SumUp vs Square for Small Business Payments

Pick Wise Team
May 19
6 min read

Accepting card payments has become a must for small businesses. Whether you're running a café, a boutique, or a market stall, having a reliable payment solution can make or break your customer experience.

This is where payment solutions like SumUp and Square come in. They’re two of the most popular options for small businesses looking for affordable, efficient, and user-friendly card payment processing. But which one is a better fit for your business?

We’ve done the legwork to compare SumUp vs. Square based on fees, card readers, battery life, integrations, and customer support. Let’s get into the details so you can make the right decision for your small business.

Why choosing the right payment solution matters

Before we jump into the comparison, it’s important to understand why picking the right payment system is crucial for your business. The right tool can:

Reduce transaction costs, saving your business money.
Allow you to accept payments quickly, ensuring smoother transactions.
Enhance customer satisfaction with a seamless payment experience.
Provide valuable insights into your business with sales data and analytics.

Now, let's break down how SumUp and Square measure up in these key areas.

Fees and costs

Pricing is often the most important buying decision for small businesses. So let's break it down.

SumUp’s pricing model

SumUp offers a flat transaction fee of 1.69% for in-person payments, regardless of card type or transaction amount, making its pricing transparent and straightforward. There are no monthly fees or hidden charges, which is great for businesses with unpredictable sales volumes. The card reader prices range from £34 for the basic Air model to £139 for the Solo with printer. SumUp often run sales on their card readers, so keep an eye out for discounts.

Remote payments are priced at 2.5% per transaction, with no hidden fees. This rate covers a wide range of payment options, including invoice payments, online store purchases, gift cards, and payment links.

SumUp have also recently introduced a subscription model called Payments Plus, which offers a reduced transaction fee of only 0.99% for all in-person and remote payments. This option is great for businesses that transact more than £3,300 per month. This subscription also includes an exclusive 50% discount on a card reader!

To sum up (pun fully intended):

In-person payments have a fee of 1.69%
Online/remote payments have a fee of 2.5%
Card reader prices start at £34, but they often run sales
You can subscribe to Payments Plus to get lower fees of 0.99% for all in-person and remote payments

Square’s pricing model

Square charges a slightly higher fee of 1.75% per in-person chip and PIN or contactless transactions. For online transactions or invoices, the fee differs depending on if a UK card is used (1.4% + 25p) or an international card (2.5% + 25p). Square also charges higher fees of 2.5% for keyed-in payments (i.e. payments over the phone), so it’s something to keep in mind.

The basic Square Reader is quite affordable at £19, but for more advanced hardware, like the Square Terminal, you’ll need to spend around £149.

Square also offers subscription models starting at £29 per month for advanced features geared towards certain industries like restaurants.

Verdict on pricing

SumUp has a slight edge here thanks to its lower transaction fees, which can save businesses money over time, and its consistent, easy-to-understand pricing structure. This transparency makes it an attractive option for small businesses looking to avoid hidden costs and keep things simple.

Card reader hardware

SumUp card readers

SumUp offers a few versatile card reader options to suit your business needs:

SumUp Air (£39): A compact device that connects seamlessly via Bluetooth to your smartphone or tablet through the SumUp app.
SumUp SOLO (£79): A sleek, standalone device featuring an intuitive touch display for effortless transactions. It includes a built-in SIM card so you don’t need to connect it to your phone (although you can if you want). You can also connect this to a receipt printer.
Tap to Pay (£0): Transforms your smartphone into a card reader without any additional hardware. You can activate this feature for free in the SumUp app and start transacting right away!

All devices are lightweight, user-friendly, and designed for maximum portability, making them perfect for mobile businesses like market stalls, taxis or food trucks.

Square card readers

Square’s main card reader options are:

Square Reader (£19): A small, portable device that also relies on a smartphone connection. There’s no screen on this reader so you will have to show your phone to the customer.
Square Terminal (£149): A larger, standalone device that includes a touchscreen, built-in receipt printing, and Wi-Fi connectivity.
Tap to Pay (£0): Square also offers the option to turn your smartphone into a card reader with no additional hardware or upfront costs.

