Finding the Best Card Readers for Sole Traders UK can make a significant difference to how easily you accept payments, manage costs and serve customers. If you’re a sole trader, accepting card payments can help you get paid faster, reduce the amount of cash you handle and make it easier for customers to buy from you.
The good news is that modern card readers are more affordable than ever. Most providers offer simple pay-as-you-go pricing, no long-term contracts and mobile card readers that can be set up in minutes.
However, not all card payment providers are aimed at the same type of business. Some are designed for start-ups and occasional sellers, while others offer advanced tools better suited to established businesses with higher transaction volumes.
In this guide, we’ll compare the best card readers for sole traders in the UK and explain which provider is likely to be the best fit for your business.
If you’re comparing providers, you may also find our guides to Best Card Payment Machines UK, Cheapest Card Readers UK and Card Machine Fees Explained helpful.
Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through them, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Our comparisons and recommendations are based on independent research and editorial judgement.
Quick Verdict
Best Overall for Most Sole Traders: SumUp
Simple pricing, no monthly fees and affordable hardware make SumUp the easiest recommendation for most sole traders.
Best for Growing Businesses: Square
Square combines card payment processing with powerful business software, making it a strong choice for sole traders planning to expand.
Best for PayPal Users: Zettle
Zettle is easy to use and works particularly well for businesses that already use PayPal.
Best for Established Sole Traders: Dojo
Dojo offers more advanced features and tailored pricing, making it better suited to established businesses processing larger volumes of card payments.
View current pricing and devices:
SumUp Pricing → Square Pricing →Choosing a Card Reader
Choosing the right card reader isn’t just about finding the lowest transaction fee.
Most sole traders should consider the following factors:
Upfront Costs
Some providers offer card readers for less than £30, while others charge significantly more for advanced hardware.
If you’re just starting out, keeping upfront costs low can be more important than saving a fraction of a percent on transaction fees.
Transaction Fees
Most UK card payment providers charge a percentage of each transaction.
For businesses processing only a few thousand pounds per month, the difference between providers is often relatively small.
For higher turnover businesses, transaction fees become increasingly important.
Monthly Fees
Many sole traders prefer providers that don’t charge a monthly subscription.
Pay-as-you-go pricing allows you to accept payments without committing to ongoing costs.
Portability
If you work at customer premises, markets, events or pop-up locations, you’ll want a lightweight card reader with reliable connectivity and good battery life.
Ease of Use
The best card readers should be simple to set up and use without specialist training.
Most modern providers allow you to start accepting payments within a few minutes.
Business Tools
Some providers offer much more than card payments.
Features such as invoicing, stock management, reporting, appointment booking and point-of-sale software can become valuable as your business grows.
SumUp – Best Overall for Most Sole Traders
For most sole traders, SumUp offers the best balance of affordability, simplicity and flexibility, with products specifically designed for sole traders, mobile businesses and start-ups.
There are no monthly fees on the standard pay-as-you-go plan, making it particularly attractive for businesses with lower transaction volumes or seasonal income.
The company’s card readers are among the most affordable available in the UK, and setup is straightforward even for users with little technical experience.
SumUp Pros
- No monthly fee required
- Affordable card readers
- Simple flat-rate pricing
- Easy setup and operation
- Suitable for mobile businesses
SumUp Cons
- Fewer advanced business tools than Square
- Some features require paid plans
For sole traders who simply want an affordable and reliable way to accept card payments, SumUp is usually the easiest recommendation.
Want a deeper breakdown of pricing, transaction fees and hardware costs? See our complete SumUp Fees UK guide.
Read Guide →Square – Best for Growing Businesses
Square is often the best choice for sole traders who expect their business to grow over time.
While its transaction fees are slightly higher than some competitors, Square offers one of the strongest software ecosystems available.
In addition to payment processing, Square provides tools for invoicing, customer management, stock control, appointments and point-of-sale systems.
Many businesses start with a simple card reader and later expand into Square’s wider platform without needing to switch providers.
Square Pros
- Excellent business software
- Strong reporting tools
- Flexible POS options
- Scales well as businesses grow
- Free Tap to Pay on compatible devices
Square Cons
- Transaction fees can be higher than some alternatives
- More features than many sole traders actually need
If you’re building a business rather than simply accepting occasional card payments, Square is well worth considering.
For a detailed look at Square’s transaction fees, subscription plans and hardware pricing, read our Square Fees UK guide.
Read Guide →Zettle – Best for PayPal Users
Zettle is a straightforward card payment solution owned by PayPal.
Like SumUp and Square, it offers simple flat-rate pricing and easy-to-use hardware.
The biggest advantage of Zettle is its connection to the wider PayPal ecosystem. Businesses already using PayPal may find this integration particularly convenient.
The platform is easy to learn and provides basic reporting and sales tracking tools.
