SumUp great value for money
Purchased upfront, SumUp Air is a flat-surfaced card reader that connects with a phone app. For a higher price, the independent SumUp Solo comes with or without the most beautiful, ergonomic receipt printer we’ve tried.
SumUp has the lowest fixed card rate and there is no setup fee or shipping charge. You just pay for your choice of card machine, then a fixed 1.69% fee for chip and contactless payments.
The standalone terminal SumUp Solo and Printer is the cheapest card machine with a receipt printer in the UK. It features a black and white touchscreen that’s visible in bright daylight, with basic software for accepting tips, chip and contactless cards. It doesn’t have a product library or much to impress, but we find it effective for simple transactions nonetheless.
The printing cradle doubles as a power bank, ideal for both countertops and on the go. It works with WiFi or 4G, since it has a SIM card built in free of charge.
You can also buy SumUp Solo with just a desktop charging stand. Either way, Solo can be taken out of its cradle or printer and put in your pocket for the most compact setup.
Alternatively, the cheap card reader SumUp Air has been a trusted option for years in the UK. It works with a user-friendly app that has a wide range of features including a product library and cash acceptance.
The app also gives access to payment links, email invoices and a basic online store creator at no monthly cost, just a 2.5% transaction fee. SumUp Virtual Terminal is available for eligible merchants for 2.95% + 25p per transaction.
SumUp accepts mobile wallets and most card brands.
It normally takes 2-3 working days for payments to reach your bank account, minus the transaction fee, or the new SumUp One subscription transfers funds the next day. You can also receive payouts in the complimentary SumUp Business Account the following day, even on weekends, and spend it with the free Mastercard.
It’s quick to sign up on SumUp’s website, after which you can order a card machine. Shipping takes up to a week, which is a bit longer than the other options on this list.