Square’s hardware has a sleek and modern design. While the Square Reader is budget-friendly, the Terminal is pricier but packed with advanced features.

Verdict on card readers

SumUp stands out for its affordability, especially with mid-range options like the Solo. However, if built-in receipt printing is a priority, Square’s Terminal is an excellent alternative.

Battery life

Battery life is critical when you’re serving customers all day. Here’s how the two compare:

SumUp Air offers up to 12 hours of battery life on a single charge.
SumUp Solo can last all day with moderate use, offering around 8 hours of battery life.
Square Reader provides around 8 hours of use.
Square Terminal offers more longevity with a single charge lasting all day under typical use.

Verdict on battery life

Both SumUp and Square offer card readers with batteries designed to last all day, even during busy periods, so you won’t have to worry about them running out unexpectedly.

Because battery life is not a concern with either option, I’d recommend focusing your purchasing decision on the specific features each one offers, such as transaction fees, integrations with other tools, or ease of use, to ensure you choose the best fit for your business needs.

Integrations and additional features

SumUp integrations

SumUp seamlessly integrates with a range of POS (point of sale) systems and even offers its own in-house solutions. In addition to its built-in accounting features, SumUp is compatible with leading accounting software like Xero and QuickBooks. For restaurant businesses, it also provides valuable integrations with platforms like Uber Eats and Deliveroo, making operations smoother and more efficient.

Their ecosystem focuses on simplicity, so the app is user-friendly and great for basic reporting and inventory tracking. However, it might fall short for businesses looking for advanced features.

Square integrations

Square shines in this category with its robust ecosystem. It offers a free POS app, detailed analytics, payroll management, and online store creation. The integration options are vast, including Xero, QuickBooks, and popular e-commerce platforms like WooCommerce and Shopify.

Verdict on integrations

Square takes the win here, given its suite of advanced tools and wide range of integration options.

Customer support

SumUp support

SumUp provides multiple support options to ensure its users get the help they need. You can reach their team via email, chat, or phone during business hours, making it easy to address any questions or concerns.

Additionally, they offer a comprehensive online help centre filled with FAQs, instructional guides, and step-by-step tutorials to assist with common issues. For urgent matters, their AI chatbot is available 24/7, providing instant responses and guidance at any time.

Their support team is known for being incredibly friendly, professional, and dedicated to delivering a positive customer experience.

Square support

Square offers email, chat, and phone support during business hours, ensuring help is always within reach. Business owners can also tap into a vibrant community forum for shared insights and advice. Additionally, their website hosts comprehensive tutorials and informative blogs, providing users with valuable resources to make the most of their tools.

Verdict on customer support

Both Square and SumUp offer comprehensive customer support options to assist their users. They provide resources such as help centres, FAQs, and guides, as well as direct support through email, chat, or phone to address any issues or questions customers may have. I would lean towards SumUp in this category due to the 24/7 access to the AI chatbot.

Pros and cons at a glance

SumUp Pros

Low card transaction fees (flat 1.69% or 0.99% with Payments Plus).
Affordable hardware options.
Simple and user-friendly app interface.

SumUp Cons

Limited POS features compared to Square.
Battery life could be improved for very heavy use.

Square Pros

Comprehensive POS ecosystem with advanced features.
Affordable starting hardware price.
Wide range of integrations for growing businesses.

Square Cons

Higher fees overall.
Advanced hardware can get pricey.

Which is right for your business?

If you're looking for affordability and simplicity, SumUp is an excellent option. It’s perfect for small businesses with lower transaction volumes or those just starting out. Its straightforward pricing and compact readers are great for small-scale operations.

On the other hand, Square is ideal for growing businesses or those needing advanced features like detailed analytics and integration options. If you value having a complete solution for POS, payroll, and e-commerce, Square can handle it all—even if it comes with slightly higher fees.

SumUp vs. Square - Take the next step

Choosing the right payment solution can seem daunting, but what matters most is aligning the platform with your business needs. If SumUp’s simplicity resonates with you, or Square’s ecosystem feels like a must-have, you can’t go wrong with either.

Would you like to read more business tool comparisons like this? Explore Pick Wise for more in-depth articles that help you make smarter choices.

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