SumUp Fees and Costs Explained
Compare SumUp pay-as-you-go and Payments Plus using your eligible card turnover, equipment costs and seasonal sales.
The short answer
SumUp’s cheaper percentage is available through a paid plan and applies to specified cards. Compare the subscription with the reduction on eligible sales, then add equipment and any other services you need. Your total turnover alone does not decide which plan costs less.
In this guide
What are SumUp’s published fees?
The UK pricing page lists pay-as-you-go at 1.69% for ordinary in-person card payments, with no monthly subscription. Payments Plus is £19 monthly or £189 annually. Its 0.99% rate applies to domestic consumer cards; international, corporate and premium cards, including American Express, are charged at 1.69%. Online payments are listed at 2.50%. A separate zero-fee provision applies to eligible in-person SumUp card payments.
These are provider-published terms checked on 15 October 2026. Hardware and optional services need their own budget. Confirm the tariff offered to your account before relying on it.
When does Payments Plus become cheaper?
For sales that move from 1.69% to 0.99%, the reduction is 0.70 percentage points. Each £1,000 of eligible sales therefore reduces processing charges by £7 before the subscription.
Monthly break-even = £19 ÷ 0.007 = £2,714.29 of eligible sales. With annual billing, £189 ÷ 0.007 gives £27,000 of eligible sales across the paid year. That is a different commitment from paying only for selected months.
If only 80% of your turnover qualifies, the monthly total-sales threshold becomes approximately £3,392.86. Exclude sales already charged at zero and payments that retain the same fee. Online turnover does not belong in this calculation.
A mixed-card example at £6,000 a month
Illustrative business, not a customer result. Assume £4,800 domestic consumer-card sales and £1,200 other in-person card sales, with no SumUp-card zero-fee transactions.
| Cost | Pay-as-you-go | Payments Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible card processing | £81.12 | £47.52 |
| Other card processing | £20.28 | £20.28 |
| Monthly subscription | £0 | £19 |
| Monthly total | £101.40 | £86.80 |
The calculated difference is £14.60 a month, or £175.20 over twelve identical months. If both options use the same equipment, that equipment does not change this difference, but it still belongs in the full budget.
What else belongs in your SumUp budget?
- The reader or terminal, accessories and any compatible phone or tablet you need.
- Software, booking or other optional subscriptions you actively use.
- Your real online and in-person sales split, rather than one rate applied to everything.
- Your own internet or mobile-data costs and any existing system you will keep paying for.
For seasonal trading, use the seasonal calculator to include quiet months as well as busy ones. Where eligible and other cards have different rates, work out each month’s complete cost and use the monthly-total entry mode. Read the billing and cancellation conditions before changing plans.
How to choose and compare
Start with three representative statements and separate eligible from other sales. Check that the device suits your working day: receipts, connectivity, staff use and links to your till can matter as much as a small fee difference.
Use our SumUp versus Square comparison for a second tariff benchmark. In the calculator, enter the sales, rates and fixed charges for your current and alternative arrangements, plus any one-off equipment cost. Keep separate notes for any subscription renewal that extends beyond the comparison period.
Common questions
Is Payments Plus always cheaper above £3,000 a month?
No. The result depends on how much turnover qualifies for the reduced fee, the billing option and any other cost changes. Compare eligible sales, not just all money taken.
Does a lower processing fee mean I should replace my till?
Not automatically. Check the functions and integrations you need, then include replacement and training costs before deciding.
Put your own figures to work.
Use the free calculator to organise your costs and keep a report. If something is unclear, you can ask for a free initial review.
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Sources and how to use this guide
Primary references checked on 15 October 2026:
Business profiles are fictional. Examples either use the explicitly identified published tariff or clearly labelled hypothetical prices. They are not customer results, market averages or personalised provider quotations. Unless stated otherwise, they use a consistent VAT basis and include only the costs listed. Provider prices, eligibility and terms can change. Check your written agreement before deciding.
Our guides explain costs and comparison methods. They do not rank the whole market or claim hands-on product testing. Source links are references, not a claim of partnership. Read the calculation method and limitations, or about the service.
Researching other options? Browse the payment and EPOS provider directory for provider profiles, official sources and questions to include in your quotation brief.