Dojo vs takepayments UK 2026: Fees, Features & Which to Choose

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Dojo and takepayments are two of the most actively marketed card payment providers in the UK, but they suit very different businesses. Dojo is a technology-first provider built around fast settlement, sleek Android terminals, and pay-as-you-go pricing that appeals to hospitality and retail businesses that want flexibility. takepayments targets small and medium-sized UK businesses with face-to-face sales, offering straightforward fixed monthly rental contracts and a dedicated local sales team. This page compares their fees, hardware, contract terms, and support so you can decide which fits your business in 2026.

Dojo vs takepayments: Fee Comparison

What is Dojo?

Dojo is a UK card payment provider launched in 2019 under Paymentsense Limited. It targets hospitality, retail, and service businesses with Android-based smart terminals, next-day settlement, and transparent pay-as-you-go pricing. The Dojo Go terminal has become particularly popular in restaurants and bars because it handles split bills, tipping, and tableside payments without needing a separate EPOS system. By June 2026 Dojo serves over 100,000 UK businesses.

Pricing starts from 1.4% per transaction for UK consumer Visa and Mastercard debit cards, though credit card and commercial card rates are higher. Dojo also offers a payment gateway for card-not-present transactions, which means some businesses can use a single provider for both in-person and online payments. For a full breakdown of fees and features, see the Dojo provider review on Compare Card Fees.

What is takepayments?

takepayments is a UK merchant services provider founded in 2010 and based in Sheffield. It focuses almost entirely on face-to-face card payments for small and medium-sized businesses across sectors including retail, hospitality, health and beauty, and trades. The company operates a local sales agent model, meaning you typically receive a quote from a regional representative rather than signing up entirely online. takepayments processes payments through its acquiring partner and provides Ingenico and PAX terminal hardware on monthly rental agreements.

Contract lengths run from 12 to 48 months, and the pricing is negotiated individually rather than published on a standard rate card. Businesses processing higher volumes can usually secure lower blended rates. The local account manager model is a genuine differentiator for owners who find the setup process with purely digital providers confusing or impersonal. Read the full takepayments provider review on Compare Card Fees for a detailed fee analysis.

Dojo vs takepayments: Features Compared

Payment Methods Accepted

Both providers support the major payment methods a UK business needs day to day. Dojo terminals accept chip-and-PIN, contactless cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay. The Dojo Go terminal also supports QR-code payments and has a built-in receipt printer. takepayments terminals accept contactless, chip-and-PIN, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Neither provider natively supports buy-now-pay-later at the point of terminal sale without third-party integration.

Hardware and Terminals

Dojo's flagship device is the Dojo Go, a portable Android 10 terminal with a colour touchscreen, built-in 4G and Wi-Fi, and an all-day battery. The hardware is modern and well-regarded, and the Dojo Pocket is a smaller countertop option for fixed-position use. takepayments offers a broader range including countertop, portable, and mobile (SIM-enabled) versions of Ingenico Desk and Move terminals as well as the PAX A920. Both providers supply terminals on a rental model rather than outright sale, so you do not own the hardware at the end of the contract.

EPOS and Software Integrations

Dojo has built a growing set of EPOS integrations including Lightspeed, Tevalis, and its own Dojo Dashboard app for reporting. The Android platform means third-party app installations are possible in some cases. takepayments offers integrations with selected EPOS partners but the range is narrower. Neither provider matches a dedicated EPOS platform like Square for depth of inventory and reporting tools, so high-complexity hospitality or retail operations may need a separate EPOS system alongside either provider.

International and Multi-Currency Support

Both Dojo and takepayments are built for UK domestic trading. Dojo accepts international cards but charges a higher rate for non-UK and commercial cards, typically above 2%. takepayments handles international Visa and Mastercard cards at its blended rate, which may or may not include a surcharge for foreign cards depending on your individual contract. Neither provider offers dynamic currency conversion as a standard feature, and neither is positioned for businesses with significant cross-border transaction volumes. For that, providers like Adyen or Stripe are better suited.

Fraud Prevention and Security

Dojo is PCI DSS Level 1 compliant and includes 3D Secure on its gateway product. Terminal payments are end-to-end encrypted, and Dojo includes fraud monitoring tools in its dashboard. takepayments terminals are also PCI DSS compliant, and the company charges a separate PCI compliance fee typically around £5 to £6 per month which some competitors include within their monthly rental. Both providers support Strong Customer Authentication as required by FCA regulations. Dojo does not charge a separate PCI fee in most of its standard packages, which gives it a modest cost advantage here.

