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
Full reviews: SumUp Solo · Zettle Reader 2
| 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 | £29 to £69 |
| 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 |
| 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?
There is no single winner; it 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. Match the one whose best-fit use case is closest to your business, then sense-check the rate and contract in the table above.
What does each contract look like, SumUp Solo vs Zettle Reader 2?
SumUp Solo runs on a no-contract basis. Zettle Reader 2 runs on a no-contract basis. 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 £29 to £69. 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, Best Business Loans Ltd. Last reviewed: 2026-04-26. Editorial by Best Business Loans Ltd (16833937).