Square Terminal vs SumUp Solo: Which UK Card Machine Wins in 2026?
Two of the most popular no-contract UK card terminals. SumUp Solo is the cheaper hardware (£99 vs £149) and runs at a slightly lower rate (1.69% vs 1.75%). Square Terminal has the better POS app and stronger ecosystem integration. Right answer depends on whether you want a card-acceptance device or a counter-top till.
Quick verdict
Right answer depends on whether you want a card-acceptance device or a counter-top till.
On £10k monthly volume SumUp lands at £2,127 vs Square at £2,249 over year one. Above £20k both lose to interchange-plus alternatives like Dojo.
Side-by-side
| Square Terminal | SumUp Solo | |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Square | SumUp |
| Acquirer | Square | SumUp |
| Form factor | All-in-one countertop terminal with receipt printer | Portable terminal with built-in receipt printer (Solo Lite is no-printer) |
| Connectivity | WiFi, 4G (mid-tier hardware), Bluetooth | 4G (free SIM), WiFi, Bluetooth |
| Upfront cost | £149 to £199 | £99 to £149 hardware |
| Rate | 1.75% per transaction (UK) | 1.69% per transaction |
| Contract length | No contract | No contract |
| Best for | Independent retail; Cafés and small hospitality; Square ecosystem users | Sole traders, mobile traders, market stalls; Low-to-medium volume (<£10k monthly); Seasonal businesses |
| Overall rating | 4.1 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
| Last reviewed | 2026-04-26 | 2026-04-26 |
When Square Terminal wins
Independent retail or hospitality wanting a real POS app, Square's is materially better than SumUp's. Multi-product menus, modifiers, table-side ordering, split bills. Existing Square ecosystem use (Square Online, Square Invoices, Square Payroll). Customers who want third-party integrations (Xero, QuickBooks, others), Square's plugin library is richer.
When SumUp Solo wins
Sole traders, mobile traders and market traders. Cheapest entry hardware (£99) and 1.69% covers most low-volume cases. Pop-up and event retail where simplicity beats POS depth. Sub-£10k monthly card volume where the rate difference matters less than the hardware cost. Built-in receipt printer is essential (Square Terminal also has one but adds £50).
FAQ
Square Terminal 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 4.1 for Square Terminal. That said, the right answer depends on what you trade. Square Terminal is the stronger pick for independent retail, 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, Square Terminal vs SumUp Solo?
Square Terminal runs a no contract contract. SumUp Solo runs a no contract contract. Headline transaction rates are 1.75% per transaction (UK) for Square Terminal and 1.69% per transaction for SumUp Solo. Hardware cost on Square Terminal is £149 to £199; 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?
Square Terminal is the wrong answer for £20k+ monthly volume. 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 Square Terminal 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.
Related
Get matched in two minutes
Tell us monthly card volume and trade. We match you against 80+ UK card-payment providers most likely to approve and beat your current rate, then stay your named account team for the life of the account.
Get quotes →Reviewed by Oliver Mackman, Director. Last reviewed: 2026-04-26. Editorial by Best Business Loans Ltd (16833937).