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Our rating(4/5)
The standalone SumUp Pro terminal is extremely easy to get started with – and there’s no lock-in or monthly fees.
SumUp Pro is a lightweight credit card machine accepting the most popular payment cards. It’s ideal for small businesses that want to accept cards anywhere without a phone app.
  • Highs: Just one transaction fee. No contract on monthly fees. Works independently anywhere with 3G, GPRS or WiFi.
  • Lows: No POS system integration. Doesn’t accept swipe. Too simple for some merchants.
  • Buy if: You want a cheap, simple and mobile card terminal that works independently.

Best offer on SumUp Pro

  • SumUp Pro $69 price

Get SumUp Pro for only $69. No monthly fees or contractual commitment.

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How does SumUp Pro work?

SumUp Pro is a standalone credit card reader that accepts contactless and chip cards wherever there is a cellular connection or WiFi. In contrast with many mobile card readers, SumUp Pro works without a phone or tablet. Instead, it connects directly with the internet through its built-in SIM card to process card payments.

The SumUp Pro reader is for those who want the simplest possible way to accept cards without any extra features or equipment. Since it doesn’t connect with a point of sale (POS) app, it can only do essential things like taking payments and refunding transactions.

Accepted cards

VisaMastercardAmerican ExpressDiners ClubDiscoverContactlessApple PayGoogle PaySamsung Pay

You simply enter the transaction amount on its keypad, insert the EMV card or tap the contactless card or mobile wallet, then SumUp Pro processes the payment.

It’s a pay-as-you-go system, so the card machine is purchased upfront. The same fixed card rate is charged for all card transactions.

There’s no contract or other fees to commit to, making this an economical solution for price-sensitive businesses, sporadic sales or startups that can’t predict where they’ll be beyond the next few months, or just those who need a mobile terminal to take cards where the customer is.

If you need to print receipts, you can get the SumUp Pro and Printer, which is basically SumUp Pro attached to a printing cradle.

Photo: Emmanuel Charpentier (EC), Mobile Transaction

SumUp Pro box contents

SumUp Pro box contents.

Fees and payouts

The two things you pay for are the $69 one-off cost of the card reader and 2.75% transaction fee for all the payments processed through it. There’s no setup fee or extra charges for foreign cards.

Delivery of the card reader is free, and there are no monthly fees or minimum sales volume required, so this is a pay-as-you-go system without hidden costs. SumUp has a 30-day money-back guarantee for the credit card machine in case you change your mind, and one year’s warranty if you keep it.

Payments go “directly into your bank account”, meaning they automatically reach your bank account 1-3 business days, minus the transaction fee.

There are no fixed transaction limits. Instead, SumUp views transactions on a case-by-case basis (suspicious-looking or large payments may be flagged).

Costs
SumUp Pro price $69 + applicable tax
Shipping Free
Monthly fee None
Contractual commitment None
Card transaction fee 2.75%
Payouts Free
Refunds Free within 1-3 days, 2.75% after
Chargebacks $10 admin fee
Costs
SumUp Pro price $69 + applicable tax
Shipping Free
Monthly fee None
Contractual commitment None
Card transaction fee 2.75%
Payouts Free
Refunds Free within 1-3 days, 2.75% after
Chargebacks $10 admin fee

Refunds are free if done straight after the transaction took place, i.e. before settlement has completed. If payments have already been paid out to your bank account, SumUp charges you the original transaction fee to refund the payment. Chargebacks incur a $10 admin fee.

Merchants can request access to a virtual terminal for over-the-phone payments and mobile payment options (QR codes and payment links). Such remote transactions cost 3.25% + $0.15 each. Email invoicing is another complimentary feature for just 2.90% + $0.15 per transaction.

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Card machine specs

SumUp Pro is a pocket-sized card machine with an inbuilt SIM card. The terminal is very lightweight and easy to carry around compared to a traditional one, but sturdy enough to be reliable.

In contrast to card readers that work in conjunction with a mobile app, there is no SumUp app that Pro can connect with. Instead, all the software features are hardcoded on the credit card machine.

