Best Square Alternatives UK 2026

Square is a solid starter reader, but most businesses outgrow it fast. The Bluetooth drops, there is no receipt printer, and you are stuck tethering to a phone. We move people from Square to Dojo regularly, and they get a proper standalone terminal with built-in 4G, next-day payouts, and real business analytics. No contract with Square means zero exit fees, so the switch is painless.

Last updated: April 2026 · Reviewed by the CapExpand team

Square Alternatives Compared

Provider	Payouts	Connectivity	Contract	Analytics	Availability
Dojo Recommended	Next day	4G + WiFi	Flexible	Advanced BI	Available through CapExpand
SumUp	1-3 days	Phone tethering	None	Limited	Not available through CapExpand
Zettle	1-2 days	Phone tethering	None	Basic	Not available through CapExpand
Worldpay	3-5 days	4G + WiFi	12-18 months	Basic	Not available through CapExpand

Why Growing Businesses Ditch Square for Dojo

Built-in 4G + WiFi, no more Bluetooth drops or phone tethering

Next-day payouts, every day, weekends and bank holidays included

Receipt printer built right in, no extra kit to buy

Proper business intelligence: peak hours, avg spend, staff stats

Fully standalone, hand it to staff, no phone required

We handle the full setup for free through CapExpand

Real Numbers: A Florist That Switched

Based on an independent florist client we switched in February 2026. Figures rounded for privacy.

With Square

Monthly card sales: £12,000

Transaction fees (1.75%): £210

Monthly fees: £0

Total: £210/month

With Dojo (via CapExpand)

Monthly card sales: £12,000

Transaction fees (1.20%): £144

Monthly package: £19

Total: £163/month

Saving: £47/month (£564/year)

Ready to outgrow Square?

We will send you a free Dojo terminal and set it up. Keep your Square reader going until you are happy, then just stop using it. No exit fees, no drama.

Get a free Dojo quote

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best alternative to Square in the UK?▼

If your business has outgrown a phone-tethered card reader, Dojo is the upgrade we recommend. Square works fine for market stalls and the odd pop-up, but once you are taking regular payments you really feel the limitations: no built-in connectivity, no receipt printer, no proper analytics. Dojo has all of that baked in, plus next-day payouts seven days a week. We set up Dojo terminals through CapExpand at no upfront cost.

Why switch from Square to Dojo?▼

The number one complaint we hear from Square users: the Bluetooth connection drops mid-transaction, or a staff member does not have their phone to hand. Dojo has its own 4G and WiFi built in, so the terminal just works on its own. You also get a proper receipt printer, business intelligence that actually tells you something useful (peak hours, average spend, which staff are selling the most), and UK phone support when you need it.

Is Dojo more expensive than Square?▼

Square looks cheap on paper: 1.75% flat, no monthly fee. But once you are doing decent volume, the maths changes. Dojo debit card rates sit around 1.2-1.6%, and there is a monthly terminal fee on top. For most businesses processing over £3,000 a month, Dojo works out cheaper. We built a savings calculator at capexpand.com/tools/savings-calculator so you can check with your own numbers.

Can I use my Square reader while switching to Dojo?▼

Absolutely, and we always recommend it. Keep Square running until your Dojo terminal arrives and you have tested it with a few real transactions. There is no contract with Square, so when you are happy with Dojo, you just stop using the reader. No cancellation call, no fees, nothing.

Does Dojo work without a phone like Square requires?▼

Yes, and this is a big deal for busy restaurants, salons, and shops. Dojo has built-in 4G and WiFi, no phone, no Bluetooth pairing, no app running in the background. Hand the terminal to a staff member and it just works. We have had café owners tell us that alone was worth the switch.

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CapExpand is an authorised Dojo partner and exclusively provides Dojo card machines. Other providers mentioned on this page are listed for comparison purposes only and are not available through CapExpand. CapExpand is not a financial adviser.

Best Square Alternatives UK 2026

Last updated: April 2026 · Reviewed by the CapExpand team

Provider

Payouts

Connectivity

Contract

Analytics

Availability

Dojo Recommended

Next day

4G + WiFi

Flexible

Advanced BI

Available through CapExpand

SumUp

1-3 days

Phone tethering

None

Limited

Not available through CapExpand

Zettle

1-2 days

Phone tethering

None

Basic

Not available through CapExpand

Worldpay

3-5 days

4G + WiFi

12-18 months

Basic

Not available through CapExpand