SumUp Solo vs Tap to Pay on iPhone (no terminal): Which UK Card Machine Wins in 2026?
The most disruptive UK card-acceptance product of 2025-2026 against the strongest plug-and-play no-contract terminal. Tap to Pay on iPhone needs no hardware: a compatible iPhone (XS or later, iOS 16.4+) plus an acquirer app accepts contactless cards directly. SumUp Solo is £99 of dedicated hardware with built-in printer, no contract and a 1.69% rate. Right answer depends on whether you want a real till or just card acceptance.
Quick verdict
Right answer depends on whether you want a real till or just card acceptance.
Same rate, £99 difference. The case for SumUp Solo at low volume is the printer, the dedicated battery and the customer-facing display, not the cost.
Side-by-side
| SumUp Solo | Tap to Pay on iPhone (no terminal) | |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | SumUp | Apple (multiple acquirers) |
| Acquirer | SumUp | SumUp, Square, Zettle, Stripe, Tide, Revolut all offer it on UK iPhones |
| Form factor | Portable terminal with built-in receipt printer (Solo Lite is no-printer) | iPhone XS or later running iOS 16.4+, no separate terminal |
| Connectivity | 4G (free SIM), WiFi, Bluetooth | Cellular or WiFi via the iPhone |
| Upfront cost | £99 to £149 hardware | £0 hardware (you already have the iPhone) |
| Rate | 1.69% per transaction | Same as the underlying acquirer |
| Contract length | No contract | Same as the underlying acquirer |
| Best for | Sole traders, mobile traders, market stalls; Low-to-medium volume (<£10k monthly); Seasonal businesses | Mobile traders, dog groomers, mobile beauticians; Plumbers, electricians, builders; Pop-up and event retail |
| Overall rating | 4.2 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
| Last reviewed | 2026-04-26 | 2026-04-26 |
When SumUp Solo wins
Counter-style trade where a dedicated device beats handing the customer a phone. Operators who want printed receipts at point of sale (Tap to Pay on iPhone offers digital only). Long trading days where iPhone battery drain becomes a real problem. Buyers without an iPhone XS or newer, or running an Android-only setup.
When Tap to Pay on iPhone (no terminal) wins
Mobile traders who already own a compatible iPhone (XS or newer, iOS 16.4+). Trades, mobile beauty, plumbers, electricians, dog groomers. Anywhere hardware is overkill. Pop-ups and one-off events where £0 setup beats a £99 hardware purchase. Buyers who want choice of acquirer rate model (SumUp 1.69%, Square 1.75%, Zettle 1.75%, Stripe custom, Tide 1.5%, Revolut 0.8% to 1.0%).
FAQ
SumUp Solo or Tap to Pay on iPhone (no terminal): which is the better UK card machine in 2026?
SumUp Solo scores higher overall in our 2026 review at 4.2 of 5 versus 4.2 for Tap to Pay on iPhone (no terminal). That said, the right answer depends on what you trade. SumUp Solo is the stronger pick for sole traders, mobile traders, market stalls, while Tap to Pay on iPhone (no terminal) is the stronger pick for mobile traders, dog groomers, mobile beauticians. 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, SumUp Solo vs Tap to Pay on iPhone (no terminal)?
SumUp Solo runs a no contract contract. Tap to Pay on iPhone (no terminal) runs a same as the underlying acquirer contract. Headline transaction rates are 1.69% per transaction for SumUp Solo and Same as the underlying acquirer for Tap to Pay on iPhone (no terminal). Hardware cost on SumUp Solo is £99 to £149 hardware; on Tap to Pay on iPhone (no terminal) it is £0 hardware (you already have the iphone). 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?
SumUp Solo is the wrong answer for high-volume retail. Tap to Pay on iPhone (no terminal) is the wrong answer for high-volume fixed-location 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 SumUp Solo and Tap to Pay on iPhone (no terminal)?
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).