The cheapest card machine for market traders and pop-ups
Lower, seasonal takings: monthly fees and minimum charges can outweigh a lower rate.
An example market trader
Example numbers, to show how the providers compare: £2,500 a month on cards, an average sale of £12, and 80% UK debit, 18% UK credit, 2% premium. Yours will differ, so rerun it with your own.
Cheapest: Flatpay Payment terminal at £37.25 a month (1.49% of takings). Dearest: SumUp Payments Plus at £45.83 (1.833%). That's £8.58 a month apart, £102.96 over 12 months.
| Provider | Per month | Where the money goes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flatpay Payment terminal |
£37.25 1.49% of takings |
card fees £37.25 (1.49%) Payment terminal: £0.00 upfront |
Flatpay prices |
| Dojo Essential |
£42.42 1.697% of takings |
card fees £30.00 (1.2%), machine £12.42/mo Dojo Go Max: £149.00 upfront |
Dojo prices |
| SumUp Pay as you go |
£44.33 1.773% of takings |
card fees £42.25 (1.69%), machine £2.08/mo Solo Lite: £25.00 upfront + VAT Contract: none |
SumUp prices |
| Square Free |
£45.33 1.813% of takings |
card fees £43.75 (1.75%), machine £1.58/mo Square Reader: £19.00 upfront + VAT Contract: none |
Square prices |
| SumUp Payments Plus |
£45.83 1.833% of takings |
card fees £24.75 (0.99%), monthly fee £19.00, machine £2.08/mo Solo Lite: £25.00 upfront + VAT Contract: none, cancel any time |
SumUp prices |
- Card machine cost spread over 12 months (horizon_months not given).
Not ranked
- Teya Start: Doesn't publish a rate for premium cards, which are in this card mix.
What to check before you sign
- The effective rate: everything you'd pay in a month divided by your card takings. It's the fair way to compare.
- Monthly and minimum fees: a low rate with a monthly fee can cost more if your takings dip.
- The machine: buying outright is usually cheaper over time than renting.
- Contract and exit fees: rolling monthly plans let you switch if prices change.