SumUp POS vs Zettle POS
Side-by-side comparison — pricing, features, ratings, use cases. Find which Pos Systems fits you best.
🔍 Independently researched ·
📊 Data-driven
62/100
Free tier
Small businesses in Europe — like cafes, merch stalls, and field-service pros — that want a low-risk, pay-as-you-go card
★ Best
💰 Pricing
🆓 Free tier available
No monthly subscription required, pay only per transaction; hardware purchased separately.
Fee notes:
- Transaction fee: 1.69% per transaction (chip and PIN, contactless, mobile wallets) for standard card payments
- Transaction fee for manually keyed transactions: 2.55% + 0.10 USD
- Chargeback fee: 13.00 USD per chargeback
- Refund: no fee to refund if within same day; otherwise standard transaction fee applies
- No monthly fees, no setup fees, no cancellation fees
⚠ Watch for:
- Chargeback fee of 13.00 USD applies even if you win the dispute
- Refunds after the same day still incur the processing fee
- International cards and Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) may incur additional FX markup
- Hardware costs are not included; prices for card readers range from 29 to 79 USD depending on model
🔧 Features
✓ European✓ No Monthly Fee✓ Pay Per Tx✓ 4m Merchants✓ Smb✓ Free Tier
📋 Assessment
💪 Strengths
- Free POS software with no monthly fees or long-term contracts – This is a huge plus for small businesses and startups with tight budgets. Unlike competitors like Shopify POS (which costs $89/month for basic features) or Square (which has a free tier but pushes paid plans), SumUp's core software includes everything you need to take payments, manage products, and view basic reports at zero recurring cost. You only pay when you make a sale, which is ideal for low-volume merchants.
- Low-cost, portable card readers with reliable Bluetooth – SumUp’s hardware is among the most affordable on the market, starting at around €29 for the basic reader. The readers are compact, charge quickly, and sync easily with your phone or tablet via Bluetooth. The 3G/4G model lets you take payments anywhere, even without Wi-Fi, which is perfect for market stalls and delivery services. This hardware-first approach is a differentiator in a market where competitors like Zettle (iZettle) charge similar prices but might not offer the same range.
- Intuitive dashboard and simple product management – The software was clearly designed with non-technical users in mind. You can add products with photos, set prices, organize them into categories, and apply discounts in a few taps. The dashboard gives a clear overview of daily sales, transaction history, and customer data (if you collect it). This simplicity reduces training time and lets you focus on serving customers, not fumbling with software.
- Multi-currency and multi-language support for European merchants – Since SumUp is headquartered in Europe, it handles multiple currencies and languages out of the box. This is a lifesaver for businesses near borders or those that sell to tourists. The system automatically settles in your home currency, and you can switch languages easily. This localization is a competitive edge over US-centric competitors.
- Regulation-free setup – You can start using SumUp without a lengthy approval process. There's no credit check or extensive paperwork; you just download the app, verify your identity, and order a reader. You can even begin accepting card payments using the app’s “Card Payments” feature with a smartphone’s NFC (though it's slower than a dedicated reader). This immediacy is perfect for businesses that need to start selling quickly.
⚠ Watch out for
- Transaction fees are relatively high compared to competitors with subscription plans – While the free POS software is great, the per-transaction fee of 1.69% for card payments is higher than some competitors if you're doing high volume. For instance, Zettle (iZettle) charges 1.5% for Visa/Mastercard, and SumUp itself offers lower rates (1.49%) if you pay for the SumUp One plan. If you're processing more than €10,000/month, the cumulative fees might exceed what you'd pay with a flat monthly subscription like Lightspeed or Shopify POS.
- Advanced features are locked behind a paid SumUp One plan – The free tier only includes basic reporting, inventory, and single-user access. If you need multiple staff users (with different permissions), advanced analytics, or integrations with accounting software like Xero or QuickBooks, you'll need to subscribe to SumUp One (starting at €39/month). This effectively adds a recurring cost, undermining the “free” appeal for growing businesses.
- Hardware is proprietary and not compatible with third-party peripherals – Unlike open POS systems that allow you to connect any barcode scanner, cash drawer, or receipt printer, SumUp hardware is designed to work only with SumUp’s own accessories. This limits your ability to build a custom setup. For instance, you can't connect a standard cash drawer via USB; it must be a SumUp-compatible one (which they sell, but at an additional cost). This lock-in could be a dealbreaker for businesses with existing hardware.
