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Complete Card Machine Comparison UK 20268 Providers Side-by-Side
Shift4 One compared with Dojo, SumUp, Zettle by PayPal, Square, Worldpay, Barclaycard and Takepayments on total UK cost, not headline rates.
The full comparison matrix
Published UK pricing, last checked August 2026. Our 18-month contract is shown as a caution, because it is one.
| Shift4 One | Dojo | SumUp | Zettle by PayPal | Square | Worldpay | Barclaycard | Takepayments | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | £0, first terminal free | £149–£239 to buy outright. Under £100k/yr turnover you generally buy the terminal upfront from £179+VAT. | Air £39+VAT, Solo £79, Terminal £135. Range £29–£139. | Reader 2 Lite £19+VAT, Reader 2 £29+VAT, Terminal up to £189 | Reader from £19. Terminal and Register up to £149+. | £0 | Smartpay Anywhere from £29+VAT | £0 setup. You rent the hardware and return it at contract end. |
| Monthly rental | £0. Additional terminals £14/month | £15/month on a 12-month term, around £20/month rolling. The rental route generally requires £100k+/yr turnover. | £0 | £0 | £0 on the free plan | £17.50–£22/month terminal hire. £10–£15/month on custom tariffs. Promotional £0 and £1/month offers run periodically. | Flex from £15+VAT/month, Smartpay Touch from £29+VAT/month, terminals typically £15–£30/month | From around £25/month, quote-dependent by model |
| Other monthly fees | None | Platform fee £10/month per location · Hardware care £5/month optional (basic cover included free) · Plus software tier £11.99/month per location | Payments Plus £19/month if taken | None | Plus plan £29/month optional | PCI DSS support around £5/month | PCI compliance £4.80–£15+VAT/month · Monthly service charge on contracted accounts · PCI non-compliance surcharges £15–£100/month | PCI compliance £5–£6/month |
| Minimum monthly charge | None. No Use, No Bill | £24.95 | £0 | £0 | £0 | The countertop plan lists no minimum monthly service charge | Applies on contracted accounts, confirm in writing | Quote-dependent, ask in writing |
| Transaction rate | 1.25% blended, all cards | 1.2% blended | 1.69% in person | 1.75% in person | 1.75% in person | 1.50% flat (Simplicity) | 1.6% pay-as-you-go | Quote only, not published |
| Rate conditions | Applies under £10,000/month card turnover. Above that, bespoke rates | Below £100,000/year card turnover (~£8,333/month). Above that, bespoke quoted rate. Some merchant reports cite 1.4% + 5p on older or negotiated plans. | Standard pay-as-you-go. The Payments Plus tier drops eligible transactions to 0.99% for £19/month, worth it above roughly £3,000/month. | Flat rate, no volume tiers. | Flat rate on all cards including Amex. The Plus plan at £29/month adds features but does not change the rate. | The Simplicity tariff is flat on Visa and Mastercard. Custom tariffs from 0.75% are quote-based and generally require £75,000+ annual card turnover. | This is the pay-as-you-go rate. Contracted accounts are quoted per business, from around 0.3% on consumer debit up to 2.5% on business credit. Pricing is not published online. | Debit from around 0.79%–1.29%. Consumer credit typically 1.2%–1.5%. Premium, corporate and non-European cards often above 1.8%. Overall range quoted 0.3%–2.5%. |
| Per-transaction fees | None | £0.05 per authorisation and £0.50 per refund reported on some plans | None on the standard plan | None | None in person | The countertop plan lists no authorisation fee | None | None |
| 4G built in | 4G + WiFi built in | 4G and WiFi built into the terminal | Air needs a paired phone. Solo and Terminal have a built-in SIM with data included. | The reader requires a paired phone or tablet. The Zettle Terminal has a 3G/4G SIM. | The reader requires a paired phone or tablet. | Countertop, portable and mobile terminals available | Countertop, portable and mobile terminals available | Countertop, portable and mobile terminals available |
