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 £59 Bluetooth reader that pairs with your phone or tablet, suited to merchants already inside the PayPal ecosystem. SumUp Solo is a £99 all-in-one terminal with a built-in receipt printer that runs standalone. 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 with a receipt printer that does not need a phone. SumUp wins marginally on rate (1.69% vs 1.75%) and on settlement speed.
On £8k monthly the two are within £18 of each other over year one. Ecosystem fit and standalone-vs-paired hardware become the decider.
Side-by-side
| SumUp Solo | Zettle Reader 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | SumUp | PayPal Zettle |
| Acquirer | SumUp | PayPal Zettle |
| Form factor | Portable terminal with built-in receipt printer (Solo Lite is no-printer) | Compact card reader (pairs with phone or tablet) |
| Connectivity | 4G (free SIM), WiFi, Bluetooth | Bluetooth (paired with mobile device) |
| Upfront cost | £99 to £149 hardware | £59 to £79 |
| 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 (<£10k monthly); Seasonal businesses | Existing PayPal merchants; Pop-up retailers, market traders; Sub-£8k monthly volume |
| Overall rating | 4.2 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Last reviewed | 2026-04-26 | 2026-04-26 |
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. £59 hardware is genuinely the cheapest entry point for 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 £59 to £79, and runs at 1.75% per transaction. SumUp Solo is a standalone all-in-one terminal with a receipt printer, costs £99 to £149, 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 receipt printer; 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 scores higher overall in our 2026 review at 4.2 of 5 versus 4.0 for Zettle Reader 2. That said, the right answer depends on what you trade. 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 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 Zettle Reader 2?
SumUp Solo runs a no contract contract. Zettle Reader 2 runs a no contract contract. Headline transaction rates are 1.69% per transaction for SumUp Solo and 1.75% per transaction for Zettle Reader 2. Hardware cost on SumUp Solo is £99 to £149 hardware; on Zettle Reader 2 it is £59 to £79. Always verify the live commercials before signing because acquirer pricing moves and bespoke rates are common above £20k monthly volume.
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Get quotes →Reviewed by Oliver Mackman, Director. Last reviewed: 2026-04-26. Editorial by Best Business Loans Ltd (16833937).