Zeller vs Square: which should you choose?
Zeller is the newer name here — it only launched in the UK in April 2026 — but its rate undercuts Square's, and it bundles a free business account. Square's advantage is a longer track record and a more mature ecosystem to grow into.
Quick verdict
Zeller is genuinely cheaper on headline rate and bundles a free business account with debit cards — strong value for a new entrant. Square has years of UK trading history, a much larger user base, and a proven path into a full retail/restaurant POS system if you grow. Newer isn't automatically worse here, but if you want the reassurance of an established brand, that's a real, legitimate reason to pick Square even at a slightly higher rate.
Who should choose Zeller
Cost-conscious businesses comfortable trying a newly-launched UK provider, especially if a free bundled business account and debit cards are genuinely useful to you.
Who should choose Square
Businesses that value an established, widely-used provider with a mature path into full POS software (Square for Retail/Restaurants) as they grow.
Transaction fees
| Category | Zeller | Square |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic card-present | 1.3% | 1.75% |
| Amex / international cards | 1.99% | +1.5% surcharge on non-UK cards (in-person) |
| Monthly fee | £0 | £0 (Retail Plus £49/mo optional, 1.6% rate) |
| Zeller at £5,000/month (1.3%) | £65.00/month |
| Square at £5,000/month (1.75%) | £87.50/month |
| Difference | £22.50/month (£270/year) |
Terminal cost
Zeller
Terminal 1x £99+VAT (receipt printer, 6.7" display), Terminal 2 £149+VAT (lighter, 6.5" display). Both are standalone Android-based terminals, not phone readers.
Square
Reader £19+VAT (Bluetooth, pairs with your phone), Terminal £149+VAT, Register £649+VAT — a wider range from pocket-sized to full countertop.
Getting your money
Zeller
Overnight into the free Zeller Business Account; next business day if settling to an external bank account instead.
Square
Next business day as standard; instant transfer available for a small fee.
What you're signing up to
Zeller
No set-up fees, monthly fees or lock-in contracts; 30-day risk-free trial.
Square
No contract, no setup fee — pay-as-you-go, same as Zeller on this point.
Which fits your business?
New business, cost-focused
Zeller — the lower rate and bundled free account add up quickly.
Wants an established name
Square — years of UK reviews and a large support/community base.
Planning to add a full POS/till
Square — Square for Retail/Restaurants is a mature, proven upgrade path.
Final recommendation
If price is your main driver, Zeller's 1.3% rate and bundled account make it hard to ignore, even as a new UK entrant. If you'd rather back a provider with a longer UK track record — or you're likely to need a full POS system down the line — Square remains a very safe, well-supported choice. Neither is objectively wrong; this is a genuine trade-off between price and pedigree.
Frequently asked questions
Is Zeller available in the UK?
Yes — Zeller launched its UK platform in April 2026. Its official UK site is myzeller.com/gb; zeller.co.uk is an unrelated parked domain, not the company.
Is Zeller or Square cheaper?
Zeller's 1.3% domestic rate beats Square's 1.75% — about £22.50/month (£270/year) cheaper at £5,000/month in sales.
How does Square compare to Zettle?
See our Square vs Zettle head-to-head.
Methodology: Zeller figures pulled directly from myzeller.com/gb/pricing and myzeller.com/gb/card-machine on 30 July 2026. Square figures from squareup.com/gb. See our Editorial Policy.