| Settlement | Next working day incl. Saturdays | Next day including weekends, weekend settlement reported as year one of contract only | 1–2 business days. Same-day available with a SumUp business account. | Next working day to bank. Instant to PayPal balance. | Next business day free. Same-day 1% (min 50p). Instant transfer 1.5%. | Next business day | Next day for Barclays business account holders. Non-Barclays customers typically wait up to three business days. | Next business day |
| UK support | Named UK partner, direct mobile | 24/7 UK phone support | UK support, business hours | UK support, business hours | UK support, business hours | 24/7 UK support | 24/7 fraud support, general queries Monday to Friday | Named account manager |
| Contract length | 18 months | 12 months typical. 30-day rolling available above £100k/yr. No published term on the sub-£100k tier. | None | None | None | 18 months | 12–18 months. Countertop and portable contracts auto-renew at 18 months unless cancelled within the notice window. | 12-month minimum on some plans, commonly 18–48 months. The early termination fee equals the remaining monthly rental charges. 90-day notice. |
| Early exit fees | None | Term-dependent, ask for the figure in writing | None | None | None | Term-dependent, ask for the figure and the notice period in writing | Term-dependent, and notice windows apply before auto-renewal | Remaining monthly rental charges, with 90-day notice |
| No Use, No Bill | Yes, no transactions in a month means no bill | No, fixed charges apply in a quiet month | Effectively yes, no fixed monthly charges | Effectively yes, no fixed monthly charges | Effectively yes, no fixed monthly charges | No, fixed charges apply in a quiet month | No, fixed charges apply in a quiet month | No, fixed charges apply in a quiet month |
| Best for | Hospitality & independent retail | Busy hospitality sites wanting EPOS integrations | Low volume, mobile and occasional traders | PayPal sellers and market traders | Businesses that want free POS software | Multi-currency and international trade | Established businesses banking with Barclays | First-time card users wanting a named manager |
Swipe to compare
Annual cost by card turnover
Everything included, not just the transaction rate.
£2,000 a month card turnover
Lowest cost- Shift4 One£300
- Dojo£738
- SumUp£445
- Zettle by PayPal£435
- Square£430
- Worldpay£630
- Barclaycard£636
- Takepayments£676
£5,000 a month card turnover
Lowest cost- Shift4 One£750
- Dojo£1,260
- SumUp£1,054
- Zettle by PayPal£1,065
- Square£1,060
- Worldpay£1,170
- Barclaycard£1,212
- Takepayments£1,140
£10,000 a month card turnover
Lowest cost- Shift4 One£1,500
- Dojo£2,130
- SumUp£2,068
- Zettle by PayPal£2,115
- Square£2,110
- Worldpay£2,070
- Barclaycard£2,172
- Takepayments£1,914
Annual cost. Includes transaction fees, monthly rental, platform and software fees, minimum monthly charge top-up, and hardware amortised over 24 months. Assumes an average transaction of £20.
What you would pay a year
Our cost is 1.25% of card turnover with nothing else attached.
£2,000/month
£300
a year with Shift4 One at 1.25%
- Square£430+£130
- Zettle by PayPal£435+£135
- SumUp£445+£145
- Worldpay£630+£330
£5,000/month
£750
a year with Shift4 One at 1.25%
- SumUp£1,054+£304
- Square£1,060+£310
- Zettle by PayPal£1,065+£315
- Takepayments£1,140+£390
£7,000/month
£1,050
a year with Shift4 One at 1.25%
- Takepayments£1,450+£400
- SumUp£1,459+£409
- Square£1,480+£430
- Zettle by PayPal£1,485+£435
£10,000/month
£1,500
a year with Shift4 One at 1.25%
- Takepayments£1,914+£414
- SumUp£2,068+£568
- Worldpay£2,070+£570
- Square£2,110+£610
Includes transaction fees, monthly rental, platform and software fees, minimum monthly charge top-up, and hardware amortised over 24 months. Assumes an average transaction of £20.
