Zettle vs Square: Which Card Reader is Better?

Alex Beardsley
Alex Beardsley
Updated September 2026

Both owned by PayPal/Block - nearly identical pricing. Find which suits you better.

See Dojo Rates Instead

Already considering switching?

Get exclusive Dojo rates through CapExpand - no contracts, next-day settlements, and free terminal replacement.

Get Dojo Quote

Quick Comparison

Square

  • Hardware: £19+VAT (cheapest)
  • Fees: 1.75%
  • More advanced features
  • Better for growth
  • UK only

Zettle

  • Hardware: £29+VAT
  • Fees: 1.75%
  • PayPal integration
  • Accept PayPal QR codes
  • Works in EU
Which is cheaper: Zettle or Square?▼

The in-person rate is the same on both, 1.75% on UK cards, with no monthly fee on the standard plan. The gap is hardware: the Square Reader is £19 ex VAT against £29 for the PayPal Point of Sale reader, so Square is £10 cheaper to start and the rates never diverge after that. Higher up the range Square lists a Handheld at £169 and a Register at £699, PayPal a Terminal from £149 and Store Kits from £169. Checked at both providers on 8 September 2026.

Which has better features?▼

Square publishes more depth in software: inventory, team management and shift scheduling, with paid Plus packages from £29 a month for restaurants, retail and appointments. The PayPal QR code advantage no longer applies to new sellers, because PayPal restricts QR codes and Zettle Invoice to accounts opened before 8 May 2023 and lists Payment Links as temporarily unavailable to new sellers. Zettle is also being renamed PayPal Point of Sale. Checked 8 September 2026.

Why Not Switch to Dojo Instead?

Get exclusive Dojo rates through CapExpand - no contracts, next-day settlements, and dedicated UK support.

Get Your Dojo Quote

Sources and references

  1. Zettle by PayPal UK: card readers and fees
  2. Square UK: card readers and pricing
  3. Dojo: card machines, pricing and support
  4. UK Finance: payments and card market data
  5. Payment Systems Regulator: card fees and rules for UK merchants
  6. Financial Conduct Authority: payment services regulation

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.