Barclaycard vs SumUp – compare card readers

SumUp vs Barclaycard, how do these 2 payment giants compare against each other when you put their best products head to head?

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Since before the pandemic began it was clear that more and more people are choosing to pay for their everyday purchases using a tiny bit of plastic or their smartphones over the “historic” paper currency. So, to keep your business in the now, it is becoming more important to invest in a card payment device.

In this guide, we compare 2 of the major players in the card reader market, SumUp and Barclaycard. However, you can compare a full range of devices from different providers here.

SumUp vs Barclaycard: provider overview

SumUp and Barclaycard are both offering highly popular card readers. SumUp offers a range of cost effective products for a variety of business sizes, whilst Barclaycard has 2 products that pack a powerful punch and flexible payment plans.

In this guide, we are comparing their 2 most popular “on-the-go” machines, the SumUp Air and the Barclaycard Anywhere.

SumUp
ProductsSumUp Air, SumUp Air and Cradle, SumUp Solo, SumUp 3G and Printer
Payment methodsContactless, Chip and Pin
Alternative payment methodsQR code,Payment link
Apple PayYes
Google PayYes
ConnectivityBluetooth
Requires connection to a phone or tabletYes
Battery life500 sales on a full charge
Warranty period12 months
Barclaycard
ProductsFlex mobile card reader, Barclaycard Anywhere
Payment methodsContactless, Chip and Pin, Magnetic swipe
Apple PayYes
Google PayYes
ConnectivitySIM card,Bluetooth,WiFi
Requires connection to a phone or tabletYes
Battery lifeDesigned to last all day
Warranty period12 months

The SumUp Air vs the Barclaycard Anywhere: product overview

Although both card reader providers offer other machines, the SumUp Air and the Barclaycard Anywhere continue to be the “go-to” products in their range.

SumUp Air

SumUp Air

Barclaycard Anywhere

Barclaycard Anywhere

Compare rates and fees

When choosing the right card machine for your business, some of the most important things to consider are the rates and fees. Card machines feature a range of fees, use our guide for further explanations of the different charges you might come across in your research.

SumUp is known for having some of the most competitive rates on the card machine market, but at a glance, the Barclaycard product does seem to be beating the competition in terms of transaction cost and settlement periods. However, Barclaycard is a little more modest when promoting fees like transaction costs when cards are not present or chargeback costs. So, the transparency of SumUp definitely helps give a better idea of what product might work out at a lower cost in the long run.
Both card readers are on a pay-as-you-go contract and are currently retailing at the same price.

Product
OFFER
SumUp Air
Barclaycard Smartpay Anywhere
Product NameSumUp AirBarclaycard Smartpay Anywhere
ContractNo contractNo contract
Initial cost£39£29
Monthly cost£0£0
Transaction cost1.69%1.6%
Transaction cost (card not present)2.5%A fixed 0.25% on all CNP transactions
Settlement 1-3 working days1-2 working days
Money-back guaranteeYes
Money-back guarantee details30-day money-back guarantee
Chargeback cost£10

Compare features

Round 2, features. If you would like to learn about all the different features you should look out for when comparing card readers, you can use our helpful guide.

Both the SumUp Air and the Barclaycard Anywhere have very similar features when it comes to connectivity and payment methods. The Barclaycard Anywhere offers the additional magnetic swipe method, but the SumUp Air offers the alternative methods of payment links and QR codes. Neither of these products have printers attached and you cannot add any on. Although, the SumUp Air does have the option to add a charging cradle at a bundle price.

So, there is a rather large blue elephant in the room – Amex. Yes, that’s right, the Barclaycard Anywhere is one of the only card readers that does not accept Amex payments, albeit that others do but just charge a few bob more. But will this be the deciding factor if you should buy a SumUp or Barclaycard card reader? That is ultimately yours and your business decision.

Product
OFFER
SumUp Air
Barclaycard Smartpay Anywhere
Product NameSumUp AirBarclaycard Smartpay Anywhere
Networksgoogle pay iconapple pay iconamerican express iconvisa iconmastercard icongoogle pay iconapple pay iconvisa iconmastercard icon
ConnectivityBluetoothSIM card, Bluetooth, WiFi
Payment methodsContactless, Chip and PinContactless, Chip and Pin, Magnetic swipe
Alternative payment methodsQR code, Payment link
Requires connection to phone or tablet
Battery life500 sales on a full chargeDesigned to last all day
Printer attached
Add ons
  • Base station that acts as a charging and communications dock.

Bottom line

So, the bottom line is that they are both great options, offering competitive rates and portable products perfect for SMEs or businesses on-the-go. However, one of the main drawbacks of the Barclaycard Anywhere could impact a few of your sales, not accepting Amex. But ultimately, the decision is yours and if you could like without taking payments from Amex, they are both brilliant options.

Compare the SumUp and Barclaycard range

Product UKCCF-CRE Initial cost Monthly cost Transaction cost Contract Networks Link Key benefits
Subject to status
£0
Subject to status
visa iconmastercard icon
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£79
£0
1.69%
google pay iconapple pay iconamerican express iconvisa iconmastercard icon
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When you buy a SumUp card reader with a SumUp business account, get reduced transaction fees from 1.69% to 1.49%.
£39
£0
1.69%
google pay iconapple pay iconamerican express iconvisa iconmastercard icon
Go to site
View details
When you buy a SumUp card reader with a SumUp business account, get reduced transaction fees from 1.69% to 1.49%.
£0
£15 + VAT*
1.6%
18 month
google pay iconapple pay iconamerican express iconvisa iconmastercard icon
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View details
£29
£0
1.6%
google pay iconapple pay iconvisa iconmastercard icon
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View details
£0
£29 + VAT*
1.6%
12 month
google pay iconapple pay iconamerican express iconvisa iconmastercard icon
Read review
View details
£0
£0
1.69%
visa iconmastercard icon
Read review
View details
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Table: sorted by transaction cost, promoted deals first
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.
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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

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Emily has written 148 Finder guides across topics including:
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