- Customer support is limited – SumUp primarily offers support through email, a help center, and a contact form on their website. There's no phone support in many countries, and live chat is only available in certain regions. Response times can vary, with some users reporting delays of 24-48 hours. This might be frustrating if you encounter a payment issue during a busy sales period and need immediate help.
- No built-in loyalty program or CRM – While SumUp does allow you to collect customer emails and send promotional emails (via the free plan), there's no advanced loyalty program or customer relationship management (CRM) built in. You'll need to integrate third-party apps (often via the paid plan) to create points-based loyalty or targeted marketing campaigns. For businesses that rely on repeat customers, this could be a missing feature.
🎯 Best for
Small businesses in Europe — like cafes, merch stalls, and field-service pros — that want a low-risk, pay-as-you-go card payment solution without subscription fees.
🚫 Who should skip
Full-service restaurants, large multi-location retailers, and businesses that need deeply customizable POS software for complex workflows.
📚 Learning curve
Minimal — setting up the app and pairing a card reader is straightforward, and the interface is simple enough for staff to learn in a few minutes.
🧑⚖️ Verdict
SumUp POS is a fantastic choice for micro-businesses, pop-up shops, and mobile vendors who need a low-cost, no-contract payment solution with basic inventory and sales tracking. It's also ideal for businesses that want to start taking card payments without a significant upfront investment. However,
58/100
Free tier
Independent retailers, cafes, and mobile vendors who want a straightforward, free POS with PayPal integration and don't
💰 Pricing
🆓 Free tier available
Core POS app, basic inventory, sales reports, unlimited users
Starting at 27 € (hybrid)
Fee notes:
- Card-present transactions: 2.29% + $0.09 for Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover
- Keyed-in transactions: 3.49% + $0.09
- PayPal/Zettle QR code transactions: 2.29% fixed
- Chargeback fee: $15.00
⚠ Watch for:
- Chargeback fee $15.00
- Cost of card readers if lost or damaged
- PCI compliance fee
- Early termination fee for Premium plan
🔧 Features
✓ Paypal Owned✓ Free App✓ Smb✓ Simple Ui✓ Free Tier
📋 Assessment
💪 Strengths
- Free POS app with no monthly subscription or contract, and you only pay when you take card payments. This makes it an exceptional low-risk entry point for startups and seasonal businesses, eliminating fixed costs while the card reader (starting at $29) is a one-time purchase. For a small café or market stall, this can save hundreds of dollars annually compared to subscription-based competitors.
- Simple, intuitive interface that staff can learn in under an hour. The app is designed for speed: checkout involves tapping a few buttons, and the layout is clean with large icons. This drastically reduces training time and errors, which is critical in high-turnover industries like retail. Even temporary staff can handle transactions confidently.
- Seamless PayPal integration — funds can flow straight to your PayPal account, and products can sync with your PayPal account. For businesses that already use PayPal for online sales, this unifies cash flow and inventory across channels. You get a single view of your sales, and settlement is fast, with money often available immediately.
- Flexible payment options include contactless, chip, and swiped cards, plus mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay. The card readers are competitively priced (starting at $29 for the basic model) and use Bluetooth to connect to the app, making them portable for pop-ups. You can accept payments anywhere, which is ideal for markets and events.
- Zettle offers a free, simple online store that integrates with the POS. This is a nice bonus for businesses looking to sell online without extra costs. The store syncs inventory and sales, so managing multiple channels is straightforward, though the storebuilder is basic compared to dedicated ecommerce platforms.
⚠ Watch out for
- Transaction fees are slightly higher than some competitors for high-volume businesses that might qualify for interchange-plus pricing. Zettle charges a flat 2.29% for card-present transactions, which is fine for low volume but can add up for businesses processing significant sales monthly. In contrast, other providers offer lower rates on higher volumes, so it might be worth negotiating elsewhere.
- Inventory features are limited — no purchase orders, batch or expiry tracking, or multi-location stock management. This is a major drawback for businesses with complex inventory needs, such as those managing perishables or multiple warehouses. You can track stock levels and set low-stock alerts, but manual adjustments and lack of automation will hinder growth.