Photo: EC, Mobile Transaction

SumUp Pro

SumUp Pro is lightweight and pocket-sized.

You navigate it through the keypad buttons and view the menu and information on the screen above the keypad. For some functions, you can use the display as a touchscreen. For instance, the screen gives you an option to send a SMS or email receipt after each transaction. This, of course, requires you to ask the customer for a phone number or email address, or you can ask them to enter it themselves on the touchscreen in this case.

If you need paper receipts, you can get the SumUp Pro Printer package containing two parts: the card reader and a printing cradle/charging stand. When they are attached, the receipt printer is able to print a receipt following each transaction.

Photo: EC, Mobile Transaction

SumUp Pro and Printer

SumUp Pro next to SumUp Pro Printer.

It is limited what other functions are hardcoded on SumUp Pro, but food businesses will like that you can add a tip on the machine before payments.

The card machine works with WiFi or/and makes use of the 3G network via the preinstalled SIM card in order to process card transactions. SumUp provides unlimited data on this card, so you don’t need to top it up.

You just need to keep the machine charged in advance of using it and be somewhere with a stable network connection. That said, it doesn’t take much to have a stable connection since it automatically switches between networks to get the best service. With WiFi switched on, it will use wireless internet primarily as this gives faster processing speeds. – otherwise it will default to the cellular network.

Tech specs
Dimensions 5.2″ x 2.8″ x 0.7″
Connectivity GPRS, EDGE, 3G, WiFi
Data Unlimited with SumUp SIM card (preinstalled)
Included accessories USB type C cable for charging
Battery life 50+ transactions from full charge
Card technology EMV (chip), NFC (contactless)
Receipts Email, SMS, paper receipts with Pro Printer
Tech specs
Dimensions 5.2″ x 2.8″ x 0.7″
Connectivity GPRS, EDGE, 3G, WiFi
Data Unlimited with SumUp SIM card (preinstalled)
Included accessories USB type C cable for charging
Battery life 50+ transactions from full charge
Card technology EMV (chip), NFC (contactless)
Receipts Email, SMS, paper receipts with Pro Printer

Businesses with multiple staff members can use several SumUp Pro devices attached to the same SumUp account. For this to work smoothly, it’s best to add sub-users in the SumUp dashboard (backoffice account in a web browser) individuals can log in with their email address and password and take payments simultaneously with the other card readers.

All of these sub-accounts will process payments through the main SumUp account, allowing you a full, real-time overview of staff transactions in your web dashboard.

Photo: EC, Mobile Transaction

SumUp Pro bottom

SumUp Pro has an EMV card slot at the bottom.

SumUp Plus vs. Pro – how are they different?

If you’re looking for a cheaper terminal, SumUp sells an app-based card reader called SumUp Plus. This does not work on its own – instead, it utilizes the internet connection on a cellphone or tablet paired with the Plus reader through Bluetooth.

To accept a payment on SumUp Plus, you open SumUp App on the mobile device, enter an amount or add products to the cart. When you pick the option to accept a card, the Plus reader automatically activates with the right transaction amount ready for processing.

Because SumUp Plus only needs battery power when the customer uses their card, and not when you enter a payment amount or navigate settings, it lasts for many more transactions than SumUp Pro that works entirely on its own.

SumUp Plus SumUp Pro
SumUp Air SumUp 3G front side
Price $39 $69
Works without app
Connections WiFi, 3G, 4G GPRS, EDGE, 3G, WiFi
Size 3.3″ x 3.3″ x 0.9″ 5.2″ x 2.8″ x 0.7″
Battery life from full charge ~500 transactions ~50 transactions
POS system integrations SumUp App Can connect with SumUp App, but not intended for it
Receipt printing Connects to compatible Bluetooth printers Requires SumUp Pro Printer
SumUp Plus SumUp Pro
SumUp Air SumUp 3G front side
$39 $69
Works without app
Connections
WiFi, 3G, 4G GPRS, EDGE, 3G, WiFi
Size
3.3″ x 3.3″ x 0.9″ 5.2″ x 2.8″ x 0.7″
Battery life from full charge
~500 transactions ~50 transactions
POS system integrations
SumUp App Can connect with SumUp App, but not intended for it
Receipt printing
Connects to compatible Bluetooth printers Requires SumUp Pro Printer

SumUp Plus integrates with Bluetooth receipt printers and more advanced POS systems if you need to expand the system. The Pro reader can connect and be synced with the SumUp App, but merely for backup reasons.

