Dojo Go review
Dojo Go is the strongest UK card terminal for hospitality and retail at £10k+ monthly card volume in 2026. Blended pricing 1.4% to 1.9%, 12-month minimum contract, hardware free with a monthly fee. Same-next-day settlement (including weekends) is the cashflow win that justifies the contract for any venue trading Friday to Sunday peaks.
At a glance
- Overall rating
- 4.4 / 5
- Manufacturer
- Dojo
- Acquirer
- Dojo (in-house)
- Form factor
- Portable countertop terminal
- Contract
- 12 months minimum
How Dojo Go works
Dojo Go is a portable countertop terminal acquired through Dojo (in-house). Connectivity covers 4G, WiFi, Bluetooth, which determines whether the device runs standalone or pairs with a phone, tablet or POS till.
Cards are read at the device, the transaction is authorised through the acquirer's payment gateway, and funds settle to the merchant's nominated UK bank account on the acquirer's settlement schedule. Pricing is 1.4% to 1.9% blended, with a contract length of 12 months minimum.
The merchant of record is Dojo (in-house). That means card-scheme compliance, PCI handling, dispute and chargeback flows all sit with the acquirer rather than with the merchant. The hardware is the user-facing surface; the underlying processing relationship is with the acquirer. For the full FCA chain, Companies House identifier and contract terms behind this acquirer, see the Dojo processor profile.
Pricing breakdown
| Cost component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Setup / hardware cost | £0 with rolling monthly fee |
| Transaction rate | 1.4% to 1.9% blended |
| Monthly fee | Bundled with contract; confirm with acquirer |
| Contract length | 12 months minimum |
| Exit fee | Early-termination fee may apply; confirm in writing |
Verify pricing directly with Dojo (in-house) before signing. UK card-acceptance pricing varies by sector, ticket size and processing volume.
Hardware and software
- Form factor: Portable countertop terminal.
- Connectivity: 4G, WiFi, Bluetooth.
- Card schemes: Visa, Mastercard, American Express (acquirer-dependent), Maestro.
- Contactless: contactless cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay accepted up to UK contactless limits.
- Software: managed by Dojo (in-house); firmware and security updates are pushed by the acquirer.
- Receipt handling: digital receipts by SMS or email; no built-in printer.
- POS app integrations: see acquirer's published list (varies by acquirer and country).
Tap to Pay support
Status: Yes (contactless / NFC)
Hardware accepts contactless cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex), Apple Pay and Google Pay up to UK contactless limits.
Settlement and funds
Same-day or next-day to your nominated business bank account, including weekends, subject to Dojo cut-off times.
Pros and cons
Pros
- + Same-next-day settlement (unusual in UK).
- + Robust hardware tested across hospitality.
- + Strong dashboard and reporting.
- + Multi-network connectivity reduces downtime.
Cons
- − 12-month minimum contract.
- − Blended rate model hides interchange-plus benefits for higher-volume merchants.
- − Customer service over peak periods has been patchy historically.
Best for and avoid if
Best for
- · Hospitality (restaurants, pubs, cafés)
- · Retail with high contactless volume
- · Mobile traders
Avoid if
- · Sub-£3k monthly card volume (rate is uncompetitive)
- · High-risk verticals
FAQs
Does Dojo Go require a contract?
Yes. Contract length is 12 months minimum. Terms vary by acquirer; confirm exit fees, auto-renewal and minimum monthly fees in writing before signing.
What does Dojo Go cost in year 1?
Upfront hardware: £0 with rolling monthly fee. Transaction rate: 1.4% to 1.9% blended. Contract: 12 months minimum. First-year cost depends on your card volume; MerchantHQ's quote tool will model the effective cost against alternatives.
Can I integrate Dojo Go with common UK POS systems?
Integration depends on the underlying acquirer and the POS. Dojo (in-house) publishes a list of supported integrations. Common UK POS systems with public integrations include Lightspeed, Epos Now, Square POS (own ecosystem) and Goodtill. Confirm directly before purchasing hardware.
How fast does Dojo Go settle funds?
Same-day or next-day to your nominated business bank account, including weekends, subject to Dojo cut-off times.
Can I cancel Dojo Go early?
Early termination is governed by the contract. Most UK card-acceptance contracts include an early-termination fee or remaining-monthly-fees clause. Get the cancellation terms in writing before you sign.
Compare Dojo Go
How Dojo Go stacks up against the closest UK alternatives. Pick a head-to-head matchup or jump to the full alternatives shortlist.
Dojo Go vs Square Terminal
Contract-based hospitality favourite vs no-contract all-in-one for UK retail.
Dojo Go vs Tyl by NatWest
Hospitality-favourite acquirer vs bank-owned UK terminal supplier.
Dojo Go vs Worldpay terminals (legacy estate)
Modern UK hospitality terminal vs the legacy Worldpay estate.
Dojo Go vs SumUp Solo
No-contract sole-trader reader vs contract-based hospitality terminal.
All alternatives to Dojo Go
4 closest UK alternatives, side by side on rate, contract, hardware and trade fit.
Reviewed by Oliver Mackman, Director. Last reviewed: 2026-04-26.