SumUp and Square are both known for their hardware and payment processing capabilities, making them attractive options for startups and small enterprises alike. However, as businesses mature and their requirements evolve, a closer examination of their offerings reveals key differences that can shape the trajectory of success.
Square’s strength lies in its rich assortment of software features, providing a robust foundation to support the growth of budding entrepreneurs. On the other hand, SumUp excels in simplicity and cost-effectiveness.
Ultimately, the choice between SumUp and Square comes down to your business’s unique needs and ambitions. In this article, we’ll dive deeper into the strengths of both solutions to help you make an informed decision that aligns perfectly with your business goals.
Contents
Comparison Chart
| Product Name | SumUp | Square |
 |  | |
| Website | Check Website | Check Price |
| Hardware | Card reader, card reader with printer, POS register | Card reader, mobile handheld device, touchscreen POS terminals and registers, iPad POS |
| Software | Mobile app, POS software, item catalog | Industry-specific POS, POS software, Square POS app, multiple add-ons |
| Transaction Fees | 2.75% for in-person payments 3.25% $0.15 for manually keyed or payment-linked transactions | 2.6% + $0.10 for in-person payments 3.5% + $0.15 for manually keyed payments |
| Payout Speed | 1 to 2 business days | 1 to 2 business days |
| Supported Mobile Wallets | Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay | Apple Pay, Google Pay, |
| Customer Support | Offers customer support via phone and email | Offers customer support via phone, email, and chat |
SumUp vs Square: At A Glance
SumUp
Founded in 2012 by Marc-Alexander Christ and Johannes ‘Joe’ Klein, SumUp emerged with a clear mission: to empower small merchants worldwide. Headquartered in London, UK, SumUp’s reach spans across more than 30 countries, delivering user-friendly and cost-effective solutions to merchants of all kinds.
At its heart, SumUp provides an array of products, including card readers, mobile POS software, and essential business tools. Whether you run a street food vendor, salon, or retail store, SumUp is designed to cater to the needs of small businesses. With over 3 million businesses relying on their services globally, SumUp remains committed to enabling entrepreneurs to thrive in the competitive marketplace.
Square
In 2009, the Jim McKelvey and Jack Dorsey founded Square, Inc., ushering in a revolution in the payment landscape. Square’s inception was rooted in the vision of offering a convenient mobile payment platform, and it quickly became a go-to solution for businesses on-the-go.
With the flagship product, Square Reader, businesses can seamlessly accept card payments using smartphones and tablets. Over the years, Square has continuously expanded its offerings, providing a comprehensive ecosystem that includes a robust point-of-sale (POS) system, e-commerce tools, inventory management, invoicing solutions, and even support for bitcoin transactions through its Cash App.
Hardware
When it comes to hardware offerings, both SumUp and Square deliver a range of devices that cater to the diverse needs of businesses seeking efficient card payment solutions.
SumUp
SumUp boasts a lineup of devices that combine simplicity with practicality. The SumUp Solo, a standalone card reader, features a sleek, easy-to-use touchscreen that enables merchants to send digital receipts and access reports directly from the device.
For those looking for a complete solution, the Solo Printer Bundle includes the SumUp Solo card reader and a dedicated printer capable of printing up to 800 receipts on a single charge. On the other hand, if mobility is a priority, the SumUp Plus is an excellent choice, equipped with NFC, Bluetooth, and an integrated Li-ion battery, making it an efficient mobile card terminal.
For businesses with more complex checkout needs, SumUp offers the SumUp Point of Sale terminal. This versatile unit not only accepts all major payment methods, including contactless options, but also comes with order management, reporting, and accounting features, making it a comprehensive solution for growing enterprises.
Square
Square’s hardware lineup is impressively extensive, catering to businesses of all sizes. At its core, the Square Reader, now available in a 2nd gen model, is designed to accept both contactless and card payments. Moreover, Square offers a variant dedicated solely to magstripe payments, providing flexibility for merchants.
The Square Terminal stands as an all-in-one credit card machine that not only takes payments but also prints receipts, streamlining the checkout process for businesses. For those seeking an intuitive customer-driven checkout experience, Square offers the iPad-based POS device, Square Stand, along with the versatile Square Stand Mount, perfect for setting up payment stations anywhere in the store.