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Shift4 One vs Dojo
Does Dojo's headline rate hold up once the rental and monthly fees are counted?
| Dojo | Shift4 One | |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction rate | 1.2% blended | 1.25% blended, all cards |
| Terminal cost | £149–£239 to buy outright. Under £100k/yr turnover you generally buy the terminal upfront from £179+VAT. | First terminal free, extras £14/month |
| Monthly fees | £15/month on a 12-month term, around £20/month rolling. The rental route generally requires £100k+/yr turnover. · Platform fee £10/month per location · Hardware care £5/month optional (basic cover included free) · Plus software tier £11.99/month per location | £0 |
| Minimum monthly charge | £24.95 | None. No Use, No Bill |
| Contract | 12 months typical. 30-day rolling available above £100k/yr. No published term on the sub-£100k tier. | 18 months, no early exit fees |
| Cost at £5,000/month | £105/mo | £63/mo |
Our verdict
You need one of Dojo's 450+ EPOS integrations, or Dojo Pocket for tableside ordering, tipping and split bills. Genuinely competitive published rate. 450+ EPOS integrations. Contract buyout up to £3,000. Dojo Pocket handles tableside ordering, tipping and split bills. On total cost at £5,000 a month, though, our free terminal works out about £42 a month lower once rental, platform fees, minimum charges and hardware are included.
Full Dojo comparisonShift4 One vs SumUp
Is a flat pay-as-you-go rate still the cheapest once your card turnover is steady?
| SumUp | Shift4 One | |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction rate | 1.69% in person | 1.25% blended, all cards |
| Terminal cost | Air £39+VAT, Solo £79, Terminal £135. Range £29–£139. | First terminal free, extras £14/month |
| Monthly fees | £0 · Payments Plus £19/month if taken | £0 |
| Minimum monthly charge | £0 | None. No Use, No Bill |
| Contract | None | 18 months, no early exit fees |
| Cost at £5,000/month | £88/mo | £63/mo |
Our verdict
You take only a few hundred pounds a month on card, where a percentage point matters less than having no commitment at all. No contract, no monthly fee, lowest flat rate of the three pay-as-you-go providers. Solo and Terminal work without a phone. On total cost at £5,000 a month, though, our free terminal works out about £25 a month lower once rental, platform fees, minimum charges and hardware are included.
Full SumUp comparisonShift4 One vs Zettle by PayPal
Is a flat pay-as-you-go rate still the cheapest once your card turnover is steady?
| Zettle by PayPal | Shift4 One | |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction rate | 1.75% in person | 1.25% blended, all cards |
| Terminal cost | Reader 2 Lite £19+VAT, Reader 2 £29+VAT, Terminal up to £189 | First terminal free, extras £14/month |
| Monthly fees | £0 | £0 |
| Minimum monthly charge | £0 | None. No Use, No Bill |
| Contract | None | 18 months, no early exit fees |
| Cost at £5,000/month | £89/mo | £63/mo |
Our verdict
You already run your business through PayPal and want takings in that balance instantly. Cheapest hardware entry point in the UK. Instant access to funds if you already run PayPal. On total cost at £5,000 a month, though, our free terminal works out about £26 a month lower once rental, platform fees, minimum charges and hardware are included.
Full Zettle by PayPal comparisonShift4 One vs Square
Is a flat pay-as-you-go rate still the cheapest once your card turnover is steady?
| Square | Shift4 One | |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction rate | 1.75% in person | 1.25% blended, all cards |
| Terminal cost | Reader from £19. Terminal and Register up to £149+. | First terminal free, extras £14/month |
| Monthly fees | £0 on the free plan · Plus plan £29/month optional | £0 |
| Minimum monthly charge | £0 | None. No Use, No Bill |
| Contract | None. No setup or cancellation fees. | 18 months, no early exit fees |
| Cost at £5,000/month | £88/mo | £63/mo |
Our verdict
You rely on Square's till, online store, bookings or invoicing, where splitting payments away creates more admin than it saves. Best free POS software in the category, with inventory, online store and team tools included. No commitment at all. On total cost at £5,000 a month, though, our free terminal works out about £26 a month lower once rental, platform fees, minimum charges and hardware are included.
