SumUp OR Zettle (PayPal): our full comparison
SumUp and Zettle by PayPal are two leading players in the payment industry. These companies equip hundreds of thousands of small European businesses with their terminals.
SumUp Air |
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 | Transaction fee: 1.69% Price: £25 + VAT £22 + VAT To SumUp |
SumUp Solo |
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 | Transaction fee: 1.69% Price: £79 + VAT £39 + VAT To SumUp |
In the UK, these two companies also enjoy great success. Small companies use their mobile card readers instead of traditional rented terminals.
In this article, we will see which of SumUp or Zettle is more suited to your activity.
SumUp and Zettle by PayPal Offers
They operate on the same model:
- Purchase the terminal at a very low price (from £19 to £200 depending on the model)
- A fixed commission of 1.69%-1.75% on all transactions
SumUp
They are the leader in the United Kingdom. They offer a simple and direct solution. It suits businesses with a need for simple cashing.
The SumUp Readers
SumUp Air: This is SumUp’s original reader. The reader is discreet and large enough to hold a screen, a magnetic stripe reader, and a 10-digit keypad. You must use it with the app on a smartphone or tablet.
SumUp Solo: This is the newest model. The reader has a touchscreen and you can use it alone, without the need for a smartphone or tablet with the app. The Solo is the ideal solution if you do not want to use your smartphone (or tablet) for cashing. They sell is with a charging dock containing a printer to print your customers’ receipts if necessary.
SumUp Terminal: This is the most advanced model in the range. It features a large touchscreen, Wi-Fi and 4G connectivity, as well as a built-in printer. Everything can be managed directly from the terminal, including the SumUp Point of Sale app (payments, cash register, product catalog, statistics, etc.). It operates completely independently, with no need for a smartphone or any additional accessories.
Read our detailed review on SumUp.
Zettle
Zettle has the same approach and also offers different payment terminals.
The Zettle Readers
PayPal Reader : This is the new version of Zettle’s card reader, widely regarded as one of the best on the market. It replaces the company’s previous model.
Available in black or white, this reader is comparable to the SumUp Air. To use it, you’ll need a smartphone or tablet with the Zettle app installed.
Zettle Terminal: This is Zettle’s latest model. It’s a standalone payment terminal with a touchscreen that you can use without a smartphone and tablet. You can print receipts if needed via the charging dock like the SumUp Solo with printer.
SumUp Air VS PayPal Reader
The Air is smaller than the PayPal reader. Its use is particularly simple.
You start the transaction on the app and ask the customer to enter their PIN on the reader to make the payment. The battery efficiently handles 500 transactions before needing a recharge.
Both readers accept most debit and credit cards. They accept cards like Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Maestro, UnionPay, V Pay, Diners Club, and Discover. They are also capable of supporting NFC payments from Apple Pay and Android Pay, Paylib, Google Pay.
Now, let’s look at the PayPal Reader, which is one of the best on the market. This reader accepts different types of payments: chip cards with PIN, contactless cards, and magnetic stripes. It is small but sturdy.
Unlike the Air, whose reader buttons are touch-sensitive, the PayPal Reader has physical buttons.
SumUp and Zettle both offer excellent card readers.
-> Verdict: Tie
SumUp Solo with Printer VS Zettle Terminal with Printer
The SumUp Solo has a SIM card and unlimited data for processing card payments without needing a mobile device. You will not pay an additional subscription.
This solution can stand alone. It is ideal if you do not require all the advanced features of the mobile POS app. Moreover, the charging dock can have a receipt printer if needed. You can then print your customers’ card tickets.
The Zettle Terminal is Zettle’s latest model. It operates with a SIM card for on-the-go use like the Solo. Similarly, its charging dock can also print customer card tickets if needed.
Both readers have a large touchscreen and thus provide access to a cash register software if needed.
Depending on your design preferences, you may prefer either the Solo or the Zettle Terminal. But the SumUp Solo with printer costs £139 while the Zettle Terminal with printer costs £238. The difference is significant.
-> Verdict: SumUp Solo wins for value for money
SumUp Terminal vs Zettle Terminal with Printer
The SumUp Terminal is an all-in-one Android card reader designed to work completely independently. It features a large touchscreen, a multi-operator 4G SIM card, a built-in receipt printer, and direct access to the SumUp POS app from the device itself. No additional accessories are needed.
The Zettle Terminal offers similar functionality. It’s also a standalone device with a touchscreen and can print receipts via an optional printer base. However, unlike the SumUp Terminal, the printer is not built into the device, making it slightly less convenient for mobile use.
Both models allow merchants to accept payments without a smartphone and are ideal for businesses on the go. However, the price difference is significant: £169 excl. VAT for the SumUp Terminal versus £238 excl. VAT for the Zettle Terminal with printer.
-> Verdict: The SumUp Terminal takes the lead thanks to its all-in-one format and much more affordable price.
Which POS App is the Best?
SumUp’s POS (cash register software) app works well. The bluetooth connection of the SumUp Air is particularly fast and reliable.
You can do simple things like create a product library with images, set prices, and organize categories.
The cash register software offers advanced features such as creating gift cards, QR codes, and payment links. It also allows offering tips and managing invoices. Plus, it offers the possibility to open an online store to sell your items.
With Zettle, you can do a lot of things, but not create an online store or manage invoices.
If you are a small business and need something simple, the SumUp and Zettle apps are perfect for you. Otherwise, we recommend SumUp, which is better if you plan to use more features.
-> Verdict: SumUp wins
Which is more cost-effective?
Neither SumUp nor Zettle by PayPal charge monthly fees or require you to sign a contract with them. No hidden monthly fees such as rental fees, for example. You just need to buy your card reader and pay your transaction fees, that’s it.
For card reader payment -> : SumUp charges 1.69% whereas Zettle charges 1.75%.
For remote payment -> tie: both companies charge 2.50%.
SumUp also offers a subscription offer for merchants with a larger flow of collections. For £19 per month, you get a commission of 0.99% on card payments instead of 1.69%. Also, you benefit from a 50% discount on the purchase of the readers. Read our review on the SumUp Payments Plus offer.
-> Verdict: SumUp wins
Who is More Secure?
SumUp complies with PCI-DSS standards and uses SSI and TLS to protect data during processing. They take care of everything so you don’t have to worry.
Zettle complies with the PCI PTS 4.1 security standard. They use full encryption to ensure the hardware and software security of their customers. If there are suspicions, the device will shut down on its own in a mode they call “self-destruction.”
You will have no security concerns with SumUp or Zettle.
-> Verdict: Tie
Our Conclusion: Who Tops the List?
Zettle and SumUp have excellent customer reviews and are serious companies.
Zettle offers simple products for small businesses. SumUp is ideal for merchants with bigger needs or seeking a full professional POS solution.
SumUp’s advantage lies in the fact that they offer robust and inexpensive readers. If you find their Solo or Terminal reader appealing, which does not need a mobile phone, it is an excellent choice. Both POS apps offer good features, but again, it’s SumUp that stands out. With its additional billing features and online store creation, it is the best option for a growing business.
-> Verdict: SumUp