For businesses requiring a robust POS system, the Square Register is the answer. This fully-integrated register efficiently manages touch-free payments, online sales, contactless pickup, and delivery, all powered by Square’s renowned point-of-sale software and seamlessly integrating with Square’s suite of applications.
Click here to read out Strip vs Square comparison.
Integrations and Payment Options
Both SumUp and Square excel in providing versatile payment solutions, but their approach to integrations and payment options sets them apart in significant ways.
SumUp
SumUp’s focus on simplicity is evident in its straightforward payment options. While the platform can handle online and remote payments, it may be considered more basic compared to Square. Notably, SumUp doesn’t offer online store functionality yet, but this streamlined approach allows SumUp to work effortlessly out of the box.
A standout feature of SumUp’s card readers is their ability to connect directly to your cell network, even without Wi-Fi. This convenience makes it ideal for on-the-go businesses like bazaars or trade shows, as you don’t need to invest in multiple phones or tablets.
In addition to in-person payments, SumUp allows businesses to send online invoices to customers, providing added convenience and flexibility. Remote payment options like payment links and a virtual terminal also enable you to accept over-the-phone (“manually keyed”) payments. Lastly, SumUp supports major credit cards and popular mobile wallets, ensuring a seamless payment experience for customers.
Square
Square’s comprehensive approach to integrations and payment options is a significant strength. With support for major credit card networks, mobile wallets, and NFC service providers, Square caters to both online and in-person transactions with ease. Moreover, Square’s flexibility allows businesses to process international transactions without additional fees, promoting global accessibility.
Square’s point-of-sale software stands out with its robustness, offering tailored options for various industries, including restaurants and retail businesses. The platform seamlessly integrates with a wide array of popular software solutions, such as Acuity Scheduling, GoDaddy Websites and Marketing, Wix, WooCommerce, JotForm, and more, expanding its capabilities for businesses seeking a fully-integrated experience.
While Square does offer several add-on business tools that come with a monthly cost, these tools provide essential features that can propel your business to the next level, making Square an excellent choice for those looking to scale and grow their ventures.
Pricing
Understanding the pricing and transaction fees associated with payment processing platforms is essential for businesses seeking cost-effective solutions. Let’s dive into the pricing models of SumUp and Square to help you make an informed decision.
SumUp
SumUp adopts a straightforward pay-as-you-go pricing model, ensuring transparency and ease of use for merchants. For in-person transactions, SumUp charges a flat fee of 2.75%. Online transactions, on the other hand, incur a processing fee of 2.9% + $0.15. For manually keyed or payment-linked transactions, the fee is 3.25% + $0.15. Additionally, SumUp provides hardware for which you’ll need to make an initial investment.
One of the significant advantages of using SumUp is the absence of monthly contracts, minimums, or obligations. This flexibility allows businesses to tailor their payment processing to their specific needs without being tied down by long-term commitments.
Square
Square offers businesses a range of pricing plans to suit their individual requirements. The entry-level plan adopts a pay-as-you-go approach, ensuring there are no setup fees or monthly charges—businesses only pay when they process a payment.
For standard transactions, Square charges a processing fee of 2.6% plus $0.10 for contactless payments, swiped or inserted chip cards, and swiped magstripe cards. Payments that are manually keyed-in, processed using Card on File, or manually entered using Virtual Terminal incur a fee of 3.5% plus $0.15. For invoices processed through Square, the fee is 2.9% plus $0.30.
In addition to the Free Plan, Square offers a Plus Plan tailored to businesses in the restaurant, retail, or appointment-based industries, providing access to advanced features. For larger businesses, Square offers customized pricing options to cater to specific needs.
Verdict
SumUp and Square have both revolutionized payment processing for small businesses. SumUp’s simplicity and affordability make it an excellent choice for cost-conscious startups seeking no-frills setup and lower card processing fees. Its mobile connectivity and straightforward interface add unmatched convenience.
Square, on the other hand, offers a more versatile ecosystem suitable for businesses at every stage. With extensive integrations, global reach, and feature-rich point-of-sale options, Square is an ideal partner for scaling enterprises that require advanced features and diverse hardware choices.
Ultimately, the choice between SumUp and Square depends on your business’s specific needs. For smaller businesses prioritizing simplicity and low costs, SumUp is a compelling option. However, those looking for scalability, a broad range of services, and room to grow should consider Square as their preferred payment processing solution.