Dojo vs Shift4
2026 ComparisonShift4's SkyTab hardware is impressive and their restaurant features are genuinely good. But when around 30% of Trustpilot reviews are one star, and the complaints focus on hidden fees and exit charges running into the thousands, it is worth comparing carefully before signing anything.
SkyTab hardware and features look strong on paper. However, Shift4's Trustpilot profile shows around 30% one-star reviews, with recurring complaints about exit fees reportedly ranging from £1,500 to over £8,000. Dojo, by contrast, charges zero exit fees, settles next day including weekends, and holds a 4.4 out of 5 Trustpilot score from over 5,000 reviews (according to Dojo). It is worth reading both providers' reviews before committing.
Quick Verdict
Shift4 has a 3.1-3.6 out of 5 on Trustpilot with 150+ reviews. Dojo has 4.4 out of 5 with over 5,000. The Shift4 complaints are notable: people report being charged thousands in exit fees, finding hidden charges on their statements, and struggling to reach support because it is primarily overseas. For UK businesses, Dojo offers more transparent pricing and more favourable contract terms.
We compare providers on transaction fees, hardware and connectivity, features, support and contract flexibility, weighted in that order; last updated April 2026. Read how we compare. Dojo's fees, contract terms and hardware are covered in one place in our full Dojo review.
See What You Would Save
Drag the slider to your monthly card turnover
Shift4
£305/mo
Est. 2.75% + 15p (standard)
Dojo via CapExpand
£105/mo
Bespoke rates tailored to your volume
Your estimated saving
£2,400/year
That is £200 back in your pocket every month
Estimated cost based on bespoke rates available through CapExpand. Your actual rate depends on your card volume, card mix, and business type. Get a personalised quote to see your exact cost.
What You Are Really Paying
A headline transaction rate does not tell the full story. Here is what most providers do not show you upfront.
| Hidden cost | Shift4 | Dojo via CapExpand |
|---|---|---|
PCI compliance | Non-compliance fee if not self-certified £20–50/month | Free PCI compliance included £0 |
Terminal rental | Varies by provider and contract £15–30/month | £10 – £15/month per terminal (or £79 to own outright) £10 – £15/month |
Settlement speed | 3–5 business days typical Lost working capital | Next day, including weekends Faster cash flow |
Fraud protection | Basic or not included Chargeback risk | Real-time detection across 49M+ cardholders Small per-tx fee |
UK phone support | Chatbot or email only (many providers) Downtime risk | 7-day UK support, 16-second avg answer time Included |
Contract buyout | Not offered You pay exit fees | Up to £3,000 covered by CapExpand £0 to switch |
Competitor costs are typical ranges based on publicly available information and industry averages. Your actual costs may vary.
Switching Takes Less Than 48 Hours
No downtime. No hassle. We handle everything.
What many businesses use today
Dojo Go with CapExpand
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Tell us your monthly card turnover. We come back with your exclusive Dojo rate in minutes.
5 minWe handle the switch
We manage the application, chase your old provider for exit fees, and sort the paperwork.
24 hrsTerminal arrives
Your Dojo Go arrives next working day. Free delivery. Ready to go out of the box.
Next dayStart saving
Take your first payment. Money in your account tomorrow morning. 30-day no-commitment trial.
Day 1Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | Dojo | Shift4 |
|---|---|---|
| In-person transaction fee | Bespoke (tailored to your volume) | Est. 2.75% + 15p (bespoke available) |
| Monthly fee | £10 – £15/mo | From £20-30/mo POS software |
| Contract length | 30-day rolling or 12-month | Varies (reports of 12-36 months) |
| Early exit fees | £0 (no penalty) | Disputed: reports of £1,500-£8,000+ |
| Pricing transparency | Published and transparent | Quote-only (not published in UK) |
| Settlement speed | Next day (inc. weekends) | Next working day |
| UK support | Every day, extended hours, UK-based (confirm with Dojo) | Primarily overseas call centres |
| Trustpilot rating | 4.4/5 (5,000+ reviews) | 3.1-3.6/5 (150+ reviews) |
| POS features | Basic (payment-focused) | Full POS (kitchen display, kiosk) |
| Hardware range | Dojo Go portable | SkyTab POS, Solo, Glass, Mobile |
| Exit fee buy-out | Up to £3,000 (subject to eligibility) | Not offered |
| Transaction speed | Dojo reports 58% faster (2-second auth) | Not published |
| Platform uptime | Dojo reports 99.99% since Feb 2022 | Reviewers report downtime |
| QR code payments | Yes (bill split + Google Reviews) | Not available |
| Restaurant bookings | Full system + 800k diner app | SkyTab reservation system |
| Tipping on terminal | Built-in tipping (Dojo: NQ64 tips +2,049%) | Available |
| Google Reviews boost | Auto-prompt after QR payment | Not available |
| 30-day commitment-free trial | Yes (genuine, no catches) | 30-day trial (disputed in reviews) |
| Data intelligence | 49M cardholder dataset + competitor benchmarking | SkyTab analytics |
Dojo rates are bespoke and tailored to your card volume and business type. Every transaction includes a small secure fee that powers real-time fraud detection across 49M+ cardholders, automatically prompting for PIN on suspicious cards to reduce chargebacks.