Photo: Emily Sorensen, Mobile Transaction

SumUp Pro Printer

The reader can be attached to a SumUp Pro Printer.

SumUp Pro can be purchased with a printer cradle that also acts as a charging stand, called ‘SumUp Pro and Printer’ when purchased together. It’s a little chunky to hold, but the set can be used on the go.

There’s a charging stand for the Plus card reader, but it only keeps the card reader charged and doesn’t print receipts.

Both card readers have no contract, no monthly fees and charge the same card card rate, 2.75%. They also accept exactly the same card brands.

Reports and dashboard functions

So where do you get a record of all your transactions? As a SumUp customer, you can log in to an online dashboard accessible in any internet browser. Here, you see details like payment history, sales categorized into card types, where payments were made and payout history. If you’ve created multiple user accounts, you can filter sales to focus on individual employees.

In the dashboard, you can also create, send and manage email invoices to clients. There is no monthly charge charge this, just a per-transaction fee per invoice payment accepted.

SumUp emails you payout PDF reports automatically, and you can export transaction data to a CSV or XLS file from your SumUp dashboard. Furthermore, transaction history is available on the card machine display.

What is SumUp Pro best for?

The small size makes SumUp Pro perfect for market stalls and rural areas where connectivity is basic, but it is a bit faster with a good WiFi connection. SumUp Pro is perfect for seasonal sales, as there’s no contract, monthly fees or minimal sales volume required.

The tipping feature makes it particularly interesting for cafés and restaurants taking orders at the table, since many food-and-drink places don’t require all terminals to be synced with a POS system anyway.

Because it only registers payment amounts, not product libraries, it won’t work with inventory management systems. Other credit card readers on the market, like SumUp Plus, are made to integrate with a product library. You might want to consider iPhone-based or Android-based card readers if you need specific POS features.

SumUp does not accept businesses taking payments for products or services provided over a week after the transaction. Other restricted businesses include certain non-profit organizations, door-to-door sales, airlines and a range of other businesses, some of which are dubious or high-risk in nature.

Customer service

SumUp’s customer support is available over telephone and email on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. There’s also an online Support Center where you can find answers to many questions. If you need an immediate answer or prefer talking, it’s better just to call them during opening hours as it may take days to get a response over email.

SumUp Pro is an economical solution for price-sensitive businesses, sporadic sales or startups wanting to take card payments without the hassle of complicated contracts.

SumUp is a streamlined service that, because their products are so simple, usually only require minimal contact with their customer support.

That said, if you’re having problems with the card machine in the evening, you won’t get help until the next day during business hours.

SumUp is generally rated highly online, with many saying how valuable the service has been for them. Some users have had connectivity issues for a number of reasons, but SumUp puts in the effort to resolve any issues.

Photo: SumUp

SumUp Pro is a convenient choice for coffee shops and restaurants with table service.

Signing up

Creating a SumUp account is very easy and straightforward – you do it online without having to talk to anyone. It takes about 5-10 minutes to complete the online sign-up pages and order the credit card machine.

It takes up to five business days for SumUp Pro to arrive, after which you are ready to take your first payment.

When you sign up, SumUp will perform some basic identity and business checks to make sure your details are legitimate and that your bank account is used by your company.

Verdict

SumUp Pro is one of the simplest – and cheapest – solutions for card payments. You get an affordable card machine with built-in data and software, so all you’re paying for onward is a competitive, fixed rate for transactions.

SumUp Pro differs from many small-business card readers in the US, since it does not require a mobile app to function. For example, Square Reader, PayPal Here and Clover Go all require an app in order to accept card payments. At the same time, it is uniquely compact compared to traditional standalone card terminals.

Unless you’re a high-volume merchant requiring an integrated POS solution, SumUp Pro would therefore be a smart choice for simple payments on the go.