Revolut Card Reader vs SumUp Solo: Which UK Card Machine Wins in 2026?
Revolut Card Reader and SumUp Solo are both credible UK card-acceptance choices in 2026; the right one depends on your monthly card volume, sector and the ecosystem you already sit inside. Headline rate: Revolut Card Reader, 0.8% to 1.0% per transaction (depending on subscription tier); SumUp Solo, 1.69% per transaction. Revolut Card Reader is best for existing Revolut Business customers, while SumUp Solo is best for sole traders, mobile traders, market stalls. Read both columns of the side-by-side, then the "when X wins" sections below for the buyer-fit logic. If you want us to do the work, the quote form takes two minutes and our broker partner works to return 2 to 3 matched quotes.
Side-by-side
Full reviews: Revolut Card Reader · SumUp Solo
| Compared on | Revolut Card Reader | SumUp Solo |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Revolut (acquirer partner) | SumUp |
| Acquirer | Revolut Business / partner | SumUp |
| Form factor | Compact Bluetooth-paired reader | Portable standalone touchscreen terminal (no built-in printer; Solo Lite is the cheaper phone-paired version) |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth (paired with Revolut Business app) | 4G (free SIM), WiFi, Bluetooth |
| Upfront cost | £49 hardware | £79 + VAT list price (SumUp often discounts it) |
| Rate | 0.8% to 1.0% per transaction (depending on subscription tier) | 1.69% per transaction |
| Contract length | Subscription-tier dependent (Revolut Business plan) | No contract |
| Best for | Existing Revolut Business customers; International / multi-currency businesses; Tech-led businesses prioritising integration | Sole traders, mobile traders, market stalls; Low-to-medium volume (under about £15k monthly); Seasonal businesses |
Price sources: SumUp Solo: SumUp card readers page, checked 25 September 2026.
When Revolut Card Reader wins
- Cheapest UK headline rate (0.8% on higher Revolut Business plans).
- Strong international payments and FX integration.
- Same-day settlement to Revolut account.
Watch outs
- Rate conditional on Revolut Business subscription (£25 to £100+ per month).
- Locked to Revolut ecosystem.
- Hardware basic compared to Dojo / Square.
When SumUp Solo wins
- No contract, no monthly fee.
- Single transparent rate (1.69%).
- Hardware is well-built; battery life solid for a day of trading.
- Same-day or next-day settlement.
Watch outs
- 1.69% is uncompetitive at higher volumes.
- No interchange-plus option.
- Locked to SumUp acquirer.
FAQ
Revolut Card Reader or SumUp Solo: which is the better UK card machine in 2026?
Revolut Card Reader is the stronger pick for existing Revolut Business customers, 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, Revolut Card Reader vs SumUp Solo?
Contract: Revolut Card Reader, subscription-tier dependent (Revolut Business plan); SumUp Solo, no contract. Hardware: Revolut Card Reader, £49 hardware; 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.
Which is weakest for what?
Revolut Card Reader is the wrong answer for non-Revolut customers. SumUp Solo is the wrong answer for high-volume retail. If either of those describes your business, look at the side-by-side table for the alternative, or get a quote through our broker partner, which works to return 2 to 3 matched quotes from the 40+ card-payment providers we compare.
Can MerchantHQ help me choose between Revolut Card Reader and SumUp Solo?
Yes. We are not tied to either acquirer. The 43 providers in our Card Acquirer Index cover the major fintech and bank acquirers in the UK. Tell us monthly card volume, sector and any ecosystem you are already inside (Stripe online, PayPal, Tide Business banking, NatWest banking), and our broker partner works to return 2 to 3 matched quotes for your business.
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.