Why Businesses Choose Dojo
Dojo on Trustpilot
5,200+ reviews. 89-91% five-star. Replies to 93% of negatives within 24 hours.
According to Dojo, NQ64 Arcade, a multi-site entertainment venue, switched to Dojo and saw staff tips increase by 2,049%, an extra £1.50 to £2.50 per hour per team member. Their CCO said: "Our people absolutely love Dojo. They would scream if we tried to remove it."
What Shift4 customers flag most: Users often report hidden fees that push effective processing rates to 3.9-6.5% after monthly and yearly charges. Exit fees are the biggest concern, with reports ranging from £1,500 to $45,000. Multiple reviewers describe overseas support with long hold times where you are "transferred 3 times" with "zero accountability". Systems are described as "always down" and "really old". One reviewer was charged $6,000 after closing their account.
Illustrative Numbers: A Hospitality Business That Chose Safety Over Features (Illustrative)
Based on a a hospitality business that chose safety over features (illustrative) processing £15,000/month in card payments. Round numbers for a £15,000 a month hospitality site on a bundled POS quote, not a client case study and not a quote. According to Dojo, NQ64 Arcade reported staff tips increased by 2,049% after switching to Dojo, worth an extra £1.50-£2.50 per hour per team member..
With Shift4
Transaction fees (est. 2.75% + 15p): £413 + POS: £30/mo. Risk of hidden exit fees.
£443/month
With Dojo via CapExpand
Dojo prices the rate bespoke against your £15,000 a month, with the terminal line set by the package. Terms are 30-day rolling or 12-month.
£215/month
£0/year saved (illustrative)
The Verdict
Choose Dojo If:
- Transparent published pricing is important to you
- You want zero exit fees and short contracts
- UK-based phone support matters (not overseas call centres)
- You have read the Shift4 Trustpilot reviews and want a safer choice
- You are a UK SME wanting a straightforward card machine without complex POS
- You want next-day settlement including weekends
Choose Shift4 If:
- You need a full restaurant POS with kitchen displays, kiosks, and table management
- You have already signed a Shift4 contract and cannot exit
- You are comfortable with longer contracts and have reviewed the exit terms carefully
- You need the SkyTab-specific features that Dojo does not offer
Do you currently take card payments?
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Frequently Asked Questions
What do Shift4 customers complain about most?+
Does Shift4 have exit fees?+
Is Shift4 cheaper than Dojo?+
Is Shift4 safe to use in the UK?+
Why choose Dojo through CapExpand instead of Shift4?+
Get Exclusive Dojo Rates Through CapExpand
As an authorised Dojo partner, we handle everything: application, setup, terminal delivery, and ongoing support. Our clients get access to exclusive rates and a dedicated point of contact.
30-day commitment-free trial · Contract options (12-month, or contract-free for higher turnover) · Terminal delivered next working day
Not looking for a card machine?
Dojo Business Finance gives you access to funds from week one of transacting: up to twice your monthly card sales. Fee-free portion on your first advance, automatic repayment as a percentage of daily sales, and a pay-replenish-repeat model that lets you dip back in without reapplying. Apply in the app or online in minutes, funds within 48 hours.
Sources and references
Shift4 does not publish UK transaction rates. The 2.75% + 15p figure is based on their US standard pricing and UK reseller estimates, April 2026. Actual Shift4 UK rates may differ. Trustpilot ratings and review themes sourced April 2026. CapExpand is an authorised Dojo partner. To get your personalised Dojo rate, apply through CapExpand.
CapExpand Ltd (Company No. 14433858) is an authorised Dojo partner, not a card machine manufacturer. Card machine pricing and availability are subject to change. Our card machine services are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and fall outside our appointment as an Appointed Representative of White Rose Finance Group Limited, which covers credit broking only.