Dojo Go Max vs SumUp Solo: Which UK Card Machine Wins in 2026?
The most-asked UK card terminal pairing of 2026. Dojo Go Max is the strongest fit for hospitality and high-volume retail with same-next-day settlement, blended pricing and a 12-month contract. SumUp Solo is the no-contract default for sole traders and low-to-medium-volume businesses with a flat 1.69% rate and £79 + VAT hardware. They are aimed at different volume bands; the right answer is dictated almost entirely by how much you take a month on the card.
Quick verdict
Pick Dojo Go Max for hospitality, retail and any merchant doing more than £10k a month on card. Pick SumUp Solo for sole traders, mobile traders, market stalls and sub-£10k monthly volume. The contract is the bigger trade-off than the rate.
Below £100,000 a year in card takings, Dojo's published 1.2% blended rate pays back its £25 monthly fee against SumUp's 1.69% from about £5,100 a month (£25 divided by the 0.49-point rate gap).
Side-by-side
Full reviews: Dojo Go Max · SumUp Solo
| Compared on | Dojo Go Max | SumUp Solo |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Dojo | SumUp |
| Acquirer | Dojo (in-house) | SumUp |
| Form factor | Portable countertop terminal | Portable standalone touchscreen terminal (no built-in printer; Solo Lite is the cheaper phone-paired version) |
| Connectivity | 4G, WiFi, Bluetooth | 4G (free SIM), WiFi, Bluetooth |
| Upfront cost | £149 upfront on a launch offer (£229 full price) or £25 a month | £79 + VAT list price (SumUp often discounts it) |
| Rate | 1.2% blended below £100,000 a year in card takings (custom rate above) | 1.69% per transaction |
| Contract length | 12 months minimum | No contract |
| Best for | Hospitality (restaurants, pubs, cafés); Retail with high contactless volume; Mobile traders | Sole traders, mobile traders, market stalls; Low-to-medium volume (under about £15k monthly); Seasonal businesses |
Price sources: Dojo Go Max: Dojo pricing page, checked 25 September 2026; SumUp Solo: SumUp card readers page, checked 25 September 2026.
When Dojo Go Max wins
Hospitality and retail with £10k+ monthly card flow where the blended rate beats SumUp's 1.69%. You need same-next-day settlement including weekends; cashflow during a Friday to Sunday peak benefits materially. You want robust hardware proven across busy hospitality settings. Multi-network connectivity (4G + WiFi + Bluetooth) reduces downtime if your WiFi drops.
When SumUp Solo wins
Sole traders, mobile beauticians, plumbers, electricians, market stalls. Sub-£10k monthly card volume where 1.69% covers more than the contract savings. Pop-up retail, weekend events, seasonal trading. You will not commit to 12 months of any provider.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Dojo Go Max or SumUp Solo?
On published prices, Dojo charges 1.2% blended below £100,000 a year in card takings against SumUp's flat 1.69%, with hardware at £149 upfront on a launch offer (£229 full price) or £25 a month. On the £25 monthly plan the rate gap pays back the fee from about £5,100 a month in card takings; below that, SumUp's no-contract, no-monthly-fee model is cheaper. Above £100,000 a year Dojo quotes a custom rate, so compare its written quote with SumUp's 1.69%.
Does Dojo Go Max have a contract?
Yes. 12-month minimum rolling commitment. SumUp Solo has no contract; you can stop using it at any time.
Which is faster to settle into your bank account?
Both offer same-day or next-day settlement. Dojo includes weekends, which SumUp generally does not. For hospitality trading Friday to Sunday, Dojo's weekend settlement is a real cashflow advantage.
Which works for sole traders or market traders?
SumUp Solo. The £79 + VAT hardware, no contract and 1.69% flat rate is built for sole traders, market stalls, mobile beauticians and pop-up retail. Dojo Go Max's 12-month contract is overkill for that profile.
Dojo Go Max or SumUp Solo: which is the better UK card machine in 2026?
Dojo Go Max is the stronger pick for hospitality (restaurants, pubs, cafés), while SumUp Solo is the stronger pick for sole traders, mobile traders, market stalls. If neither describes your business, the rate and contract rows in the table above will usually settle it.
What does each contract look like, Dojo Go Max vs SumUp Solo?
Contract: Dojo Go Max, 12 months minimum; SumUp Solo, no contract. Hardware: Dojo Go Max, £149 upfront on a launch offer (£229 full price) or £25 a month; SumUp Solo, £79 + VAT list price (SumUp often discounts it). Always verify the live commercials before signing because acquirer pricing moves and bespoke rates are common above £20k monthly volume.
Related comparisons
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Payments review: Derren Powell, payments and fintech specialist, formerly Vice President, Business Development (Merchants) at Mastercard. Independent reviewer; the MerchantHQ editorial team retains control of the final content.