SumUp vs Zettle: which should you choose?
Both are pay-as-you-go, no-contract card readers aimed at sole traders and small businesses. The difference comes down to a small fee gap, and whether fast access to a PayPal balance matters more to you than SumUp's slightly lower rate.
| Category | SumUp | Zettle | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transaction fee | 1.69% flat | 1.75% flat (all cards, incl. Amex) | SumUp |
| Entry hardware cost | £25 +VAT (Solo Lite) | £29 +VAT (1st reader) | SumUp |
| Monthly fee | £0 (optional Payments Plus £19/mo for 0.99% domestic) | £0 | Tie |
| Contract | None | None | Tie |
| Payout speed | By 7am next day, incl. weekends | Within minutes to PayPal balance* | Zettle for speed to app |
| Support | Phone, email, chat — hours not officially confirmed | Phone Mon–Fri 8:30am–5:30pm | Zettle (documented hours) |
| Credit check | Not standard on PAYG tier | Runs a credit check via PayPal onboarding | SumUp |
| WMP score | Zettle |
*Zettle's "within minutes" refers to funds landing in your PayPal balance, not necessarily your bank account — withdrawing from PayPal to your bank can take longer. SumUp's next-day payout goes to its own free linked business account.
Figures checked directly against sumup.com and zettle.com official pricing pages on 30 July 2026. See methodology. We may earn a commission when you sign up through a link on this page — see our Affiliate Disclosure.
Cost difference at £5,000/month
| SumUp (1.69%) | £84.50/month |
| Zettle (1.75%) | £87.50/month |
| Difference | £3.00/month (£36/year) |
A modest gap — small enough that other factors (PayPal integration, support hours, credit check tolerance) may matter more than the fee difference alone for most sole traders.
Overall verdict
Choose SumUp if: you want the lowest headline rate, cheaper hardware, and would rather avoid a credit check. Choose Zettle if: you already run your business through PayPal and want transactions to land in that same balance quickly, or you value documented support hours.
Frequently asked questions
Is SumUp or Zettle cheaper?
SumUp's 1.69% beats Zettle's 1.75% — about £3/month (£36/year) cheaper at £5,000/month in card sales.
Is Zettle better if I use PayPal already?
Yes, if fast access to your existing PayPal balance matters — Zettle settles within minutes versus SumUp's next-day-by-7am payout to its own account.
How does Square compare?
See our SumUp vs Square head-to-head.
Methodology: Figures pulled directly from sumup.com and zettle.com official UK pricing pages on 30 July 2026. See our Editorial Policy.