SumUp Review

Payment Acceptance: In-Person, Mobile, and Online

SumUp has gradually expanded its payment acceptance capabilities to include a wide range of transaction types. In-person payments remain its core strength, with support for chip and PIN, contactless cards, and mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay. This makes the system accessible to a wide audience, especially in cashless environments.

Mobile professionals can easily carry a SumUp card reader with them and pair it with their smartphone or use a standalone reader like the Solo or 3G. These options cater well to beauty technicians, delivery services, mobile mechanics, and vendors at local markets.

SumUp has also made strides in remote payment solutions. The platform allows merchants to send payment links via SMS, email, or social media. Customers can click the link, view the amount, and complete the payment securely using a card or mobile wallet. There’s also an invoicing tool that lets businesses issue branded invoices that customers can pay online.

For e-commerce businesses, SumUp offers a free online store builder, though it’s limited in scope compared to platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce. It’s best suited for micro-merchants who need a simple digital storefront rather than a full-fledged e-commerce system. Overall, SumUp’s flexibility across in-person and remote payments gives small businesses an accessible way to collect funds without investing in complex infrastructure.

SumUp App: Features and Usability

The SumUp app is central to how many businesses interact with the platform, especially those using the Air card reader. The app is available on both Android and iOS and provides a clean, intuitive interface for managing payments, viewing sales, and configuring settings.

Key features include the ability to add products with images and pricing, organize items into categories, and track inventory quantities. The app also allows tipping, tax configuration, and the issuance of digital receipts via SMS or email. Transaction history is available in real time, and users can filter sales by date or payment method for quick reporting.

Merchants can also refund transactions, send payment links, and view insights into daily or weekly earnings. While it doesn’t offer detailed financial reports or integration with accounting software out of the box, the essentials are there for small-scale operators.

For solo users or small teams, the app’s simplicity is a plus. It reduces the learning curve and requires minimal setup. However, some users might find the app limiting if they require deeper analytics, employee tracking, or integrations with loyalty systems and CRMs.

In short, the SumUp app is ideal for businesses that prioritize ease of use over customization. It’s particularly strong for those who work on the move and need an all-in-one mobile terminal in their pocket.

Online Store and Payment Links

SumUp has tools for merchants to accept payments remotely, including an entry level online store and payment link generator. These are for businesses that don’t have a traditional e-commerce platform but want to take card payments beyond face to face.

The online store builder is web based and no coding knowledge is required. Business owners can create a basic catalogue, add products with images and prices and publish the store with a custom URL. While the features are limited – no cart abandonment recovery, advanced shipping setup or multi currency support – it’s good for simple setups like bakeries, craft sellers or service bookings.

Payment links are even more flexible. Merchants can create a custom link for a specific amount and share it via email, social media or messaging apps. This is useful for service based professionals who invoice clients or freelancers who don’t want to use external invoicing software.

Both features have card payment processing, security compliance and receipt issuance. Not a replacement for a full e-commerce platform but SumUp’s remote payment tools give small businesses the ability to sell online without monthly fees or developer support.

Fees and Pricing Structure

One of SumUp’s strongest selling points is its transparent, no-surprise pricing model. Most of the platform operates on a pay-as-you-go basis, with no setup charges, monthly fees, or cancellation penalties. This is particularly beneficial for new businesses, seasonal vendors, and those that are hesitant to commit to long-term contracts.

As of 2025, card-present transactions are typically charged around 1.69%, while remote payments such as links or invoices carry a slightly higher fee of around 2.5%. These rates are competitive compared to other entry-level providers like Square or Zettle.

Hardware is sold upfront at reasonable prices. For example, the SumUp Air is often available for under $50, while the SumUp Solo may cost closer to $100. Bundle deals and occasional promotions further reduce the barrier to entry.

There are no PCI compliance fees or minimum transaction requirements. However, businesses processing larger volumes may find the per-transaction percentage adds up, making other providers with tiered or interchange-plus pricing more cost-effective in the long run. Overall, SumUp’s pricing is designed to appeal to small business owners who value simplicity and predictability over advanced customization or lower marginal fees.

Banking and Business Accounts by SumUp

To go with its payment tools, SumUp now has its own business account and prepaid Mastercard. This integration allows you to receive payments, manage your cash flow and spend your earnings without having to transfer funds to an external bank account.

The SumUp Business Account is free to open and can be activated in the same app you use for payments. Once activated you get a unique IBAN for local transfers and can set up direct debits or payouts. This is especially useful for freelancers and gig workers who want faster access to their earnings without having to wait for external bank settlements.

The SumUp Card gives you real-time access to your funds and can be used online and in-store. It also works with Apple Pay and Google Pay so you can use it for contactless payments. Some plans offer cashback on eligible purchases but this varies by region.

The banking features are convenient but basic. There’s no overdraft facility, interest on balances or integration with accounting tools. But for the target audience it’s a low-friction alternative to business banking. This is all part of SumUp’s vision to be more than a payment processor – it wants to be an all-in-one financial solution for micro-businesses and solo entrepreneurs.

Payout Speed and Settlement Times

Payout speed is a critical factor for small businesses managing tight cash flows, and SumUp performs reasonably well in this area. Typically, funds from card-present transactions are deposited into the linked bank account or SumUp Business Account within 1–2 business days. For many users, this schedule is fast enough to maintain operational continuity.

SumUp also offers an instant payout feature in certain regions, allowing merchants to receive funds within minutes for an additional fee. This is especially useful during peak sales periods or when businesses need liquidity on short notice. For remote payments, such as invoices or payment links, the settlement timeline may extend slightly, often taking 2–3 business days, which is standard industry practice due to additional verification and fraud prevention checks.

Merchants using the SumUp Card can access funds almost immediately after a transaction settles, bypassing the wait associated with external bank transfers. This can be a major advantage for service professionals or mobile businesses that operate on a day-to-day earnings model.

While SumUp doesn’t yet match some competitors that offer same-day bank transfers by default, its options for faster access continue to improve. For most small businesses, the payout timing is reasonable and predictable.

Customer Support and Service Quality

Customer service is often a make-or-break feature for small business tools, and SumUp receives mixed reviews in this department. The company provides multiple support channels, including email, live chat (via the app), and phone support in select regions. There’s also a comprehensive help center on its website that includes guides, FAQs, and troubleshooting instructions.

Users typically find the help center easy to navigate, with clear step-by-step instructions for common issues such as pairing devices, issuing refunds, and processing offline payments. However, response times through live chat and email can vary, and some users have reported delays in resolving technical or account-related problems.

SumUp has also faced criticism for limited weekend support hours, which can be frustrating for vendors operating on weekends or during events. While phone support is available, it may not cover all regions or time zones equally, which leaves a reliance on written communication.

To its credit, SumUp has continued to expand its support resources over time, including video tutorials and better onboarding documentation. Still, for users who prioritize hands-on customer care or have more complex operational needs, SumUp’s support experience may fall short compared to more premium providers.