Dojo vs SumUp
2026 ComparisonSumUp is brilliant for getting started. No monthly fee, no contract, and you can be taking cards in 10 minutes. But I have lost count of how many businesses we have helped switch to Dojo once their card sales grew past a few grand a month. The maths just stops working in SumUp's favour.
SumUp is a strong starter option, but as card volume grows, the limitations become more noticeable. The SumUp Solo Lite reader relies on Bluetooth and a phone connection, which can be unreliable in busy environments. Dojo provides a standalone 4G terminal with a built-in receipt printer and on-screen tipping. For businesses processing over £5,000/month, the lower bespoke transaction rate through CapExpand typically offsets the monthly terminal fee.
Quick Verdict
Once you pass about £5k/month in card sales, Dojo typically costs less than SumUp each month. A hair salon doing £8k/month could save roughly £130/year and gets a proper 4G terminal with a receipt printer instead of a phone-dependent reader. The higher your turnover, the larger the potential saving.
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
SumUp
£169/mo
1.69%
Dojo via CapExpand
£105/mo
Bespoke rates tailored to your volume
Your estimated saving
£768/year
That is £64 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 | SumUp | 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
Get your quote
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 | SumUp |
|---|---|---|
| In-person transaction fee | Bespoke (tailored to your volume) | 1.69% |
| Monthly fee | £10 – £15/mo | £0 |
| Hardware cost | Included (Dojo Go) | £25 ex VAT one-off (SumUp Solo Lite); Solo £79 |
| Contract | 30-day rolling or 12-month | No contract |
| Settlement speed | Next day (inc. weekends) | 1-2 working days |
| Connectivity | Built-in 4G + WiFi | Bluetooth via phone |
| Receipt printer | Built into terminal | Not available |
| UK phone support | Every day, extended hours (confirm with Dojo) | Email + limited phone |
| Business intelligence | Dojo app + dashboard | Basic SumUp app |
| Tipping | Built-in on terminal | Via app only |
| Exit fee buy-out | Up to £3,000 (subject to eligibility) | N/A (no contracts) |
| Transaction speed | Dojo reports 58% faster (2-second auth) | Standard |
| Platform uptime | Dojo reports 99.99% since Feb 2022 | Not published |
| QR code payments | Yes (bill split + Google Reviews) | Not available |
| Restaurant bookings | Full system + 800k diner app | Not available |
| Tipping on terminal | Built-in tipping (Dojo: NQ64 tips +2,049%) | Via app only |
| Tap to Pay on iPhone | Free, no extra hardware | Available |
| EPOS integrations | 450+ partners | Limited |
| Google Reviews boost | Auto-prompt after QR payment | Not available |
| 30-day commitment-free trial | Yes | No contract needed |
| Data intelligence | 49M cardholder dataset + competitor benchmarking | Basic SumUp dashboard |
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, Spudman, the viral street food vendor, switched to Dojo and cut payment times by 50-60%. His team went from 80-90% cash to mostly card, freeing up time for better customer service. He grew from a solo operation to a 10-strong team.
What SumUp customers flag most: Users often report accounts being frozen and funds held for 30-180 days during security checks with no timeline given. Customer support is almost entirely bot-driven, with multiple reviewers reporting being unable to reach a human after hours of trying. One reviewer described being "close to tears" dealing with SumUp support. Others report devices being automatically blocked after years of use with no explanation.
Illustrative Numbers: A Mobile Food Vendor That Outgrew SumUp (Illustrative)
Based on a a mobile food vendor that outgrew sumup (illustrative) processing £8,000/month in card payments. Round numbers for a mobile trader taking £8,000 a month on a phone-paired reader, not a client case study and not a quote. According to Dojo, client Spudman reported payment times slashed by 50-60%, from 5-6 seconds to just 2 seconds per tap..
With SumUp
Transaction fees (1.69%): £135 + Monthly: £0. Phone-dependent, no printer, no tipping screen.
£135/month
With Dojo via CapExpand
Dojo prices the rate bespoke against your £8,000 a month, and the terminal line depends on the package. Standalone 4G, printer built in, tipping on the screen.
£124/month
£0/year saved (illustrative)
The Verdict
Choose Dojo If:
- You process £5,000+ per month in card sales
- You need a standalone terminal that works without your phone
- Next-day settlement matters to your cash flow
- You want built-in receipt printing and tipping
- You value 7-day UK phone support
Choose SumUp If:
- You process under £3,000 per month
- You want zero monthly fees and no contract at all
- You only need occasional card payments (markets, pop-ups)
- You are comfortable using your phone as the payment hub
Do you currently take card payments?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dojo cheaper than SumUp?+
Does SumUp have a contract?+
Can I switch from SumUp to Dojo easily?+
Does the SumUp reader work without a phone?+
What happens to my SumUp payouts when I switch?+
Is the £25 SumUp reader a false economy?+
Why apply for Dojo through CapExpand?+
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
Competitor rates sourced from the SumUp website and independent UK comparison sites, April 2026. Rates may vary by business type and volume. Dojo rates available through authorised partners like CapExpand. CapExpand is an authorised Dojo partner and does not sell other card machine brands. To get your personalised Dojo quote, 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.