Best card terminals for UK charities 2026
Registered charities, churches, and not-for-profits collecting donations. Distinct from commercial acceptance because of Gift Aid, lower-volume seasonality, and different acquirer underwriting. SumUp publishes a 0.99% rate for registered charities; that is the strongest mainstream offer in 2026.
The ranking
1. SumUp Solo
4.2 / 5Best charity rate (0.99% for registered charities)
Portable terminal with built-in receipt printer (Solo Lite is no-printer) · 1.69% per transaction · No contract
SumUp Solo at 0.99% per transaction (England and Wales: Charity Commission registered, Scotland and Northern Ireland: equivalent registers) is the cheapest mainstream charity rate. £99 hardware, no contract, no monthly fee. Best fit for most UK charities collecting donations at events or premises.
2. Square Terminal
4.1 / 5Best for charity shops and event retail
All-in-one countertop terminal with receipt printer · 1.75% per transaction (UK) · No contract
Square Terminal is the strongest fit for charity shops and charity event retail. Built-in receipt printer, full POS app, no contract. 1.75% standard rate; Square negotiates charity rates for high-volume registered charities.
3. Tide Card Reader
3.8 / 5Best for Tide-banked charities
Compact Bluetooth-paired reader (similar to Zettle / SumUp) · 1.5% per transaction (UK) · No contract
Tide Card Reader at 1.5% per transaction is the cheapest no-contract mainstream rate. Best fit for small charities already banking with Tide; same-day settlement to Tide Business account.
4. Tap to Pay on iPhone (no terminal)
4.2 / 5Best zero-hardware option for charity events
iPhone XS or later running iOS 16.4+, no separate terminal · Same as the underlying acquirer · Same as the underlying acquirer
Tap to Pay on iPhone removes the hardware cost entirely. Zero contract, choose the acquirer (SumUp at the charity rate, Square, Zettle, Stripe, Tide or Revolut). Best fit for one-off fundraising events where buying dedicated hardware is overkill.
5. Zettle Reader 2
4.0 / 5Best PayPal-ecosystem option
Compact card reader (pairs with phone or tablet) · 1.75% per transaction · No contract
Zettle Reader 2 at £59 is the cheapest entry-point hardware. 1.75% per transaction, no contract. Best fit for charities already using PayPal Giving Fund or PayPal Donate.
Quick comparison
Headline rate, hardware cost, contract and form factor at a glance.
| Rank | Terminal | Rate | Hardware | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | SumUp Solo | 1.69% per transaction | £99 to £149 hardware | No contract |
| #2 | Square Terminal | 1.75% per transaction (UK) | £149 to £199 | No contract |
| #3 | Tide Card Reader | 1.5% per transaction (UK) | £49 hardware | No contract |
| #4 | Tap to Pay on iPhone (no terminal) | Same as the underlying acquirer | £0 hardware (you already have the iPhone) | Same as the underlying acquirer |
| #5 | Zettle Reader 2 | 1.75% per transaction | £59 to £79 | No contract |
FAQs
What is the best card terminal for a UK charity?
SumUp Solo at the registered-charity rate (0.99%) is the strongest fit for most UK charities at 2026 rates, on the strength of no contract, low hardware cost, and no monthly minimum. For charity shops, Square Terminal is the better fit because of the built-in receipt printer and full POS. For church donations, dedicated kiosks (covered in our Faith Institutions section) are often a better fit than a generic card terminal.
Can a charity claim Gift Aid on card donations?
Yes if the donor is a UK taxpayer and signs a Gift Aid declaration. The card terminal captures the donation; the Gift Aid declaration is captured separately (paper, email, or via a donation platform like Stewardship or GoodBox). Speak to your charity treasurer for the HMRC reporting flow.
Do I need to register as a charity to get the 0.99% SumUp rate?
Yes. SumUp's 0.99% rate requires Charity Commission registration (England and Wales) or equivalent (OSCR for Scotland, CCNI for Northern Ireland). Unregistered community groups, CICs without charitable status, or church PCCs that have not registered separately do not qualify.
Are there card terminals built specifically for donations?
Yes. Dedicated donation hardware (GoodBox G2 kiosk, Tap2Donate) is built for low-touch contactless giving in worship and museum settings. Generic card terminals work but lack the donor-receipt and Gift Aid integration that purpose-built kiosks offer. Covered in detail in our Faith Institutions section.
Methodology
Rankings are based on direct hands-on testing, published rates, settlement timing, contract terms, and acquirer reliability. We do not accept payment for ranking position. See our full methodology and editorial policy.
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Open quote form →Reviewed by Oliver Mackman, Director. Last reviewed: 2026-05-09.