Customer Support

takepayments wins on the local, personal support front. Every customer is assigned a dedicated account manager, and the company has regional teams across the UK. Support is available by phone, and many customers report being able to reach a named contact directly. Dojo provides 24/7 telephone support and live chat, but it operates a centralised contact centre model rather than dedicated account managers. Dojo's support is consistently rated well in online reviews for speed, but if you prefer speaking to someone who already knows your account, takepayments has the edge.

Pros and Cons

Dojo Pros and Cons

Pros

• Next-day settlement by 7am suits businesses with tight cash flow
• No long-term contract lock-in after the initial period
• Modern Android terminal hardware with a strong feature set for hospitality
• Transparent starting rates published online from 1.4% for UK debit cards
• Payment gateway available for businesses that also take online payments
• No separate PCI compliance fee in most standard packages

Cons

• Rates for credit cards and commercial cards are noticeably higher and not always clearly quoted upfront
• No dedicated account manager; support is centralised rather than personal
• The Dojo Go terminal is rented, not owned, so you lose it if you cancel
• EPOS integration library is still growing and trails some larger competitors

takepayments Pros and Cons

Pros

• Dedicated local account manager included as standard
• Wide range of terminal hardware including Ingenico and PAX devices
• Rates can be negotiated for businesses processing above £10,000 per month
• Established UK provider with over 14 years of operation
• Suitable for businesses that prefer to set up with human guidance rather than online sign-up

Cons

• Contract lengths of 12 to 48 months with early termination fees that can run to hundreds of pounds
• Settlement typically takes two to three working days, slower than Dojo
• Rates are not published; you must request a quote, making upfront comparison harder
• A separate monthly PCI compliance fee of around £5 to £6 adds to the total cost

Which is Better For...?

Small Retail and Hospitality Businesses

Dojo is the stronger choice for most small restaurants, cafés, and independent retailers. Next-day settlement reduces the wait between taking a payment and having the money available to spend. The Dojo Go terminal handles tipping and split bills natively, and the rolling contract means you are not locked in for three or four years if your circumstances change. A café taking £15,000 a month at 1.4% pays £210 in transaction fees; that same business on a blended 1.6% rate with takepayments pays £240 a difference of £30 a month or £360 a year.

Sole Traders and Micro-Businesses

For sole traders or very small businesses processing under £5,000 a month, takepayments may feel more comfortable because of the dedicated account manager and hands-on setup support. Dojo's self-serve model is straightforward, but some first-time card machine users find having a named contact reassuring. The risk with takepayments at low volumes is being tied to a long contract if transaction fees turn out to be higher than expected. It is worth getting quotes from both before committing.

Mobile and On-the-Road Businesses

Both providers offer SIM-enabled mobile terminals. Dojo's 4G-enabled Go terminal is well-reviewed by tradespeople and market traders. takepayments' PAX A920 and Ingenico Move terminals also support mobile use. The key difference here is settlement speed and contract flexibility, which both favour Dojo. A mobile dog groomer or plumber who takes payments on the road benefits from seeing funds the next morning rather than waiting three days.

Businesses Wanting Online and In-Person Payments

If you need both a card machine and an online payment gateway, Dojo has a modest advantage. It offers a payment gateway product alongside its terminals, meaning you can manage both from one dashboard. takepayments is primarily a face-to-face provider and does not offer a native e-commerce gateway. Businesses with significant online volume should also consider Stripe or Opayo alongside either provider, as both are more capable pure-play online options.

Our Verdict

For most UK small businesses in 2026, Dojo is the better default choice. Faster settlement, no long contract, and competitive published rates give it a practical edge over takepayments for day-to-day operations. The Dojo Go terminal is genuinely well-designed for hospitality and retail environments, and the absence of a separate PCI fee keeps the monthly cost calculation simpler.

takepayments earns its place for business owners who genuinely value a local account manager and a more guided setup experience. If you are not confident comparing payment processing quotes yourself, having a dedicated contact who walks you through the contract and hardware options has real value. The downside is that long contract terms mean you need to be certain about the rates you agree to at sign-up, because exiting early is expensive.

The honest answer is that the better deal depends on your monthly volume, your card mix, and how much weight you put on support versus flexibility. Compare Card Fees is a free, independent advisory service that has helped UK businesses find better card payment deals since 2012. Use the Compare Card Fees comparison tool to get tailored quotes from both Dojo and takepayments alongside other UK providers, so you can see real numbers side by side before signing anything.