Our card terminal range covers contract-free readers from SumUp and Square for shops, cafés, market stalls and mobile trades. The SumUp Solo is a standalone touchscreen reader with a built-in SIM, Wi-Fi and a charging dock, so it needs no phone. The SumUp Solo Lite pairs with your phone and SumUp lists it at up to 1,000 transactions per charge. The SumUp Air is a pocket reader that connects to the SumUp app by Bluetooth. For counters, the Square Terminal takes chip and PIN, contactless and mobile wallets and prints receipts, while the 315g Square Handheld adds a barcode scanner and camera.
Compare fees as well as hardware. SumUp lists 1.69% per card reader transaction on pay-as-you-go, or 0.99% on Payments Plus at £19 a month (excluding VAT). Square lists 1.75% for UK cards with no monthly fee on its free plan. These figures are from the SumUp and Square UK pricing pages, checked October 2026. For printers and scanners, see printers and scanners.
Weighing up the two providers? Read our SumUp vs Square card reader comparison, with worked monthly fees and payout times.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a card machine cost to use?
Most small-business readers charge a percentage per sale rather than a monthly rental. SumUp's UK pricing page lists 1.69% per card reader transaction on pay-as-you-go, or 0.99% with Payments Plus at £19 a month excluding VAT. Square lists 1.75% for UK cards on its free plan. We checked these in October 2026; fees can change.
Do I need a contract for a card terminal?
Not with SumUp or Square. You buy the reader outright and pay per transaction, and their standard plans have no monthly fee. SumUp's optional Payments Plus and Square's paid plans add a monthly charge. Traditional bank merchant accounts often involve terminal rental and a fixed term, so compare total monthly costs before you choose.
Which card reader works without a phone?
The SumUp Solo is a standalone reader with its own SIM and Wi-Fi, so it takes payments without a paired phone. The Square Terminal and Square Handheld also work on their own. The SumUp Solo Lite and SumUp Air pair with the SumUp app on your phone, which keeps the hardware small and simple.
How quickly do I get paid from SumUp or Square?
SumUp says payouts to a SumUp Business Account arrive the next day at 7am, including weekends and bank holidays; payouts to another bank account can take longer. Square's standard transfers usually reach your bank the next day, including weekends, if your bank supports it. Check each provider's current terms for your account type before relying on a date.
Can a card reader print receipts?
Some can. The Square Terminal has a built-in receipt printer, so you can hand over a paper receipt straight after payment. SumUp says receipt printing with the Solo needs a separate counter or mobile printer, and the Solo Lite has no built-in printer. Both providers can also send digital receipts by email or text message.
What payments can a card terminal accept?
The SumUp and Square readers in our range accept chip and PIN, contactless cards and mobile wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay. The SumUp Air also lists magnetic stripe and cards including Visa, Mastercard and American Express. For the latest acceptance list, check the provider's website before you order.
