BUSINESS SERVICES · CARD PAYMENTS

5 payment providers.
A clearer way to choose.

Compare Square, SumUp, PayPal Point of Sale, Stripe and Worldpay by the way they help businesses take payments in person and online.

From portable card readers to website checkout, the right setup should fit how your customers buy. Explore five options and the practical checks worth making before you sign up.

See the Comparison Table ↗
Illustration of card readers, payment terminals and an online checkout

Your payment provider should fit the way you sell

A market trader taking occasional card payments has different needs from a busy café, an online shop or a service business collecting deposits. Start by identifying your sales channels, typical transaction size and expected payment volume. Then consider the hardware, software and reporting needed to support that routine.

This editorial shortlist draws on providers’ published UK information. It is not a hands-on test or a ranking of every payment provider. Services, eligibility, charges and terms can change. Confirm the current offer for your business before applying. The illustration is conceptual and does not show the providers’ actual payment devices.

AT A GLANCE

Five card payment providers compared

Use these starting points to decide which providers deserve a closer look.

Card payment providers: channels, features and practical checks
Provider Useful starting point Features to explore Shortlist when Check before applying
Square Payments and point of sale Hardware, POS software and online selling tools You want to connect payments with daily operations Hardware costs, software plans and channel-specific fees
SumUp Everyday card acceptance Card readers, Tap to Pay and digital payment tools You want to compare ways to take payments while trading Device connectivity, chosen plan and payment charges
PayPal Point of Sale Payment hardware and a POS app Reader and terminal options, sales management and integrations You want to explore an app-based point-of-sale setup Account requirements, device compatibility and feature availability
Stripe Online payment workflows Checkout, payment links and integration tools You want to connect payments with a website or application Platform compatibility, setup needs and additional service fees
Worldpay Card-machine and online payment solutions Fixed and mobile terminals plus ecommerce options You want a payment solution quoted for your business Complete pricing, agreement terms and integration details

On smaller screens, scroll sideways to view the full table. Features may require particular products, plans or integrations. Confirm current UK availability, business eligibility and the full fee schedule before choosing.

01 · PAYMENTS & POINT OF SALE

Square

Square combines payment acceptance with point-of-sale software and a range of hardware. Its wider offering includes tools for online selling, invoices and payment links, making it worth exploring if you want payments to connect with more of your everyday business activity.

Start with the type of operation you run and the workflow you need at checkout. A counter-based retailer, appointment business and café may need different software or equipment. Compare the relevant hardware and plans, then check the fees for each payment channel you intend to use. Confirm how reporting and any existing business systems will fit together.

Explore Square’s UK payment tools ↗

02 · EVERYDAY CARD ACCEPTANCE

SumUp

SumUp offers card readers alongside Tap to Pay, point-of-sale and digital payment tools. That makes it a useful option to explore for businesses comparing different ways to accept payments, including those trading away from a fixed counter.

Choose equipment around your actual trading conditions. Check whether the device needs a paired phone, how it connects and how long it can operate between charges. If you also need payment links or online checkout, compare those services separately. Review the pricing arrangement against your expected sales volume and confirm any subscriptions or additional equipment costs.

Explore SumUp’s UK payment options ↗

03 · APP-BASED POINT OF SALE

PayPal Point of Sale

Formerly Zettle, PayPal Point of Sale offers payment hardware and a POS app for managing in-person sales. Reader and terminal options give businesses different ways to organise their checkout setup, with ecommerce and accounting integrations also available to explore.

Compare a reader paired with a compatible mobile device against a terminal-based setup. Consider staff access, product management, receipts and the integrations you need. Confirm the current account requirements and whether particular features are available to your account type. If you already use PayPal, check exactly how this POS service fits with your existing setup.

Explore PayPal Point of Sale ↗

04 · ONLINE PAYMENT WORKFLOWS

Stripe

Stripe provides payment tools for websites and applications, including checkout and payment-link options. It is worth exploring if your business wants payments to fit an existing online platform or a more tailored digital buying process.

Start with your website or ecommerce platform: confirm its supported Stripe integration and the work needed to configure it. A ready-made checkout or payment link has different setup requirements from a custom integration. Compare the payment methods your customers need and the charges for your expected transaction mix. Check any additional services separately rather than assuming they are included in basic payment processing.

Explore Stripe Payments ↗

05 · CARD MACHINES & ONLINE PAYMENTS

Worldpay

Worldpay offers card-machine and online payment solutions, including fixed and mobile hardware options. It is worth considering when you want to discuss a payment setup around your business’s trading channels, equipment needs and expected volume.

Request a complete quote based on how your customers pay. Include your typical transaction size, monthly volume and any existing till or ecommerce system. Confirm all recurring and transaction charges, equipment arrangements and agreement terms in writing. If you need integrated payments, ask which specific system connections are supported and who will carry out the setup.

Explore Worldpay’s UK payment solutions ↗

MAKE YOUR SHORTLIST PRACTICAL

Three checks before choosing a provider

Map your payment channels

List counter payments, mobile sales, online checkout and deposits. Check which products support each channel and whether sales information can be brought together in the way you need.

Calculate the complete cost

Use your expected sales volume and transaction mix. Include equipment, subscriptions, processing charges and any relevant refund, dispute, international-card or currency-conversion fees. Ask which charges apply to your setup.

Check the working arrangements

Confirm payout timing, support access, account eligibility and contract terms. Check device connectivity, refund workflows and integration requirements before purchasing equipment or moving your checkout.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Card payment questions answered

Which card payment provider is best for a small business?

The best fit depends on how you sell, your payment volume and the tools you need. Compare a complete setup for your business, including hardware, software, processing charges and support.

Is the lowest transaction rate always the cheapest option?

Not necessarily. Monthly subscriptions, hardware and other applicable charges can change the total. Compare costs using the same expected payment volume and transaction mix for each provider.

Can I use the same provider online and in person?

Several providers offer products for both channels, but the equipment, integrations and charges may differ. Confirm how your specific website and in-person setup would connect before choosing.

What should I check before buying a card reader?

Check account eligibility, device compatibility, connectivity and battery requirements. Confirm how it handles receipts and refunds, then review the ongoing payment charges alongside the purchase price.