Full Square comparisonShift4 One vs Worldpay
Does Worldpay's headline rate hold up once the rental and monthly fees are counted?
| Worldpay | Shift4 One | |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction rate | 1.50% flat (Simplicity) | 1.25% blended, all cards |
| Terminal cost | £0 | First terminal free, extras £14/month |
| Monthly fees | £17.50–£22/month terminal hire. £10–£15/month on custom tariffs. Promotional £0 and £1/month offers run periodically. · PCI DSS support around £5/month | £0 |
| Minimum monthly charge | The countertop plan lists no minimum monthly service charge | None. No Use, No Bill |
| Contract | 18 months | 18 months, no early exit fees |
| Cost at £5,000/month | £98/mo | £63/mo |
Our verdict
You take payments in multiple currencies or from international customers, where 135 currencies and 300+ payment methods matter. Bank-grade acquirer with 300+ payment methods and 135 currencies. A genuine option for multi-currency or international trade. On total cost at £5,000 a month, though, our free terminal works out about £35 a month lower once rental, platform fees, minimum charges and hardware are included.
Full Worldpay comparisonShift4 One vs Barclaycard
Does Barclaycard's headline rate hold up once the rental and monthly fees are counted?
| Barclaycard | Shift4 One | |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction rate | 1.6% pay-as-you-go | 1.25% blended, all cards |
| Terminal cost | Smartpay Anywhere from £29+VAT | First terminal free, extras £14/month |
| Monthly fees | Flex from £15+VAT/month, Smartpay Touch from £29+VAT/month, terminals typically £15–£30/month · PCI compliance £4.80–£15+VAT/month · Monthly service charge on contracted accounts · PCI non-compliance surcharges £15–£100/month | £0 |
| Minimum monthly charge | Applies on contracted accounts, confirm in writing | None. No Use, No Bill |
| Contract | 12–18 months. Countertop and portable contracts auto-renew at 18 months unless cancelled within the notice window. | 18 months, no early exit fees |
| Cost at £5,000/month | £101/mo | £63/mo |
Our verdict
Your merchant services are bundled into a wider Barclays banking package, where unpicking one part can change the pricing on the rest. Bank-backed, PCI DSS Level 1 acquirer. Genuinely strong for established businesses above £25,000/month who can negotiate. 24/7 fraud support. On total cost at £5,000 a month, though, our free terminal works out about £39 a month lower once rental, platform fees, minimum charges and hardware are included.
Full Barclaycard comparisonShift4 One vs Takepayments
Does Takepayments's headline rate hold up once the rental and monthly fees are counted?
| Takepayments | Shift4 One | |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction rate | Quote only, not published | 1.25% blended, all cards |
| Terminal cost | £0 setup. You rent the hardware and return it at contract end. | First terminal free, extras £14/month |
| Monthly fees | From around £25/month, quote-dependent by model · PCI compliance £5–£6/month | £0 |
| Minimum monthly charge | Quote-dependent, ask in writing | None. No Use, No Bill |
| Contract | 12-month minimum on some plans, commonly 18–48 months. The early termination fee equals the remaining monthly rental charges. 90-day notice. | 18 months, no early exit fees |
| Cost at £5,000/month | £95/mo | £63/mo |
Our verdict
You want a named local account manager who will visit in person, which their field model does well. Dedicated named account manager from day one, which some first-time card users genuinely value. Room to negotiate if you have a competing quote. On total cost at £5,000 a month, though, our free terminal works out about £33 a month lower once rental, platform fees, minimum charges and hardware are included.
Full Takepayments comparisonCard machine comparison FAQs
Ready to see your own numbers?
A free terminal, 1.25% blended on all cards under £10,000/month card turnover, and no bill in a month where you take nothing. Above that, bespoke rates quoted from your statement.
Competitor pricing from publicly published UK rates, last checked August 2026. Providers change pricing without notice, confirm directly. Our rate is confirmed on application, subject to underwriting.