💰 Best for Very Low Volumes
SumUp Card Readers Review 2026
Budget-friendly option for very small businesses. Low upfront cost (£19), simple flat rate of 1.69%, no monthly fees. Perfect for occasional card payments.
Quick Summary
Overall Rating
4.0/5
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Transaction Fee
1.69%
Monthly Fee
£0
Reader Cost
£19
SumUp Pricing
SumUp Air (Card Reader)
1.69%per transaction
£19 one-time cost for card reader
£0 monthly fee
Bluetooth connection to phone
Chip, PIN & contactless up to £100
2-3 day settlement
⚠️ Reality Check: SumUp Gets Expensive Quickly
| Monthly Turnover | SumUp (1.69%) | Dojo (bespoke rate) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| £3,000 | £51 | £55 | SumUp wins by £4 |
| £5,000 | £85 | £79 | SumUp loses by £6 |
| £10,000 | £169 | £139 | SumUp loses by £30 |
| £20,000 | £338 | £259 | SumUp loses by £79 |
💡 SumUp only makes sense if you process less than £4,000/month
SumUp Pros & Cons
Pros
- Very Low Upfront CostJust £19 to start taking cards
- No Monthly FeesPerfect if you take few payments
- No ContractsStop using it anytime
- Simple SetupWorks in minutes
Cons
- Expensive Over £4k/Month1.69% becomes costly quickly
- Slow Settlement2-3 days vs Dojo's next-day
- Basic FeaturesNo advanced reporting or integrations
- Limited SupportEmail-only, no phone support
- Depends on Your PhoneBattery dies = can't take payments
Our Verdict on SumUp
SumUp is a good starter option if you're just beginning to take card payments and process less than £3,000/month. The £19 upfront cost and zero monthly fees make it very accessible.
However, if your business grows beyond £4,000/month, you'll overpay significantly. At that point, Dojo becomes much cheaper and offers better features, faster settlement, and proper UK support.
💡 Smart Strategy:
- Start with SumUp if you're brand new to card payments
- Switch to Dojo once you hit £4,000-5,000/month turnover
- You'll save £300-1,000/year by making the switch
Want to know if SumUp or Dojo is right for your volume?
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