
PayPal POS is best for businesses already using PayPal or needing flexible payment options
👉 SumUp = cheapest & easiest
👉 PayPal POS = more flexible & connected
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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
Sumup vs Paypal POS Fees Comparison
Best Choice By Business Type
SumUp vs PayPal POS: 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
£0.00
Estimated annual fees
£0.00
Estimated monthly transactions
0
Potential monthly saving
£0.00
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
Both offer no contracts and simple setup
SumUp is slightly cheaper (~1.69% vs ~1.75%-1.90%)
PayPal POS supports Tap to Pay + PayPal ecosystem
SumUp is better for low-cost, everyday use
PayPal POS is better for online + in-person payments together
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Sumup vs Paypal POS Fees Comparison
Feature
SumUp PayPal POS
Transaction fees
~1.69%
~1.75%–1.90%
Monthly fee
£0
£0
Contract
No contract
No contract
Setup fee
£0
£0
Payout speed
1–2 days
Instant or 1–2 days
Best Choice By Business Type
Business Type Best Option Why
Sole traders
SumUp
Cheapest, simplest
Freelancers
SumUp
Easy setup
Side hustles
SumUp
Low cost
Online sellers
PayPal POS
Seamless PayPal integration
Multi-channel businesses
PayPal POS
Online + in-person
Growing SMEs
PayPal POS
More flexibility
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SumUp Card Machines Best for
Pros
Lower transaction fees (around 1.69%)
No monthly fees or contracts
Very easy to set up
Affordable card readers
great for mobile businesses
Cons
Limited POS features
Fewer integrations
Less suited to scaling businesses
👉 Best for freelancers and micro businesses
PayPal POS Best for:
Pros
Integrates with PayPal business accounts
Accepts PayPal, cards, and digital wallets
Tap to Pay on iPhone supported
Instant access to funds (PayPal balance)
Good for online + in-person payments
Cons
Slightly higher transaction fees
Less advanced POS vs Square
Hardware costs can vary
👉 Best for businesses already using PayPal
SumUp vs PayPal POS: Feature Comparison
Feature
SumUp
PayPal POS
Ease of use
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pricing simplicity
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐
POS features
⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐
Integrations
⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Online payments
⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Scalability
⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hardware Comparison
Device SumUp PayPal POS
Entry reader
£39 (often £29 promo)
~£79+
Smart terminal
£79-£139
Varies
Tap to Pay
Yes
Yes
👉 SumUp wins on upfront cost
Which Is Cheaper? SumUp is cheaper if:
You take in-person payments only
You want lowest possible fees
PayPal POS is better value if:
You already use PayPal for online payments
You want one system for everything
👉 Key insight: SumUp = cheapest, PayPal POS = most flexible
Which Should You Choose? Choose SumUp if:
You’re a sole trader or startup
You want the lowest fees
You need simple card payments only
Choose PayPal POS if:
You already use PayPal for your business
You want online + in-person integration
You need instant access to funds
Why Compare With Us?
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FAQs – SumUp vs Paypal POS Is SumUp better than PayPal POS ?
SumUp is better for simplicity and low cost, while PayPal POS is better for businesses using PayPal and needing more flexibility.
Which is cheaper, SumUp or PayPal POS?
SumUp is usually cheaper, with lower transaction fees and lower hardware costs.
Do both have contracts?
No, both offer no-contract, pay-as-you-go pricing.
Can I use PayPal POS without a PayPal account?
No, you need a PayPal business account to use PayPal POS.
Which pays out faster?
PayPal POS can offer instant access to funds, while SumUp typically pays out in 1–2 working days.
Do both support Tap to Pay?
Yes, both support Tap to Pay on iPhone in the UK.
Which is better for online businesses?
PayPal POS is better due to seamless integration with PayPal’s online payment system.
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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.
