Square vs Zettle vs SumUp: compare the UK’s best card readers

Photo: SumUp

With SumUp Air and its app, you can accept almost any payment method.

Photo: Square

Square has the best point of sale software connecting with its credit card reader.

Standalone terminals available

If card readers for phones are not for you, Square, Zettle and SumUp offer card terminals that work independently. These have exactly the same transaction fees, no monthly costs and no contractual commitment.

One is Square Terminal, which has a touchscreen with POS features similar to the Square Point of Sale app. It works with secured WiFi connections only, so is best at a confined location, but can be carried around for table-service around your premises. It also has a built-in receipt printer.

SumUp Solo, on the other hand, doesn’t just work with WiFi – it also works with GPRS, EDGE and 3G through its inbuilt SIM card that comes with unlimited free data. It has very simple features – basically, it just accepts cards or mobile wallets and refunds payments. Alternatively, the standalone terminal SumUp 3G and Printer can print receipts too.

Zettle Terminal is a new entry that comes with the Zettle POS app built in and looks a lot like a smartphone. It works directly with WiFi, 3G or 4G (SIM card with unlimited data is included). It can be purchased on its own or with a receipt printer dock.

Photo: Zettle by PayPal

Zettle Terminal and Zettle Reader with the POS app.

Free online payment tools included

Square users get most options for keyed and online payments: a free virtual terminal for telephone payments, e-gift cards, digital invoices (with invoice app), online store builder, payment links, QR codes for touch-free payments, and the ability to manually enter card details in the POS app.

In second place, SumUp has complimentary payment links to share via QR code, social apps or text, digital gift cards, email invoices and a basic online store created through the app in a few simple steps. A basic virtual terminal can also be activated for most users, including manual card entry at the POS checkout.

Zettle only offers basic email invoicing, gift cards, payment links and QR code payments via PayPal, so remote payment options are a bit limited. You can nevertheless integrate the account with ecommerce platforms like Shopify and PrestaShop.

Many of these online payments were introduced as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and they are definitely handy for remote or socially distanced payments and online orders, but only Square and SumUp support a click-and-collect service.

They’re complete business solutions

Square, Zettle and SumUp are not just about card readers. Common to them all is their broad offering of integrated business tools connected to the same account, so you can get more done with less effort.

All of them have inventory management features for both retail and hospitality, the most advanced coming from Square.

Analytics and sales reports are included by all, with options to export data – or in the case of Square and Zettle, integrate with accounting software like Xero and QuickBooks. SumUp cannot integrate with accounting software, but is currently rolling out its own SumUp Accounting system to merchants.

Square is constantly expanding its own (paid or free) business tools, such as the new email marketing and customer loyalty features built into the platform. Users can also connect with lots of external software for things like ecommerce, marketing, food delivery and inventory management.

Zettle only connects with a few accounting systems and ecommerce builders. SumUp has a closed system relying on its own features instead of integrations.

No matter which platform you choose, you benefit from a lack of contract obligations, monthly fees or complicated terms. Instead, you get simple fees and a trusted payment system designed to help your business grow – it doesn’t get simpler than that.