SumUp Solo vs Tap to Pay on iPhone (no terminal): Which UK Card Machine Wins in 2026?
A zero-hardware option against a dedicated no-contract terminal. Tap to Pay on iPhone needs no hardware: a compatible iPhone (XS or later, iOS 16.4+) plus an acquirer app accepts contactless cards directly. SumUp Solo is £79 + VAT of dedicated hardware (prints receipts if you add SumUp's Solo printer), no contract and a 1.69% rate. Right answer depends on whether you want a real till or just card acceptance.
Quick verdict
Right answer depends on whether you want a real till or just card acceptance.
Similar rates, different hardware. The case for SumUp Solo at low volume is the dedicated battery, its own SIM and the customer-facing display, not the cost.
Side-by-side
Full reviews: SumUp Solo · Tap to Pay on iPhone (no terminal)
| Compared on | SumUp Solo | Tap to Pay on iPhone (no terminal) |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | SumUp | Apple (multiple acquirers) |
| Acquirer | SumUp | The payment provider you sign up with |
| Form factor | Portable standalone touchscreen terminal (no built-in printer; Solo Lite is the cheaper phone-paired version) | Software on an iPhone Xs or later, no separate terminal |
| Connectivity | 4G (free SIM), WiFi, Bluetooth | Cellular or WiFi via the iPhone |
| Upfront cost | £79 + VAT list price (SumUp often discounts it) | £0 hardware (you already have the iPhone) |
| Rate | 1.69% per transaction | Set by the provider you use it with; see that provider's own pricing page |
| Contract length | No contract | No fixed term for the feature itself; any contract is with your provider |
| Best for | Sole traders, mobile traders, market stalls; Low-to-medium volume (under about £15k monthly); Seasonal businesses | Mobile traders, dog groomers, mobile beauticians; Plumbers, electricians, builders; Pop-up and event retail |
Price sources: SumUp Solo: SumUp card readers page, checked 25 September 2026; Tap to Pay on iPhone (no terminal): Apple Tap to Pay on iPhone (UK), checked 2 October 2026.
When SumUp Solo wins
Counter-style trade where a dedicated device beats handing the customer a phone. Operators who want printed receipts at point of sale (Tap to Pay on iPhone offers digital only). Long trading days where iPhone battery drain becomes a real problem. Buyers without an iPhone XS or newer, or running an Android-only setup.
When Tap to Pay on iPhone (no terminal) wins
Mobile traders who already own a compatible iPhone (XS or newer, iOS 16.4+). Trades, mobile beauty, plumbers, electricians, dog groomers. Anywhere hardware is overkill. Pop-ups and one-off events where £0 setup beats a £79 + VAT hardware purchase. Buyers who want choice of acquirer rate model (SumUp 1.69%, Square 1.75%, Zettle 1.75%, Stripe custom, Tide 1.5%, Revolut 0.8% to 1.0%).
FAQ
SumUp Solo or Tap to Pay on iPhone (no terminal): which is the better UK card machine in 2026?
SumUp Solo is the stronger pick for sole traders, mobile traders, market stalls, while Tap to Pay on iPhone (no terminal) is the stronger pick for mobile traders, dog groomers, mobile beauticians. If neither describes your business, the rate and contract rows in the table above will usually settle it.
What does each contract look like, SumUp Solo vs Tap to Pay on iPhone (no terminal)?
Contract: SumUp Solo, no contract; Tap to Pay on iPhone (no terminal), no fixed term for the feature itself; any contract is with your provider. Hardware: SumUp Solo, £79 + VAT list price (SumUp often discounts it); Tap to Pay on iPhone (no terminal), £0 hardware (you already have the iPhone). 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?
SumUp Solo is the wrong answer for high-volume retail. Tap to Pay on iPhone (no terminal) is the wrong answer for high-volume fixed-location 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 SumUp Solo and Tap to Pay on iPhone (no terminal)?
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 SumUp Solo or Tap to Pay on iPhone (no terminal):
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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.