PAX A920 Pro vs SumUp Solo: Which UK Card Machine Wins in 2026?
SumUp Solo edges this one in our 2026 UK review, scoring 4.2 of 5 against PAX A920 Pro on 3.8. SumUp Solo runs 1.69% per transaction on a no contract contract; PAX A920 Pro runs Acquirer-dependent on a typically 12 to 36 months via the acquirer / iso contract. That said, the right answer still depends on monthly card volume, sector and ecosystem fit. PAX A920 Pro beats SumUp Solo for hospitality, retail, salons via broker / iso. Read the side-by-side, then jump to the "when X wins" sections for the buyer-fit logic.
Side-by-side
| PAX A920 Pro | SumUp Solo | |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | PAX Technology | SumUp |
| Acquirer | Multiple (commonly used by Take Payments, Paymentsense, BoonPay, ISOs) | SumUp |
| Form factor | Android-based handheld with receipt printer | Portable terminal with built-in receipt printer (Solo Lite is no-printer) |
| Connectivity | WiFi, 4G, Bluetooth | 4G (free SIM), WiFi, Bluetooth |
| Upfront cost | Bundled with merchant account (rental typical) | £99 to £149 hardware |
| Rate | Acquirer-dependent | 1.69% per transaction |
| Contract length | Typically 12 to 36 months via the acquirer / ISO | No contract |
| Best for | Hospitality, retail, salons via broker / ISO; Acquirer-bundled deployments; Sector-specialist brokers (BoonPay, Take Payments) | Sole traders, mobile traders, market stalls; Low-to-medium volume (<£10k monthly); Seasonal businesses |
| Overall rating | 3.8 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
| Last reviewed | 2026-04-26 | 2026-04-26 |
When PAX A920 Pro wins
- Widely deployed and well-supported.
- Android platform supports acquirer customisation.
- Receipt printer built in.
Best for
Hospitality, retail, salons via broker / ISO, Acquirer-bundled deployments, Sector-specialist brokers (BoonPay, Take Payments).
Watch outs
- Almost always rented (not bought), lock-in via acquirer contract.
- Performance depends on the acquirer app.
- Older units in deployment can show their age.
When SumUp Solo wins
- No contract, no monthly fee.
- Single transparent rate (1.69%).
- Hardware is well-built; battery life solid for a day of trading.
- Same-day or next-day settlement.
Best for
Sole traders, mobile traders, market stalls, Low-to-medium volume (<£10k monthly), Seasonal businesses.
Watch outs
- 1.69% is uncompetitive at higher volumes.
- No interchange-plus option.
- Locked to SumUp acquirer.
FAQ
PAX A920 Pro or SumUp Solo: which is the better UK card machine in 2026?
SumUp Solo scores higher overall in our 2026 review at 4.2 of 5 versus 3.8 for PAX A920 Pro. That said, the right answer depends on what you trade. PAX A920 Pro is the stronger pick for hospitality, retail, salons via broker / iso, while SumUp Solo is the stronger pick for sole traders, mobile traders, market stalls. If your business sits inside one of those use cases, ignore the headline rating and pick the right fit.
What does each contract look like, PAX A920 Pro vs SumUp Solo?
PAX A920 Pro runs a typically 12 to 36 months via the acquirer / iso contract. SumUp Solo runs a no contract contract. Headline transaction rates are Acquirer-dependent for PAX A920 Pro and 1.69% per transaction for SumUp Solo. Hardware cost on PAX A920 Pro is bundled with merchant account (rental typical); on SumUp Solo it is £99 to £149 hardware. 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?
PAX A920 Pro is the wrong answer for no-contract economics. 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 from our 80+ UK acquirer panel and we will surface the right shortlist.
Can MerchantHQ help me choose between PAX A920 Pro and SumUp Solo?
Yes. We are not tied to either acquirer. Our 80+ UK acquirer panel covers every major fintech and bank acquirer in the country. Tell us monthly card volume, sector and any ecosystem you are already inside (Stripe online, PayPal, Tide Business banking, NatWest banking). We match you against the providers most likely to approve and beat your current rate, then stay your named account team for the life of the account.
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Get quotes →Reviewed by Oliver Mackman, Director. Last reviewed: 2026-04-26. Editorial by Best Business Loans Ltd (16833937).