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

vs

SumUp and Dojo are two of the most widely used card payment providers in the UK, but they are built for very different types of business. SumUp suits sole traders, market stallholders and micro-businesses that want a simple, no-contract card reader with a flat 1.69% transaction fee and no monthly costs. Dojo targets established businesses with higher turnover, offering faster next-business-day settlement, a dedicated Android terminal and custom rates for merchants processing above £150,000 a year. This comparison covers fees, hardware, contracts, settlement speed and the honest trade-offs of each provider, so you can decide which fits your business in 2026.

SumUp vs Dojo: Fee Comparison

What is SumUp?

SumUp is a Berlin-founded fintech launched in 2012 that entered the UK market shortly after and has since become one of the most recognised names in small-business card payments. It operates as an FCA-authorised e-money institution (FRN 900705) and provides a plug-and-play card reader that connects via Bluetooth to a smartphone app. The headline rate is 1.69% per transaction on all UK and European personal cards, with no monthly fee, no setup fee and no minimum monthly turnover. That simplicity is its main selling point for sole traders and early-stage businesses.

SumUp has expanded beyond its original card reader to offer a point-of-sale app, online store functionality, pay-by-link, invoicing and a business account with a Mastercard debit card. The SumUp Air reader costs £39 plus VAT, and the SumUp Solo is a standalone Android terminal at £99 plus VAT. Hardware costs are one-off purchases rather than rentals, which keeps ongoing costs low. For a fuller breakdown of fees and features, see the SumUp provider review on Compare Card Fees.

What is Dojo?

Dojo is a UK-built payment provider launched in 2019 by Paymentsense parent company GPS. It targets small and medium-sized businesses that want reliable in-person payments, fast settlement and a modern Android-based terminal. Dojo is FCA-authorised as a payment institution (FRN 900926) and processes payments across hospitality, retail and professional services. Its Dojo Go terminal is a 4G and Wi-Fi capable Android device that supports third-party apps including Lightspeed and Zettle integrations. Standard transaction rates start from around 1.4% plus 5p, with custom pricing available once monthly card volume exceeds £150,000.

Dojo's standout feature is next-business-day settlement by 7am, which matters significantly for cash-flow-conscious businesses such as restaurants and independent retailers. It also provides 24/7 customer support and a dedicated account manager for qualifying merchants. Monthly rental fees apply for the terminal, typically around £20 per month, and early exit fees have historically been a point of complaint something worth checking carefully in your contract before signing. For a full breakdown of Dojo's pricing and contract terms, visit the Dojo provider review on Compare Card Fees.

SumUp vs Dojo: Features Compared

Payment Methods Accepted

Both providers accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Apple Pay and Google Pay. SumUp also accepts Samsung Pay. Dojo supports contactless, chip-and-PIN and swipe transactions on its Go terminal, and additionally offers pay-by-link and virtual terminal functionality for card-not-present payments. SumUp offers pay-by-link and an online checkout, but its virtual terminal capability is more basic compared to Dojo's offering for phone-order businesses.

Hardware and Terminals

SumUp sells its hardware outright. The SumUp Air is a compact Bluetooth reader for £39 plus VAT that pairs with your phone. The SumUp Solo is a standalone 4G Android terminal with a built-in printer for £99 plus VAT. You own the device from day one, which is a genuine advantage over rental models. Dojo rents its Go terminal, which is a full Android device with a 5.5-inch touchscreen, 4G and Wi-Fi connectivity and a built-in receipt printer. Because Dojo's terminal runs Android, it can run third-party apps alongside the payment software, which SumUp's proprietary hardware cannot do.

Integrations

SumUp integrates with WooCommerce, Wix, Shopify and a handful of accounting tools including Xero and QuickBooks. Its API is publicly available for custom builds. Dojo integrates directly with a wider range of EPOS systems including Lightspeed, Tevalis and Zonal, making it better suited to hospitality and multi-till retail environments. Dojo also connects with OpenTable for restaurant reservation management. If you run a multi-channel business that needs tight EPOS integration, Dojo's ecosystem is more developed.

International Support

SumUp operates in over 35 countries, so if you trade internationally or take payments at events abroad, your account travels with you. Its 1.69% flat rate applies to European personal cards, but non-European cards attract a higher fee of 2.5% per transaction. Dojo is focused exclusively on UK businesses and does not support cross-border merchant use. If your business trades seasonally in Europe, SumUp has the clear advantage here.

