SumUp Solo vs Tide Card Reader: Which UK Card Machine Wins in 2026?
Two of the cheapest UK card-acceptance products for sole traders and small Ltd companies. Tide Card Reader runs at 1.5% per transaction inside the Tide Business banking app, conditional on a Tide account. SumUp Solo runs at 1.69% as a standalone product with no banking dependency. The right answer is dictated by whether you already bank with Tide.
Quick verdict
Pick Tide Card Reader if you already bank with Tide and want banking, payments and bookkeeping in one app. Pick SumUp Solo if you bank elsewhere or want a standalone product that can print receipts through SumUp's add-on Solo printer. Cost gap on rate is real (1.5% vs 1.69%) but only available to Tide customers.
On £10k monthly volume Tide saves around £278 a year. The saving only applies if you genuinely use the Tide app stack.
Side-by-side
Full reviews: SumUp Solo · Tide Card Reader
| Compared on | SumUp Solo | Tide Card Reader |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | SumUp | Tide (acquirer partner) |
| Acquirer | SumUp | Tide / partner |
| Form factor | Portable standalone touchscreen terminal (no built-in printer; Solo Lite is the cheaper phone-paired version) | Compact Bluetooth-paired reader (similar to Zettle / SumUp) |
| Connectivity | 4G (free SIM), WiFi, Bluetooth | Bluetooth (paired with Tide app on phone or tablet) |
| Upfront cost | £79 + VAT list price (SumUp often discounts it) | £49 hardware |
| Rate | 1.69% per transaction | 1.5% per transaction (UK) |
| Contract length | No contract | No contract |
| Best for | Sole traders, mobile traders, market stalls; Low-to-medium volume (under about £15k monthly); Seasonal businesses | Existing Tide Business banking customers; Sub-£15k monthly volume; Sole traders and small Ltd companies |
Price sources: SumUp Solo: SumUp card readers page, checked 25 September 2026.
When SumUp Solo wins
You bank elsewhere and have no plan to move to Tide. You need a standalone device with a printed-receipt option for customers. Sub-£10k monthly volume where the 0.19 percentage point rate gap is small in pounds. Pop-up retail or seasonal trading where Tide app dependency is friction.
When Tide Card Reader wins
You already use Tide Business banking and want one app for everything. You want the cheapest mainstream UK transaction rate (1.5%). Bookkeeping reconciliation flows directly into Tide Bookkeeping. Same-day settlement to your existing Tide account.
FAQ
Is Tide Card Reader cheaper than SumUp Solo?
Yes, on rate alone. Tide charges 1.5% per transaction; SumUp Solo charges 1.69%. The 0.19 percentage point gap matters at higher volume but is conditional on holding a Tide Business banking account.
Do I need a Tide account to use Tide Card Reader?
Yes. Tide Card Reader is part of the Tide Business banking stack and runs inside the Tide app. It is not a standalone product. SumUp Solo works regardless of where you bank.
Which is better for receipts?
SumUp Solo, if you add SumUp's Solo printer (sold as a bundle); Tide Card Reader is Bluetooth-paired and sends receipts through the Tide app. For mobile traders, plumbers, and anyone who needs a paper receipt at point-of-sale, SumUp is more convenient.
Can both be used as a sole trader?
Yes. Tide is popular with sole traders and small Ltd companies who want banking and payments in one app. SumUp is the more general-purpose default that works for any sole trader regardless of bank.
SumUp Solo or Tide Card Reader: which is the better UK card machine in 2026?
SumUp Solo is the stronger pick for sole traders, mobile traders, market stalls, while Tide Card Reader is the stronger pick for existing Tide Business banking customers. 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 Tide Card Reader?
Contract: SumUp Solo, no contract; Tide Card Reader, no contract. Hardware: SumUp Solo, £79 + VAT list price (SumUp often discounts it); Tide Card Reader, £49 hardware. Always verify the live commercials before signing because acquirer pricing moves and bespoke rates are common above £20k monthly volume.
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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.