iZettle vs SumUp vs Square: What one is the best card reader for small businesses?
If you sell your handmade products, food, drink, produce or gifts at markets and events, having a reliable way to accept card payments is essential. Customers increasingly expect to pay by contactless card, Apple Pay or Google Pay, so choosing the right card reader can help you avoid missed sales.
Three popular options in the UK are iZettle (now PayPal Point of Sale), SumUp and Square. All offer card readers without requiring a traditional card machine rental contract, but they differ in fees, hardware, website integrations and long-term business features.
The main features...
iZettle / PayPal POS
Standard in-person fee - 1.75%
Basic card reader: PayPal Reader - Advertised starting price £29
Basic monthly fee - £0
Shopify integration - Supported
Online selling tools - Third-party integrations
Best for - Connected online and in-person sales
Sum up (#ad)
Standard in-person fee - 1.69%
Basic card reader: Solo Lite - Advertised starting price £25
Basic monthly fee - £0
Shopify integration - Check compatibility
Online selling tools - Online Store and payment links
Best for - Simple, affordable payments
Square (#ad)
Standard in-person fee - 1.75%
Basic card reader: Square Reader - Advertised starting price £19
Basic monthly fee - £0
Shopify integration - Usually requires a compatible connector or alternative workflow
Online selling tools - Square Online and payment links
Best for - Wider business management tools
Prices and features are indicative of UK offerings in October 2026. Hardware prices may exclude VAT, and promotions, eligibility and processing fees can change. Check each provider's official website before purchasing.
PayPal Point of Sale (previously iZettle)
iZettle became part of PayPal and is transitioning to the PayPal Point of Sale name. It offers card readers, standalone terminals and software for managing products and sales.
Transaction fees: The standard in-person fee is 1.75%, with no mandatory monthly subscription for the basic service.
For example, a £50 sale costs approximately 88p in processing fees, leaving £49.12 before other business costs.
Hardware: The compact PayPal Reader connects to a compatible smartphone or tablet. Standalone terminals are available for sellers who want to take payments without relying on their phone for every transaction.
Ease of use: Setup is straightforward: create an account, install the app, connect your reader and add products if required. Sales reporting and product management can help you keep track of your trading performance.
Shopify and website integration: One of its main advantages is its supported Shopify integration, which can synchronise product information and inventory between compatible systems. This is useful if you sell the same products at markets and online. It also offers integrations with platforms such as WooCommerce and BigCommerce, plus accounting tools including Xero and QuickBooks Online.
Integration features and limitations vary, so check which product fields, variants and stock updates are supported.
Long-term benefits: PayPal Point of Sale is worth considering if you want to grow an online shop alongside your market trading. Connecting sales and stock across channels can reduce manual administration and help prevent overselling.
Best for: Stall holders who already use Shopify or another compatible e-commerce platform and want to connect their online and in-person sales.
Official information: PayPal Point of Sale pricing
Sum Up
SumUp is popular with independent sellers who want affordable hardware and straightforward payment processing without a monthly commitment.
Transaction fees: Its standard in-person rate is 1.69%, slightly lower than the standard rates of the other two providers.
A £50 sale costs approximately 85p, leaving £49.15 before other costs.
SumUp also offers a paid Payments Plus plan, advertised at £19 per month or £189 per year, with a reduced 0.99% fee on eligible domestic payments. This may suit higher-volume sellers, but check the terms and which card types qualify.
Hardware:
Solo Lite (#ad): A compact reader that connects to a compatible smartphone.
Solo (#ad): A standalone touchscreen payment device.
Terminal (#ad): A more comprehensive device with an integrated receipt printer.
Tap to Pay: Accept contactless payments on a compatible smartphone without a separate reader.
Ease of use: SumUp is designed to be beginner-friendly. You can add products, take payments, offer receipts where supported and review sales. Standalone devices can be particularly useful at busy events because they leave your phone available for other tasks.
Shopify and website integration: SumUp offers an online store, payment links and remote payment options. However, do not assume that a SumUp reader automatically synchronises stock with Shopify. Check whether your intended setup supports product imports, stock updates, variants and refunds.
SumUp also provides business tools and connections to compatible third-party applications, depending on your plan and location.
Long-term benefits: Affordable hardware and pay-as-you-go pricing make SumUp attractive for occasional traders. As sales increase, you can consider standalone devices or a reduced-fee plan.
Best for: New and growing stallholders who want a simple, affordable payment solution without monthly software costs.
Official information: SumUp UK pricing
Square
Square combines card payments with a wider range of business management tools, making it attractive to sellers planning to expand.
Transaction fees: The standard in-person fee for UK cards is 1.75%, with no mandatory monthly charge for basic POS software.
A £50 sale costs approximately 88p. Online payments have different fees; Square's published online rate for UK cards is 1.4% plus 25p per transaction. Check current rates for international cards and other payment methods.
Hardware:
Square Reader (#ad): An affordable reader for a compatible phone or tablet.
Square Terminal: (#ad) A standalone device with an integrated receipt printer.
Square Stand: Turns a compatible iPad into a checkout station.
Square Register (#ad): A more comprehensive till system for established retailers.
Ease of use: Square offers product catalogues, discounts, sales reports, inventory management and customer records. These features can help you identify bestsellers and manage stock across regular events. However, it may have more features than an occasional seller needs.
Shopify and website integration: Square has its own online store, Square Online, payment links and a marketplace of third-party integrations. Shopify connectivity depends on the available connector or workflow. Confirm whether your chosen solution synchronises inventory, variants, sales and refunds, and whether it requires an additional subscription.
Long-term benefits: Square provides an upgrade path from a basic reader to more comprehensive retail software, customer management and additional checkout hardware.
Best for: Sellers who want payments, reporting, stock management and online selling tools within a broader business ecosystem.
Official information: Square UK pricing
Which is cheapest?
Here are the estimated costs of standard in-person payment processing
SumUp (1.69%)
on £500, £8.45
on £1,000, £16.90
on £5,000, £84.50
PayPal POS (1.75%)
on £500, £8.75
on £1,000, £17.50
on £5,000, £87.50
Square (1.75%)
on £500, £8.75
on £1,000, £17.50
on £5,000, £87.50
(These examples exclude hardware, subscriptions and other charges and assume all transactions qualify for the stated standard rate)
The differences are relatively small. At £5,000 in monthly sales, SumUp saves just £3 compared with the other two providers. A better website integration or more efficient stock management could easily be worth more than that difference.
What should you consider before buying?
Ask yourself these questions to help make your final decision...
Do I sell online as well? Prioritise reliable stock synchronisation if you use Shopify or another website.
How often do I trade? Occasional sellers may prefer a basic reader, while frequent traders may benefit from a standalone terminal.
Is connectivity reliable? Check mobile coverage, battery life and charging options before outdoor events.
Will my business grow? Consider reporting, customer records, integrations and future hardware needs.
What is the total cost? Include transaction fees, hardware, subscriptions and any third-party integration charges.
Final verdict
Choose SumUp for straightforward, affordable payments and low fixed costs.
Choose PayPal Point of Sale if connecting in-person sales with Shopify or another compatible online shop is a priority.
Choose Square if you want a broader system for payments, inventory, reporting and future retail growth.
The best card reader is not necessarily the one with the lowest transaction fee. It is the one that helps you take payments reliably, keep stock accurate and spend less time on administration, leaving you free to focus on selling your products and growing your business.
Hopefully this post helps you decide which card reader to choose, just remember to charge it before each event otherwise, none of the above will matter...
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases on some of the links shared within this blog post.
Katy
Founder 51 North Events