Square Terminal vs SumUp Solo: Which UK Card Machine Wins in 2026?
Two of the most popular no-contract UK card terminals. SumUp Solo is the cheaper hardware (£79 + VAT vs £149) and runs at a slightly lower rate (1.69% vs 1.75%). Square Terminal has the better POS app and stronger ecosystem integration. Right answer depends on whether you want a card-acceptance device or a counter-top till.
Quick verdict
Right answer depends on whether you want a card-acceptance device or a counter-top till.
On £10k monthly volume SumUp lands at £2,127 vs Square at £2,249 over year one. Above £20k both lose to interchange-plus alternatives like Dojo.
Side-by-side
Full reviews: Square Terminal · SumUp Solo
| Compared on | Square Terminal | SumUp Solo |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Square | SumUp |
| Acquirer | Square | SumUp |
| Form factor | All-in-one countertop terminal with receipt printer | Portable standalone touchscreen terminal (no built-in printer; Solo Lite is the cheaper phone-paired version) |
| Connectivity | WiFi, 4G (mid-tier hardware), Bluetooth | 4G (free SIM), WiFi, Bluetooth |
| Upfront cost | £149 + VAT | £79 + VAT list price (SumUp often discounts it) |
| Rate | 1.75% per transaction (UK) | 1.69% per transaction |
| Contract length | No contract | No contract |
| Best for | Independent retail; Cafés and small hospitality; Square ecosystem users | Sole traders, mobile traders, market stalls; Low-to-medium volume (under about £15k monthly); Seasonal businesses |
Price sources: Square Terminal: Square Terminal page, checked 25 September 2026; SumUp Solo: SumUp card readers page, checked 25 September 2026.
When Square Terminal wins
Independent retail or hospitality wanting a real POS app, Square's is materially better than SumUp's. Multi-product menus, modifiers, table-side ordering, split bills. Existing Square ecosystem use (Square Online, Square Invoices, Square Payroll). Customers who want third-party integrations (Xero, QuickBooks, others), Square's plugin library is richer.
When SumUp Solo wins
Sole traders, mobile traders and market traders. Cheaper entry hardware (£79 + VAT against £149 + VAT) and 1.69% covers most low-volume cases. Pop-up and event retail where simplicity beats POS depth. Sub-£10k monthly card volume where the rate difference matters less than the hardware cost. Built-in receipt printer is essential (Square Terminal also has one but adds £50).
FAQ
Square Terminal or SumUp Solo: which is the better UK card machine in 2026?
Square Terminal is the stronger pick for independent retail, 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, Square Terminal vs SumUp Solo?
Contract: Square Terminal, no contract; SumUp Solo, no contract. Hardware: Square Terminal, £149 + VAT; 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?
Square Terminal is the wrong answer for £20k+ monthly volume. 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 Square Terminal 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
Other UK card machine head-to-heads involving Square Terminal or SumUp Solo:
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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.