Zettle Pros
- Backed by PayPal
- Simple pricing structure
- Easy to use
- Reliable hardware
- Suitable for mobile businesses
Zettle Cons
- Less extensive software ecosystem than Square
- Fewer advanced features than some competitors
For sole traders already familiar with PayPal, Zettle can be a natural choice.
To learn more about Zettle’s fees, card readers and PayPal POS pricing, see our full Zettle Fees UK guide.
Read Guide →Dojo – Best for Established Sole Traders
Dojo takes a slightly different approach from the other providers in this guide.
Rather than focusing on very small businesses and start-ups, Dojo is generally aimed at more established businesses processing higher volumes of card payments.
The company offers advanced reporting, integrations and business management tools alongside its payment services. Dojo is particularly strong for retail and hospitality businesses that need EPOS integrations and more advanced operational tools.
While Dojo may not be the best fit for every sole trader, it can become increasingly attractive as transaction volumes grow.
Dojo Pros
- Advanced reporting tools
- Strong integrations
- Suitable for established businesses
- Fast payment settlement
- Potentially competitive pricing for larger businesses
Dojo Cons
- Less suitable for occasional sellers
- Monthly costs may apply
- More complex than some alternatives
For established sole traders processing significant card volumes, Dojo may offer advantages that simpler providers cannot match.
For a detailed breakdown of Dojo’s pricing, contracts, hardware options and software plans, read our Dojo Fees UK guide.
Read Guide →Comparison Table at a Glance
📱 Viewing on mobile? Swipe left and right to see the full table.
| Provider | Best For | Monthly Fee | Contract | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SumUp | Most sole traders | Optional | No | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Square | Growing businesses | Optional | No | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Zettle | PayPal users | No | No | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Dojo | Higher-turnover businesses | Usually applies | May apply | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Which Card Reader Is Cheapest for Sole Traders?
The cheapest card reader depends on how your business operates.
If you’re looking for the lowest upfront costs and no monthly commitment, SumUp is usually the strongest option.
For businesses processing larger transaction volumes, overall costs depend on both transaction fees and any subscription charges.
It’s important to consider the total cost of ownership rather than focusing solely on the advertised transaction rate.
In many cases, the difference between providers is relatively small compared with the value of choosing a platform that suits your business needs.
For most sole traders, ease of use and flexibility are often more important than saving a few pounds per month on processing costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a sole trader accept card payments?
Yes. Sole traders can accept card payments through card readers, payment links, online payments and invoicing systems offered by modern payment providers.
Do sole traders need a business bank account?
Not necessarily. Many providers allow sole traders to use a personal account, although a dedicated business account can make bookkeeping easier.
Are card reader fees tax deductible?
In most cases, card processing fees and hardware costs can be treated as allowable business expenses. You should seek professional advice if you’re unsure about your specific circumstances.
Can I use a card reader without Wi-Fi?
Yes. Most modern card readers can connect using mobile data or a smartphone connection, making them suitable for mobile businesses and market traders.
Which card reader is best for market traders?
For many market traders, SumUp offers the best combination of affordability, portability and ease of use. However, Square and Zettle can also be excellent choices depending on your requirements.
Final Verdict
After reviewing the Best Card Readers for Sole Traders UK, SumUp remains the strongest overall choice for most businesses., SumUp remains the strongest overall choice.
Its combination of affordable hardware, simple pricing and no monthly commitment makes it an excellent fit for businesses that want a straightforward way to accept card payments.
Square is the best option for sole traders planning to grow and take advantage of more advanced business software. Businesses with employees, retail premises or more advanced operational requirements may also find our guide to the Best Card Machines for Small Businesses UK helpful.
Zettle remains a strong alternative for businesses already using PayPal.
Dojo is worth considering for established sole traders with higher transaction volumes and more advanced requirements.
Ultimately, the best card reader is the one that matches the way your business operates. For the majority of UK sole traders, SumUp provides the best balance of cost, simplicity and flexibility.
View current pricing and devices:
SumUp Pricing → Square Pricing →Ready to Learn More?
Choosing the right card reader is only part of the decision. Understanding transaction fees, hardware costs and the differences between providers can help you avoid paying more than necessary.
If you’re still researching the Best Card Readers for Sole Traders UK, our detailed provider fee guides can help you compare pricing, hardware and features in more detail.
Related Guides
Best Card Payment Machines UK
Ready to choose a provider? Compare the leading card payment machines for UK businesses.
Read Guide →Cheapest Card Readers UK
Looking for the lowest-cost option? Compare affordable card readers and fees.
Read Guide →SumUp vs Zettle UK
See how SumUp and Zettle compare on fees, card readers and overall value for UK businesses.
Read Guide →Square vs SumUp UK
Compare two of the UK’s most popular card payment providers side-by-side.
Read Guide →Square vs Zettle UK
Our detailed comparison explains the key differences between Square and Zettle for UK merchants.
Read Guide →Dojo vs SumUp UK
Compare Dojo and SumUp side by side to find the right card payment provider for your business.
Read Guide →