Fraud Tools and Security

Both providers are PCI DSS compliant and support 3D Secure for online transactions. SumUp handles PCI compliance on your behalf as a payment service provider, removing the need for an annual self-assessment questionnaire. Dojo similarly manages PCI compliance for its card-present transactions. Dojo provides real-time fraud monitoring and chargeback management tools through its merchant dashboard. SumUp's fraud tools are functional but less detailed at the reporting level, which can be a limitation for merchants who want granular transaction analysis.

Customer Support

SumUp offers email and live chat support during business hours, with a phone line available for account holders. Response times during busy periods can be slow, and this has generated consistent criticism in Trustpilot reviews. Dojo offers 24/7 telephone and chat support, which is a meaningful difference if your terminal goes down during an evening restaurant service or a weekend market. Dojo also assigns a dedicated account manager to eligible merchants, whereas SumUp operates on a more self-service model.

Pros and Cons

SumUp Pros and Cons

Pros

• No monthly fee and no contract ideal for seasonal or low-volume businesses
• Flat 1.69% rate is transparent and easy to budget for
• Low upfront hardware cost SumUp Air from £39 plus VAT, owned outright
• Operates in over 35 countries, useful for businesses that trade at European events
• Pay-by-link, invoicing and online store tools included at no extra cost

Cons

• Standard settlement takes one to three business days; instant payout costs an extra 1% per transaction
• Customer support quality has drawn negative reviews phone support is not always available on demand
• The 1.69% flat rate becomes expensive versus custom interchange-plus pricing once monthly volumes grow past roughly £10,000
• Hardware cannot run third-party apps, limiting EPOS flexibility

Dojo Pros and Cons

Pros

• Next-business-day settlement by 7am as standard no extra charge
• 24/7 UK-based customer support via phone and chat
• Android-based Go terminal supports third-party EPOS apps
• Custom rates available for merchants processing over £150,000 a year
• Strong hospitality integrations including Lightspeed, Zonal and OpenTable

Cons

• Monthly terminal rental fee adds to ongoing costs typically around £20 per month
• Early termination fees have been a recurring complaint; check the contract exit terms carefully before signing
• Not suitable for international use UK-only merchant support
• Transparent published pricing is limited; you often need to request a quote to get exact rates

Which is Better For...?

Small Retail Businesses and Market Traders

SumUp is the stronger choice for small independent retailers, market traders and craft sellers who take payments intermittently. There is no monthly fee to cover during quiet months, the Air reader fits in a jacket pocket and the 1.69% rate is easy to factor into pricing. A business taking £3,000 a month in card payments pays around £50.70 in transaction fees with no other costs. Dojo's monthly terminal rental makes it harder to justify at that volume unless the faster settlement genuinely matters to your cash flow.

Restaurants and Hospitality Businesses

Dojo is better suited to restaurants, cafés and bars. Next-day settlement by 7am helps with daily float management. The Android terminal handles split bills and integrates with hospitality EPOS systems including Zonal and Lightspeed. The 24/7 support line means a terminal fault at 9pm on a Saturday gets a real response. SumUp can work for a small café with one reader, but it lacks the EPOS depth and support reliability that busy hospitality venues need.

High-Volume Merchants

Dojo wins for businesses processing above £10,000 a month in card payments. Custom interchange-plus pricing can bring effective rates below 1%, saving a business processing £30,000 a month potentially several hundred pounds compared with SumUp's flat 1.69%. SumUp does not offer negotiated rates. If your monthly card turnover is high and consistent, requesting a custom quote from Dojo is worth the conversation.

Online-Only or Multi-Channel E-commerce

Neither provider is a primary e-commerce payment gateway in the way that Stripe or Opayo are, but SumUp has more developed online tools for small sellers. Its Wix and WooCommerce integrations, pay-by-link and online checkout work well for a small product business. Dojo's online capabilities are growing but remain secondary to its in-person focus. For a business that sells both online and in-person at low volume, SumUp's all-in-one approach is the more practical starting point.

Our Verdict

SumUp and Dojo are not really competing for the same customer. SumUp is the right choice if you are starting out, trading seasonally or processing under £5,000 a month in cards and want zero ongoing costs. The flat 1.69% rate, no contract and owned hardware make it one of the most accessible entry points to card payments in the UK. It does carry trade-offs: slower settlement, limited EPOS integration and support that can be patchy under pressure.

Dojo earns its place for established businesses that process consistently high card volumes, particularly in hospitality and retail. Next-day settlement, 24/7 support and Android-based terminals with EPOS app support justify the monthly rental and contract commitment for the right merchant. The lack of transparent published pricing and historically strict exit terms are genuine downsides, so read any contract carefully before signing.

If you are unsure which is right for your business, 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 SumUp, Dojo and other leading UK providers side by side, with no obligation.