SumUp vs Square: comparison and review
Both companies offer different Card Reader models with features to suit any business model, including low-budget, portable, and all-in-one options.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Cheap and easy to use POS.
- Sign up for only 39£.
- 1.69% commission for transaction.
- Online contracting and without permanence.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- POS without permanence.
- Registration for only 16£ + VAT.
- Commission of 1.75% per transaction.
- Simple, portable and compact.
Comparison chart: SumUp vs. Square
| Card Reader | Price | Transaction fee | Features |
| SumUp Air | 39£ + VAT | 1,69% per transaction. | Built-in keyboard. No screen or printer. Needs to be connected to a smartphone to work. |
| SumUp 3G Solo | 79£ + VAT | 1,69% per transaction. | Built-in keyboard and display. Sends payment receipts via SMS. |
| SumUp 3G + Printer | 129£ + VAT | 1,69% per transaction. | Includes base with thermal printer. |
| Square Reader | 16£ + VAT | 1,75% per transaction. | Wireless. Long battery life. No display. |
| Square Terminal | 149£ + VAT | 1,75% per transaction. | All in one. Built-in screen and printer. No 3G or 4G connection. |
| Square Stand | 99£ + VAT | 1,75% per transaction. | Swivel base for countertop. Works with an iPad. |
The SumUp Card Reader offers
Here are the Card Reader options you will find in the SumUp Card Reader catalogue:
SumUp Air
SumUp Air is the company’s low-cost Card Reader. It is a small device that connects to a smartphone via an app available for iOS and Android.
This Card Reader has a keypad, and a contactless card reader and insertion technology. It is priced at £39 and is a good option for small businesses that need a portable terminal.
| Connectivity | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| WiFi. 3G. 4G. | Compatible with iOs and Android. Allows contactless and swipe payments. It has its own keyboard. | It relies on a smartphone or tablet to function. |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Cheap and easy to use POS.
- Sign up for only 39£.
- 1.69% commission for transaction.
- Online contracting and without permanence.
SumUp 3G
A more complete option you will find in the SumUp catalogue is the SumUp 3G device, which has a built-in screen and keyboard, so it does not need to be connected to a smartphone or tablet to work.
You can purchase the Solo version, which involves buying only the terminal for a fee, or the + Printer version, which includes a base with a thermal printer, for an even more complete device.
The SumUp 3G Solo is priced at £79, while the SumUp 3G + Printer version costs £129.
| Connectivity | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| WiFi. 3G. | Can be used with or without a printer. No smartphone or tablet needed to operate. | It is not possible to connect them to external printers. |
Square’s 3 Card Reader offers
With a very similar offer to the previous company, the Card Reader brand Square allows you to choose between the following devices:
1- Square Reader
Square Reader is Square’s low-cost terminal. Priced at just £16 + VAT, this card reader is small, light and mobile; it is powered by a battery that lasts a whole day.
This device has no screen or keyboard, so you will need to connect it via Bluetooth to a smartphone or tablet, either by connecting it with existing software or by downloading the Square app.
| Connectivity | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| WiFi. 4G. | Low price. Small and portable. No commitment of permanence. | It relies on a smartphone or tablet to function. |
2- Square Terminal
With the Square Terminal you have the option of connecting via WiFi or Ethernet. It also has a touch screen and built-in thermal printer, making it a more complete option than the Square Reader at a price of £149 + VAT.
Although it does not have 4G or 3G connectivity, the Square Terminal accepts offline payments with chip, PIN, contactless cards and devices, magnetic stripes and Apple Pay.
| Connectivity | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| WiFi. Ethernet. | Includes thermal printer. No commitment of permanence. | Only works with the Square app. No 3G or 4G connection. |
3- Square Stand
This is a rotating iPad stand with built-in card reader. It is a countertop device with a price of 99£ + VAT, in which you can connect accessories such as printers, code readers or cash drawers; as well as other Square devices (Square Terminal and Square Reader).
| Connectivity | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| USB. Bluetooth. Ethernet. WiFi. | Enables offline payments. Concentrates functions from multiple devices into one. | It does not work without an iPad. |
SumUp vs Square: Tarifas y comisiones
A continuación, te mostramos un resumen comparativo de las comisiones aplicadas por SumUp y Square:
| SumUp | Square | |
| Card reader (linked to mobile) | 39£ + VAT. | 16£ + VAT. |
| Stand-alone Card Reader | 79£ + VAT or 129£ + VAT. | 149£ + VAT. |
| Maintenance | Free. | Free. |
| Permanence | Not applicable. | Not applicable. |
| Transaction fee | 1,69%. | 1,75% |
SumUp Air: 39£ + VAT
Square Reader: 16£ + VAT
SumUp 3G: 129£ + VAT
Square Terminal: 149£ + VAT
SumUp vs Square: which is the better Card Reader?
To reach a verdict, we must start by establishing that both companies are very well suited to small businesses: not only do they offer terminals at affordable prices, but they are also free of any commitment of permanence and their transaction fees are among the lowest. They are also easy to sign up for and configure.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Cheap and easy to use POS.
- Sign up for only 39£.
- 1.69% commission for transaction.
- Online contracting and without permanence.
To choose between one or the other, it is best to focus on the differences, which can be summarised as follows:
- Device prices: as far as the cheaper Card Reader lines are concerned, Square presents a cheaper option, but you should bear in mind that the SumUp Air, for only £20 more, includes its own keypad that will make the payment process easier, as you will not need to pass the smartphone to the customer to enter the secret code.
- Fees: the fees of both companies are fairly even, however we consider SumUp’s fee system to be much clearer, as it is not a combined fee like Square’s.
- Deposit time: payments received with Card Reader will be available between 1 and 3 days after the transaction, with the final timeframe depending on the day of the week and the time of day the transaction was made. With SumUp, on the other hand, you can configure the frequency with which you receive deposits, choosing between daily (except holidays and weekends), weekly and monthly deposits.
Frequently asked questions about SumUp vs Square
Which cards does SumUp accept?
SumUp Card Readers are compatible with Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Union Pay and Discover cards.
What cards does Square accept?
Square terminals are compatible with Visa, Mastercard, American Express and for contactless payments with Apple Pay and Google Pay.