SumUp Solo vs Zettle Reader 2: Which UK Card Machine Wins in 2026?
Two of the most popular no-contract UK card-acceptance products for sole traders and mobile businesses. PayPal Zettle Reader 2 is a Bluetooth reader (£29 + VAT for your first one as a new business user) that pairs with your phone or tablet, suited to merchants already inside the PayPal ecosystem. SumUp Solo is a £79 + VAT standalone terminal with its own screen and SIM; receipts print only if you add SumUp's Solo printer. Different hardware shapes, similar economics, slightly different ecosystem fit.
Quick verdict
Pick Zettle Reader 2 if you already accept PayPal online and want one ecosystem across web and in-person. Pick SumUp Solo if you want a standalone device that does not need a phone. SumUp wins marginally on rate (1.69% vs 1.75%) and on settlement speed.
On rate alone SumUp is 0.06 percentage points cheaper, which is about £58 a year on £8k a month of card sales (0.06% of £96,000). Zettle's cheaper first reader takes most of that back in year one, so ecosystem fit and standalone-vs-paired hardware become the decider.
Side-by-side
Full reviews: SumUp Solo · Zettle Reader 2
| Compared on | SumUp Solo | Zettle Reader 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | SumUp | PayPal Zettle |
| Acquirer | SumUp | PayPal Zettle |
| Form factor | Portable standalone touchscreen terminal (no built-in printer; Solo Lite is the cheaper phone-paired version) | Compact card reader (pairs with phone or tablet) |
| Connectivity | 4G (free SIM), WiFi, Bluetooth | Bluetooth (paired with mobile device) |
| Upfront cost | £79 + VAT list price (SumUp often discounts it) | £29 first reader, £69 each extra (ex VAT) |
| Rate | 1.69% per transaction | 1.75% per transaction |
| 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 PayPal merchants; Pop-up retailers, market traders; Sub-£8k monthly volume |
Price sources: SumUp Solo: SumUp card readers page, checked 25 September 2026; Zettle Reader 2: Zettle card reader page, checked 25 September 2026.
When SumUp Solo wins
You want a standalone device, no paired phone or tablet required. Your customers want printed receipts (mobile beauty, plumbers, market stalls). Marginally lower rate at 1.69% adds up across higher monthly volumes. Same-day or next-day settlement matters for cashflow.
When Zettle Reader 2 wins
You already accept PayPal online and want one ecosystem. At £29 + VAT for your first reader, it is one of the cheapest ways to start taking cards in the UK. You always have a phone or tablet at hand and do not need a printed receipt. Pop-up retail and seasonal trading where you only take cards a few days a month.
FAQ
What is the headline difference?
Zettle Reader 2 is a Bluetooth card reader that pairs with a phone or tablet, costs £29 + VAT for your first reader as a new business user (£69 + VAT for each extra one), and runs at 1.75% per transaction. SumUp Solo is a standalone terminal with its own screen and SIM (receipt printing needs SumUp's add-on Solo printer), costs £79 + VAT, and runs at 1.69%. Both are no-contract.
Do I need a phone for either?
You need a phone or tablet for Zettle Reader 2, the device only handles the card. SumUp Solo is fully standalone with its own screen and SIM; you can take payments without a paired device.
Which integrates better with my online sales?
Zettle Reader 2 integrates with the PayPal ecosystem, useful if you already accept PayPal online. SumUp Solo integrates with SumUp Online Store and a similar third-party plugin set. For PayPal-heavy online sales, Zettle is the cleaner stack.
Which is faster to settle?
SumUp Solo settles same-day or next-day. Zettle Reader 2 typically takes 1 to 2 business days. SumUp wins on cashflow.
SumUp Solo or Zettle Reader 2: which is the better UK card machine in 2026?
SumUp Solo is the stronger pick for sole traders, mobile traders, market stalls, while Zettle Reader 2 is the stronger pick for existing PayPal merchants. 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 Zettle Reader 2?
Contract: SumUp Solo, no contract; Zettle Reader 2, no contract. Hardware: SumUp Solo, £79 + VAT list price (SumUp often discounts it); Zettle Reader 2, £29 first reader, £69 each extra (ex VAT). 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.