Table: sorted by transaction cost, promoted deals first
With new data showing that 2021 had the largest use of card payments ever, there is a new necessity for merchants to aid the increasing cashless society. Card readers, sometimes referred to as “card machines” or “card terminals”, offer a quick and easy way for customers to use their payment cards.
SumUp (launched in 2012) is a popular card machine brand used by over 3 million businesses globally.
When considering what card reader would work best for your business, it is important to look at all the features available. Is there a contactless function? In 2021, contactless payments “accounted for 56% of all credit card and 69% of all debit card transactions.” (UK Finance). It is wise to look at card machines that offer this function so you don’t miss out on any key sales. Use our handy table to compare SumUp’s card readers.
More about SumUp card readers
Below are the key features for each of the SumUp card readers:
SumUp Air
Upfront cost of £39 plus VAT
No fixed contract
Makes up to 500 sales a day on a full charge
Light and travel-friendly, perfect for on-the-go sales
1.69% transaction fee (2.5% if card is not present)
Needs to connect to a phone or tablet
30-day money-back guarantee
SumUp Air and Cradle
SumUp offer the option to buy the SumUp Air with a cradle attachment, allowing you to keep your card reader charged all day.
Upfront cost of £44 plus VAT
No fixed contract
The cradle keeps the reader fully charged
Small and compact, perfect for SMEs
1.69% transaction fee (2.5% if card is not present)
Needs to connect to a phone or tablet
30-day money-back guarantee
SumUp Solo
Upfront cost of £79 plus VAT
No fixed contract
Makes up to 100 sales on a full charge
1.69% transaction fee (2.5% if card is not present)
Needs to connect to a phone or tablet
30-day money-back guarantee
SumUp Tap to Pay
No upfront cost
No fixed contract
No monthly cost
1.69% transaction fee
No card reader needed, just your iPhone
Pricing and contracts
SumUp offer 2 different pricing options for its fees:
Pay-as-you-go
SumUp One
Monthly subscription
£0 – No monthly charges or contracts are included.
£19 – Discounts on fees and hardware are available, and the subscription can be canceled at any time.
In-person payments
1.69% transaction fee (1.49% with a SumUp business account)
0.99% transaction fee
Digital payments
2.5% transaction fee
0.99% transaction fee
How to order a SumUp card machine
After you have researched and chosen the best card reader for you or your business, you can start the application process.
To apply for a SumUp card reader, head over to SumUp's online application, which takes 10-15 minutes to complete. Once your application is accepted, your card reader will be couriered to you.
Pros and cons of SumUp card readers
Pros
Accepts a wide range of networks
Machines can be docked or used on the go
Ability to print receipts (with SumUp 3G and Printer)
Works in conjunction with the free SumUp app
No contracts
30-day money-back guarantee
12-month warranty period
Cons
Transaction fees apply
The SumUp Air needs to be connected to a tablet or phone
Longer settlement period of payments compared to rivals
Only the SumUp 3G and Printer comes with a receipt printer
Tap to Pay is only compatible with iPhones
Our verdict
The SumUp card readers are a popular option among merchants and we can see why. With a few machines to choose from, ranging in price, you can use the SumUp card readers on the go or docked into your professional set-up, ideal for a variety of businesses.
On the whole, SumUp customers rave about the quick and simple set-up and use of the machines, but there are some who have also raised concerns about the reliability of the app software.
When comparing SumUp to rivals, the SumUp card readers tend to have lower transaction costs and sit in the middle of the price spectrum. However, they do have a longer settlement period of payments than most, who seem to pay out within 1-2 working days.
Overall, SumUp offers a great variety of card readers for small-medium businesses. Which machine you choose to go for really depends on your business’s needs. You can use our handy guide to compare a range of card machines and make an informed decision.
SumUp customer reviews
SumUp has received mixed reviews from customers, according to customer review sites like Trustpilot and the Apple App Store.
It currently has a TrustPilot rating of 3.0 out of 5 stars, based on over 11,000 reviews (updated August 2023). 66% of reviewing customers gave SumUp an “Excellent” rating, reporting that the card reader is “easy to set up and use” and they received “excellent customer service” from the provider. On the flip side, 23% of customers rated the card reader provider as “Bad”, with some of their comments stating that they have had issues with the app software and accounts being “blocked” unexpectedly.
On the Apple App Store, SumUp currently has a rating of 4.7 out of 5, based on over 7,000 ratings (updated August 2023). Like the Trustpilot reviewers, those who rated SumUp with low scores said that they experienced issues with the app software. However, those who rated the provider highly, gave praise to the quick and simplistic nature of the card reader. One customer commented that the product was a “game changer”.
Frequently asked questions
According to SumUp, once ordered, you should receive your card reader within 2-3 working days. You will receive a confirmation SMS and email, which includes a link to track your delivery.
Once set up, ask your customer to insert or tap their payment card on the machine. All the SumUp card readers also accept Apple Pay and Google Pay, for this use, customers will need to tap their mobile phone on the card machine.
For a higher transaction cost of 2.5%, SumUp offers alternative payment methods. With your SumUp card readers, you can take payment through payment links and QR codes.
If you are using the SumUp 3G and Printer, after the payment is accepted, you will have the option to print a receipt.
To activate your SumUp card reader, you will need to sign up for your SumUp profile. Once this is completed you can activate your card reader through your profile. You will not be able to take payments until your account is activated.
Yes, the SumUp card readers accept Amex. They also accept cards on the following networks:
Visa
Mastercard
Maestro
Diners Club
Union Pay
We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use. When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables has the source: Moneyfacts Group PLC. In other cases, Finder has sourced data directly from providers.
Emily Herring is a Publisher at Finder specialising in credit-based products including credit cards and business and personal loans. Emily has recently joined the Investments team. She has a Masters in Creative Writing & Publishing and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication & Media. See full bio
Emily's expertise
Emily has written 133 Finder guides across topics including:
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