The best card payment provider for a UK small business depends on how you take payments, the amount you process and the help you need. An occasional market stall, a busy café and an online shop can need very different setups.
Start by comparing the total cost of taking payments over a typical month. Then check the equipment, software, payout arrangements and contract. A low transaction rate is useful only if the rest of the service works for you.
Which providers should you compare?
The table is in alphabetical order. It covers published plans and tailored quotes, with options for in-person payments, point-of-sale software and online checkout. There is no overall winner.
| Provider | A reason to include it on your shortlist | What to compare before choosing |
|---|---|---|
| CanDo Payments | You want to discuss your current payment setup and obtain a tailored comparison | The complete written quote, equipment and software requirements, support arrangements and agreement terms |
| Dojo | You are comparing in-person payment equipment and associated business tools | Device purchase versus monthly cost, processing charges, software plan and required integrations |
| Square | You want to assess payments alongside point-of-sale software | Free versus paid software, hardware, transaction charges and any eligibility for custom pricing |
| Stripe | Your requirements include online checkout or a payment integration | Payment-method and card-type fees, extra products, integration work and ongoing maintenance |
| SumUp | You want to compare pay-as-you-go, subscription and tailored pricing options | Which plan fits your card sales, hardware needs and the eligibility and conditions of each offer |
| Worldpay | You want to obtain a tailored payment-processing proposal | The quoted rates, device and service charges, settlement conditions and contract terms |
CanDo Payments: compare your current setup
CanDo offers a statement-review service that compares your existing processing costs with a proposed CanDo setup. It can be a useful starting point if your current bill is difficult to understand or you want help assessing a change.
Ask us to explain the processing, equipment and software costs separately. Check the proposed service against the same requirements you give other providers. Compare a tailored quote with published plans using the same sales, transaction count and equipment needs. It is not automatically cheaper.
Dojo: compare the equipment and plan together
Dojo's UK pricing page sets out hardware purchase and monthly options alongside software plans. Ask for a proposal covering the devices and tools your business would use. If you already have a till system, confirm compatibility before deciding.
Check Dojo's current pricing(opens in a new tab).
Square: look at the complete software setup
Square offers a free software tier, paid options and custom pricing subject to eligibility. Include the features you need in the comparison rather than assuming the free plan covers your whole operation. Hardware and additional software can change the total.
Check Square's UK plans(opens in a new tab).
Stripe: understand the work behind the checkout
Stripe offers payment products for online and in-person use, with standard and custom pricing. For an online shop, check the payment methods, card mix and extra products you need. Include the cost of setting up and maintaining your chosen integration.
Check Stripe's UK pricing(opens in a new tab).
SumUp: compare all the relevant plans
SumUp offers pay-as-you-go, Payments Plus and tailored pricing. Its entry-level transaction rate is therefore only one option. Work through the plan that applies to your business, including the subscription, equipment and relevant card conditions.
Check SumUp's UK pricing(opens in a new tab).
Worldpay: use the written proposal
Worldpay advertises tailored pricing for small businesses. Obtain a proposal for your own payment mix and equipment needs, then compare it with the other offers on the same basis. A tailored offer needs enough detail to calculate the full cost.
Explore Worldpay's small-business options(opens in a new tab).
Compare the monthly bill, not just the percentage
For each offer, add together:
- Percentage charges for the card types and payment channels you use.
- Fixed charges per transaction, where applicable.
- Terminal, software and other recurring charges.
- Any minimum charges and usage-based extras.
Then consider setup costs and the cost of leaving your current agreements. Ask which charges include VAT and which do not.
Here is a simplified example using invented offers. These are not provider prices or a CanDo quotation. Assume both offers cover the same transactions, with no other charges.
| Monthly card sales | Offer A: 1.5%, no monthly fee | Offer B: 1.0% plus £20 monthly |
|---|---|---|
| £2,000 | £30 | £40 |
| £4,000 | £60 | £60 |
| £10,000 | £150 | £120 |
In this example, the offers cost the same at £4,000 a month. The lower percentage becomes cheaper above that point because it offsets the monthly fee. Add a terminal charge or a different card mix and the answer can change.
Transaction size matters too. At £10,000 of monthly card sales, an average sale of £10 means 1,000 transactions. A hypothetical 5p charge on each would add £50. At an average sale of £50, the same card sales mean 200 transactions and £10 in those charges.
For a seasonal business, compare a quiet month and a busy month as well as the annual total.
Check how the service fits your working day
For a café, pub or restaurant: write down where staff take orders and payments, whether you need to connect to an existing electronic point-of-sale (EPOS) system, and how bills, refunds and tips are handled. Ask for a demonstration of the workflow you will use.
For a retail shop: consider your checkout, stock system, receipts and returns. If you sell online too, establish which information needs to move between the shop and website.
For an online business: check the integration, payment methods, recurring-payment requirements and who will maintain the connection. Our online payments page is a starting point for discussing those requirements with CanDo.
Before signing, ask when funds become available, what can delay them and how support works during your trading hours. Get the applicable conditions in writing.
Five questions to ask before signing
- What would the full bill be for my recent payment mix, including equipment and software?
- Which charges or conditions change for different cards, refunds, disputes or payment channels?
- What is the agreement length, notice period and cost of leaving?
- Does the proposed setup work with my existing software, and who handles installation and support?
- What happens if a terminal or connection fails during service?
Keep your existing service until you have agreed a workable transition. Include any remaining obligations when weighing up a switch.
Common questions
Who is the cheapest card payment provider for a small business?
A headline rate alone cannot tell you which provider is cheapest. Compare the total charge for the same card sales, transaction count, card mix, equipment and software. A provider with a lower percentage can still cost more once fixed charges are included.
Should I change provider when I reach £10,000 a month?
There is no universal turnover point at which you should switch. At £10,000 a month, review the options against your actual payment mix. Ask your existing provider about its relevant plans and compare written alternatives. Include switching costs and any features you would lose.
Do I need to replace my till to change payment provider?
Check the compatibility of the exact till, software version and payment setup. Ask what an integrated connection supports and what happens if you use a separate card machine. Do not assume that a provider logo on a compatibility list covers every configuration.
Can CanDo help me compare my current charges?
Yes. You can request a review of a recent processing statement and receive a comparison with a proposed CanDo setup. Any decision should take account of the complete offer and your existing obligations.