Tide Card Reader vs SumUp: which should you choose?
This isn't really an apples-to-apples comparison — Tide's reader is an add-on for existing Tide banking customers, processed via Adyen behind the scenes, while SumUp is a fully standalone product anyone can sign up for.
Quick verdict
If you're already a Tide customer, the "Sell In-Person" subscription rate (0.89% + 3p) is genuinely competitive and keeps everything in one app. If you're not a Tide customer, SumUp is simpler to get started with and pays out considerably faster (next-day by 7am vs Tide's standard 3 working days).
Who should choose Tide Card Reader
Existing Tide Business Account holders who want payments to land directly in the account they already use, and who process enough volume to justify the £17.99+VAT/month subscription for the lower rate.
Who should choose SumUp
Anyone not already banking with Tide, or anyone who wants faster standard payouts without paying extra for a settlement speed add-on.
Transaction fees
| Category | Tide Card Reader | SumUp |
|---|---|---|
| Pay As You Go rate | 1.5% + 5p | 1.69% flat, no fixed fee |
| Subscription rate | 0.89% + 3p (with £17.99+VAT/mo "Sell In-Person" plan) | 0.99% domestic (Payments Plus, £19/mo) |
| Tap to Pay on iPhone | 1.5% + 11p | Included in standard 1.69% rate |
| Tide PAYG at £5,000/month, 100 transactions (1.5% + 5p) | £80.00/month |
| SumUp at £5,000/month (1.69%) | £84.50/month |
At everyday volumes the two PAYG rates are close. The bigger differentiators here are settlement speed and whether you already bank with Tide, not the headline fee.
Terminal cost
Tide Card Reader
£159+VAT standard, £199+VAT for the Plus model (built-in printer, lifetime free 4G) — discounted to "from £99" if bundled with a paid subscription plan.
SumUp
Solo Lite £25+VAT — considerably cheaper to get started with.
Getting your money — the biggest real difference
Tide Card Reader
Standard settlement is 3 working days — a next-day settlement boost is available for an extra £2.99+VAT/month.
SumUp
By 7am the next day as standard, including weekends, at no extra cost.
What you're signing up to
Tide Card Reader
No lock-in mentioned on the Pay As You Go tier, but structurally you're tied to maintaining a Tide Business Account for the reader to work at all.
SumUp
No contract, no dependency on any other product — fully standalone.
Which fits your business?
Already a Tide customer
Tide Card Reader — one app for banking and payments, and a competitive subscription rate at volume.
Not banking with Tide
SumUp — no need to switch or open a new account first.
Cash flow is tight
SumUp — next-day payout as standard beats Tide's 3-working-day default.
Final recommendation
This comparison hinges on one question before fees even matter: do you already bank with Tide? If yes, the reader is a sensible, well-integrated add-on, especially on the subscription rate. If no, the cost and hassle of opening a Tide account just to use its reader is hard to justify next to SumUp's genuinely standalone, faster-paying alternative.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Tide bank account to use this reader?
Yes — it's ordered through the Tide app and only works alongside an existing Tide Business Bank Account. It's not a standalone product like SumUp.
How fast does Tide pay out compared to SumUp?
Tide's standard settlement is 3 working days, versus SumUp's next-day-by-7am. Tide offers a paid next-day add-on for £2.99+VAT/month.
Want a fully standalone reader instead?
See our full card reader comparison.
Methodology: Tide figures pulled directly from tide.co/features/card-reader and tide.co/help-centre on 30 July 2026. SumUp figures from sumup.com. See our Editorial Policy.