- Reporting is basic compared to Square or Shopify — no advanced analytics or employee-level revenue tracking. You get sales summaries, product performance, and payment reports, but you can't dive into customer behaviour, average order value trends, or staff performance. This hampers data-driven decision-making for businesses that rely on metrics.
- Customer support is limited to email and a knowledge base, with no phone or live chat. Response times can lag, especially during peak hours. For a POS system where uptime is critical, this can be frustrating. You'll need to rely on self-help for immediate issues, which might not be ideal for non-tech-savvy users.
- No offline mode: if your internet connection drops, you cannot process payments. This is a significant risk for market stalls and events where connectivity is unreliable. While some competitors offer offline mode, Zettle does not, potentially losing you sales and frustrating customers.
🎯 Best for
Independent retailers, cafes, and mobile vendors who want a straightforward, free POS with PayPal integration and don't need complex inventory or full restaurant features.
🚫 Who should skip
Restaurants requiring table management, retail stores with multi-location inventory needs, or high-volume businesses that qualify for lower interchange-plus rates.
📚 Learning curve
Minimal. The app is designed so staff can start taking payments with just a few minutes of training.
🧑⚖️ Verdict
If you're a small café, market stall, or boutique with straightforward needs and want an affordable, easy-to-use POS with PayPal integration, Zettle is an excellent choice. However, if you require advanced inventory management, lower transaction fees at high volume, or robust analytics, consider Squ
📊 Use Case Suitability
Higher score = better fit. Scores from editorial review.
Use CaseSumUp POSZettle POS
Pop-up retail shops and sidewalk stands95—
SumUp's portable card readers and no-monthly-fee pricing make it ideal for low-v
Salon and home-service payment collection85—
You can invoice clients and take card payment at their doorstep, though booking
Cafe counter checkouts90—
Simple order entry, inventory tracking, and quick payment suits counter service
Farmers market vendors88—
Standalone battery-powered card reader works without Wi-Fi, and the app keeps tr
Café and Coffee Shops—92
Fast counter checkout, simple menu items, and affordable card readers make it a
Market Stalls and Pop-up Shops—95
Offline mode and battery-powered Bluetooth readers let you sell anywhere without
Retail Stores with Basic Inventory—85
Free inventory management, product catalog, and barcode scanning cover the essen
Biz owners already using PayPal—80
If you want to unify payments with PayPal, Zettle makes it easy to move funds an
🧭 Which One Should You Pick?
Choose SumUp POS if...
- You are: Small businesses in Europe — like cafes, merch stalls, and field-service pros — that want a low-risk, pay-as-you-go card
- 👍 Completely free POS software with no monthly fees or contract.
- 👍 Low-cost, portable card readers that sync to the app via Bluetooth.
- 👍 Trusted by millions of merchants across Europe, with localized payment processing for multiple curre
- 💰 Free tier available
- ⚠ Trade-off: Transaction fees are higher than some competitors if you need premium rate disco
Choose Zettle POS if...
- You are: Independent retailers, cafes, and mobile vendors who want a straightforward, free POS with PayPal integration and don't
- 👍 Free POS app with no monthly subscription or contract, only pay when you take card payments.
- 👍 Simple, intuitive interface that staff can learn in under an hour.
- 👍 Seamless PayPal integration — funds can flow to PayPal and products can sync with your PayPal accoun
- 💰 From $29/mo
- ⚠ Trade-off: Transaction fees are slightly higher than some competitors for high-volume busin
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is SumUp POS really free?
Yes, the basic POS software is free with no monthly fees. You only pay a per-transaction fee for card payments, which varies by country and card type. You may also need to purchase a card reader.
What are the card processing fees?
Fees start around 1.69% per transaction for most cards in Europe, though the exact rate depends on your country and the card type. Premium rates are available on a paid SumUp One plan.
Do I need a SumUp card reader or can I use the app alone?
You can use the SumUp POS app for in-person payments only with a SumUp card reader. However, you can also create invoices and accept payments via payment links without the hardware.
Can SumUp POS handle inventory and employee management?
Yes, the free plan includes basic inventory tracking and sales reporting. Advanced features like staff permissions, advanced analytics, and multi-location management are part of the paid SumUp One plan.
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